Stuart Turton is an incredibly talented writer and storyteller, who tells vastly different stories in each of the books of his that I have read! This one is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi story with a murder mystery twisted into it and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. Well it will after the first third or so of the book where he gets everything set up and that part was a bit confusing with the omnipotent narrator who pops in and out of the story, but once it starts to flow it really does! Lots of twists and turns about who the murderer is and what is their motivation. I believe there's a message hidden in all this about what exactly it means to be human and that is one I will be pondering for awhile. For me (and I know he hasn't done this before) this one screams for a prequel!

I have read all three of this author's novels, and found his writing to be smart and ingenious. This was a really clever murder mystery, and managed to combine two of my favorite genres- mysteries and dystopian.I enjoyed reading this book!

4.5! I really enjoyed everything about this book. The premise hooked me from the start. It's the end of the world and what's left of humanity can be found on an island. The island is surrounded by the fog that killed the rest of the world. The island is protected by the Elders. The people live a life of simplicity and service. Then one of the elders is brutally murdered and Emory, one of the island people, is tasked with finding out who killed the Elder. If she can't solve the murder in two days the whole island will be consumed by the fog. This is a fast paced, atmospheric, suspenseful mystery taking place in a fully realized post-apocalyptic dystopian society. Highly recommend it. Thank you #NetGalley for my ARC. #thelastmurderattheendoftheworld

There is a fog that has taken over the world. On a small island is a group of people protected from the fog. When a murder happens on this island, the deadly fog begins to move in towards the island, threatening to end the world in 48 hours. Emory, a woman who never felt that she fit in with the others takes on the task to solve the murder and push back the fog again. Will she solve the mystery in time?

This is the third book of Stuart Turton that I have read. While this was not my favorite story of his, I did enjoy it. The writing was good, if not a little slow. I appreciate that this mystery shared information to the reader as the investigation went on. I do wish that the story moved quicker and that we got to know the characters more. The story repeated itself a lot throughout the book. I would recommend this book to others.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for providing me with advance copy♥️

I recently read “The Last Murder at the End of the World” by Stuart Turton, and it left me speechless. I’m not typically a fan of sci-fi or dystopian novels, but this book captivated me from the first page. The writing was so vivid that I felt like I was part of the story.

What resonated with me the most was the characters’ resilience in the face of hopelessness. As someone who has struggled with anxiety, I found myself relating to the characters’ fears and doubts. Seeing them find strength in each other and keep moving forward was inspiring.

The mystery aspect was also expertly woven, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I loved how the author used the investigation to explore deeper themes of humanity, morality, and redemption.

While the book tackles heavy topics, it left me feeling hopeful and grateful for the little things in life. It reminded me that even in the darkest moments, there’s always a chance for connection, growth, and forgiveness.

Overall, I highly recommend “The Last Murder at the End of the World” to anyone looking for a gripping and thought-provoking read. Just be prepared to stay up late turning pages and reflect on the story long after you finish.

Started but could not get into. The concept is interesting but it was probably just not the right time to read for me.

I have loved every book this author writes. He installs a bit of magical realism in every single book and yet makes them so believable. His writing sucks you into the book and doesn't let you go. I have been listening to this book for a day and a half non-stop with only brakes for sleep. It is so fascinating to think of the world he has created and what a possible Utopia could be like after the collapse of civilization. His ideas and character development are excellent and the plot was so well done that it kept me guessing until the very end. Fabulous read and I definitely recommend it.

QUICK TAKE: If you like Turton books, you'll like THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD. To give much more away would spoil the fun, but this is a wild ride and did not go where I was expecting.

This is a book that requires a little patience to get into, but once you are, it's hard to put down. Fans of science fiction and dystopian books will love this.

A fog has taken over the world and killed almost everyone, except a small island that was protected by scientists. Things are not all that they seem though and when a murder occurs, everything changes. Their memories have all been wiped, and the fog is closing in.

Can they solve the murder before it's too late? What else might they find out in the process?

A study of humanity that is full of twists and turns. I was trying to figure it out but it was planned out one step ahead at every turn. If you like puzzles, this is a fun one!!

