This murder mystery takes place on an island in Cornwall, isolated when the tides are high or during storms. We have a stately home where someone is killed in a locked room mystery. Our narrator is a servant, down on his luck and desperate for this poison after getting out of prison.

This was an interesting and well-plotted murder mystery, but there are two things that really make it stand out. First is Decima. Decima is amazing, she’s an elderly woman, who struggles to walk unaided and who everyone in the stately home the story is set in hates. She doesn’t care, she is so bold, crabby and just wildly entertaining. She’s an intelligent, academic woman who is sick of being underestimated and having credit for her work taken by incompetent relatives. She’s fascinated by science and uses this scientific, methodical approach to investigate the murder of the story. She’s a brilliant, memorable character who I would definitely read more of.

The second is the comet. A comet is passing by at the time of the story. The lord has some weird views about the comet and is convinced they have to seal up the house as people on earth will die from the gasses in the tail. He’s being influenced and informed by what he believes are people of scientific minds and won’t listen to other views. The influence of the comet was really interesting and was well positioned to explain some of the events of the book.

Enjoyed this one, clever, historical, some interesting science mixed in with a memorable investigator. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

It was an impossible murder. Or was it?

This story is full of twists and turns as together we follow Stephen Pike and Miss Decima Stockingham on a journey to uncover the locked-door killer.

As with all wealthy families and their staff this household has no shortage of secrets, which leaves our team with plenty of suspects. Can they catch them before they escape?

Whilst Miss Decima is ready to suspect the worst in everyone, Stephen balances her out as he believes the best in people. As a result, the relationship that develops between them is incredibly endearing.

Speaking of Miss Decima, she was one of my favourite things about this book. She a was strong willed, witty, foul-mouthed matriarch with a flair for dramatics and great puzzle solving skills. I also found myself having a huge soft spot for her as she had been treated so poorly by her family members, just because she dared to speak her mind.

This book had me laughing out loud, Miss Decima did come out with some of the best lines. Such a joy to read which I would recommend to any mystery lover, who also loves a good dose of humour.

Thank you to the publishers for the early copy via NetGalley.

The Murder at World’s End is a classic locked room whodunnit set in a mansion in Cornwall during the Comet Panic of 1910 (where it was believed the world would end as Halleys Comet Tail collided with Earth)

We begin the story by meeting Stephen, who has been summoned to World’s End to interview for a position as a footman on the eve of Halleys Comet pass.

The whole house is on lockdown, and by morning, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is found murdered in his locked study.

Being the newest member of the staff, and a convicted criminal, suspicion immediately falls on Stephen. So now it’s up to him to solve the murder with the help of family black sheep Miss Decima.

But the murderer is not done yet…

Full of family secrets, humour and a great cast of characters, this novel starts at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up till the end.

Miss Decima is hilarious, the definition of a crazy aunt, and Stephen is resilient. The unlikely pairing makes for a very endearing mystery.

It’s all wrapped up very nicely too. Very reminiscent of the classic Christie locked room era.

I loved it and can’t wait for more in the series

Thanks to Penguin General, Viking, and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

This was an easy and enjoyable murder mystery. The murder occurs in a Grand house in lockdown as the owner believes the world is about to end as a result of Halley’s comet passing by earth. This makes the murder so much more dangerous is the house just happens to be called World’s End and is isolated as it sounds with added bonus that the people inside including its staff are locked in with the murderer
The book is narrated from Stephen Pike’s point of view. Pike is a lad who has been released from borstal and wants to lead a life free form criminal activity but finds himself being one of the suspects in the murder and has to work with the eccentric Decima to prove his innocence.
The locked room/house murder is intriguing with plenty of clues and red herrings to keep you guessing and while I did guess some of the ending, I was still surprised by the ending.
While Pike is the main character , it is Decima who is the star- an older woman born ahead of her time who is cantankerous with a personality I loved. This is a book I can see being turned into a BBC adaptation
This does appear to be the start of a murder mystery series, and I can’t wait to read the next one

An exciting romp through the Manor House in Cornwall in 1910, this vintage whodunnit is engaging from the start.
I loved the relationship between Stephen and Miss Decima. And I would love to read more stories about the future of the detective agency. A perfect mystery, a truly well written novel.

Given the number of 5 star reviews, I am clearly an outlier in that I didn't get on with The Murder at World's End. In tone, it reminded me somewhat of Stuart Turton's The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle without the time-loop aspect. Possibly not coincidentally, that was also a book I disliked that everyone else raved about. So I think it's safe to say that my low rating is down to me as a reader rather than a problem with the book itself! But if you enjoyed the aforementioned Seven Deaths... you will likely enjoy this.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

The Murder at World’s End is an absolute triumph of a debut adult novel from Ross Montgomery—clever, atmospheric, and brilliantly executed.

