The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 368 pages
Published: March 2024

I found my copy of The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton at my local Barnes & Noble store. The synopsis gave me Paradise (see the popular drama on Hulu) vibes, and since I was on a long wait for season two I hoped this book would fill in the gap. My husband, also a fan of the TV show, decided to buddy read this one with me. And so that's how I found myself in a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel in the spring this year. 

So, the world as we know it has ended, a dangerous fog has killed everyone on the planet but a small group of people living in seemingly safety on a remote island. Here everyone contributes their time and talent to helping the community thrive. Then, one day, someone is murdered by stabbing, and this event has triggered the security system on the island, leaving the inhabitants vulnerable to the deathly fog. They have just over 100 hours to solve the murder and stop the fog or it will indeed be the end of the world. The challenge is memories have been wiped, and Emory, an inquisitive islander must use her talents to help solve the murder and save the community. 

Turton weaves together multiple perspectives of primary characters creating a complex plot that takes the reader on a race against the clock with Emory to solve the multi-faceted murder. The author's writing is engaging, and the plot is lofty. I found myself vividly picturing scenes as he described them. I enjoyed the themes of morality, redemption, and what we do in the face of extreme circumstances. When I first began the novel, I stumbled over the character Abi who serves as sort of an omniscient narrator. While the story is written in the third person, Abi speaks in the first, which felt incongruent to me. Additionally, Turton packed a lot of information into this novel, so much sometimes, the story was difficult to follow. I did appreciate his careful crafting of complex characters who had flaws and strengths alike. 

Recommendation: Overall, The Last Murder at the End of the World is a riveting read that offers a compelling mystery while exploring the human psyche leaving the reader to consider what choice they might make in a similar situation. Fans of the TV show Paradise and The Last of Us, as well as those who enjoy reading dystopian novels will find this novel a must-read. 

Until next time ... Read on!

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