My first Turton book and easily an author I will revisit in the future.

Very enjoyable! I found this to be incredibly clever and loved how Turton wrote a locked-room mystery thriller in a sci-fi, dystopia setting. It felt very unique and kept me guessing the entire time. I also loved the omnipresent AI narrator and the main character, pseudo-detective, Emory. There were some excellent reveals and I really enjoyed the way everything played out.

Highly recommend to fans of a locked room thriller and dystopian settings.

I both liked and didn’t like this book.

I enjoyed the world building. There was obviously something pretty messed up going on with the elders and their attitudes towards the villagers. Some of the villagers stood out and some were completely flat. I could imagine life on the island with both the fear of the outside world and the comfort of the separation from the disaster that it had become.

At times it did feel like the book stretched out certain things while completely glossing over others. Without giving anything away, I would have liked a little less explanation of things that were simple or obvious and a little more of some things that were just never really addressed.

Another great mystery/thriller by Turton! Loved the dystopian spin on it and the twist & turns of it all. Had me flying through it when I read it on the airplane!

The Last Murder at the End of the World has such a different an interesting plot. I usually love murder mysteries and sci-fi, but for me this book tried to overcomplicate things in a way that left me more confused. There are a lot of characters and perspectives to keep track of that I had a hard time remembering who knew what and where they were on the island. I also had a hard time picturing the island and where everything was located. The ending of the book was good and an interesting way to wrap everything up, but overall just not the book for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC!

A murder must be solved in order to save what is left of civilization

Some years in the future, a mysterious fog appeared around the world that would kill any living thing it touched. The only survivors were those who were able to travel to a small island where the Blackheath company and its founder, Niema Mandripilias had a research facility. Niema and her corps of brilliant scientists were able to create a shield for the island and those on it which the fog was unable to penetrate. Three generations later, Niema and two of her scientists are the elders who oversee the community of just over 120 residents, with the aid of Abi, an AI entity who can both hear what the residents think and can speak into their brains. Over the years, they have pieced together a self-sufficient community where each contributes to their continued existence. Each chooses a role useful to the community, and when one dies (which they all do at the age of 60, if not before) a child is produced to replace them. One of their number, Emory, has never been able to find a task for which she is suited; instead, she asks questions of the elders that others don’t, and doesn’t really fit in. But something is about to happen that no one could expect….the enclave wakes one morning to find a building on fire and in it seven dead bodies including Niema’s. Everyone’s memory has been wiped clean, so no one knows what happened the previous night after curfew. Emory finally has found a role to benefit the community….her exceptional observation skills, love of classic mystery stories and willingness to question everything makes her perfectly suited to investigate Niema’s murder. Because it was murder, not an accident….and her death has triggered the dissolution of the wall that protects the community from the deathly fog. To keep the protective barrier in place, Emory must solve the murder and identify the perpetrator within 91 hours; if she doesn’t, civilization will be extinct.
The novel is part apocalyptic tale, part science fiction, and part mystery, told from the first person POV of Abi. The lead characters are mostly women….Niema, her fellow elder Thea, Emory and her daughter Clara (who is one of Thea’s apprentices), and there is more tension than cohesion between them. As the story unfolds, like Emory the reader has many questions….why are the elders so different in many ways from the other people in the village? Why is Emory seemingly the only one who questions the rules and decisions the elders make? There is a mystery at the heart of the story, the apparent murder of Niema, but the entire community is a mystery both to the reader and to themselves. From a science fiction perspective, the question of how civilization could survive a global threat arises…who would be saved? Who should be saved? And what goals should the survivors have once they have achieved a continued existence? The writing is strong, though the pace of the story I found a bit slow. An interesting concept, but one that didn’t hold my attention as much as I’d hoped, perhaps because I was anticipating more of a thriller than an allegorical tale. It might appeal to readers of Alex Michaelides or Anthony. Horowitz, to a lesser degree fans of Dean Koontz. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me early access to the novel.

This magnificent novel is Stuart Turton at his finest! This puzzle wrapped in an enigma and dipped in mystery is perfect for whodunnit lovers who want a bit more. It is smart, intuitive and wholly original. The twists and reveals are enthralling and the characters resonate with the reader so much that we feel like one of the villagers in the middle of it all.

