Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Thirteenth Tale. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: The famous novelist Vida Winter reveals to her biographer, Margaret Lea, that she is not one of the Angelfield twins, Adeline and Emmeline, but a third, hidden girl: their illegitimate half-sister. Adeline died in the fire at Angelfield House, and the narrator took her place to care for the damaged Emmeline; Vida dies the same night Emmeline does, and Margaret finds peace with her own lost twin.
Quick facts
– Book: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
– First published: 2006
– Type: A Gothic mystery novel
– Tone of the ending: Haunting and satisfying
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Margaret, who works in her father's antiquarian bookshop, is asked to write the biography of Vida Winter, who has always invented stories about her life. Vida finally tells the truth: the story of the wild twins at Angelfield, their neglectful uncle Charlie, a governess named Hester, and the fire that destroyed the house. Margaret herself is haunted by the twin sister who died at birth.
What Happens at the End of The Thirteenth Tale
Vida explains that she was the child of Charlie and an unknown woman, raised in the shadows of Angelfield and never acknowledged. When Adeline set the house on fire, the narrator pulled Emmeline out, and Adeline died. The narrator, mistaken for Adeline, took the name Vida Winter and spent her life protecting Emmeline, who was badly scarred. Margaret learns the identity of Emmeline's son, Aurelius, and reunites him with his past. Vida dies peacefully. Margaret writes the book and is released from her grief.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Vida is the hidden third child.
- Adeline died in the fire.
- Emmeline's son learns who he is.
- Margaret makes peace with her twin's death.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Vida Winter | Dies after telling the truth |
| Emmeline March | Dies the same night |
| Margaret Lea | Writes the biography and heals |
| Aurelius Love | Learns his true family |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the power of telling the truth about the past.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love the Gothic twists, which deliberately echo Jane Eyre and The Turn of the Screw. Some find the final reveal confusing on a first read and enjoy going back to spot the clues about the third girl.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Stories. Vida's life is built on stories.
Twins. Twinship shapes several lives.
Truth. Truth heals.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Thirteenth Tale as haunting and satisfying. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Diane Setterfield to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are haunting and satisfying will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Diane Setterfield closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2013 BBC film with Vanessa Redgrave and Olivia Colman condenses the ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Thirteenth Tale with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about stories, and do you agree with Diane Setterfield's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as haunting and satisfying, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces stories and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Diane Setterfield leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Thirteenth Tale often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Thirteenth Tale earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Thirteenth Tale on Amazon
Books to Read After The Thirteenth Tale
Related: 15 Books Like The Thirteenth Tale You’ll Love · The Thirteenth Tale Book Club Discussion Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Thirteenth Tale?
The famous novelist Vida Winter reveals to her biographer, Margaret Lea, that she is not one of the Angelfield twins, Adeline and Emmeline, but a third, hidden girl: their illegitimate half-sister. Adeline died in the fire at Angelfield House, and the narrator took her place to care for the damaged Emmeline; Vida dies the same night Emmeline does, and Margaret finds peace with her own lost twin.
Is the ending of The Thirteenth Tale happy or sad?
Most readers call it haunting and satisfying.
What does the ending of The Thirteenth Tale mean?
The ending shows the power of telling the truth about the past.
Is the ending of The Thirteenth Tale the same in the adaptation?
The 2013 BBC film with Vanessa Redgrave and Olivia Colman condenses the ending.
Who wrote The Thirteenth Tale and when was it published?
The Thirteenth Tale was written by Diane Setterfield and first published in 2006.
Is The Thirteenth Tale worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy Gothic mystery novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Diane Setterfield prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Thirteenth Tale before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.