Stuart Turton is the master of creativity, his meticulously thought out and plotted books are all amazing. This one felt like Lost (the TV show) meets Agatha Christie meets “The Father -thing” (by Philip K. Dick). As with all his books you have to go slow and ease into the story because the details are important and sometimes you have to go back a few pages to be sure you are following. I did love this book but it felt a little slow, and slightly long in the middle - but the beginning and ultimate ending were fabulous. Highly recommend. I received and ARC from the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley and appreciate the opportunity to read this book - this did not impact my opinion.

Plagued by bottomless curiosity, and general ineptitude for most menial tasks, Emory is a social outcast on the island at the end of the world. When the murder of an elder sets into motion a chain of events that threatens extinction, she must put aside her self-doubt and “be of service” as the world’s last detective.
With this third stand-alone novel, Turton establishes himself as a master of the mystery mash-up. This dystopian detective story expertly follows the conventions of both genres without feeling forced. The clues are dropped early and often, while the science fiction conceits satisfactorily introduce a ticking clock without bogging down with excessive jargon. The steady pace leaves just enough room to connect with characters and second guess their red herring status. Ultimately, the mystery is fair, the dystopia is a fine morality tale, and the ending is pleasantly satisfying for fans or newcomers alike.

I search from time-to-time for science fiction stories combined with mysteries. And I found one recently written by Stuart Turton entitled “ The Last Murder at the End of the World.” Our world has ceased to be as we are left with a single island surrounded by a dense fog that has killed off everything else on earth. And thus begins this unique story.
So did I like the book? Yes I did for I enjoy an author taking chances writing a narrative that is uniquely singular. (Nobody but Stuart Turton could have written “The Last Murder…” Did I always enjoy the plot? Nope. Sometimes the story dragged a bit for my tastes. Contrarily, the mystery took many twists and turns and kept me guessing till the very end.
So I am assigning “The Last Murder at the End of the World “ a respectable 3 stars and, as always, my thanks to NetGalley for the chance to enjoy this book.

Whodunit? That’s the big question. This original story takes the reader somewhere into the future with a murder that must be solved within 91 hours.

The Greek islands seems like a pleasant place to live but maybe it's not. Ninety years ago, a global disaster occurred everywhere except this small place on earth with only three surviving scientists and 122 farm workers. The narrator was Abi, an AI system, who was aware of all of their thoughts.

It was very interesting to read about how this place was set up to carry on. The scientists were referred to as “elders” with a great deal of wisdom. All the workers died when they turned 60. There were no prayers or afterlife beliefs. “The reward for a good life is the living of it.” Each person accepted what they had to do everyday with a curfew at night. They cared for each other. It was inspiring!

It was easy to visualize the main characters with their work and feelings for each other. I found the first half of the book to be full of imagination with this futuristic world that was on the edge of existing. Yet, when the focus was on the murder, my mind kept drifting and was glad to finally get to the end. For those that love science fiction with an adventure, this may be one that flows fast and furiously with the visionary words.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 21, 2024.

Another one of those books where the title pulls me in. But I do love a post-apocalyptic story that has some mystery to it. I didn’t expect the sci-fi part of it but that’s okay. So, a fog spreads throughout the world and insects inside the fog devour anything and anyone. On a Greek island, where there was once a research facility, they keep the fog at bay and have survived numerous decades. Then one of the elders is murdered which leads a chain of events that turns off the mechanism that stops the fog from approaching the island. The inhabitants have a few days to find the murder which would turn it back on and save the island.

That said, it was an okay story. I was a little consumed at first. Too many characters to keep track off and so much going on, sometimes it was hard to follow. But that’s just me, I am not much of a science fiction fan but overall it was okay.

Stuart Turton always writes an interesting novel. I appreciate his characters and the depth they each bring to the story. This book was good. I liked the premise about a group stranded by a "fog" that has killed everything outside their bubble, and the people inside who are trying to eke out a life for themselves. The idea of an omnipotent-ish voice that lives inside everyone's minds and can talk to them and influence their decisions is interesting. A different take on the murder mystery novel. I liked this one.

4.5 stars

Having had one hit and one miss from Turton's previous books, I had high hopes going into this one that Turton would deliver on the promised premise with his signature combination of incisive prose, intriguing social commentary, and insane twists. I am pleased to announce that The Last Murder at the End of the World delivered on all counts!

For me, this book is Turton's best so far. The action never stops moving, the reveals are grounded in the world but still manage to surprise, and this large cast of characters really allows him to explore the question: How do we stay human when humanity is all but lost? It's a message that while integral to the story and essential for readers to comprehend, never comes off as preachy or prescriptive. There is room in this book for multiple hard truths to exist at the same time and Turton balances each dichotomy beautifully. This book helped prove to me that my singular miss from Turton is most likely just a one-off and I sincerely hope that he continues to impress us with twisty, thought-provoking, and genre-bending murder mysteries for years to come!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

This one blew me away! I've tried this author in the past and didn't make it past the first few chapters, but the plot for this one really caught my interest. Basically the entire world has been destroyed by a mysterious and deadly fog, except from one island that is protected from it. When a murder takes place, the fog starts to roll in and the islands villagers are under the clock to solve the murder to prevent the fog from killing everyone.

