The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
⭐⭐⭐ 3.75 stars
Paperback publication: 2nd January 2025
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Outside the island there is nothing: the world destroyed by a fog that swept the planet, killing anyone it touched. On the island: 122 villagers and 3 scientists, live in peaceful harmony.
Until, one of the scientists is found brutally stabbed to death. If the murder isn't solved within 92 hours, the fog will smother the island – and everyone on it.

This ticked a lot of boxes for me; it's a post-apocalyptic whodunnit with a countdown and I thought the premise was really good. There was also some interesting societal commentary on power, privilege and entitlement (although that always remained quite surface level.)
I think I had an issue with the writing and/or the editing - it all felt a little bit messy, convoluted and all over the place. Even the POV of the omniscient narrator was sometimes confusing, and I'm not sure that some of the characters’ motivations and actions really aligned and made sense.
This being said, this kept me engaged and reading, and I had a good enough time that I'd like to read this author's other books; I'm pretty sure I have the 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle somewhere on my TBR trolleys and I'd like to get to it in the near future.

This was an interesting read. The setting place, the ambience, everything was set to be a great mystery. But, unfortunately, I once again understood that sci-fi was not my cup of tea.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the e-arc for review.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton had been on my radar for some time, especially after hearing so many glowing reviews. As someone who found The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle to be an unbearable experience, I approached Turton's latest novel with a healthy dose of skepticism. Despite my reservations, I was pleasantly surprised, though I must admit, the book didn't fully win me over.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a remote and mysterious location, The Last Murder at the End of the World delivers Turton’s signature intricate plotting and thought-provoking twists. The premise is intriguing: a murder at an isolated location, where each character has their own secrets to hide. The unfolding mystery pulls the reader into a labyrinth of puzzles, rich with layers and unexpected revelations, much like The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but with a slightly different tone and atmosphere.

What I appreciated most about The Last Murder at the End of the World was Turton's ability to create a strong sense of place. The setting felt tangible, almost like another character in the story, and the eerie mood added depth to the unfolding mystery. The characters, though initially difficult to connect with, grew on me as the plot deepened. Turton weaves a tale of suspense and tension, keeping readers guessing until the final pages.

That being said, I still found myself struggling at times. The narrative can be a bit too convoluted for my taste, and I occasionally felt the pacing lagged. While I admire Turton's commitment to crafting complex stories, I did feel that at times it bordered on being overly complicated—something I didn't love in his previous work either. It's not a matter of bad writing, but rather personal preference: I lean toward more straightforward mysteries that are rich in character and atmosphere without the need for mind-bending puzzles.

Despite my reservations, I can see why Turton has a devoted following. His ability to weave together multiple narrative threads and surprise readers with unexpected twists is impressive. The Last Murder at the End of the World is certainly a book that will appeal to fans of intricate, high-concept mysteries, and I am eager to explore more of his work in the future.

Ultimately, I’m rating this one 3 out of 5. While I liked it overall, there were enough bumps along the way to keep it from reaching greatness for me personally. If you enjoy puzzling, complex mysteries, you’ll likely find this novel a satisfying read. For me, though, it’s a book I appreciated but didn't entirely fall in love with.

This has such a unique concept with the most bonkers yet brilliant set up that you'll read in a long time. Edge of your seating reading from start to finish.

Such an interesting premise! I love dystopia and especially in a murder mystery setting. Emory was such an immersive MC and her refusal to accept what she was told when it made no sense really made me admire her, especially as she was ostracised for it. I'm looking forward to ST's next book!