Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The Last Murder at the End of the World

Really interesting read! I read this in print, started it at the beach and wasn’t sure if I would like the book in the first few pages, but trucked through and found I really enjoyed it once the mystery kicked in. Stuart Turton’s prose is simple, and the book flies by and is easy to read and digest. I loved the setup, how there are little things in the text that give you pause at first but discard before the twist is revealed (specifically I remember trying to figure

out the difference in ages between familial generations but chalking it up to the rules of their society

). I also think the sci-fi dystopian setting is interesting and not altogether bleak at first glance, which makes it darker when delving into the world’s implications.
In terms of what I didn’t like, I’m still turning over my thoughts on what the book says about humanity. I know the thesis is rebuilding with a kinder and better humanity, and that

Niema ultimately succumbs to her own arrogance, but I can’t get over the really pessimistic way this book looks at humanity. I don’t agree with the idea that we have to stop everything and create a new race of humans in order to achieve better, and I think it’s honestly dangerous rhetoric to imply it. The fact that the villagers aren’t given any agency at all until just about the end of the book, and that Abi was always supposed to die until the villagers got to inherit the earth

felt like like bizarre pacing. This book would’ve been a 4 star read but I knocked it down because of these issues. In my opinion, the characters also fell a bit flat, feeling like archetypes rather than characters, but that’s a common pitfall for mystery books. Additionally, there were some small line edit issues, such as typos, and the wrong character names being used (like “Emory” instead of “Clara” when Emory was not in this scene).
I did really like the atmosphere in this book, though. It’s contemplative and melancholy and feels truly like I’m on an island surrounded by the end of the world. Also I think Abi is a cool concept, especially the

merging of the technical and the biological with her fungal networks

, but my god, what a terrifying concept to have a voice in your head that is essentially the government spying on you from birth. The horror is low in the book, but it is chilling nonetheless. I would recommend the book based on vibes though

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littlelibraryonsunset's review

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3.75

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silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Very twisty and entertaining. After the first twist totally floored me I did have often have some idea of where the next twist was going, but it was a fun ride nonetheless. I even semi-guessed the ending, but forgot by the time I got there because so much else was going on.

I found the main character's curiosity about everything very relatable, but otherwise had a lot of minor annoyances with different characters, or just the overall worldview presented in the book. (Example: The idea that punishing a murder with death makes you the same as the murderer. This is a fairly popular idea, but totally false from a Biblical perspective.)

Generally recommended for mystery fans mid teens and up.

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lisett's review

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This was my first read by Stuart Turton, and I had such high hopes for it. The premise was intriguing: only 125 people remain on Earth, living on a post-apocalyptic island surrounded by an insect-infested fog. The narrator is an AI advisor communicating through the thoughts of the villagers and scientists, created to keep them alive and safe. When a murder is committed, we are thrown into a murder investigation with only 92 hours to solve the crime or all of civilization will die. Why? Because... well... reasons? I still don't have a clue.

The setting is fascinating. The idea of a dwindling human population isolated on a desolate island enveloped by a deadly fog sets the stage for a gripping story. Turton’s choice of an AI narrator is a unique move. This AI, designed to protect and guide the remaining humans, offers a unique perspective on the unfolding events. The blend of science fiction and mystery is compelling, and the stakes couldn't be higher with the survival of the last humans hanging in the balance.

The first half of the story had me completely invested. I loved the originality, and I thought I knew where the book was heading. The buildup was intense, and the premise held so much promise. However, once the murder investigation really took off, I found myself losing interest. The plot began to meander, and the urgency that initially hooked me started to dissipate.

The murder investigation left me with more questions than answers. The 92-hour deadline to solve the crime added tension, but the reasons behind this ticking clock were unclear and, ultimately, unsatisfying. I struggled to stay engaged. By the end, I was left feeling confused and frustrated, with too many questions unanswered.

This is a book that I feel I would get a lot more out of on a second read-through, but I just don't have the desire to go through it a second time. I love Turton's out-of-the-box writing style, and I'm excited to give his book The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle a read. I'm so sad this one didn't work for me. While it has an intriguing premise and a unique narrative approach, the execution left much to be desired.

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lmcclel's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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inirac's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Better than the last Turton novel but a little disappointed in the world building? Idk something was missing.

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