A brilliant, genre-defying read
THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD is a cleverly crafted novel that seamlessly blends classic genres, providing a suspenseful narrative reminiscent of “Lost” with undertones of a classic mystery.
We’re introduced to the last of civilization, a small group of 122 settlers on an island, isolated after a deadly fog has consumed the rest of the world. The civilization is idyllic in many ways: no famine, no conflict, no poverty. The community thrives because its members are inherently trusting and loyal to each other - until there a murder is discovered one morning, and none of the island’s inhabitants have any memory of the night before. The alarming realization that someone among them is the murderer is a Christie-esque nod to classic mysteries while the encroaching fog feels like a dystopian thriller.
The narrative is at its very best when we are exclusively following Emory, one of the islanders who becomes our detective, but I did find myself very curious to learn more about other characters. This is less a criticism and more an eagerness for more of the layered storytelling that Stuart Turton is so good at it.
Turton’s previous works are among my favorites, and even though this novel isn’t quite as close to my heart as Evelyn Hardcastle, it still absolutely astounded me. This is a must read, and I suspect fellow readers will be just as impressed as I was.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the advance review copy. All opinions are entirely my own.
We’re introduced to the last of civilization, a small group of 122 settlers on an island, isolated after a deadly fog has consumed the rest of the world. The civilization is idyllic in many ways: no famine, no conflict, no poverty. The community thrives because its members are inherently trusting and loyal to each other - until there a murder is discovered one morning, and none of the island’s inhabitants have any memory of the night before. The alarming realization that someone among them is the murderer is a Christie-esque nod to classic mysteries while the encroaching fog feels like a dystopian thriller.
The narrative is at its very best when we are exclusively following Emory, one of the islanders who becomes our detective, but I did find myself very curious to learn more about other characters. This is less a criticism and more an eagerness for more of the layered storytelling that Stuart Turton is so good at it.
Turton’s previous works are among my favorites, and even though this novel isn’t quite as close to my heart as Evelyn Hardcastle, it still absolutely astounded me. This is a must read, and I suspect fellow readers will be just as impressed as I was.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the advance review copy. All opinions are entirely my own.