The Last Murder At The End Of The World

Author: Stuart Turton
Genre: Science Fiction, Crime Thriller
368 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark, 2024

Synopsis
Solve the murder to save what’s left of the world.

Outside the island there is nothing: the world was destroyed by a fog that swept the planet, killing anyone it touched.

On the island: it is idyllic. One hundred and twenty-two villagers and three scientists, living in peaceful harmony. The villagers are content to fish, farm and feast, to obey their nightly curfew, to do what they’re told by the scientists.

Until, to the horror of the islanders, one of their beloved scientists is found brutally stabbed to death. And then they learn that the murder has triggered a lowering of the security system around the island, the only thing that was keeping the fog at bay. If the murder isn’t solved within 107 hours, the fog will smother the island—and everyone on it.

But the security system has also wiped everyone’s memories of exactly what happened the night before, which means that someone on the island is a murderer—and they don’t even know it.

And the clock is ticking.

My review
The Last Murder At The End Of The World is the first book I’ve read by Stuart Turton. This novel blends post-apocalyptic science fiction with a crime thriller – a cross-genre mix I absolutely love – and after reading the synopsis, I couldn’t wait to dive in. The story is a thrilling, wild ride, and Turton’s masterful writing and extraordinary imagination shine throughout. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book and admired its creativity, I felt the characters lacked the emotional depth needed to elevate it to a full 5-star read.

The first half of the story centers on the end of the world, and it was easily my favorite part of the book. I was completely hooked, flying through the pages as I tried to piece together what was happening. There was an underlying sense of unease, a sinister vibe that suggested something was off, though it was impossible to pinpoint exactly what.

Turton crafted a very clever world and populated it with a dynamic cast of characters. Emory stands out as a fantastic protagonist. While the other villagers are obedient and eager to please their “elders,” Emory is fiercely defiant, questioning everything about their existence on the island. Tasked with solving the mystery of Niema’s death, she confronts the controlling scientists head-on and refuses to back down, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Her daughter Clara is equally courageous and resourceful, determined to support her mother in uncovering the truth. I especially enjoyed watching Niema’s story unfold posthumously throughout the novel. Is she a hero, a villain, or something in between? The ambiguity kept me captivated and I’m still left not knowing quite where I stand.

One of the most intriguing characters is Abi, a sentient AI that plays a dual role in the story. Abi interacts directly with the villagers, reading their every thought, and also serves as the novel’s omniscient narrator. Abi’s perspective occasionally breaks the narrative boundary, weaving its own thoughts directly into the story, creating a unique and engaging layer to the storytelling.

The Last Murder At The End Of The World features an inventive plot and creative world-building. The narrative is cleverly constructed, showcasing Turton’s talent for weaving a murder mystery infused with elements of science fiction. There are underlying themes of family relationships, grief, power, poverty, climate change, technology, and what it means to be human. Mostly, I tried not to over analyze the novel and just enjoyed the unique narrative and Turton’s expert craftsmanship in storytelling!

My recommendation: read it!