Just when I think a new Stuart Turton book can't be more inventive and wildly entertaining than the last, I'm happily proven wrong. Turton has such a strong grasp on his writing style and is a master of high-concept murder mysteries. New and old fans alike will not be disappointed by this mystery set in such a broken future. I loved it!!!

Stuart Tarton simply doesn't miss. This was fun, weird, and disturbing all at once and I was on the edge of my seat despite and because of the literary nature of Turton's writing. I'll read everything this man produces.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2 stars

I normally love dystopian books but this was not for me.

I absolutely love a good dystopian apocalyptic novel, and this one had the added element of a mystery with a ticking clock. The story is told through the perspective of an AI that is in the head of all of the villagers. We race against time to uncover the identity of the murderer of the beloved elder on the island before the deadly fog consumes the last remnants of life on the planet.

The concept of the evolution of humanity and what they created was intriguing. I wished to learn more about how humans were able to survive for so long, as the characters did not seem to age or aged very slowly, with some being well over 100 years old. However, this didn't hinder the progression of the story. The book was full of gripping elements, with numerous twists and turns on every page, making the reader second guess everything they had put together about the murderer. As the extinction of humanity grew nearer, the urgency in the tone of the book also intensified, making the last few chapters particularly intense.

The characters were well-developed and evoked empathy. The world in the story was intricate, and I would have appreciated learning more about how and why we ended up on this island, beyond just the basics. Despite this, the book is definitely worth reading.

I must preface my review with a disclaimer that I generally don’t appreciate science fiction as much as some people. However, even if I did, I can’t say I would have enjoyed this book much more. The plot is convoluted, slow paced, full of plot holes and mostly a disappointment. Not a recommendation from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

I've never read anything like this before. I may end up changing my rating after I think about it for a few days. It was soooo good.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC! "The Last Murder at the End of the World" by Stuart Turton is a gripping and intricately crafted mystery that takes readers on a thrilling journey through time and suspense. Set against the backdrop of a remote and eerie island, the story follows an eclectic group of characters trapped in a deadly game where past sins come back to haunt them. Turton's writing is masterful, blending elements of psychological suspense with a touch of gothic horror. The characters are richly developed, each hiding secrets and motives that add layers to the intricate plot. The narrative unfolds through twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the final, shocking revelation. With its atmospheric setting and compelling storytelling, "The Last Murder at the End of the World" is a must-read for fans of intricate mysteries and intricate puzzles that challenge both the characters and the readers alike.

Stuart Turton's The Last Murder at the End of the World mixes murder mystery with an end-of-the-world thriller, set on a remote island where survivors are facing both impending disaster and a spooky fog full of deadly creatures. The story starts strong with the island's eerie vibe and the looming threat of apocalypse, keeping readers hooked with suspense and unanswered questions as secrets about the island unravel.

But things shift gears when the focus turns to a murder investigation involving one of the island's scientists. Some readers might feel like the story loses steam here. The intricate details of the murder case, plus the flip-flopping between first and third-person perspectives, can leave readers feeling confused and disconnected. Despite its bold ideas and gripping start, the book struggles with pacing and overly complicated plot twists that might make it tough for some readers to stay engaged.

In the end, The Last Murder at the End of the World shows off Turton's imaginative storytelling, but it's probably best suited for fans of literary fiction mixed with speculative elements. If you dig deep mysteries, you might appreciate Turton's style, but if you prefer a simpler, more immersive read, you might find this one a bit of a challenge.

"The Last Murder at the End of the World" by Stuart Turton was a little different than the novels I read, but I enjoyed the blend of sci-fi and mystery overall. Perhaps I'm just not used to sci-fi books, but the plot started off quite slow for me taking its time to build momentum. The setting—a dystopian future on the brink of collapse—immediately grabs your attention, but the character's names and roles were at times difficult to follow in the early chapters. However, about halfway through the novel when the plot finally picked up, I could not put the book down!