4.5 stars

Stuart Turton is brilliant, I really think that. All three of his novels are just so vastly different and so original that it astounds me. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is one of my favorite books, so I had to read this although admittedly anything dystopian or sci-fi are by far my least favorite genres. I should have known that I would enjoy this though. Turton's world-building is astonishing, and he flawlessly blended a locked-in murder mystery with science fiction, dystopia, and bits of psychological thriller,

The novel is atmospheric from the very start as it unfolds on an island surrounded by a deadly fog. In 92 hours the 122 villagers and 3 scientists (or elders as the villagers call them) will be dead if the deadly fog reaches them--this fog has wiped out the rest of the world, killing everything in its path. Then as the title gives away, a murder is committed, a murder that caused the technology that has kept their island safe from the fog for decades to fail. The only way to save themselves is to solve the mystery - who among the 124 people left on the island is the killer?

This is not a book you should know too much about, but you need to go into as blind as possible! You just need to know that it's outstanding! I was so on the fence about it since it was dystopian/science fiction, but I really shouldn't have doubted that I would love it, Turton is an excellent storyteller; his characters are brilliant - I just loved Emory, thought she was a fierce female character. There are a few twists, it's tense, complex, and gripping. I look forward to whatever Turton writes next!

Thank you Sourcebook Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, All opinions are my own.

Stuart Turton’s latest novel takes us to the end of humanity at the brink of apocalypse. The only way to stop the apocalypse? Solve The Last Murder at the End of the World.
In the future, the world is destroyed by an unknown mist. It kills any living creature it touches. The only place where people are alive is on an idyllic island. The villagers live fully the idea of “being of service.” Each one has their place and talent, and it is put to good use. They are guided by a handful of Elders, people that lived before the fog. Their words are paramount. Then one day, their most revered Elder is murdered and the shield that keeps the fog from taking their island starts to fail. The villagers have 107 hours to solve the case, or they will all perish.
I will admit I was enamored by the world Turton creates. The first third of the book is about the place, the fog, and the people who live there. When the murder occurs, you know something is wrong with this world. The majority is just thrown at you. Was this a literary mistake? Maybe. But the point of the book was the mystery; Turton just got me too invested in the world.
The mystery itself is twisty and has plenty of red herrings. I did figure out who the killer was, but I couldn’t figure out the motive. This disappointed me but I read on. Turton blew me out of the water. The motive was beautiful and made a splendid circle for the story.
Names are important here. Some are on the nose such as Hephaestus (begging to be played by Alan Ritchson) while others are more obtuse. When you are done reading the book I would suggest looking up the names of the main players. They embody the person’s position or personality. Lots of research went into making the characters an extra-special part of the book.
I love that Turton goes back to something more sci-fi and otherworldly after Devil and The Dark Water. It’s Turton’s imagination that really gives these books their spark.

Publication Date: March 28
I received an ARC from the publisher; all opinions are my own.

Stuart Turton's **The Last Murder at the End of the World** is a masterful blend of mystery and intrigue that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys mysteries with unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

Set in a remote island where a group of guests gathers for what seems to be a tranquil retreat, the story quickly evolves into a thrilling whodunit as a murder disrupts the peace. Turton's skillful storytelling weaves a complex web of secrets and lies, making every character a potential suspect and every clue a vital piece of the puzzle.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Turton's ability to create an atmospheric setting that adds to the tension and suspense. The isolated island, shrouded in mist and mystery, becomes a character in itself, enhancing the sense of claustrophobia and urgency as the characters try to uncover the murderer among them.

The protagonist, with their sharp intellect and keen observational skills, leads the reader through a labyrinth of red herrings and surprising revelations. Turton's character development is exceptional, making each individual memorable and adding depth to the story.

What truly sets **The Last Murder at the End of the World** apart is its ingenious plot twists. Just when you think you have figured out the mystery, Turton throws in another twist that changes everything. This keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat, eagerly turning pages to see what happens next.

In conclusion, **The Last Murder at the End of the World** is a five-star triumph of the mystery genre. Stuart Turton has crafted a novel that is not only a compelling mystery but also a richly atmospheric and character-driven story. I highly recommend this book to readers who love mysteries with a twist – you won't be disappointed!