Thanks to netgalley for an eARC to review..

I loved Stuart's previous work so was so excited to pick this up. I loved the premise upon first glance, and it did not disappoint. This feels really original and twisty and would recommend to anyone who is interested.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Stuart Turton's "The Last Murder at the End of the World" is an imaginative and thrilling ride, combining elements of mystery, science fiction, and a dystopian future in a masterful way. Following the success of "The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" and "The Devil and the Dark Water," Turton once again showcases his talent for crafting intricate plots and engaging readers in a complex puzzle.

Set on an isolated island, the last known refuge in a world obliterated by a deadly fog, the story unfolds with the murder of one of the island's revered scientists. This event sets off a chain reaction, endangering the lives of all the inhabitants by threatening to expose them to the deadly fog. Turton brilliantly constructs a high-stakes scenario where solving the murder is not just about finding a killer, but about survival itself.

The element of the island's security system wiping everyone's memory of the night of the murder adds an intriguing twist to the traditional whodunit. This amnesia plot device elevates the tension and suspense, as each character could potentially be the murderer without their own knowledge. Turton's skill in handling this complexity is commendable, making the narrative not only compelling but also deeply immersive.

The setting of the island, with its idyllic yet eerie atmosphere, is vividly described, creating a stark contrast to the horror of the outside world engulfed by the fog. The characterization is strong, with each inhabitant of the island having distinct personalities and secrets, contributing to the rich tapestry of the story.

Turton's pacing is impeccable, maintaining a balance between developing the mystery and exploring the novel's sci-fi elements. The countdown of 92 hours adds urgency to the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The blending of genres works seamlessly, creating a unique reading experience that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

"The Last Murder at the End of the World" is a testament to Turton's prowess as a storyteller. His ability to weave an intricate plot with a vivid setting and a compelling cast of characters makes this novel a standout in its genre. It is a must-read for fans of innovative mysteries and science fiction alike, promising a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this because I really liked Turton’s previous two books, and this sounded equally interesting. I was a little disappointed in the length - I genuinely expected it to be much longer, and I was shocked at how quickly the status bar filled up! The plot (though not really the style) is reminiscent of Justin Cronin’s books - both the Passage trilogy and The Ferryman. The early chapters here are especially similar to the Colony sections in The Passage - a small group of people, all that’s left of humanity, stuck in a very small area with a threat very close by.

It’s tough to talk too much about the plot without giving away spoilers, so I’ll try my best! The setting is an indeterminate point in the future - it’s at least 90 years after the “end of the world” (so to speak), and although there aren’t any flashbacks, it certainly seems like the world ended several decades past where we are now. There was this giant fog that slowly blanketed the world, and it literally destroyed every living object in its path (it’s full of glowing insects? Or creatures that are insect-like). It’s clearly man-made, but there’s never any detail on who made it. Either way, it was unstoppable, except for this tiny Greek island that used to be a military outpost. The people living here are the last humans on Earth. They’ve created an essentially utopian society - everyone has a job and they all work together to grow food and keep the community running. And everyone just dies at 60 (it’s weird that this just isn’t questioned, but it does make sense later on) so the population doesn’t grow out of control. The only people exempted from the dead-at-60 rule are the three elders: Niema, Thea, and Hephaestus. They’re truly the last remaining humans, as the rest of the islanders are just descendants. Niema is the person who sent out the radio broadcast inviting the last of humanity to make its way to the island - she and Thea were working in the Blackheath lab there already. Hephaestus is her son.

When the novel opens, Niema is working on a problem. She thinks she’s figured out a way to fix the human race - get rid of humanity’s impulses for selfishness and violence, a world of perfect equality. I was rolling my eyes pretty hard here, but her reasoning does eventually make sense. The only hiccup, as she’s informed by Abi, the AI that speaks in the minds of everyone on the island (just go with it), is that someone has to die in order for her plan to succeed. This is the last murder at the end of the world, and it sets off a chain of events that could either lead to humanity’s salvation or extinction, depending on if our protagonist Emory can solve the murder in time.

