

The Last Murder at the End of the World
Books | Fiction / Literary
3.8
Stuart Turton
FIRST PRINT RUN WITH SPRAYED EDGES! 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 107 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.
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More Details:
Author
Stuart Turton
Pages
368
Publisher
Sourcebooks Landmark
Published Date
2024
ISBN
1728254655 9781728254654
Community ReviewsSee all
"In the future, a deadly insect ridden fog has covered the earth. The only survivors live on a Greek island where a boundary keeps the fog at bay - 1 mile away from its shores.
The people living on this island have evolved into a utopian society. Everyone does their part to keep their village running smoothly.
Abi, the narrator, is always present. She seems to be an AI who can hear the thoughts of all on the island. She communicates with the villagers like thoughts on their heads.
One morning, the villagers wake to discover injuries they don't recall getting and no memory of the night before.
They also discover the bodies of several villagers including one of their 3 elders. With the elders death, the boundary keeping the deadly fog at bay will come down. The villagers have less than 2 days to find out who murderered their elder. (Finding the murderer and killing them will somehow put the boundary back.)
The search for answers surfaces new questions. What research was the elder doing at the light house? What happened to the villagers each night after they fell asleep? Why were the villagers different from the elders?
Throughout the book, Abi is there. She knows the full story, but isn't telling.
Characters are well developed. The world building is thorough. The mystery keeps you guessing with many red herrings.
The Last Murder makes you wonder where AI is going in our current world.
I definitely recommend it for people who like reading about end of the world scenarios, people with a curiosity about AI ethics, and people who like complex mysteries."
"I really enjoyed Turton's 3rd book. It went in directions I didn't expect. Like his other books his premise and settings are so creative. This dystopian mystery was a fun, inventive read. The ending wasn't bad for me. Overall, I enjoyed the journey I went on anditwas exactly what I needed. The cleverness of the author shines through."
"I have LOVED both previous books from this author (seriously, 2 of my all time fav books). This book was good but no where near the level of the other 2. This book was supposed to be different and it was good for what it was, but I will admit I wanted more from it! I'd probably give 4.5 but I'll round up ;)"
P H
Piper Havens
"Eh….this was a miss. It never really hit. Slow until the mystery solving section. "
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EJ
"A mystery set on a post-apocalyptic island settlement. Turton’s previous books have a tendency to phase between genres, and while this one had a lot of sci-fi aspects to it, it stayed very true to its mystery roots. There is a lot going on in this story so the beginning felt confusing. But then the plot started moving forward and it got easier to follow. I really enjoy Turton’s writing style and characters."