Imma say something that I've kinda thought deep down ever since I read THE 7 1/2 DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE for the first time, and which THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD has affirmed for me: Stuart Turton is basically the 21st century's answer to Agatha Christie. Which is a big statement, I know, but I just cannot think of a single other mystery author writing now who does locked room murder mysteries quite like he does. You wouldn't think that a post-apocalyptic whodunnit featuring deady fogs, memory wipes, an omniscient and morally ambiguous AI narrator, and the impending death of humanity could still manage to feel so classic and fun and unputdownable, but holy hell, this did it for me.

I have been a huge fan of Turton ever since I read The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle while my youngest was in the NICU. Turton truly excels at writing creative, grand scale locked room mysteries with a litany of moving pieces. The Last Murder at the End of the World takes place on an island, protected by a forcefield that repels what is simply known as the fog. Years ago, the fog swept across the entire world, killing everyone and everything. The survivors on this island are all that is left of humanity. But a murder lowers the forcefield, the memories of the islanders have been wiped by their protective AI, and time is ticking before humanity is wiped out for good.

Turton was as ambitious as ever with this one. He has created a thriving, simple yet technological futuristic society. It calls out a lot that is wrong with our current world, without idealizing this fantasy world. Because even in this supposedly idyllic space, there is murder, secrets, and danger. I loved the multiple POV's, as it really added so many nuanced layers of depth and feeling to this tale. The story itself was fast paced, as the AI made it clear that the islanders had a set number of hours to solve the murder before humanity is wiped out. I enjoyed several of the plot twists, and found myself mostly unable to put the book down. Where this story flounders is in pacing. The book starts really slow, and even though it is supposed to be on a time crunch, it didn't translate particularly well. The characters didn't feel particularly rushed, and this lack of urgency really made things fall flat in some spots where the lackadaisical attitude of the protagonists really killed the "race against time" vibes. Still, a solid entry from Turton.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

I'm not a gambler. I'd rather spend my money on a sure thing. Plus my anxiety won't let me make solid decisions in a short amount of time. I should know this about me. I DO know this about me in every aspect of my life except the bookish part.

Here's why I took a gamble on this book even though his best selling 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was just okay for me. #1 - I enjoy distopian fiction when done well but usually it leans more YA which I've been in a trial separation with. #2 - I have really been enjoying speculative fiction lately - this is sci-fi adjacent. #3 -While I've heard 7 1/2 Deaths described as sci-fi, I wouldn't really put it in the same category as Star Wars or Dune. #4 (this one is on me - I first requested this because I thought it was Scott Turow... (oops).

First of all, this is NOT a murder mystery in the traditional sense of murder mysteries. The murder doesn't even happen until almost 45% of the way in. Turton sets up the story so the inhabitants of this isolated island are generations removed from the original cataclysmic event that almost ends humanity. They have no idea about murders and clues and detecting. This gives Turton an out for basic murder mystery genre expectations and makes the amateur detective's simple discoveries amazing to the rest of the inhabitants while being a bit cringy to me. This is where it started to feel more YA than adult to me.

There is also a LOT going on in this story. After a while, it honestly got hard to figure out who was related to whom and who was lying and who was in charge of whatever. And, honestly, I didn't really care about any of the characters or the story that much to really slow down and figure it all out. The middle of the story dragged for me. I ended up skimming most of the end after the 60% mark. One of the tough things was all the different POVs and timelines. We also have the first person narration of the AI creation, Abi, who is able to completely control the inhabitants of the island to the point of wiping memories, making them sleep, and controlling their bodies while they sleep. Isn't that just a very convenient plot trick for Mr. Turton.

Overall, this was MUCH more sci-fi, a little too YA, and a lot of slow moving detective work for me. I'm sure fans of sci-fi and Turton will enjoy this book. I think Mr. Turton and I will have to part ways after this.

I really enjoyed the writing style, but overall the story wasn’t my favorite! I tend to not enjoy locked room mysteries, so I think that affected my enjoyment of this story.

Stuart Turton keeps the suspense going and going! This post- apocalyptic book will keep you turning the pages. I have loved each and every book written.