Set on a tidal island estate, the story traps a cast of eccentric characters inside a crumbling manor as Halley’s Comet approaches—and then the Viscount is murdered with his own ancestral crossbow. Enter Stephen Pike, a young man fresh from Borstal, suddenly the prime suspect, and his unlikely ally, Decima Stockingham: an octogenarian with a razor-sharp tongue, zero filter, and a knack for sniffing out the truth. Together, they make one of the most delightful detective duos I’ve read in years.

This book is everything I want in a locked-room mystery. The plotting is tight, the pacing spot-on, and the twists consistently surprised me without ever feeling contrived. The humour sparkles—thanks largely to Decima, who had me laughing out loud more than once—yet Montgomery never loses grip of the suspense. The atmosphere of the island, with its shifting tides and secret passages, adds a wonderfully eerie backdrop.

What impressed me most was the balance: razor-edged wit, genuine heart, and a murder mystery that stands tall among the classics it clearly nods to. The ending tied everything together beautifully and left me desperate for more.

The Murder at World’s End is, quite simply, exceptional. A masterful locked-room mystery with unforgettable characters, it’s one of my top reads of the year so far.

Thank you to Penguin Random House, Viking/Fig Tree, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining romp of a read.

Ex- con Stephen is taken on for a big house party at World's End- a Cornish house separated from the mainland by a causeway. The house party is to celebrate the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1910.

It's a classic locked room mystery when a murder takes place and the redoubtable Miss Decima decides that Stephen and a maid, Temperance can help her solve the mystery.

It seems to me that as a goldfish bowl features that Montgomery is being playful with this . On one level there is the classic logic problem/puzzle;
Romeo and Juliet are both found dead in a room. The window is open but the door was locked. They weren't poisoned. There are pieces of glass on the floor as well as a puddle.

However there is also the philosophical goldfish in a bowl question, "which explores the limitations imposed by confined environments and the potential for growth and understanding when those limitations are overcome." This is what happens to all the main characters. Miss Decima has had her life restricted by attitudes to women at the time. Although she is a skilled scientist, a male relation has taken the glory for her research. She is also limited by her physical state- who can forget the squeaky bath chair or her using her false teeth as a paperweight? She needs Stephen to wheel her around. Stephen is limited by his prison past and Temperance by her social standing and being a maid. The confined environment is obviously the house.

A humorous locked room crime book which also explores philosophy, what's not to love?

I really enjoyed this book, great characters, interesting storyline and the humour!

Stephen Pike has been given a job at World's End in Cornwall, he is recently released from Borstal for attempted murder, but a prisoner welfare society managed to get him a position as an under butler.

It's 1910 and the owner, Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt, is convinced that Halley's Comet which is due in the next few days will bring about the end of the world, so has boarded up all the windows, doors etc and locked himself, his guests and his staff in the castle, What happens the next morning will place Stephen immediately under suspicion.

Luckily Stephen has found a confidante in Decima Stockingham, Lord Conrad's elderly aunt. She is absolutely hilarious and swears like a sailor!

I read the book in one go, the one liners were brilliant, I am still chuckling after the dinner with the Reverand,

Highly recommended and can't wait to read the next one

I had the absolute pleasure of being sent an advanced reading copy of The Murder at World's End by @mossmontmomery.

In 1910 Stephen Pike who is recently released from Borstal travels to a remote tidal island in Cornwall to start work as an Under-Butler. The house he finds himself in is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that the Viscount believes will accompany the passing of Halley's Comet.

The house is sealed from top to bottom and the guests are locked in their rooms until the comet passes over, but when morning comes the Viscount is found dead inside his sealed study.

Stephen is the number one suspect until he finds himself an unlikely ally - Miss Decima Stockingham, a foul-mouthed, sharp-witted 80 year old lady.

I can honestly say that this is one of the best murder mystery books that I have read in a long, long time. It is brilliantly written, it is fast paced, it is laugh out loud funny and it is absolutely consuming. The relationship between Stephen and Miss Decima is wonderful, and I couldn't wait to find out what she said next. I need to find an older friend like her.

The book is due to be released in October by @penguinukbooks @vikingbooksuk please pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to proudly display a physical copy of it in my bookcase.

