Set in the future, a fog with insects that have wiped out most of humanity, surrounds a tiny Greek island. On that island the 121 villagers are hard working and hearty of spirit. They listen to the 3 elders and heed what they and Abi (the artificial intelligence they are all born being able to hear) tell them to do.
Everything changes one night with one death, one murder, which drops the barriers and has the fog coming for them. If they can’t solve the murder which is the only way to bring the barriers back, they’ll all die.
Unfortunately no one remembers anything that happened that night. How do you solve a murder when no one even knows where they were or what they were doing?
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Stuart Turton. There were a lot of twists and turns. I loved the character Emory, who’s never been good at anything but finally she has found what she was meant to do. There’s a deeper story here about humanity and its many failings and what one should or should not be able to control.
I was given this in audio format by McMillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed narrator James Cameron Stuart’s rendition of this. If I had one critique it would be that with so many female points of view in this, far more than male, I don’t understand why they didn’t use a female narrator.

Man I wanted to like this book more than I did. For one thing I think I just don’t really like post apocalyptic/sci-fi for mysteries since it took a huge amount of the book to just show what happened to the world and explain how all the science works. The murder didn’t start until I think chapter 36/37. I also guessed the ending pretty early on so it all just lined up with what I expected. I also just didn’t really care about the characters that much. Overall it was just a fine read. Maybe if you like post-apocalyptic stories you’ll enjoy this more than I did.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this audioARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cool premise but it didn't work for me. I wished this didn't lean into so much of the sci- fi of things. The narrator was fine but I found the different characters hard to distinguish between each other. The character we so basic in their disciption I could tell who was who. I got bored about 40% into the story. I didn't feel the urgency to solved this mystery as I've had in the past with this author.

Thank you for send this audibook for review.

"Some storms follow you. Some storms make sure you are always in their path."
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"The truly terrifying thing about the fog was how quickly it became a license for every vile thing in the human heart."
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▪️Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World, 5⭐

You can depend on Stuart Turton to give you dark and weird, and I'm so here for it 👻

7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was my *first ever* audiobook all those years ago, and I'm so happy to review his newest audiobook received from NetGalley and Tantor Audio, published May 21.

This is touted as Agatha Christie meets LOST, and I think that totally nails it. I can see how this isn't going to be for everyone, but Last Murder ticks all the boxes for me! I love the disorienting, cult-y vibes and cli-fi themes. The characters are strange and wonderful! I love the names and types he chose!

By the time you get to the end, there's a handful of themes that could be thoroughly discussed and debated in a group, but I loved just taking it in and enjoying it as is without overthinking it.

I do have mixed feelings about James Cameron Stewart as the narrator. I love that he's done all three of Turton's books and I do love his narration, but I don't think he was the best fit for this one specifically. Most of the character POVs are women, and it took me out of the story that Stewart, while otherwise being an exceptional narrator, didn't do a great female voice let alone a variety of them.

This book claims to be a dystopian Sherlock Holmes. It is a speculative “locked room” mystery with amnesia components, poisonous fog, the last of the world’s inhabitants, an omniscient AI overlord, a race to save what’s left of humanity, arguments about late-stage capitalism, and an idyllic fishing village. That either sounds very exciting or like taking every condiment out of your kitchen, mixing them together, and taking a big bite.

All of the world is covered in a poisonous fog except for one remaining island. Its inhabitants are simple fishing folk content to discuss farming, be in by curfew, and not rock the boat. Then one day, a scientist is found murdered, removing the island’s fog-prevention system and wiping everyone’s memories. The clock is then ticking to solve the murder and repair the barrier before they all die.

It’s the cast our Our Town or of a movie set in pastoral Newfoundland meets sci-fi Armageddon—now with bonus amnesia. For me, that was too much of stretch. Then once the “twists” started coming, it felt even more absurd.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this copy to review.

There is an island at the end of the world, as the title would suggest. It contains very few people, but if they were to try to leave the island they probably would not make it past the thick fog. With 122 people and 3 scientists, everyone seems to be living well together. Even if they do have some strange rules.

Until one day, when one of their own is found murdered on the island (again as the title would suggest). This obviously, flips the islands world upside down. Because one of their own would have to be the murder, right?

I think that the plot was very interesting and the setting was very well executed. However, I found myself slightly bored. Which was not what I was hoping for when going into this book.

3.5 Rounded Up.

This was a unique and fun murder mystery. This is my first Stuart Turton novel, and found the story absorbing even with a wide variety of characters. I did think there were a lot of red herrings that might not have been necessary but overall had a fun time.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an ARC.