Stuart Turton writes mysteries that are anything but ordinary. I refer to them as "thinking person mysteries," with stories that are complex and original. Like the author's previous books, this one is edgy and a blend of dystopia, sci fi, and mystery. It's a "locked room" mystery, where a group of people are isolated from the outside, and one of them must be the murderer, but it seems to be impossible that any of them did it. Hints of the television series LOST and also The Prisoner. I could have used a map of the island since it was sometimes difficult to picture where the characters were at times in relation to the village and the bay. Not for someone looking for a traditional mystery, but will appeal to readers who like fiction that is "out there."

In Stuart Turton's latest masterpiece, "The Last Murder at the End of the World," readers are plunged into a gripping whodunit set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world. The story unfolds on an idyllic island, the last refuge in a world decimated by a deadly fog, where survival is contingent on solving a murder that could expose the inhabitants to the same deadly fate that befell the rest of the planet.

The island, sheltering 122 villagers and three scientists, seems like a peaceful haven, but the murder of one of the revered scientists sends shockwaves through the community. With a ticking clock of 92 hours, the islanders must unravel the mystery, as failure to do so will result in the encroaching fog swallowing everything in its path.

Great read!

The Last Murder as the End of the World takes place in a combination of an apocalyptic world, an idyllic paradise, a treatise on over-reaching technology, and a mystery. This combination of elements presaged an intriguing storyline and thought-provoking novel. I found that it delivered on the former while missing on the latter. Rather than providing a synopsis you can read elsewhere, I will present my thoughts on the delivery of these two elements.

Many stories utilize the concept of the few "haves" and many "have nots", usually in opposition to each other. Last Murder offers a scenario in which they live in (apparent) harmony with each other. Elders are revered and treated with great respect and awe, perhaps undeserved. The general population of this small island village chooses their work based on personal interests - or do they? The supernatural fog that surrounds the island and keeps them in place focuses the story on the present, with only flashes of life as it used to be. The short timeframe of the story provides an ever-increasing pace that kept me guessing.

Without providing spoilers, I can say that I was disappointed in how the elements were lightly addressed but not in-depth, Some of the elements cause actions that drive the workings of this village but aren't developed as fully as they might have.

While engaging, I found myself wishing I was spending my reading time with some other involved novel.

"The Last Murder at the End of the World" by Stuart Turton told a compelling, Christie-like story with a few fun twists. It felt front-loaded with a bit too much exposition and a breadth of characters but once I got past these introductions, the plot was enticing and kept me guessing. The chapters were short, which made it easy to pick up and put down, and the characters were well drawn in a way that allows the reader to ask themselves ethical questions about good and evil.

It takes some time for this book to get its footing. There are a lot of characters and since it's set in the future there is some world building to get used too as well.

Ultimately, I'd describe it as a cross between The Ferryman, Annie Bot and a murder mystery.

I found the novel difficult to read due to its narration which was jarring. I'm not sure if I'm describing it right, but it was largely third person but with a sudden bit from Abi, the AI system who is in first person. The flow between them is really awkward and was uncomfortable to read. The narration style definitely detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

I love the oddity of this author. This book isn't like others. It's very odd and creative. It's a mix of a classic murder mystery plus iRobot. Piecing this story together was fun.

Stuart Turton is one of my favorite authors. He could write a phone book and make you thrilled you read it. His stories are outside the box, thought provoking, and thrilling to read. We have an island of people, just about 122 of them that survived the end of the world. Rest of the world parishes in a deadly fog. Except for them due to scientists finding a way to put up a wall to keep the fog at bay. We meet several of the islanders as they celebrate a funeral with the still live deceased. On this island no one lives past 60 and the day before they die there is a big celebration to honor them. Unfortunately there’s a body found that didn’t die naturally and it is one of the leaders of the island. This starts a panic that show cracks in the foundation of the island. It leads us to more and more questions about who and what is inhabiting the island.
This book was one of those page turners that wouldn’t let you sleep at night. The story is masterfully written so that you are on that island, you are going on the adventure to solve this murder. The fog is closing in and you have days before you need to solve it before the island is gone forever.