If you enjoyed the Knives Out movie then you will enjoy this book as it has that same feel. 5 stars out of 5 is almost an injustice to how good this book is.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's Cornwall in 1910, and Halley's Comet is about to pass overhead. Unfortunately, there is a panic about it, causing the apocalypse and killing a bulk of humanity. And the Viscount of Tithe Hall, set atop a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway, is one of them. He orders all the windows and doors barred and sealed with wax, and for the new hire, Pike, he has to sit with the old woman whom everyone wishes to ignore. But she wants to see the comet, and so Pike does as he is told. But that night, the Vicount is the only one who suffers from the comet, or not quite, but he does not live to see the new day.

Pike and the old woman, Miss Decima Stockingham, set out to figure out who did the murder, and to also clear Pike from any accusations.

A great period murder mystery that is a must-read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery. I liked the characters and the location. I recommend this book

Witty, inventive, and brimming with old-fashioned mystery charm, The Murder at World’s End introduces a sleuthing duo you will not forget in a hurry.

In 1910 Cornwall, Tithe Hall stands sealed against the supposed apocalypse heralded by Halley’s Comet. By morning, the Viscount is dead – killed in his locked study with his own ancestral crossbow. All suspicion falls on under-butler Steven Pike, an ex-Borstal inmate with a chequered past. His only hope is Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, razor-sharp 80-year-old family matriarch who finds murder to be just the sort of excitement she craves.

Ross Montgomery crafts a clever, twist-filled locked-room mystery with a cast of gloriously eccentric characters, sparkling dialogue, and a central pairing that is as unlikely as it is endearing. The atmospheric Cornish setting, complete with secret passages and simmering grudges, provides the perfect backdrop for this murder puzzle.

A delightful foray into adult fiction from a celebrated children’s author, this is perfect for readers who love their mysteries laced with humour, intrigue, and a touch of chaos.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I had a great time with this one. It was fun, well-paced, and exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for letting me read this book.

I am actually quite surprised how much I enjoyed this cosy mystery. The characters are relatable and really well rounded, the plot is obviously a bit outlandish (it's a cosy mystery after all) but the setting is fun and it was not obvious in the first 3 pages "whodunnit" so it is effortlessly clever (which I realise takes a great deal of effort).

This is apparently book one in a series which I was very pleased about as I will be looking out for more in the future.

Highly recommended.

Quite unusual setting. Clever backdrop of Comet countdown. Basically a classic whodunnit/ locked room mystery but well developed and clearly heading for a series. Might well follow the next instalment.

1910, the King is dead and Halley's Comet about to arrive. The Viscount of Tithe Hall sincerely believes that this heralds the end of the world so has all his staff and guests sealed into their rooms for the night in order that they might survive and repopulate the decimated world. Morning comes, the house is unsealed and the Viscount is dead. The new under-butler, Stephen, is naturally the main suspect - arrived the day before, recently released from borstal. Luckily for him Decima Stockingham, octogenarian matriarch gives him a total alibi. Family squabble over everything, especially the money and the policeman detective is a total bumbling nincompoop. The young maid, Temperance helps Steven and Decima unravel the mystery and the murder. Tantalising and a lot of red herrings; bizarre family but it is high status 1910. I'm afraid that, although Decima was a feisty and realistic character, her language was not. That level of swearing was just not done and I do wonder how many of the expletive she uses had even been invented then. Still, an engaging enough read. 3.5* rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

A fabulously written funny gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book, it was brilliant

It is 1910 and with many people expecting Halley’s Comet to wreak death and disaster, the inhabitants of a grand house on an island separated from the mainland by each high tide are ordered by their master to block themselves in their rooms until the comet’s “dangerous gases” have passed. When morning comes and the Viscount is found dead in his study, the scene is set for a classic whodunnit locked room mystery.
The main suspect is Stephen, a newly arrived member of staff who has spent time in borstal. Whilst a bumbling police inspector seems to have no idea how to proceed, Stephen finds an unexpected ally in Miss Decima, an elderly aunt whom everyone considers to be highly eccentric and difficult to handle.
Miss Decima’s intelligence has been ignored or undermined her whole life so she has nothing to lose by behaving outrageously which produces some very funny moments. The plot contains some interesting red herrings and I enjoyed the historical background to the story. Decima and Stephen form a likeable duo as they work together to solve the mystery and identify the murderer and I look forward to their next adventure.

A historical, locked room mystery with an ex-con and cranky old lady detective duo? I was sold from the start. With descriptions that made me feel like I could actually be in the same building, in that same time, to the laugh-out-loud humour, I could barely put down the book.
It also had me guessing and trying to figure out how, who and what? I read a lot of whodunnits to the point where it's not the actual twist that counts, but how it's executed and here it was executed well. I enjoyed every minute of the book. The main pair, the smart and less smart people around them, the setting. It was a great time and can only recommend it.