It’s taken me a little to get my thoughts together on this book. I love Stuart Turton and will definitely read anything he writes. This book did it for me but also didn’t at the same time. Let me quickly run down the why it did and didn’t work for me.
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For starters, this is a dystopian novel - which I am a huge fan of. I loved the murders and trying to piece together what happened. This has such a unique and interesting premise that I was super intrigued right from the start. The main twist was out of this world and I absolutely loved it. I love exactly how this story played out from start to finish.
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Now, with that being said, The Last Murder at the End of the World is a slow burn (which usually doesn’t matter to me) but there was some repetitiveness that became a bit redundant. There is a huge amount of characters which had me a bit confused at times but also found it difficult to connect to some.
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Now in Turton’s defense I only listened to this one on audiobook and I didn’t have a physical copy which I actually truly believe would have made me enjoy this story more. Turton has a way of creating such deep and dense stories thy are filled with so much information that you almost have to have to have both the audio and a physical copy. Also, this story is told from the POV of Abi, who is able to be in the minds of the people living at the end of the world; however, Abi is narrated by James Cameron Stewart - who is phenomenal - but don’t like for this role since “Abi” was identified with feminine pronouns. It just kept throwing me off.
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Overall, I enjoyed this one and I think people will really love it. My rating is more of a me problem than anything. This was just released on 5/21 - check it out! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Stuart Turton and Tantor Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

122 people live on an island and they are all that's left of the world covered in a deadly fog. It's great life until a scientist is murdered and if they don't solve the mystery of who did it in 107 hours the fog will kill so of them. Memories are wiped clear due to security. The narrator has a great voice to listen to, but I found the story hard to follow.

At some point in the future, a fog, probably man-made, covers the whole globe. The fog is filled with tiny insects that devour any living thing they come in contact with, including humans. The only safe place is an island protected by a some kind of shield where 122 villagers and three scientists/elders live. It’s a peaceful place where everyone has their jobs and knows their place. Until one of the scientists is murdered causing the shield to go down. If the murder isn’t solved and the killer executed within 92 hours, the fog will engulf the island.

The narrator is Abi, the artificial intelligence who knows everything that goes on on the island and controls most of it. She is also the one who wiped everyone’s memory. The thing about Abi is that she has a job, she has commands she must follow. So even though she knows all and sees all, she doesn’t share everything with the reader or the villagers.

Our amateur detective is Emory, a villager who has never quite found the job that fits her. She’s never been typical – too curious, too questioning, prone to step out of line. It’s those traits that make her the only choice for investigator. She does as good a job as can be expected and does discover a lot of the island’s secrets in the process.

It’s an interesting concept and it worked well. I liked Emory and her family but wasn’t overly invested in the solution to the murder. I did however want to know what the mysteries were surrounding the island and villagers,

I’ve never read The 7 1/2 Deaths by this author, but I’ve heard good things so I went into this one thinking that it would be a hit with me. Not my cup of tea. Very convoluted, so I had to go back and re read often, and I still can’t tell you which character is who except for Emerson(?). I struggled to follow along.

The premise is very good! The world building was hard to follow along with, and this gave more sci-if than thriller. The author was creative in their creation of this world. I also love the cover!!

The whole sleeping and waking up with bruises and cuts was a little much for me, even after I found out how they came to be.

I didn’t like any of the characters which didn’t help. I’ve seen other people read this book and love every minute so, don’t take my word as final because this is a well loved author who many people seem to enjoy! This book just didnt resonate with me, but it might with you!

In terms of audio quality, the quality itself was good! They had British accents that were pretty heavy, so I couldn’t play my book as fast as I usually do, but not an issue! Overall great production

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Having read the synopsis of The Murder at the End of the World, I was extremely intrigued as it sounded like a post-apocalyptic dystopian (my favorite genres) set on an idyllic island with the last 122 people left in the world along with 3 scientists (elders).

A murder is committed, and the villagers have only a few days to solve it or the world will end for them all.

However, this book was not quite what I expected and I felt rather confused and lost through alot of it.

I saw someone describe this book as something like: Willy Wonka is murdered and the Oompa Loompas work to solve the murder. That actually felt pretty accurate. Ha!

This book kept me involved because I had to know what the heck was going on, but to be honest it was just a tad bit too bizarre for my tastes. But… I still needed a signed copy with the beautiful stained edges for my library.

I listened to the audiobook and thought it was well done. The narrator definitely fit the vibe of the book.

*Thank you so much to Tantor Audio and to NetGalley for the advance audiobook!*

In a post-apocalyptic island community, villagers must solve the murder of one of their revered elders quickly to prevent a deadly fog from destroying them all, and their memories of the night before have been erased. While the hardcopy of Stuart Turton's The Last Murder at the End of the World has been receiving mixed reviews, I decided to try the audiobook and was pleasantly surprised. Narrated by James Cameron Stewart, the audio version adds a unique dimension to the story, with Stewart's narration enhancing the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.

