This one was hard for me to get into but I'm glad I picked it back up. I really enjoyed the mystery and the eventual progress of the characters.

This was such a unique dystopian murder mystery! So fun! I got really caught up in this world, enjoying each surprise along the way!
This story takes place on an island, safe from a deadly fog that’s covering the planet. The villagers inhabiting the island are the only living beings left to rebuild the planet’s population.
The villagers are mostly content to live in peace on the island until a murder takes place and things start to not add up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this advanced reader’s copy, in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

At no point in reading this book could I predict what came next and that was the best part about it. It's set up as a non-traditional murder mystery and it gets more and more non-traditional as it goes along. I appreciated all the post-apocalyptic and sci fi elements of this book. It was interwoven with such a grounded and human story it helped those elements feel more real. The changing perspectives throughout the book gave it a dimension I appreciated. Each character played a role in ways I didn't expect. There was so much to be learned from each character I appreciated that we were able to jump from perspective to perspective with every chapter. There was also so much movement in this book the momentum really carried you in the second half and it was compulsively readable. I felt like with every passing hour of the story the doom felt more impending.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was the most confusing book I've ever loved. It was mind bending in the best way and has truly stayed with me. It was such a unique plot and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how Stuart Turton kept everything straight. So when I had a chance to read his second book, I jumped on it. Let me tell you - Turton has only gotten better. I can't even begin to summarize it because to do so would spoil all the fun. But it was a wild ride and Turton has become a must-read author for me.

I loved this book.

It is SO interesting and relevant with the current changes in the world. Everyone has layers and nuance. It felt epic, all in one book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the copy.
The last murder at the end of the world is a combination of sci - fi, post apocalypse fiction, and murder mystery all rolled into one fantastic read. The story follows Emory as she attempts to solve the mystery of a loved member of the village society. The book seamlessly melds multiple different styles and perspectives to constantly keep the reader guessing and surprised by the twists. The story moves at a great pace and vividly tells the story in a way that makes you feel like you know the imaginary island. The story is also enhanced by the unique narrative perspective of an omnipresent AI system overlooking the island. Overall, I would highly recommend The last murder at the end of the world due to its blending of genres and fascinating story. 4/5

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton is another brilliant mystery! Each new book by Turton is even better than the last. Set in a future where fog has killed off most of the human population, one remaining island has stayed safe. A murder has been committed, and if it is not solved within the next 107 hours, the fog will cover the island, killing all of its inhabitants. But the catch is everyone's memory of the night of the murder has been wiped. The Last Murder at the End of the World is an inventive puzzle of a mystery that kept me flying through the pages to find out what happened. Turton is a master at what he does, and I can't wait to see what he writes next! And for those who have read his other two novels, some fun little easter eggs are in this book that reference them!

I loved the 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Unfortunately, his books after have all fallen short for me. I don't know if it is just because of how much I loved the first book and I have unrealistic expectations, or if they really are not as good. I hope its just me.

The post-apocalyptic world on a remaining island is the setting of Stuart Turton’s extremely well-crafted latest book. A dense fog surrounding the island is about to encroach and destroy what is left of humanity in 92 hours, if a murder mystery remains unsolved. There are three scientists and 122 villagers living on the island. Niema, Thea, and Emory are crystal clear characters and the island itself feels real. The story is narrated by Abi, an AI, who has also wiped the memories of that night, but to say too much would spoil the many surprises, twists and turns. This book is engaging and thought-provoking, with Turton only revealing what is necessary to move the story along. Read closely and enjoy this outstanding book. With thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for this ARC. My opinions are my own. susanh_bookreviews

This is set in a future world, with the only survivors after an apocalypse. The leader has been murder and only Emory has the skills to figure out who did it before the rest of the survivors are killed. This was such a unique world and there were so many secrets to reveal! Very enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this! I think Stuart Turton has a very interesting, strange mind, and I continue to be fascinated by the ideas he comes up with. I feel like this book did what it wanted to do, and I liked the conversations it was having. I think it would make a good discussion book, so it would be great in a book club. I enjoyed Emory and Clara as characters, and I liked uncovering the mystery.
I think the main reason I'm rating this a four instead of a five is that it felt a little long. I feel a little badly saying that because it's not really that long of a book, but after a while, I was too far ahead of the characters. I wanted the plot to move more quickly in the middle because I had already figured out that aspect of the story.
Overall, this was a fun time, and if the premise sounds interesting to you, you should definitely pick it up. I do want to check out more from Stuart Turton in the future.