What’s interesting about the structure here is that Abi (the AI) is the narrator - which as others have pointed out is occasionally jarring, because Emory feels very much like the protagonist, but we aren’t tied to her the whole time. Given that Abi is all-knowing, it makes sense for her (she takes female pronouns) to narrate, and it lets us see a little more than if we were tied to Emory exclusively. Emory is kind of a spin on your typical dystopian protagonist - she likes to ask questions (which Niema has always encouraged, even though the other villagers frown upon it), so she makes a natural detective. She’s skeptical of why things are the way that they are on the island, and she’s intensely curious about the rest of the world AND the world before the fog.

I also think it’s interesting that we don’t have any pre-fog or early island flashbacks (it makes sense by the end, because those would give away the game too quickly, and ultimately they aren’t necessary to the story Turton is trying to tell). Given that there’s a literal secret lab on an island, and a damn smoke monster to boot, I was worried this would turn out like Lost - just a giant puzzle box with nothing interesting inside. Happily, that’s not the case here, and although I would have liked more detail on both of those potential flashback scenarios, again, that’s just not the story we’re here for. Suffice it to say, I was worried this would turn out to be as disappointing as Lost, but it’s not!

The end of the world starts like many other ends--with a death. But how can they solve it sand save themselves when every single person has lost their memory? If you're looking for a fresh take on the dystopian genre--look no further. The mind of Stuart Turton must be one of the most interesting places on Earth. Turton's style is so unique and remarkable and always seems to turn a classic genre on its head.

This is the first book I've read by this author, so I look forward to reading his previous book now that I've read this one! It is a dystopian, murder, who-done-it mystery set in the not-so-distant-future and deals with such issues as human greed and ingenuity, artificial intelligence, protecting our environment, and what defines humanity. It starts slowly, but builds as the various characters reveal secrets in their pasts, as observed by the AI who narrates the book and a countdown begins to the end of human existence. I do wish that there had been a bit more explanation of the fog/insects (was it man/lab made? where did it come from?) and some more glimpses of life before the fog for each character, to get to know them better. I appreciated the ending had a hopeful conclusion. This would make a wonderful movie or mini-series.

This was an interesting twist on a sci-fi book mixed with a murder mystery. While sci-fi isn’t always my favorite genre, this one was also dystopian, and I enjoyed the mystery of what was going to happen to the entire village, as well as trying to figure out who committed the murder. I don’t want to give too much away, but this one was an interesting read that I would recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A group of humans migrate to the end of the world and struggle to survive under the rule of a few elders who enforce stringent rules. One is to follow orders and not ask questions. For the ones who question, there are consequences.

I really enjoyed how good the mystery elements worked with the sci-fi elements. It had everything that I was hoping for from the description. The characters felt like they belonged in this world and how they worked with the story. The plot was everything that I was looking for and glad I got to read this. I had enjoyed previous works from Stuart Turton and this was another winner.

Pub date: 5/21/24
Genre: dystopian fiction
Quick summary: One island and its 125 residents are all that remain of a world destroyed by a mysterious fog. But one scientist's death mean two things: someone is a murderer, and the colony is no longer safe from the fog.

I loved THE 7 1/2 DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE, so I was excited to see how the author would create a dystopian world. I felt completely immersed in the strange world of the island, and Turton included a few nice twists in the first half. Unfortunately, the book felt too long and drawn out for me at 400 pages, as Turton continued to throw in twist after twist plus tons of different characters. I felt like the last 50 pages of the book completely upended everything and didn't fit well with the first half. However, dystopian fiction lovers may enjoy this one more than I did!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Apocalyptic, whodunit mystery? Count me in! We follow multiple POVs - including an all seeing biological creature named Abby, to figure out who is a killer to prevent the end of the world.

What can you say about this thriller without giving up any spoilers and revelations? Turton has done such a fantastic job of blending mystery and sci-fi in this exciting new suspenseful mystery that will engross you from beginning to end. Like his others, it's a book I can't stop thinking about, and after you read it, you won't either.