This was a little slow to start, but was need to build up this post apocalyptic world. The world building was very well done, alongside good character development. I was sucked in wanting to learn more about this place, its people, what the island was like, and how this island was protected from the fog. Without giving anything away, the narration for this book was very unique and really made for a new way of storytelling. Definitely pay close attention in the beginning so you don't miss anything like I did! I enjoyed how the reveals were unraveled throughout the book, instead of everything all being thrown at you quickly in the end. Turton really kept me on my toes questioning everything right through the end. It was satisfying, a fun ride, and had me engaged from start to finish. If you are looking for a little change to your mystery reading, this would be a great one to pick up!

I really tried to like this book as I have enjoyed everything else written by the author. I can’t make too many comments about the plot because it would give away some of the information. But the sci fi tropes used didn’t quite work. There was one too many. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, even the ones you know were supposed to be sympathetic within this world that has some pretty awful things going on, The setting on this lonely island surrounded by fog makes the read pretty creepy as if the world itself were weighing down on the characters as they solve a murder. The island’s security system, connected to all of the other inhabitants, provides an interesting narrative of the events. The dystopian elements work to an extent, but the isolation of the last people on this island make it hard to imagine what they are working towards, or even against. I’m still a Turnton fan and will keep reading everything he writes, but this one wasn’t my favorite. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Interesting novel with a sci-fi/dystopian mystery with a decent amount of twists. I enjoyed this novel felt it was written well maybe a few too many characters in the beginning took a little while to figure out who they all were to each other. That being said I think it was the perfect length and was a quick read once the mystery got going. Rating this 3/3.5 stars I really enjoyed the premise but didn't love how it ended definitely more of a sci-fi novel than a mystery. I want to thank NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Last Murder at the End of the World.

I loved the premise but the narrative fell short for a number of reasons:

1. There are too many characters, some with unusual names and you quickly forget who is who and what their direct relation they are to one another.

2. The mystery is unnecessarily long-winded, the investigation into the murder of a central character leading to multiple theories and suspects until the final anti-climatic reveal, like discovering the spy doesn't remember what happened because they submitted to a test that wipes your memories. Duh!

3. There's a 'shocking' twist midway through, and it's up to the reader if they choose to suspend disbelief or not. I liked it, it was a twist I expect in a post-apocalyptic novel, though I wasn't surprised about it. The not so subtle theme of this dystopian world hasn't changed now or in the future; the haves versus the have nots.

4. The writing is good, but wordy, verbose; great descriptions but the narrative is heavily bogged down in exposition and major and supporting characters, and back story that readers will quickly lose the plot thread.

5. I didn't like anyone nor did I sympathize with anyone; the only reason I finished reading this was to find out whodunit, and that was disappointing.

The premise of this book really drew me in- isolated community, post-apocalyptic world, a little bit of science, and secrets. Sadly, the writing style kind of threw me off in this book. I really enjoyed the ideas the book had but I wish the reading experience was a little better for me. Still, four stars for a really cool story.

I just concluded my last book of the evening (lies) it’s only 11:46pm and that mean I have one last one in me before my head hits the pillow.

I know, I know, you think I’m crazy but after a wild weekend the only way I know how to reset and recharge is when I sit down in my reading room with my books.

I saved the best for last (for the night)

Drumroll please…..

The Last Murder at the End of the World

I bounce around from thrillers to romcoms, I know, wild and drastically different but I love both so much!

A good friend of mine hooked me on Stuart Turton, a few years ago and I haven’t been the same since . I absolutely adore these books and The Last Murder at the End of the World, is no different! This book right here is literally and literary, everything.

I had to catch my breath a few times but never once lost interest. I was completely invested in the storyline from page one. I mean, this is to be expected, it’s Stuart Turton, we are talking about.

I felt the electricity in my soul and my just couldn’t believe what I was reading . This book has bestseller written all over it.

Don’t believe me, I dare you, instead, find out for yourself. Here’s a teaser:

From the bestselling author of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water comes an inventive, high-concept murder mystery: an ingenious puzzle, an extraordinary backdrop, and an audacious solution.

Solve the murder to save what's left of the world.
Outside the island there is nothing: the world was destroyed by a fog that swept the planet, killing anyone it touched.

On the island: it is idyllic. One hundred and twenty-two villagers and three scientists, living in peaceful harmony. The villagers are content to fish, farm and feast, to obey their nightly curfew, to do what they're told by the scientists.

Until, to the horror of the islanders, one of their beloved scientists is found brutally stabbed to death. And then they learn that the murder has triggered a lowering of the security system around the island, the only thing that was keeping the fog at bay. If the murder isn't solved within 92 hours, the fog will smother the island—and everyone on it.