A highly compelling mystery set on a post-apocalyptic island with science fiction elements. I have enjoyed Stuart Turton's previous novels and while I enjoyed this one, it was a bit harder for me to follow. 127 villagers and 3 scientists live harmoniously on an island after the world has been consumed with a life-ending fog. Until one of the scientists is murdered, lowering the protective barrier around the island and giving those left only 92 hours to solve the murder before the fog kills them all. This was a highly compelling read, written in very short chapters that leave you wanting to know what happens next. I enjoyed the unique fusion of mystery and sci-fi, but I did sometimes have difficulty deciphering who was talking. I feel like saying any more would be giving certain aspects of the story away. If you enjoyed Turton's previous books or are looking for a fast-paced mystery, this is a story for you. Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review,

This book was an intriguing blend of science fiction and locked room mystery with a large amount of dystopian fantasy added in.

It is the story of an island that is home to a village of 123 people and the three scientists who basically run the island. Ninety years ago the world’s population was wiped out by a deadly fog. The island was saved by a barrier put in place by the scientists. Since that time the villagers and scientists have lived together harmoniously. Then, the unthinkable happens and one of the scientists is murdered. With that murder comes the knowledge that the barrier will come down in 92 hours unless the murderer is found and punished. Unfortunately, no one remembers anything from the night of the murder.

As one person begins to investigate this unimaginable crime, truths about the scientists and the villagers, their pasts, their relationships and everything they’ve based their lives on will be brought into the open, secrets will be revealed and no one will ever be the same. At times, it seemed these secrets were being revealed a little fast and furious and it became a bit confusing but finally it all did work itself out. Personally, however, I prefer a more even pacing to the frenzied tempo toward the end.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

Stuart Turton NEVER fails to amaze- pushing the limits of what a thriller is capable of time after time. The Last Murder at the End of the World is not only no exception- it is, in my opinion, his best work yet. A thrill to read and full of creative and exciting elements!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc. I thought the concept of this book was very interesting. I’m just not sure I’m the target audience. Overall I thought it was okay.

I kept waiting for this book to grow on me, in part because it has elements I love: social critique masquerading as a murder mystery, a slow opening up of a new world, fun sci fi. The Last Murder at the End of the World never quite captured me, though. The novel, a locked-room mystery that takes place on an island surrounded by killer fog, is narrated by an AI named Abi who operates as a kind of moral compass for the residents of the island; she can talk to them, hear their thoughts, and in some instances control their bodies. Though I’ve enjoyed AI narrators before—Neal Shusterman’s Thunderhead is a great example—Abi ultimately felt like a distraction, and sometimes a (literal) deus ex machina. The narration unfolds from the perspective of a few main characters, usually in limited third person, and I often found myself forgetting about Abi until there was a sudden shift to the first-person “I.” It was strange to read a mystery told by a narrator who knows all the secrets but doesn’t care about the players—at least, not beyond their usefulness in achieving a particular result. Ultimately, I didn’t connect enough with the characters to feel invested in their success, and I found the mystery itself too reliant on trickery and Abi’s interference to be satisfying in itself.

I used to think I wasn't "into Sci Fi" and would have avoided any book that used elements of the genre. If that's you too, please do not make that mistake and miss out on this compelling novel. Take a chance because this novel delves deep into issues of humanity, sacrifice, family, loyalty, and love.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

No one builds suspense and confusion quite like Stuart Turton. The stakes are high (is there anything higher than the end of the world and the extinction of the human race?) and the questions pile up as the book progresses, culminating in a series of twists that had me confused up until the epilogue. All in all, it was a fun, quick read with a sprinkling of lessons about humanity.

