There's an island. Surrounded by a strange fog. A dangerous fog, one which has swept the planet with devastating effects, basically killing everything coming in contact with it. So far the 122 villagers and 3 scientists are safe. As long as everyone plays by the rules, and keeps the curfew.
Things tick along nicely, there are deaths (planned) and new life comes too, the details I will leave you to discover yourself. But it would be a pretty boring book if that status quo was to last the whole 400 odd pages... No, one day, to their abject horror, the villagers wake up to find that one of the scientists has been brutally stabbed to death... And, if this wasn't bad enough, this event also triggers the end of days. A lowering of the security system that keeps the fog at bay... The fog will descend and engulf them all in 92 hours. They have just under 4 days to bring the perpetrator to justice. But they have another problem - I know! - the system has also wiped everyone's memories of that night. Yes, even the murderer's...
Well this one way way different from this author's previous books. But just as intriguing. He has taken the post-apocalypse genre and served up a rather nifty amnesia led murder mystery with extremely high stakes. We have Emory who is our main protagonist, aided by Abi who is an AI and our narrator. The two together try and muddle through the scant clues to work out what in the heck is happening.
The world building is excellent. I was especially taken by the "before". The set up of how everything works and the parts each have to play in the whole to keep it all going. And then there's the mystery which, due to the memory wipe thing, is a bit of a tricky one all told.
Plotting was excellent - it'd have to be to pull it all off. Characters also well drawn and act according to their remits. Pacing was a little hit and miss for me but I guess it reflected the narrative along the way. I did get a bit bogged down in things a couple of times though. But I got on with it and was well rewarded at the end.
All in all, a good solid read that adds more depth to an already impressive back catalogue. I do wonder what the author will serve up for next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Fog and flying insects disgorge from the ground, and people die everywhere – except on a small island: it’s the “Hephaestus Plague” versus “Dr Moreau”! The Fog and the insects are presumed to be man-made but that is never proved because of the speed of spread and the number of sites. The island was a refuge for scientist paid for by the super-rich. The former had devised a barrier which kept the Fog at bay, the latter mostly died on the way but some made it. However, the island is not big enough to sustain this population, so most of the these “upper-class” people are being held in stasis in a huge underground laboratory. Above ground there are just three scientists, researching ways of dealing with the Fog, and 122 workers, who share-crop the land and maintain their village and the machinery which sustains the stasis clients. All of these ‘awake’ people are telepathically in touch with Abi, the artificial intelligence which keeps everything running smoothly. The villagers get most of their knowledge, and all of their docility, from Abi and can only carry out the technological activities by operating as ‘tools’ for the AI. Because the island has a finite resource the villagers all voluntarily die at 60. The three scientists are also in telepathic communication with Abi, but are nor ruled or guided by “her”. In the main the villagers are not inquisitive and accept the hegemony of the three scientists, but there are always a few who are more intellectually aware and who can carry out simple science on their own, but always at the request, directly or indirectly, of the scientists. The exception to the generality is Emory, who never accepts an order or request without questioning the rationale. But not a troublemaker, because all the villagers have the desire to be of service. Her particular skill set comes into service when dissent breaks out among the scientists, followed by an unexplained death which looks awfully like murder, and then the barrier breaks down . Suddenly it's Emory’s job to solve the murder and save humanity.
This is a post-apocalyptic story, science fiction but light on actual science; it is also a murder-mystery of the trapped- in- a- confined- space sub-genre; it is also a bit of an allegory about Man’s ability to wreck everything; but, at its heart, it’s a psychological thriller. It is very well written and heavy on detail. The pace dictated by the race to prevent extinction means it moves quickly, but it is also a bit of a bumpy ride as Emory has to deal with the conflicting personality types, the tricky terrain of the island, and the helpful hinderance of Abi. I review murder/mystery/thriller stories but have extensive experience with Scifi. Wearing the first hat I think it’s a well-constructed plot, there are relatively few suspects but the strangeness of the background means that twist and red-herrings are hard to discern in advance. That might be a problem for conventional readers of the genre. Wearing the second hat I think it is not hard Scifi, the science is a bit too broadbrush. However, overall its quite a novel premise, the construction of the island is very detailed, and the writing is good. Juggling the stars I can make it be 4.5 which rounds to 5.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Having enjoyed several other Stuart Turtonbooks, I was excited to try this one. I was totally shocked as this is totally different to any of his other books – however I loved it. Brilliant, original, well written, just so clever.
The Islanders are stranded on a small Island surrounded by ‘The Fog’ which would kill them if it wasn’t kept at bay. There are 3 Scientists on the Island too, and they are charged with keeping the fog at bay. However when one of the scientists is murdered, one of the Islanders is charged with solving the murder – and if the murder isn’t solved within 92 hours, the fog will smother the island and kill all the inhabitants. Unfortunately, none of the Islanders remember what happened that night, as their memories have been wiped – even the murderer doesn’t remember.
This book is so exciting, full of twists and turns. You are drip fed astounding new information all through the book. I couldn’t put it down.