I loved this author's first book, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. I also love mysteries, and this one seemed very intriguing because no one in the book could remember what happened. This cover is also gorgeous. Because of those things, I had really high hopes that this would be a book that I would love, despite the fact that his previous book, The Devil and the Dark Water ended up being a dud for me. Unfortunately, this ended up being a huge disappointment. It was a painfully slow, needlessly drawn out story, that at times just went in circles. Most of the characters were hard to connect to, and some were downright impossible to like or have any sympathy for, despite their circumstances, which we are never given any real details on. I did like Emory quite a bit, although she and her daughter Clara where the only characters I really liked. For the most part, there was a really dim view of humanity in this book that I didn't like at all.

Emory is tasked with investigating what happened, and from the beginning it was pretty easy to figure out that there was a lot of manipulation going on from a couple of different characters. I don't think it's a spoiler for me to say that because it's so obvious. Most of the time Emory is clueless to things that the reader is in on. She quite often discovers things that we as the readers already know and then no real conclusions or connections are made by her to solve anything. She just picks up clues throughout the book and does nothing very useful with them. Sure she throws out theories on what she thinks happened, but she never really makes any progress on solving anything until the end when suddenly she figures it all out and tells us what happened. The slow pace and the lack of progress was incredibly frustrating. Overall, I figured out most the elements to this book before they were revealed with the exception of how the first death happened, so I guess that was a plus. Only it didn't feel like a plus, it felt anticlimactic.

Lastly, the whole killer fog thing was ridiculous and not ever explained. I saw the twist coming with that a mile away, but the fog itself just never really made sense. Where did it really come from? How was it created? Climate change is just not a good enough explanation. It had all the elements of something from a cheap sci-fi horror flick. Is this author only going to write books I dislike from now on? I hope not but I'm not sure I want to take a chance on another one.


Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This story is complex and interesting and so different than what I have read in most post apocalyptic stories. Not only do you have this strange phenomenon of people passing healthy or not when they are 60 but then this treacherous fog! Oh of course there is also the scientist that is doing dangerous experiments on people that could cost them their lives (willing participants not needed.) Also the fact that when curfew happens everyone just falls to the ground asleep wherever they are and are used during the night for "chores." Yes a very complex cast of characters and plot!
This is one of those books that you have to take your time with and really sit with it to soak up all that it has to offer. If you like books that are strange and intriguing and will give you a banger of a twist, then this book is for you.

Stuart Turton’s latest novel tells the story of the remnants of humanity sheltering for generations on an island from a deadly fog that killed everyone else. One morning, the whole village wakes up to find that a number of people have died and the barrier that protected them from the fog is down. The fog will reach the village in less than two days if they can’t discover the murdered. Full of twists and turns, this was a great story with a propelling plot.

Wow what an ending! Stuart Turton knows how to jab a twist at you. I really enjoyed this dystopian mystery. It felt eerily relevant and I was turning the pages to see what was going to happen.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton had an interesting premise- there was a world ending fog that had taken over all but one island. When one of the elders in that island dies, one of the residents must figure out who the murderer is despite having no memory of the night of the murder. Otherwise the island will perish within a few short days.

This book fell very flat for me. I found the plot to be all over the place and very confusing. There was also a large cast of characters that were at times difficult to keep track of. Maybe frequent sci fi readers would find it more enjoyable.

On an island at the end of the world, a small settlement of survivors lives. Outside the island there is nothing. Well, nothing but a murderous fog that contains insect-like creatures with a taste for human flesh. I may be exaggerating this a little, but trust me, you don't even want to dip a toe in that fog.

122-villagers and 3-valued scientists live on the island in harmony. It's a simple life, but they do need to abide by some stringent rules; all for their own good. We should trust the scientists, right? Well, the villagers certainly do. One day though, the unthinkable happens. One of their beloved scientists is found murdered, thus setting into motion a chain of events that could lead to the destruction of their world. They need to solve the murder within the next 107-hours, or risk bringing on the fog and all the terrible little creatures that come with it.

The Last Murder at the End of the World was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. I've really enjoyed both of Turton's previously releases and was excited to see what sort of brain-teaser he was going to create for us next. Sadly, this one just wasn't suited to my tastes, but I can still appreciate the solid plot progression and creativity it took to create this whole world. IMO, this book would work best for Literary Fiction fans, who enjoy stories with Speculative, or Futuristic elements.