The backstory: Many years in the future, humanity has made great advancements in science, medicine, technology in general – there’s even a solution for climate change. Billionaire scientist Niema Mandripilias has bought a Greek island, building labs in the tunnels in the former nuclear bunker. She then recruits some of the greatest scientists in the world to live and work on her island. But then disaster strikes: a fog begins to cover the globe, killing everything it touches. She’s able to build a barrier a half mile out from the perimeter of the island to keep her scientists safe. When they realize how dire the situation is around the world, they open the island to refugees – anyone who can get to the island. About 125 people join them. There are other pockets of survivors around the world they are able to contact, but slowly those pockets go silent, leaving their island as the only remaining humans on the planet..

Life is difficult, especially at first, for a group of people with limited survival skills – not used to growing their own food for example. Some decide to leave the safety of the island to go back to their families. Others enter the fog willingly. Slowly things improve until tragedy strikes again: the fog invades the lab, trapping many of the remaining scientists in the facility, sealing them behind bulkheads. The three scientists that escape – Niema, the billionaire scientist; her son Hephaestus, a brilliant scientist in his own right; and Thea, a genius scientist who was hired when she was in her teens – become known as the elders while the others are known as the villagers. When the story opens, the elders are all over 100, although they appear much younger and are still in perfect health.

The plot: The prologue opens with Niema planning a mysterious experiment with Abi, the AI that serves as the narrator. Even though it’s risky, Niema goes ahead with her plan. Over the next few chapters, the readers are introduced to the other main characters – Emory, her daughter Clara, her father Seth, the two elders, and Adil, an exiled villager. The action starts when Emory wakes up to find one of the warehouses on fire. Inside, she finds six villagers dead and – horror of horrors! – Niema, her head crushed by a beam. Only Emory quickly realizes that the beam didn’t kill Niema. She also notices the satellite dish turned bird bath has been moved, hiding blood stains from Niema in the yard. Oh, and by the way, everyone’s memories of the previous night have been wiped, meaning no one knows for certain if they killed Niema or not. To further ratchet up the tension, Niema had a dead man’s switch to protect herself from the early refuges getting ideas: if her heart stops beating, the barriers come down and the fog rolls in. Yes, Abi can bring them back up, but won’t because it goes against Niema’s intent. She devises a compromise: find who killed Niema and execute them, and she will reinstate the barriers. Emory, the villager who’s already been shown to be the most inquisitive, the one who enjoys reading mysteries, wins the job. At this point, she only has 43 hours to solve the crime before Humanity’s Extinction.

The verdict: Like the other books by Stuart Turton that I’ve read, I loved it! In general, I really enjoy the mystery / sci fi hybrid, and this one was highly entertaining with layers of mystery and secrets, both secrets the scientists were keeping from the villagers and secrets the scientists were keeping from each other, but yet - given the loss of technology in general - not overly techy sounding where you're wondering what exactly a 'XYZ' is. Abi was a great concept for a narrator! She is both first person and omniscient at the same time as she lives in the minds of all who live on the island, subtle influencing their thoughts and actions. And while she knows what actually happened, she lied that she doesn’t remember as the ‘truth would only muddy the waters’ and she wants people to ‘see exactly as much as I want them to see.’ So, I guess she’s technically an unreliable narrator, but given she confesses she’s not telling us everything, I guess she’s an honest one? The whole mechanism of having everyone's memories wiped and having a tight deadline also worked well, too - a fun twist on the standard plot of asking everyone for their alibis!

Overall, highly recommended, even more so if you’ve enjoyed Turton’s previous books!

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.

This is setting is sooooo different from Turton's other books, I think readers will be surprised. I'm not sure I would have requested this if I didn't already like the author. The writing is propulsive and the chapters are short, so I am flying through it but not quite finished yet. Post-apocolyptic island + murder mystery, it's an interesting combo, but not my personal favorite setting. Kinda reminded me of the 1990s Water World movie at first.