But the security system has also wiped everyone's memories of exactly what happened the night before, which means that someone on the island is a murderer—and they don't even know it.

And the clock is ticking.

I am not a murder mystery person. And yet…
The cover pulled me in.
Then the premise.
THEN. The biological A.I. present within every character, making this the first omniscient, 1st person narrator that I’ve ever read!

Video game pairings: Dredge and Horizon Zero Dawn

Stuart Turton is one of my favorite authors. He is so creative and talented. Each book he writes is completely unique and entertaining. If you like captivating characters working against the clock to solve a mystery, you will love any of his books.

In Turton's latest masterpiece, the setting is an island in the post apocalyptic future. A deadly fog destroyed the world and the island is the only safe place. This is thanks to a barrier some scientists created. The scientists and over a hundred others live in harmony with the scientists never questioned and everyone else doing all the day to day work.

Emory is the one villager that questions everything and as a result isn't popular with everyone else. But her inquisitive nature is an asset when a beloved scientist is murdered. Their death takes down the barrier keeping everyone safe. And everyone's memories of the incident have been erased.

What follows is a fast paced investigation as Emory searches the island and questions everyone. She has within 92 hours to find the murderer as it's the only way to restore the barrier. I was trying so hard to think ahead and figure things out and I couldn't!

The Last Murder at the End of the World seamlessly blends multiple genres and is so well written. The characters are all unique and fleshed out. There is also a reference to his previous book I enjoyed coming across.

I highly recommend reading Stuart Turton's other books if you haven't already. And definitely read The Last Murder at the End of the World when it comes out!

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Expected Publication Date: May 21, 2024

Pretty good premise (once you figure it out) which appealed to the SF lover in me. However, a bit too slow moving and repetitive and definitely too post-apocalyptic for me.

Ok, so I really excited about reading this ARC because I loved The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. The premise of this book also got me interested. 122 village and 3 scientists all stuck on the only inhabitable island, surrounded by a life-ending fog. One in the scientists is found murdered and the villagers have 92 hours to solve the murder before the fog destroys them all.
There were many interesting and exciting parts of the story, but it took me until I was about 1/3 of the way in to fully get a grasp on what was happening and to sort through the different characters at play.
If you like apocalyptic books with just a hint of science fiction and a touch of murder, this would be the perfect read for you. While this wasn't quite up my alley, I know this will be the perfect read for some others.
Thank you to the publisher, netgalley and the author for this ARC!

What a strange book! If you’re looking for something really different this might be right up your alley.

It is set in a sort of post apocalyptic world. A strange black fog full of golden carnivorous insects has attacked the world as we might know it many 100s of years from now (based on their technology). Most of the humans have been wiped out but some are preserved in pods in a locked down place nearby. In our story there are three humans (or elders) alive but most of the villagers are a different life form. Similar to worker bees, they do all the maintenance work the community needs to survive. They come from a greenhouse where they are grown until 4 years old and then placed with a family. They also die promptly at age 60 which was a little too close to home for me! The kicker is that they do not know they are not human at the beginning of our story.

The story begins with a mysterious death of one of the elders. The oldest wisest teacher loved by most everyone is found dead in a burnt building and it’s soon revealed that she was murdered. Our main character, Emory, is called upon to investigate the crime. Because upon the death of this elder the fog began moving closer. And the only way to stop it is to find and execute the killer. Emory’s non-human skill seems to be the inability to accept things as they appear and instead to ask all the questions no matter how annoying it becomes to others. Thus far, her inquisitive skill has not allowed her to find her place/career path in the village but suddenly she grows into this now useful skill and leads the investigation.

The story has many interesting and potentially complex characters that fail to become three dimensional for this reader, unfortunately. It seemed as though our main characters spent more time wandering around the island getting bruised and battered then developing a robust storyline. And Emory, her daughter, and eventually her father sure do wander. The goal of the story, unraveling the murder mystery, was circuitous at best but got tiring, too.

I settled on 4 stars based primarily on the novelty of the setting and the strength of the main character. But I would rather give 3.5. It was engaging, fast paced, and resolved most everything by the end. I thank NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for this unbiased review

An engaging plot, with somewhat flat characters hampered by their recursive and repetitive quest. Seemingly every few pages someone was rehashing what we knew so far. People will definitely read and enjoy it but I hope the final cut is a bit streamlined.

Having loved Stuart Turton's The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I had high hopes for this latest novel. Although it took a bit to really get into it (I didn't love the first 1/4 of the book, it was too slow and didn't make much sense), once it got going it redeemed itself immensely. The premise is unique and intriguing, the characters flawed but relatable. I'm struggling in my rating because 4 stars seems to high but 3 stars seems too low. If you're into sci fi and end of the world tales, you'll surely love this. If you're more into mystery/thrillers like I am, you'll be on the fence. I think for me the expectation of what I expected from Turton was a bit of a let down.