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allenos's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
skwolcott's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
badseedgirl's review against another edition
5.0
World of Trouble is the last novel in the Ben H. Winters “The Last Policeman Trilogy.” It takes place 2 weeks before the world ending asteroid is set to strike the Earth. Because this is the last novel, it would be hard to write a review without giving away spoilers, so I will be breaking this review into two parts, non-spoiler discussion and spoilers, just bear with me.
Non-spoilers to start with. At 316 pages, this is a short novel and a very quick read, at least it was for me. Once I started, I had trouble putting this book down. Apparently, and without my realizing it, I have become very attached to ex-detective Hank Palace and his dog Houdini. Mr. Winters created a flawed but compelling protagonist that was just an overall good person thrust into an unwinnable situation. As in the other two, this novel was written in first person prose. Although the characters are pretty one dimensional, this actually works in the novel because in general, Hank’s interactions are single purpose focused and usually quite short. The exception to this is Houdini, the dog, and to a lesser extent Nico, Hanks sister, and of course Hank. Because we are introduced to all the characters from Hank’s point of view, they are really only “fleshed out” according to how much they are able to help him in his investigation.
Major spoilers follow, you have been warned…….
So, when I finished this third and final novel, I cried. I mean there were literal tears standing in my eyes. I know some reviewers will write it for dramatic purpose, but this time, I actually needed a tissue and I had to tell my dad who was in the room with me that I was having problems with allergies and it was probably time to change my filter. It was the damn dog, Houdini. Why would Ben Winters make that precious little dog so loyal! I mean come on, I’m not a crier. I did not shed a single tear when I saw Titanic. Shindler’s List, I made comments to everyone that the red coat was the cheapest piece of sentimental schlock I had seen in years (probably since Titanic!) But the loyalty of Houdini was more than I could take. For the first time in this book series, the tone of the novel was as dark and bleak as one would expect an “end of the world” novel to be. With two weeks until disaster strikes the earth, the world of Hank Palace is collapsing around his ears.
Right along in these novels, I have felt so bad for the main character and his coping mechanisms for dealing with the asteroid. Throughout the novels Hank talked about “asteroid psychosis” and the different forms it took in the people he had dealings with. His sister Nico’s belief in the conspiracy, the various characters who went “bucket list” or just “checked out” either physically by suicide or mentally by just going insane. But it is not until this final book that his own unique coping mechanism, becomes a full-fledged psychosis.
Please understand that I totally understand Hank’s passion to find his sister. She is his only living relative, and when my time comes, I pray that I will be with my loved ones, but this is not the motivation to find his sister. It is not to be with her, but to solve the mystery of her disappearance. Even when he does find her, it is not enough, he is unable to let the mystery go until he solves it to his satisfaction.
And through all of this he drags this dog, a faithful little island of love and companionship, with him through his madness. It is only at the point that Houdini is physically no able to follow him anymore that he gives him up, the bastard.
I’m not sure if it shows how optimistic or just plain naive I am that I was fervently hoping that Hank’s sister Nico was right and that there was a possibility to avert the asteroid. I mean I knew this novel was not going to end with a happy ending, not even a warped and twisted “happy ending” like in [b:Lucifer's Hammer|218467|Lucifer's Hammer|Larry Niven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388268115s/218467.jpg|1842237]. But I really, really wanted there to be one.
The ending we do get is, if not happy, completely satisfactory. The people Hank ends up with are not loved ones, but do love him. He finds an island of peace and unconditional acceptance in the end, and in his last moments he feels the physical touch of another human who knows what he is feeling. And he is reunited with Houdini, who is probably a better friend than he deserved.
5 of 5 stars
Non-spoilers to start with. At 316 pages, this is a short novel and a very quick read, at least it was for me. Once I started, I had trouble putting this book down. Apparently, and without my realizing it, I have become very attached to ex-detective Hank Palace and his dog Houdini. Mr. Winters created a flawed but compelling protagonist that was just an overall good person thrust into an unwinnable situation. As in the other two, this novel was written in first person prose. Although the characters are pretty one dimensional, this actually works in the novel because in general, Hank’s interactions are single purpose focused and usually quite short. The exception to this is Houdini, the dog, and to a lesser extent Nico, Hanks sister, and of course Hank. Because we are introduced to all the characters from Hank’s point of view, they are really only “fleshed out” according to how much they are able to help him in his investigation.
Major spoilers follow, you have been warned…….
So, when I finished this third and final novel, I cried. I mean there were literal tears standing in my eyes. I know some reviewers will write it for dramatic purpose, but this time, I actually needed a tissue and I had to tell my dad who was in the room with me that I was having problems with allergies and it was probably time to change my filter. It was the damn dog, Houdini. Why would Ben Winters make that precious little dog so loyal! I mean come on, I’m not a crier. I did not shed a single tear when I saw Titanic. Shindler’s List, I made comments to everyone that the red coat was the cheapest piece of sentimental schlock I had seen in years (probably since Titanic!) But the loyalty of Houdini was more than I could take. For the first time in this book series, the tone of the novel was as dark and bleak as one would expect an “end of the world” novel to be. With two weeks until disaster strikes the earth, the world of Hank Palace is collapsing around his ears.