First read of a Stuart Turton book.

The story of a wold enveloped by fog, destoying all life, and of an island with the last of humanity living a simple life of survival. Then one of the elders is killed, and the protection keeping the fog at bay is no more, leaving a limited time to solve the case and restore the barriers.

It won't come as a surprise that things are not what they seem with the world, an inventive and well-formed backdrop with characters who are also well-formed in their life, character and behaviour particularly as events and information unfolds. The crime itself and it's solution is engaging with many twists and turns and the fantastical elements of the world slowly revealed to a great conclusion.

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; an excellent mix of dystopian fiction and murder mystery. Set in a future world where much of the world has been enveloped by fog, we are told that the only remnants of humanity live on the island. Now, however, following the murder of the island's leader, the barrier holding back the fog has been lifted, and seemingly the only way for it to be re-established is to find the murderer. Some surprising twists and thought-provoking ideas. A book I'll be thinking about for a while.

Like many readers, I have very much enjoyed Turton’s twisty mysteries — The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water. I was a little late to the author’s work, but when I received this for review, I didn’t wait. It’s another twisty and engaging novel, and I enjoyed it.

The post-apocalyptic world that Turton has created for this novel is quite interesting. It’s a small, closed society, with an AI security system (the narrator) watching over the villagers and scientists — helping out when she can, yet also withholding an incredible amount of information.

When the idyllic existence of the villagers is shattered, as they wake to the death of one of the scientists, a series of events unfolds that brings their world to its knees. Who are the scientists? Why are they so different to the villagers? What happened to the world, before the fog descended upon it? Where do they go from here…? And who, if the villagers are constitutionally incapable of violence, could have murdered the scientist? All of these questions and more are answered as the plot progresses, in this twisty and engaging novel.

If I’m honest, I found The Last Murder at the End of the World a little slow — I had a similar experience with the author’s debut, but not with The Devil and the Dark Sea, which remains my favourite of the author’s novels. The pacing wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked in a mystery, and there were a few dips in momentum. Turton’s imagination and writing nevertheless pulled me through, and I was never bored (just not as-gripped, perhaps).

The characters are well-drawn, but due to the nature of the villagers I sometimes got them mixed up (their personalities and emotions are medically and genetically modulated to a semi-docile state), but there are a couple with distinct personalities that set them apart from the others and they added some welcome variety.

The plot unfolds quite nicely, with some surprising reveals, as various factions investigate what happened, trying to piece together a period of time that nobody seems to remember. The ultimate “solution” to the mystery was well-done, and I think Turton stuck the landing.

If you’re a fan of Turton’s novels already, then I have no doubt that you’ve already pencilled this one in to be read. It’s definitely worth reading, too, and I think many fans of mysteries will enjoy it. Recommended.
(3.5*)

The Last Murder at the End of the World is a futuristic, post-apocalyptic mystery set on an island where what might be the last people alive in the whole world have been living peacefully for years, until a shocking murder. Although this is a post-apocalyptic story, we actually don't know much the world beyond the wall of safety surrounding this island. The focus is on the seemingly perfect and peaceful lives of the unusual inhabitants, and what happens when they realise their idyllic life may not be what it seems.

