I really wanted to like this book. I want to like weird books. But unfortunately they just aren’t for me and I decided to DNF. Thank you to the publisher for the free ebook to review.

The Last Murder at the End of the World had a promising setup, but unfortunately, it didn’t deliver for me. The story seemed like it could go somewhere interesting, but it was just so slow and hard to get into. I tried to read it three separate times, hoping it would pick up, but each attempt left me feeling bored and unengaged. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat, and it just didn’t hold my attention. Not a memorable read, unfortunately.

This was my second book from Stuart Turton. The title and book cover was what originally drew me in. It is hard to explain without giving any spoilers, but I can say the title is just what it seems. The end of the world has already happened. There is a very small area that hasn't been effected by a deadly toxic fog covering the earth. One can read between the lines here as to why the fog has taken over but that is not the focus of the story. Secret revelations, cult-like qualities, and a bit lord of the flies all encompass Turton's novel true to his dystopian fashion. The plot kept me interested with some twists and other likely hoods.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book as an ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This was fun! Well, as fun as sci-fi murder mysteries can be. I liked the twisty ending and the sci-fi was just enough but not too much for my simple-minded brain to follow. Would definitely read more by this author and recommend it to other sci-fi or mystery readers.

After "The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle," which was my first-ever ARC, I was excited to dive into Stuart Turton’s latest. Sadly, it turned out to be a chore—a surprising word for a murder mystery or an apocalypse novel, yet here we are. Set on an island shrouded in a deadly fog, the story seemed less like a compelling mystery and more like an elaborate mousetrap, with layers of obstacles obscuring the plot at every turn.

Instead of gripping suspense, the book delivered obstructive AI rules, memory wipes, and repetitive dilemmas. By the time the murder finally happened around 30% in, I found myself rooting for the reluctant killer just to bring things to a close. Ultimately, while it’s an ambitious puzzle, it left me feeling more exasperated than engaged. For readers who like their mysteries with less clutter and more substance, this one may fall short.

Thank you to Stuart Turton, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Book Review✨
The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I don't even really have the words to describe this book. It was just so weird. I really liked the concept, but it was a little hard to follow a lot of the time. Reading it gave me that feeling like when something is on the tip of your tongue. Like you can follow it, but can't quite grasp it and retain it. It is also definitely more apocalyptic/sci-fi than thriller, so make sure that's what you go into it expecting.
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When the Fog came, it killed everything in its path. Plants, animals, humans, they all perished when covered by the Fog. Except for one island. On that island, owned by a scientist, shields were developed that repelled the Fog and kept it away and those on the island survived.
Now there are one hundred and twenty-two villagers and three elders, or scientists. It is a paradise where everyone lives and eats communally and there is no violence. Abi is a type of computer which can track everyone's thinking and trains everyone to be kind above all.

That is, until this morning when the body of the main scientist the woman the villagers regard as a mother, is found dead. She has been stabbed and hit on the head with something heavy, then the building in which she was found set on fire. Who could have done such a thing? The remaining scientists, her son and her best friend enlist a villager Emory, to solve the murder. It must be done quickly because when she was killed, the shields came down and the Fog is approaching. There are only ninety hours until it gets there and kills everyone and everything.

I've read Stuart Turton's books before and I can't imagine what must go on in his head on a daily basis. Each of his books are involved and full of twists. The story is narrated by Abi, the computer like entity that knows what everyone is thinking and all the secrets of the island. But is Abi a reliable narrator? The secrets are slowly unearthed to reveal that the villagers have been living in a world of artifice and falsehoods and the tension mounts as Emory attempts to solve the murder. This book is recommended for both mystery and science fiction readers.

This "who done it" is unique and quirky. It was in an almost pot-apocalyptic world where the protagonist had to solve a murder or else the world would end. Some parts dragged a bit but overall a good read.

Plot twist after plot twist I ended up with more questions than answers and that, my friends, is the sign of a good book.

ST’s narration is the perfect breath of fresh air between everything you might’ve been reading; it's simple but so effective that you might think of ruining your sleep schedule for just one more chapter (it's never just one), it makes you visualize every little detail without boring you with too many descriptions, and it'll make you cry even if he's speaking about AI.