I did enjoy the very beginning; the introduction to the setting and characters. It was all very mysterious and murky. It was giving me serious LOST vibes. Not the attractive people suddenly stranded on a beach thing, though. More the disturbing community bits that they discover on the island way later...

I feel like I knew very early on, around page 37, what one of the big reveals was going to be. I don't normally care about that, actually, I don't. I don't care about that, but unfortunately for me, the reveal I felt was coming is a trope I don't tend to enjoy. True to trend, it didn't work for me here either. Obviously, I am not going to spoil for you what that is, but I'm aware that is strictly a personal taste issue, and is no way a reflection on Turton, or his work. In fact, I doff my cap to Turton's writing, creativity and overall mental prowess. It's clear, if you've ever read one of his books, that his brain works better than around 95% of the rest of us.

For me though, this failed to capture my attention. I feel like some of it was kept too obscure, meaning, I couldn't picture any of this. I was being told a lot of things, but I couldn't actually imagine it, in my mind's eye, playing out. I also did find the pace to be incredibly slow, and not in an enticing slow burn sort of way. More in a, I'm starting to fall asleep way. And once I started to feel that, I couldn't shake it. I really just wanted it to be over, which hurts me to say, but we're all about honesty in this house.

I was fortunate to receive an early copy of the audiobook, because that definitely helped me to get through this one. I did find the narration quite charming. At the end of the day, this just wasn't a great fit for my tastes. The content wasn't something I enjoyed. Nevertheless, I still love and admire Stuart Turton as an author and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next!

Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark and Tantor Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Even though this wasn't my cup of tea, I am still very glad I had the chance to pick it up!

I wasn't sure about this book before I started reading it and I'll say it exceeded my expectations. I'm not sure how to categorize it, but if you like reading fantasy, futuristic books with a Sherlock Holmes slant, then I think you'll like this book.

One hundred and twenty-two villagers and three scientists are living in harmony, that is until someone gets killed. Emory, one of the villagers is tasked with find the killer within 107 hours, or the all will die.

I never quite knew where it was going, but I was never disappointed with where the storyline took me. It had me hooked from the beginning and the ending was GREAT!

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

I tried really hard to get into this one, but I just wasn't able to. I am still really thankful to the publisher, author, and netgalley for granting me advanced access to this digital collection before publication day.

DNF
There are a lot of characters and I had a hard time connecting with them. I struggled to figure out how old they were and how they related to others. So I was lost.
I love the premise, but I don't think now is the time for me to read this one and be able to focus in on everything.
I gave it 3 stars because I couldn't not rate it and didn't want a low star rating to lower the overall star rating.

This book was much more sci-fi than I usually like. And I really tried to keep in mind that this isn’t a genre I really enjoy but to be objective anyway. But I ended up liking it anyway which is an unexpected surprise.

I read The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and loved it. I haven’t gotten around to reading The Devil and the Dark Water yet bc I wasn’t sure it was my thing. But I think I’m going to read it soon. Bc THIS was definitely not my thing but it still hooked me. Despite the unusual premise and setting, I was invested in the mystery and I found myself interested in the characters. It didn’t get too lost in all the oddness.

At some point in the unknown future, humanity has been wiped out by a lethal fog that has engulfed the planet. The island the story is set on is the only refuge left on earth. There is a protective barrier around the island that keeps the fog at bay. The island is inhabited by a handful of survivors and three scientists, who are referred to as the elders. Then, one night one of the elders is brutally murdered and her death causes the protective barrier to come down. Now the islanders have 92 hours to figure out who the murderer is before they are engulfed by the fog and die. If the murderer is found and executed, the barrier will return to protect the islanders. Now it is up to Emory to solve the murder and save the island before it is too late. The problem is, everyone's memories from that night have been wiped by Abi, the artificial intelligence that guides everyone's thoughts and decisions.

Stuart Turton is an amazing writer, and once again he creates an intriguing story through his artful writing. If you are a fan, as I am, you should enjoy this book. This book will also appeal to fans of murder mysteries and books set in a dystopian future. I recommend it for book clubs, as well, because there are so many elements to this story that can lead to deeper discussions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.