The story is heavy on science fiction concepts and requires careful attention to detail, so reading the preview or at least the blurb beforehand is helpful. While character development and relationships take a backseat to the broader mystery and community dynamics, the originality of the plot and the immersive narration make the audiobook version worth a listen. I recommend it to fans of science fiction and mystery looking for something different.

Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I'm still processing this book as I write this.......WOW.
1. I could like to stereo instructions if James Cameron Stuart reads them-So glad he narrated this
2. This book was innovative and fun-West World meets murder mystery and I'm all in for it!
3. ST is a new must read author for me and this did not disappoint-although I will admit if you are not a fan of his this might be hard to follow.
4. 7,5 deaths will forever be difficult to top because its hands down one of my favorite all time books but this was also very good.
THANK YOU FOR THIS ARC. I will make a cocktail post for it ASAP this week!!!

The premise of this novel is very intriguing, but the execution dragged a bit for me personally.

There are one hundred twenty-two villagers and three scientists on the only island to survive the deadly fog. The villagers do much of the heavy lifting keeping the island running smoothly, while the scientists continue to run their experiments, and everyone seems happy until one of the scientists turns up dead. Her death triggers a release of the barrier protecting their island from the fog and sets the whole island on a countdown to their demise.

One villager works to solve the murder and get the barrier back up before the fog consumes them all. In her search for the killer, she finds out much more than she bargained for and has an uphill battle as everyone’s memories seemed to have been wiped from the night of the murder.

It’s hard to describe this book without giving anything away. This is definitely a more speculative/sci-fi murder mystery. It’s obvious that Stuart Turton has world-building talent, I just found some of the details tedious causing the plot to drag. This certainly would incite interesting discussions, and for the right audience this is a great book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and author Stuart Turton for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Last Murder at the End of the World is out now. All opinions are my own.

Since I knew it was a Stuart Turton novel, I had the right expectations about this book as I've read his prior novels. It's a bit of a brain workout! I absolutely loved the 7 and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle! This book is different but also pretty good. I think Stuart Turton is just not for everyone and it's ok. I enjoyed it. It was confusing and took a while to get into (but I knew that in advance). It had a satisfactory and interesting ending.

★★★½
This was a very ambitious book as was Evelyn Hardcastle, which was a DNF for me. This one was more engaging although I think at the end of the day, this author's work may not be my cup of tea. This was a dystopian post apocalyptic science fiction mystery novel. I love mysteries; end-of-the world scenarios not so much. However, this did keep me reading so that I finished it in two days.
The positives: Mr. Turton has a very vivid imagination. The creation of the plot alone had to have taken tremendous mental prowess. We are in a world that was brought to an end by a fog that is layered with insects. A small group of people managed to survive and is threatened again with extinction. There are 122 villagers, three scientists and serious Artificial Intelligence involved. There is also a mechanism for erasing peoples' memories.
There is a murder on the island and the threat of extinction by bringing back the fog becomes real; the murderer must be found, make a confession and be put to death in order to avoid this.
Embedded within this story are issues around whether it is ever justifiable to commit murder, artificial intelligence, climate change, loyalty, and so on.
I loved the scope of this book.
What I did not love so much: the pace. There were times it was a bit slow. The jumpiness of the plot: there were times that it was hard to follow.
I read and listened to audio (alternated). I preferred the arc. It was a bit harder to follow in audio or to go back if I missed something. And while the narrator had a wonderful voice, I felt like the English accent was a bit much with this. Just my opinion for what it is worth.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark, Tantor Audio and, of course, NetGalley for providing me with access to this heady novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am willing to give most books a try, as I have read several recently I wasn’t sure I would like and truly enjoyed. This one however just didn’t hit the mark for me. There was just too much happening and the genre wasn’t my jam. I did finish it, but if I was physically reading it, I would have given up on it far before it was done. On a good note, the cover and dyed pages are gorgeous!

A dense fog has swallowed up the world. Only an island of people remain and their deeply hidden secrets.

This book kept me coming back for more. I had to learn the truth! I had to know who dunnit! Though I did get lost with all the characters and the storyline at times. I am still not sure who is who and who did what.
I liked the sci fi and post apocalyptic vibes.

Just not for me. I loved the idea but the story itself fell short of any excitement.

This is a Sci-Fi Mystery with truly an interesting set up.
Simply put; The twists were obvious, and the emotions were nonexistent. The ending felt frantic and rushed and I found myself not really caring when or how it ended. There were so many characters to try to keep up with and none of them were really likeable.
I was bored from the beginning and had a hard time getting interested.

I received the audio book for this and honestly did not feel like the narrator portrayed the appropriate emotions or feelings on this one. I think part of that contributed to my boredom with the storyline as a whole.

Thank you, Stuart Turton, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.