This was such an enjoyable read. It kept me on the edge of my seat at times while also building this world that’s been destroyed by some mysterious fog. I was frustrated that life got in the way of my reading most of the time. The end was both surprising and predictable in some ways. I had guessed some of the outcome but was still largely surprised by the turn of events. I was committed to the characters and their survival, even the ones that I was suspicious of right from the beginning, looking at you Elders. A beautiful story that rivals the web weaving found in The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, my first and favorite read by Turton.

The Last Murder at the End of the World was such a fun new take on the classic murder mystery. I don't want to give too much set up, because much of the fun of reading this book is figuring out what exactly is going on! If you like murder mysteries, but you are tired of the same old tropes, this new twist on the genre will be perfect for you.

I love Stuart Turton. He’s an auto-read author for me and The Last Murder at the End of the World did not disappoint. Part Agatha Christie (locked island murder rather than locked room); part Lord of the Flies (everyone turning on each other); part Three Body Problem (or pick your apocalyptic sci-fi here). It was a fascinating read, he left clues out in the open where the reader could recall them, and had a really great twist. Highly recommend and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Sourcebook and Bloomsbury Raven should be really proud of this great book!

An intriguing premise and setting made this an engaging read. I enjoyed the mystery and slow reveal of what was actually taking place on the island and the events that had led to a communtiy forming there. I plan to purchase this title for my high school library.

5 stars- I would absolutely recommend this book. This story captivated me from the prologue and it kept getting more and more intriguing as the story went on as more and more pieces unfolded. It was hard for me to put this book down when I needed to without thinking about what was going to happen next. I felt like there was a new twist over and over. As my sister likes to say, “books are like little movies in your mind,” and this truly was like reading a great movie. I have loved everything this author has written and I already cannot wait for what’s next.

I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.

Wow, wow, wow! I really enjoyed this book! It was practically perfect in every way for me. I loved the important questions about humanity and the true depths of our depravity. I loved the society that the villagers had created for themselves. I really enjoyed the mystery of who-dunnit and Emory's quest for the truth.

There was just so much going on here in regards to thought provoking storytelling, but it was done in such an entertaining way. I love it when an author makes me think deeply about something while also entertaining me. Often I feel like authors sacrifice one for the other, but when I get both, I am truly delighted. This one gave me both, and I love it for that. The characters are so well developed, and watching them evolve throughout the story was really cool - especially when you learn all there is to learn about the nature of the island and its inhabitants (nothing more on that because spoilers). The morphing of Emory's world view and relationships as she explored her reality was really well written and believable. The atmosphere was so well written that I found myself transported to this remote island where everything is riding on one woman asking the right questions to the right people.

I have zero complaints. This book really worked for me.

A new Stuart Turton novel is always met with great anticipation and high expectations. The author, who frequently draws inspiration from Golden Age crime fiction, is undoubtedly skilled at crafting original mysteries. In his latest high-concept thriller he creates an entirely fictitious and post-apocalyptic setting on a remote Greek island.

Link to full review on Crime Fiction Lover: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.com/2024/04/05/the-last-murder-at-the-end-of-the-world-stuart-turton/

Book Title: The Last Murder at the End of the World
Author: Stuart Turton
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
My Rating: 3 Stars!
Pages: 368

Sometime in the future a man-made fog is created that gradually covered the planet, inhabited by insects that are nourished by the fog and destroy every living thing. There was only one place spared, a small Greek island, It’s not clear why the fog didn’t reach this island, but it does hover in the distance, a constant threat.
There are 122 villagers and three scientists living on the island. The murder of one of the scientists creates shockwaves.
This story is not just about solving the murder but also how to survive. Since the title is murder at the end of the world I expected no one will survive and wasn’t sure this story was for me.
I hung in there and discovered there is a survival part of this story.

Author Tturton is the author of “The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle”.
Although I didn’t love the audio performer, I did find the story interesting and believe that is why I wanted to read this story.
Unfortunately I didn’t love – doesn’t mean other readers will feel the same.
It was a different read for me and sometimes I need to go outside my comfort zone.


Want to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 21, 2024.