Right along in these novels, I have felt so bad for the main character and his coping mechanisms for dealing with the asteroid. Throughout the novels Hank talked about “asteroid psychosis” and the different forms it took in the people he had dealings with. His sister Nico’s belief in the conspiracy, the various characters who went “bucket list” or just “checked out” either physically by suicide or mentally by just going insane. But it is not until this final book that his own unique coping mechanism, becomes a full-fledged psychosis.
Please understand that I totally understand Hank’s passion to find his sister. She is his only living relative, and when my time comes, I pray that I will be with my loved ones, but this is not the motivation to find his sister. It is not to be with her, but to solve the mystery of her disappearance. Even when he does find her, it is not enough, he is unable to let the mystery go until he solves it to his satisfaction.
And through all of this he drags this dog, a faithful little island of love and companionship, with him through his madness. It is only at the point that Houdini is physically no able to follow him anymore that he gives him up, the bastard.
I’m not sure if it shows how optimistic or just plain naive I am that I was fervently hoping that Hank’s sister Nico was right and that there was a possibility to avert the asteroid. I mean I knew this novel was not going to end with a happy ending, not even a warped and twisted “happy ending” like in [b:Lucifer's Hammer|218467|Lucifer's Hammer|Larry Niven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388268115s/218467.jpg|1842237]. But I really, really wanted there to be one.
The ending we do get is, if not happy, completely satisfactory. The people Hank ends up with are not loved ones, but do love him. He finds an island of peace and unconditional acceptance in the end, and in his last moments he feels the physical touch of another human who knows what he is feeling. And he is reunited with Houdini, who is probably a better friend than he deserved.
5 of 5 stars
shawniebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I'm very satisfied with where the series ended. I don't want to do spoilers. I'm just happy with the end.
jokopoko's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
frenchtoastsbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
linburg50's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this series and can recommend it, especially for lovers of post-apocalyptic fiction. The first book reads like a police procedural with a slight twist as an asteroid is headed for earth. It kept me interested and I couldn't predict the outcome. The second and third books veered more into the unavoidable decline of civilization as result of the coming asteroid but are still focused on the main character's stubborn pursuit of his investigations gradually unraveling but still delightfully unpredictable and full of twists. The end was satisfying and rounded the trilogy off in a satisfying way.
muckl3t83's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked the first 2 books. I don’t think it’s easy to end a story like this though, one leading up to something BIG. I was prepared to be disappointed. The author nailed it though. I enjoyed the entire book and I felt the ending was satisfying.
linzmarie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
graff_fuller's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Let me say this outright...the author was able to pull this off with aplomb.
I had my hopes...that he'd be able to stick the landing, and he'd done SO well on the previous two stories (actually one BIG story), with conclusions for each book, so that it didn't feel "unfulfilled".
The main character, Mr. Henry Palace, and his sense of duty and right from wrong (which can be seen by some as a fault), but at the same time...fulfilling his duty to humankind...to be true to himself, for everyone, even those trying to hurt themselves.
There are LOTS of reveals and reversals, some in my mind...that didn't end up on the page, but I kept wondering IF this or IF that...then there were others that blindsided me...and left me reeling.
Another thing that the author was able to do...was to connect in this FINAL book, things from each of the previous two...giving context to why he reacted and acted in certain situations.
Henry is NOT perfect, but he always strives to be the best that he could/can be. If humanity could see Mr. Palace as an example for us all, we all would not be in the situation that WE are in now in real life, nor the dire situation that is happening in this fictional world.
I confess...that at the final paragraphs of this story were told, I cried. It touched me in ways that I am still recollecting and I think will...for some time.
I also think...that I will reread this story...for an added layer of understanding...while reading the trilogy, again...will be helpful for me. SO, some day...I will reread this story. Let me also remind you, that this was a "cover buy". I knew NOTHING about the story, thankfully, and it has moved me...so much.
Thank you...for this story.
I had my hopes...that he'd be able to stick the landing, and he'd done SO well on the previous two stories (actually one BIG story), with conclusions for each book, so that it didn't feel "unfulfilled".
The main character, Mr. Henry Palace, and his sense of duty and right from wrong (which can be seen by some as a fault), but at the same time...fulfilling his duty to humankind...to be true to himself, for everyone, even those trying to hurt themselves.
There are LOTS of reveals and reversals, some in my mind...that didn't end up on the page, but I kept wondering IF this or IF that...then there were others that blindsided me...and left me reeling.
Another thing that the author was able to do...was to connect in this FINAL book, things from each of the previous two...giving context to why he reacted and acted in certain situations.
Henry is NOT perfect, but he always strives to be the best that he could/can be. If humanity could see Mr. Palace as an example for us all, we all would not be in the situation that WE are in now in real life, nor the dire situation that is happening in this fictional world.
I confess...that at the final paragraphs of this story were told, I cried. It touched me in ways that I am still recollecting and I think will...for some time.
I also think...that I will reread this story...for an added layer of understanding...while reading the trilogy, again...will be helpful for me. SO, some day...I will reread this story. Let me also remind you, that this was a "cover buy". I knew NOTHING about the story, thankfully, and it has moved me...so much.
Thank you...for this story.