It is a gripping, intriguing mystery with lots of tension, that is about so much more than the murder that triggers it all. The story slowly unravels the mysteries of the people living at the end of the world, the AI inside their head, and the secrets hiding underneath the island. It has enough hints to make it fun to guess what's really going on, but enough misleading clues and twists to keep it interesting.

Recommended to mystery thriller fans, especially those who enjoyed a speculative twist.

The Seven Death of Evelyn Hardcastle is one of my favourite books but Stuart Turton’s second book The Devil and The Dark Water wasn’t really my cup of tea, so I was intrigued to read his third – The Last Murder at the End of the World.

I really enjoy that although the theme of crime persists throughout his novels – all 3 books have been very different in style. The Last Murder at the End of the World is an intelligent sci-fi whodunnit – there’s been a murder on an island at the end of the world and the villagers have 92 hours to figure out the culprit before the shield around their island fails and the killer fog spreads.

I really like the style of book which holds its cards to its chest throughout – slowly drip-feeding information to the reader and allowing those theories to develop and the twists to land with impact. Turton gives us a masterclass in this, and the book kept me hooked throughout. There were some parts I guessed as we went along but I was also left guessing and second guessing myself throughout at the conclusion. The characters all felt realistic – there’s an amount of naivety which is a little frustrating, but this is realistic for villagers who have never seen the outside world.

Overall, The Murder at the End of the World is a fantastic sci-fi crime thriller, intelligently written and kept me hooked throughout. Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing – Raven for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very fun, novel twist on a whodunit. Set in an apocalyptic future where a killer fog surrounds one remaining habitable island, the lives of the 122 islanders – who have never encountered violence before – are rocked when one of their three Elders are murdered. With the defences against the fog lowered as a result of the death, the community has 92 hours in which to solve the murder in order to restore the defences. The major problem with this, aside from never having had any crimes to solve before, is that the memories of each villager from the evening of the murder have also been erased.

What follows is the investigations of one particularly tenacious villager and her estranged daughter as they try to uncover both who committed the murder, and why. As they slowly piece together the events of the night in question, they end up uncovering more than they could ever have anticipated, not just in relation to the killing, but also to life on the island itself.

This is a really clever bit of storytelling, and I loved the emotional depths that it managed to reach. This author has their own very clear, unique style, and I would recommend this book to any fans of his earlier works.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Stuart Turton can be relied upon to think outside the box.
This is another strange science fiction , who-dunnit, psychological thriller.
Whenever I start Stuart's books I always wonder what's happening and why I am reading this.
Again I have finished one of his books awe-struck, totally believing that it happened, or that it certainly could.
I loved it.
Thanks to the author for a wonderful book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As a huge Stu Turton fan, I was really looking forward to reading this. Set in the near distant future, 122 villagers are left in the world along with scientists. They are living on an island and surrounded by a protective zone with a murderous fog beyond it. A scientists is murdered and the clock starts ticking with 92 hours left to solve the murder or otherwise they will cease existing. A high concept novel that is dystopian with some references to mythology. As with Turton’s novels, there is a lot of detail but for me, it was just too convoluted.

This is a complex and engaging distopian, post-apocalyptic sci fi novel. The action takes place on a small island of villagers and elders, the only remaining life after a mysterious fog with insects has ravaged all other life on earth. Each person has a role in this new society and doesn't ask questions, until one of them does. Why do the villagers die at 60 to be replaced by a new 8 year old each time? What do the elders know of life before this crisis? Who is Abi, the voice that can speak to them all and places limits on their activities? I found this a fascinating premise, though I got a little lost in the cast of characters and some of the plot.

Clever, complex, captivating. This book really ticks all the boxes! In real Turton's style, this post-apocalyptic, dystopian murder mystery is unlike anything else I've read before.

