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Member Reviews

This was such a weird book that kept me reading (short chapters helped) and guessing until the very end.

I would love to have had a chapter or two more into the far future so we could really know how everyone fared.

Will read more from this author- mostly because of the Afterword.

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This was a DNF for me. I just couldn't grasp what was going on in the first few chapters and tried starting over. I was confused and unable to connect with the story. I'm sure this was a "me problem" and others have and will love it.

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Turton excels at crafting puzzles within puzzles. The murder investigation is just the surface—beneath it lie secrets about the world’s collapse, the true nature of the survivors, and hidden agendas. The book explores what people will do to survive and whether their rules are justified—or just another form of control. Some readers might find the multiple twists and timeline shifts confusing, especially in the final act. The middle section drags slightly as Turton layers in backstory, though the payoff is worth it. The Last Murder at the End of the World is a brilliantly crafted, high-concept thriller that will appeal to fans of dystopian fiction and intricate whodunits. While it demands attention, the payoff is a satisfying, thought-provoking read.

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While the premise is interesting, I could not get into the story. The writing was not enjoyable enough for me to finish reading it.

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I had to read this one twice. The first time I couldn’t get into it and so I put it down as a DNF. But then I needed something for a challenge or readathon or something, and this fit perfectly. And I am so glad that I gave it another shot. I really this one was a wrong time the first time around. I really loved the world - post apocalyptic and that we are trying to solve a murder. I was trying to solve it along with our cast.

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Sad to say I did not at all enjoy this book.. the premise is there but the the execution was all over the place

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This was an interesting page turner about a post apocalyptic society. The twists and turns were great and kept me thinking about it after I finished.

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This is my second Turton,and I wasn't disappointed. Even though I am not big on dystopia stories, this one worked. I love the way the author draws you in,and co fuses you u til the end. It was delightful.

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Stuart Turton never ceases to amaze me. This post-apocalyptic story is full of twists and turns; it really was an emotional rollercoaster!

What begins with an unheard-of event in a small, isolated population (years after the world basically became uninhabitable) reveals much more than I could imagine. There are hints throughout the book pointing to things yet to be revealed; they are amazing in hindsight. The character development is excellent, and this was a book I just could not stop listening to.

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I did enjoy this book but did struggle a bit following the storyline. I'll definitely look for other books by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

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THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Stuart Turton was a LibraryReads selection last Spring and received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. I had really enjoyed and heartily recommended Turton's The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle so I was looking forward to his latest offering. Unfortunately, I could not stay engaged even though human survival is in grave danger as the book opens with “107 Hours until Humanity’s Extinction" Turton certainly put effort into creating and explaining a world with many rules, but it felt stifling, a bit irrational, and unwelcoming. I tried the audiobook and found the story confusing (not a big surprise after Evelyn Hardcastle) and sad. In the Afterword, Turton explains that he aims to "write radically different books each time, ... [and] it's not an easy thing to pick up a book that's not necessarily in your wheelhouse." Very perceptive – and it is clear there are many other readers who will enjoy this dystopian fiction.

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It's been a minute, so I honestly can't say what I was expecting when I requested this. I ended up finally picking it up a couple weeks ago because people were raving about it, and really still had no idea what to expect. What I got was.... different? If I had known the story, I don't know that I would have gravitated to this book, but once I got into it, it was very readable. But I struggled more than I expected. Solid 3* for readability and uniqueness, but not my favorite read this year.

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A global encompassing fog that has killed everything it touches has ravished most of the world. A small island of under 200 people is living inside a scientist created bubble, safe from the fog, and has been for generations. However, a murder is about to upend the idyllic life on the island and lead to a lot of disturbing questions with disturbing answers as the barrier that keeps the islanders safe is set to expire after the murder.
Turton knocked it out of the park with this one, I was thoroughly engaged throughout the entire book and each revelation was unexpected, but not outside the realm of believability within the constructs of the world created.

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The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton is a bold blend of murder mystery and speculative fiction, set against a haunting, post-apocalyptic backdrop. Known for his complex, twisty plots, Turton once again aims high, crafting an intricate narrative filled with secrets, puzzles, and philosophical questions about humanity.

The novel’s premise is undeniably intriguing—isolated survivors on a dying planet, a murder that threatens their fragile existence, and a ticking clock to solve it. Turton excels at world-building, and the atmospheric setting adds a moody tension that pulls you in. The concept feels fresh and ambitious, with moments of genuine suspense and thought-provoking ideas.

However, where the book struggles is in its execution. The pacing often drags, weighed down by overly complex plot threads that sometimes feel convoluted rather than clever. Character development takes a backseat to the twist-heavy plot, making it harder to connect emotionally with the stakes. While the mystery itself has its moments of brilliance, some reveals feel forced or unnecessarily complicated, leaving the ending less satisfying than expected.

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This is a story about what survives the end of the world.

This book was only the 2nd one l've ever read that utilized a sentient & somewhat omnipotent Al as one of multiple narrative perspectives- and I was super into it, especially bo that was the only first person narrative pov. I also loved the locked room feeling of the island and the sense of impending doom that threaded throughout.

Thank you so much @netgalley & @bookmarked for the eArc!

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3.5 rounded up to 4

This was a great sci-fi end of the world survival novel... it had a bunch of twists and an ending I didn't see coming. I feel like I can't say much beyond that purely because I don't want to spoil it!

This is a book for anyone looking for a meaningful and exciting science fiction read.

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A thought-provoking mystery novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. I read it in one day!!

The characters are well-crafted and multi-dimensional. There are internal struggles, moral dilemmas along with some great supporting characters who have unique quirks and back stories.

The author's writing style is both descriptive and engaging. The vivid imagery and detailed settings transport readers into the bleak world the characters inhabit. Dialogue is sharp and realistic, adding to the authenticity of the interactions.

The novel explores themes of justice, redemption, and the human condition in the face of impending doom. It raises important questions about what it means to seek truth and justice when the world is falling apart.

Overall, this novel is a must-read for those who enjoy a blend of mystery and science fiction/fantasy.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark through Net Galley for an advance copy.

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Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.

I struggled getting into this book so I ended up getting a copy of the audiobook from my library and listening to it. While I really liked this authors previous work, The 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much. The mystery was just okay. The scifi reveals were, however, more entertaining. The mystery threw a lot of twists at you, some of which were interesting, most just felt like they dragged the book out longer. I did like the conclusion of the book and found the villagers to be likable enough. I would have liked less murder mystery and more scifi mystery.

3 stars.

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The premise is absolutely gripping—a post-apocalyptic setting with an idyllic island that hides a dark secret. The idea of a murder, combined with the threat of an encroaching fog that will wipe out everyone if it’s not solved within 92 hours, creates real tension and stakes. The setting is well-crafted, and the concept of memory loss adds an intriguing layer to the mystery. However, I found that the execution didn’t always live up to the high-concept premise.

The plot is complex, and while the pacing is generally good, the constant back-and-forth between confusion and revelation can feel a bit repetitive at times. Some of the twists were interesting, but others seemed overly contrived, relying heavily on coincidence rather than character-driven actions. The characters, though they have potential, feel a bit one-dimensional, making it hard to fully invest in their fates.

That said, the concept is strong enough to keep you turning pages, and the final reveal does have an audacity that’s commendable. If you’re a fan of inventive mysteries and high-stakes scenarios, this book will appeal to you, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of delivering a truly satisfying, tight narrative.

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This story was fascinating to me. I loved learning about the characters and how they contributed to their society and it was an on the edge of your seat thriller that had me hooked when the murder happened! It ended very nicely with all loose ends tied up and I can’t wait to read his other titles.

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