Turton's ability to craft a world that feels both eerily familiar and completely unique is truly mesmerizing as he weaves in aspects of the human condition and moral dilemmas that every reader can relate to. Each chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery, with the tension ratcheting up as the clock ticks down. If you're a fan of clever, intricately plotted mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end, this book is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I think that Stuart Turton just isn't an author for me. I had previously tried to read The 7 1/5 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and couldn't make it more than 20% through it and this book was truly a struggle. My biggest complaint is that all the charaters are super flat and just a single thing. This one is a ~Scientist~ and this one is a ~Teenage Girl~! The story was super low stakes despite literally being about the end of the world and the little mysteries that popped up along the way just didn't add anything. I don't think I'll give this author another chance because it just sucks so much to reach the end of a book and feel relieved that it's over.

I wasnt able to review The Last Murder at the End of the World by the publish date but now that I have read it I gave it 3.5 stars

This was a chore, which is not a word one would expect with either genre, the apocalypse or murder mysteries. But there you have it. I read in fits until 30%, when I had a hard conversation with myself about whether or not to quit. Luckily, my AI advisor wiped my memory of the first 25%, so I was able to persevere. Also, my genetic makeup makes me unable to cope with not knowing the ending--it's honestly the hardest thing about dying before the world ends, if you want to know the truth. If I could just peek at the ending, I'm sure I'd die happily, or at least, with satisfaction. But not if it ends like this. If it ends like this book, I'll just die irritable.

But I digress. Unlike the Murder atEotW, which obfuscates the story every step of the way. We begin on an island, the only remaining outpost of humanity (as far as anyone knows) after a deathly fog has spread throughout the Earth. This last patch of scientists on this island were able to erect a barrier, so this tiny remaining population is safe. Except--this is important--the fog leaked into their underground science-lab-lair, so they are locked out of that as well. The current population has an omnipresent AI embedded in their skulls, except for the original scientists, and an outlier. And this, in a nutshell, is what happens in this story. For every thing the reader learns, we are presented with why this could not be helpful in this scenario. It begins to feel like someone constructing an elaborate puzzle box, with the idea that at the end, there will be a dramatic reveal that will expose the inner-workings of the situation. In other words, it feels more like Mousetrap® than Clue®.

"'I'm incapable of want,' I say. 'I was created to follow Niema's instructions without deviation, and her instructions demand that I protect humanity against any threat.' 'Even if that threat's Niema? 'Even if that threat's Niema,' I confirm."

Then there's the writing which has so much foreshadowing, I started rooting for the reluctant killer.

"'None that I can see,' I reply in her thoughts. 'Somebody has to die for this plan to work.' 

Shortly followed by: "'If any of these things disrupts your plan, the human race will be rendered extinct in ninety-one hours."

I started checking my per cent read, and believe the murder finally happened at 30% or so. Unfortunately, this did not end the book. No, a detective is appointed, then the reader is immediately treated to more obstructive behavior, including the threat to kill almost everyone on the island in at least two different ways (because one is not enough!). The all-knowing AI? Can't reveal anything because orders. But it will kill the humans if they don't figure it out. The humans involved? Had their memory wiped. But we've discovered something that can return memories! But it will kill them! It's like ever more elaborate Dungeons and Dragons scenarios... that are just dumb. I only became more suspicious that this was an elaborate book con as I read, particularly as it became apparent that Turton is playing games with his words as well, particularly 'humans.'

"I should try to comfort him, but there's no optimal way of handling extreme emotion in humans, which I've come to regard as the greatest of evolution's failures."

To be honest, I was most sorry for the animals at the end of the world (that vulture! the turtles!), and not the people. As I periodically checked my percent read, I started wishing for the people to die and put me out of my misery. This is a book without any reliable narrators, puzzling world-building, and unlikeable, inconsistent characters. I think I understand what Turton was attempting to do: general commentary on human foibles, illustrate complications of connection, discuss questions of nature and nurture. I certainly hope it wasn't a commentary on slavery.

