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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
About as realistic as all this recent dystopian stuff gets. It was really very good with a murder mystery in tow as well. Looking forward to the next two in the series.
brandongryder's review against another edition
3.0
Don't read this book for the whodunit aspect. Read it for the fascinating background that depicts a world eminently doomed by an asteroid. The simple question asked is: if we know the world will end in 6 months, what do we laws and policeman for?
mbenzz's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. This was an okay book. I was far more interested in the Maia, the asteroid that is due to slam into the earth in 6 months, than I was with the murder of Peter Zell. Detective Hank Palace is a very dry character and one who is very difficult to like. He's so serious and analytical. The asteroid seems to have no impact on his day-to-day life, and I just couldn't relate to him at all. Not sure what the hell was going on with his sister Nico at the end of the book, but it was all very strange.
Overall, it was a forgettable book for me. I really want to continue on with the series just to see how the asteroid effects the world the closer it gets to impact, but I just can't being myself to suffer through two more books of Hank Palace.
Overall, it was a forgettable book for me. I really want to continue on with the series just to see how the asteroid effects the world the closer it gets to impact, but I just can't being myself to suffer through two more books of Hank Palace.
ttodd86's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a mystery reader, but I was intrigued by the idea of this book.
It is an enjoyable and quick read -- in fact I thought about giving it four stars, but I held back because I felt like there could have been a lot more. Some events felt a bit plot driven rather than happening naturally.
Still, not a bad read at all. It is the first of a promised three book series and I will likely read the next one, although this book does stand on its own.
It is an enjoyable and quick read -- in fact I thought about giving it four stars, but I held back because I felt like there could have been a lot more. Some events felt a bit plot driven rather than happening naturally.
Still, not a bad read at all. It is the first of a promised three book series and I will likely read the next one, although this book does stand on its own.
pianoman543's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Suicide
Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent, Drug use, and Police brutality
garthranzz's review against another edition
3.75
2024 - The 52 Book Club Challenge
Week 12: Title starting with the letter “L”.
What do you do when the earth faces destruction within six months? If your police officer recently turned detective Henry Palace, you keep investigating a suicide you suspect is murder. Even in a world full of suicide because of the impending apocalypse, Palace won’t let this case lie.
Not too bad of a story for a cop facing the end of the world while trying to keep doing his job with dwindling supplies and support. The story drags just a bit but is worth reading through to the end.
Week 12: Title starting with the letter “L”.
What do you do when the earth faces destruction within six months? If your police officer recently turned detective Henry Palace, you keep investigating a suicide you suspect is murder. Even in a world full of suicide because of the impending apocalypse, Palace won’t let this case lie.
Not too bad of a story for a cop facing the end of the world while trying to keep doing his job with dwindling supplies and support. The story drags just a bit but is worth reading through to the end.
stephen_arvidson's review against another edition
5.0
Six months from now, Earth is going to be struck by a massive asteroid dubbed Maia, which is estimated to destroy more than half the planet’s population. Meanwhile, New Hampshire Detective Henry “Hank” Palace is beginning to think he's the only cop left that genuinely cares about solving a murder. The rookie flatfoot is summoned to the scene of a dead man, Peter Zell, who has evidently hung himself in a McDonald's restroom, another apparent “hanger” in a series of rash suicides fomented by the world’s imminent destruction. However, something doesn't quite add up, and even with the world set to end in October, Hank Palace is determined to uncover the truth behind Zell’s death.
The Last Policeman is not your typical a police procedural, nor is it a pre-apocalyptic story, but rather a careful study of one man's determination to do the right thing even as society—and hope—crumbles around him. The world is in upheaval, the economy is crashing, technology is gradually shutting down, chaos is running rampant, but Henry continues to fulfill his duties as a lawman. Likeable and engaging for the most part, Palace is something of a classic literary figure with his moral code, frank demeanor, and such quaint turn-of-phrases as “holy moly”; an ordinary guy dead-set on seeing justice meted out. More interestingly, given the state of the world in a grip of impending disaster, this contemporary detective is handicapped by the stark absence of investigative resources—the network support structure, the sci-crime apparatus, even his fellow colleagues are no longer concerned with upholding the law. In part, this plot device allows the author to present a modern-day detective resorting to old-fashioned methods of detecting rather than relying on forensics and high-tech gadgets in order to solve crimes.
The Last Policeman is a quirky, imaginative story as well as a probing exploration of humanity. While the plot features some of those noir-ish elements common to many detective and mystery stories, avid readers of the genre will appreciate the end-of-the-world framing device that helps set this book apart from other formulaic police procedurals. The combination of mystery and science fiction lends itself to a unique work that is sure to make readers ponder what they would do, how they would behave when the world is about to end. While this highly recommended book is the first of a planned trilogy, it stands well enough on its own. Still, most readers including myself will want to see it through to the end, whatever that may be.
The Last Policeman is not your typical a police procedural, nor is it a pre-apocalyptic story, but rather a careful study of one man's determination to do the right thing even as society—and hope—crumbles around him. The world is in upheaval, the economy is crashing, technology is gradually shutting down, chaos is running rampant, but Henry continues to fulfill his duties as a lawman. Likeable and engaging for the most part, Palace is something of a classic literary figure with his moral code, frank demeanor, and such quaint turn-of-phrases as “holy moly”; an ordinary guy dead-set on seeing justice meted out. More interestingly, given the state of the world in a grip of impending disaster, this contemporary detective is handicapped by the stark absence of investigative resources—the network support structure, the sci-crime apparatus, even his fellow colleagues are no longer concerned with upholding the law. In part, this plot device allows the author to present a modern-day detective resorting to old-fashioned methods of detecting rather than relying on forensics and high-tech gadgets in order to solve crimes.
The Last Policeman is a quirky, imaginative story as well as a probing exploration of humanity. While the plot features some of those noir-ish elements common to many detective and mystery stories, avid readers of the genre will appreciate the end-of-the-world framing device that helps set this book apart from other formulaic police procedurals. The combination of mystery and science fiction lends itself to a unique work that is sure to make readers ponder what they would do, how they would behave when the world is about to end. While this highly recommended book is the first of a planned trilogy, it stands well enough on its own. Still, most readers including myself will want to see it through to the end, whatever that may be.
niccith's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
How would you react knowing the world will come to an end in the next few months.
I really enjoyed getting to know Hank Palace as he takes on his first murder investigation. At the same time he has to maneuver his way around family, friends, and colleagues, all having a wide range of behavior dealing with the possible asteroid collision to earth.
And Hank who always wanted to be a detective, rise to the occasion of his desire by doing what he thinks is right and just for the victim.
The Last Policeman is an old school police procedure. The science fiction element hangs in the background but is quietly the driving force for the characters' actions, and the events taking place in the setting - lawlessness, chaos, suicides, mental distress, and gangs taking over food distributions.
I really enjoyed getting to know Hank Palace as he takes on his first murder investigation. At the same time he has to maneuver his way around family, friends, and colleagues, all having a wide range of behavior dealing with the possible asteroid collision to earth.
And Hank who always wanted to be a detective, rise to the occasion of his desire by doing what he thinks is right and just for the victim.
The Last Policeman is an old school police procedure. The science fiction element hangs in the background but is quietly the driving force for the characters' actions, and the events taking place in the setting - lawlessness, chaos, suicides, mental distress, and gangs taking over food distributions.
thecurseofchris's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing too special about this book. I was hoping the "end of the world" would be more of a factor, but this ended up being a standard police procedural story. It's alright if you want something with a minor twist in its setting, but the story won't knock your socks off.