Set on a remote Greek island inhabited by the last survivors on Earth after a fog killed everything on its path, and narrated by Abi, an 'artificial internal voice' that guides (or forces?) the villagers to behave and think in certain ways, the story revolves around the murder of an elder whose death doomed the island's inhabitants to a gruesome end.

It is excellently written, with intriguing characters who will make you question every theory, motive, and action over and over again. Nothing that happens is what it seems, nothing is irrelevant, even small details will turn out to be important, and there are some very clever, well-placed twists.

Like all other Turton's books, this one needs to be savoured slowly, taking the time to really appreciate the complexity of the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

"She has fourteen of these notepads stored under her bed, every page stuff with questions she's never rceueved answers to. She's been writing them down for as long as she can remember. A few have been crossed out, because she's worked them out for herself, but the list grows every day. It's a litany of ignorance."

In the future on a Greek island live a group of 122 villagers and 3 scientists (elders) who survived a global apocalypse. Their life has been peaceful and constant for ninety years until one of their elders is found murdered, which leads to a race against time to ensure their survival.

Dystopian, science fiction with secretive and controlling elders, a sentient voice in the villagers' heads and a nightly curfew where sleep occurs without choice makes for an intriguing read. Add in one banished villager and one curious one, who won't stop asking questions and there is a perilous mystery to be solved. As the plot progresses, Turton reveals the island's and the elders' secrets, which include some mind-bending twists. I engaged with protagonist Emory (who is always asking questions, in fact probably because of this!) missing her husband and struggling with and her relationships with her father and daughter. I always look forward to the author's novels, because they are always different than other mysteries and thrillers, always clever, always surprising. I was not disappointed, thoroughly enjoyed every page and approved of the ending!

"'Frankly, it's safer if you don't know. The secrets on this island have teeth, and they don't like being dragged into the light.'"

this was a good book, i enjoyed it and i liked the writing style. had me on my toes and i really enjoyed it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Great book. Emory was a fantastic character and the ending was a genuine surprise.

A dystopian murder mystery!
The end of the world with a beautiful fog of shining insects!
Well written, enjoyable and a murder mystery included.

Having read all of Stuart Turton's works, I was looking forward to reading this, but oh my was this distinctly different, a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fatal dark fog, set on an small Greek island paradise, an ex-naval base, the only place left with humans. This is a multilayered blend of science fiction and murder mystery which requires urgent solving if the inhabitants are to survive and there is a AI called Abi. There is a 120+ community of people, there are necessary conditions that must be adhered by the villagers, 3 scientists, one of whom, the elder Niema is horrifyingly murdered. The killing must be solved within 92 hours, if not they will all die, and setting to solve the mystery is the determined and tenacious Emory.

Hardly anything is as it appears as we slowly discover, there are shocking twists and turns galore, secrets and deceptions. The rich and vivid descriptions immerse the reader in a compulsively gripping narrative. For Emory, there are obstacles in her desperately chilling investigation to find the killer, the island's security has wiped the memories of the people, so even the kilker has no idea of their guilty, how can you conduct a murder inquiry in such impossible conditions? There are a host of suspects, all with a range of motives, and we learn more about the murder victim's background, and this is all whilst the threat of the fog ventures ever nearer, with the tension and suspense skyrocketing with all their lives at stake.

Turton's world building was impressive in this wonderfully imaginative and original multigenre novel. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next! This will particularly appeal to readers looking for something different as well as readers looking for a fascinating murder mystery. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC..

The Last Murder at the End of the World is a sci-fi dystopian book. This book is set in the future in which the world kind of ended with a deadly fog and only people who survived - 122 villagers and 3 scientists- lived on an island. One day one of the scientists ended up dead and everyone's memories were wiped by a security system. They have to find the killer or the island will be swallowed by the fog. Wow, this book is definitely not what I was expecting in a good way. I did not see the twists. Overall, this was a very well written and very engaging book to read. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from the author in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one didn't grab me at all. Neither did he last book but. I adored Evelyn which I thought was fantastic. I struggled through this and frankly I wish I hadn't. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.