I eventually finished and yes, I was right; is an elaborate set-up for a complex mystery and a magician's trick. But so badly done, from the perspective of the world-building sci-fi or the plot-focused detective readers. This would probably work best if you are a literary fiction reader who loved the approach to the apocalypse in Station Eleven or a sci-fi reader who tolerated the approach to science (ha!) in Dark Matter.




Clearly, all opinions are my own. My thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the advance reader copy.

Not my typical genre (sci-fi) but I loved 7 1/2 deaths so I wanted to give it a try. This one did start a little slow for me, as it is a lot of characters and world building at the start, but once I was in, I was truly invested in trying to put together the pieces of this puzzle.

Some of them I couldn’t have guessed based on the nature of the genre but I really liked getting to know all the different characters through their motivations and Abi’s perspective. Turton’s mystery’s are engaging from beginning to end and definitely worth checking out.

This book begins with a brilliant premise, and I trusted that this was an author who could make good on that promise. Though that proves partly true, I have to note a good deal too much meandering; this lacked the crackle and tension that might have knit together the elements via strong pacing. It pains me to say, and I can attest there is still enjoyment to be had here, but it lacks the freshness of the author's debut. Frankly, other writers have already imagined parts of this story, though I'm not motivated to detail behind spoiler warnings.

Appeals: world-building, complexity, social commentary, genre-blending, mysterious (though not truly rewarding as a genre mystery), intellect, imaginative

Note: It's unfortunate that Hulu recently released a similarly titled series ("A Murder at the End of the World") which incorporates near-future technology, isolated setting, and a prominent AI character. The stories are not identical, but I had to keep shoving thoughts of the other out of mind, as it seemed there could be additional resonance, which was not ideal. Yes, that's a reader (me) problem, but I'd be surprised if I were alone.

90 years ago the world suffered a catastrophic event. Sinkholes appeared from nowhere and a fog began to blanket the Earth causing most of the population to perish. A small number of people were able to escape to an island where the fog surrounded but did not reach.

Run by the "Elders" - three people who were around when the world collapsed and now don't seem to age - the island operates like a machine. Everyone has something they contribute to the overall wellbeing of the people and the island. Although some, like Emory, would say that the villagers trust too much in the Elders. After all, her husband was one such casualty of the Elder's demanding experiments.

Plus, in order to keep the population under control, no one lives past sixty years old (barring of course the aforementioned Elders). So it is on the eve of her grandfather's death that Emory finds a revived sense of wariness where the Elders are concerned. Truthfully, she's always been curious and not one to let a question go unasked - even though she rarely gets a straight answer. This sense of curiosity has made Emory somewhat of an outlier within the village. No one wants to look too hard at their situation, they just want to continue living their lives.

So maybe it's fitting that when one of the Elders is discovered brutally murdered, Emory is the perfect one to lead the investigation. But she's on the clock as the surrounding fog is slowly starting to encroach upon the island.

This book took a bit for me to get into. To the point where I picked it up and started and just wasn't connecting with it so I put it down. When I started listening to the audiobook, that made it unfold better for me, and then once we get to a certain point, I'd say maybe about 15 to 20 percent into the story is when you realize that everything going on has more depth than people simply surviving and rebuilding after collapse of civilization.

Adding to all this is the fact that the story is told to us from the perspective of Abi. An omniscient presence who is able to speak into the villagers' minds and know their thoughts and whereabouts. This presence is always a little ominous. You don't know what Abi is and what her true function is within this society. Therefore, you don't know if you can fully trust her.

Trust is a big thing in this book. Not only trust, but the blind trust we often place upon people in positions of authority willing that they have our best interests at heart. This is not to be a scary allegory of trust and faith, but I think more of a don't be afraid to ask questions kind of thing. Don't be afraid to learn and be curious. Because it quickly becomes apparent that there are things the Elders have been keeping from the villagers.