Furthermore, I've seen many comparisons with his first book but, unfortunately, I still haven't read it, so I can't say if it's better or worse; what I can say it's that this one is a nice story, set in a future not that unlikely, with the undercover message of what it means being human.

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

A thrilling dystopian novel perfect for fans of Neal Shusterman, Stuart Turton’s The Last Murder at the End of the World explores a post-apocalyptic island where the last of humanity has survived, and the lengths they go to to prevent the virus that ended the world from infecting their space. With prevalent comments on global warming, the use of technology and AI, and what it means to be human, Turton’s novel follows a cast of characters as they spend their last 107 hours alive trying to solve a murder, which has the potential to either doom them to “the fog” or save them from inevitable death. Unfortunately, everyone’s memories have been wiped, the other leaders are being evasive, and the only person who seems to see the truth is labeled crazy. In a desperate and thrilling countdown, Turton’s characters must go where they’ve never gone before, asked questions they never dreamt of, and perform tasks they previously deemed impossible.

This book hooked me from the get-go, and was impossible to put down from page one. Turton has a truly brilliant mind, and his ability to weave mystery and doubt into the mind of the reader is unmatched. Featuring gasp-worthy reveals, white-knuckled scenes of stress, and an important message for humanity, The Last Murder at the End of the World is a stand-out novel for 2024, and a beautiful revival od the dystopian genre. Fans of the Arc of Scythe series will love this book.

This book is a fascinating journey into some pretty deep topics - all wrapped up in a murder mystery. The inhabitants of an island are living their lives, after escaping a dark cloud that has surrounded the earth and killed everyone and everything it touched. They have a device that keeps the cloud at bay, but one night the device goes offline, someone is killed, and the cloud is getting closer. They need to solve the mystery or all be exterminated by the incoming cloud. We follow an interesting case of characters as they navigate the dark secrets and twists and turns to try to stay alive. I loved the pacing of this book and the characters were so interesting. The twist and turns kept me guessing and I enjoyed the fresh take on a locked room mystery. Another Stuart Turton hit!

I finished this book but I am not sure why I kept reading. It was a weird for me and not my normal genre. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it!

Stuart Turton's The Last Murder at the End of the World is a thrilling ride through a wild, dystopian world. The story follows a detective on a mission to solve a murder in a reality where time and truth are anything but straightforward. Turton’s writing is sharp and engaging, pulling you into a suspenseful plot filled with twists that keep you guessing.

The characters are well-crafted, each hiding their own secrets, which adds an intriguing layer to the mystery. It’s not just about figuring out whodunit; it’s a deeper dive into what justice really means. With a mix of mystery, sci-fi, and thought-provoking themes, this book stands out as something fresh and exciting. If you’re into gripping stories that challenge your thinking, The Last Murder at the End of the World is definitely worth picking up!

I found this one hard to get into and it was my first time reading something from this author. I think it's a weird one because I would recommend, but not to everyone.

The first half of this story focuses on the end of the world, and that was my favorite part of the book. I was absolutely riveted, turning the pages as fast I could, trying to figure out what was going on. I enjoyed the story, but I didn’t love it. It is surprising, and it is inventive, and yet I never found myself fully engaged with the fate of these people.

I haven't read 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but I likely will!

From my point of view, The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton is a mixed experience. The premise is undeniably fascinating—an isolated island setting with a final murder mystery at the end of the world, which immediately hooked me. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and Turton’s talent for weaving intricate, mind-bending puzzles is on full display. However, I found the execution a bit overwhelming at times. The multiple perspectives and shifting timelines, while ambitious, left me feeling more confused than intrigued on occasion. Some of the plot twists were brilliant, but others felt unnecessarily complicated, which took away from the pacing and flow. If you're a fan of complex, layered narratives, there's a lot to appreciate, but personally, I wished for a bit more clarity and cohesion in the storytelling.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

I'm a huge fan of mysteries, especially ones of the "locked room" variety, and Turton is an author who really knows how to nail the claustrophobic build up of, "What is really happening here?" This is my second book by the author and I've loved both so much - so twisty, they absolutely keep you on your toes throughout.

What a creative take on the whodunnit. Classic Stuart Turton outside-the-box concept and wonderful execution. Thank you for the chance to read early!