I thought that Stuart Turton lead us on a wonderful unfolding of this society. Each chapter revealed another layer or another piece of the puzzle working toward putting together the big picture. I never felt like there were too many twists and turns, which to be honest there are a lot. Instead each turn leads nicely along to the next and the next in a way that makes sense. I was rapt by how everything was unfolding.

Now, I think this also sets a pretty high bar that's difficult to top. Meaning, the ending wasn't as revelatory as I was expecting. To be fair, though, I think this says a lot about it being more about the journey than the destination. It also doesn't negate the fact that the book kept me wanting to read on, wanting to find out what was happening next. I wanted to put the pieces together with Emory to see where it lead. Overall, it was very satisfying.

Speaking of the listening aspect of the book as mentioned above, I think an audiobook really works because it leans into the idea that we're being told this story (via Abi). The telling makes sense then if we are literally being read the story aloud. I think it's an interesting choice to have a male narrator essentially speaking for a female entity as Abi is referred to as she throughout the book. I don't think it takes anything away or adds anything, I simply think it's an interesting choice and makes me wonder about the process of choosing narrators for audiobooks. I do feel like there were times it was difficult to know which character was speaking. There was not enough distinction between the differing voices used for each character in some cases, but I'd say Emory is definitely the main protagonist of the book and she does stand out.

Overall, I know that Stuart Turton is known for the clever twists and turns in his stories. Reflecting on this one, I truly was surprised in quite a few places, but not only that, I'm left very curious about the world and left thinking on what the world was like. I appreciated that it's set in an unknown time so we have no idea what year the fog came and overtook everything in relation to our own real world which gives it a timelessness. As though this could all really happen at any moment. So again with that ominous feeling.

Any book that can make me continue to think about it for days going on weeks afterwards is a book worth spending time on.

Humans have all but ceased to exist as a deadly black fog covers most of the world. A small group of people live on an isolated island that is protected by a barrier that keeps the fog at bay. When the lead scientist who built the barrier is murdered, it's up to one woman to solve the murder and save the Islanders.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC of the book.

A seemingly perfect island with 122 villagers and 3 scientists. Everyone has their own role on the island until one scientist was murdered and the security system malfunction can’t hold back the deadly fog for too long. The villagers have 92 hours to solve the murder or the fog will take over the island. There is only one problem - no one remembers what happened.

At the beginning of the book it felt that there were too many important characters and it took some time to figure out who is related to whom. I liked to discover more and more from that island life, about villagers and the past of the scientists. Stuart Turton ability to describe the nature and characters was amazing, his text was flowing like a melody.

I always read Stuart Turton's books and can't help but wonder how his brain works. I don't understand how we comes up with these stories but they are definitely interesting. One thing that is also true is that, even though they are 500 page monstrosities, I am still left wanting more from the story. In Evelyn Hardcastle, I wanted more about the prison system. In the Devil and the Dark Water, I wanted more about the pirates and world beyond. In this one, I wanted more about the fog and the science behind it all. I was invested in the story and wanted to know who killed Nema but when certain things were revealed I just didn't seem to much about any of it anymore. Overall it was a good blending of genre's that does have something for everyone. For me, I was left wanting a whole lot more.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton is a dystopian murder mystery. Emory is charged by the “Elders” to find who murdered one of them. There are many “villagers” who are suspects. And even Abi who controls everything on the Island possibly doesn’t know who the murderer is.

This was an interesting setup. Nothing in this story is what it appears. At times I knew exactly what was happening and the reveals had me dropping my jaw. At other times I was just lost and confused.

Overall, if you like dystopian, weird books, pick this up. This one wasn’t exactly for me, but Mr. Turton’s Afterword, a letter to the reader, made me very happy that I stuck with it.

Thank you to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for the e-copy of #thelastmurderattheendoftheworld . This book published on May 21, 2024 and is available where books are sold.

DNF at 40%. I just could not get into this book. Picking it up started feeling like a chore, so I'm setting it aside for now. I think the concept sounds amazing, but something just was not working for me. This already made the Library Reads list and has a great Goodreads rating, so I guess I'm missing something?