The Last Murder at the End of the World

A Novel

By: Stuart Turton

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

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 ninety-two 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.

©2024 Stuart Turton (P)2024 Tantor

Great murder mystery

This is a sci-fi murder mystery that, with every new piece of evidence, shifts the characters' and the readers' understanding of all that has preceded it. It is artfully woven together and the narrator does a great job of nailing every character.

They always start so great…

This is tough. It’s the third Stuart Turton book I’ve read and I have had the same reaction to all three. (I’ve both read and listened to them): the stories are super creative and captivating from the start, and suck you in for the first third of the book. The second third of the book is a bit of a plateau/you start to predict what’s going to happen. The last third of the book is somewhat of a let down, and over all these books go on waaay too long. The endings are never quite as interesting as the beginning.

Another amazing mystery by Turton.

I love the way he tells a story. The character feel like people you know and the setting is dynamic.

Interesting but prejudiced

Good and entertaining story with discouraging utopian prejudice that disappoints too often. So close to being better

Another twisty tale

Another great story from such a super imagination. The voices from the narrator will take you back to some of the characters in Evelyn Hardcastle’s Blackheath. Such fun.

thrilling whodunnit

gives Adrian Tchaikovsky vibes in scope and breadth. terrific pacing and reveals. 10/10 do recommend

Satisfying ending

Good mysteries, and a satisfying conclusion. The performance was great as well. Overall a good listen.

Solid Mystery

Turton is quite the storyteller. The answer to his mysteries are never as simple as they seen, but also never so or of reach as to feel cheap when the answer is revealed. I wasn't as impressed with this one as I was with Evelyn Hard castle, but enjoyed it nonetheless. However, the narration was stilted and rather monotone all things considered. This was most likely a choice based on the POV of the narrator, which is an AI, but still. I wish some of the characters could have been infused with more apropos emotion. 4/5 story, 3/5 narrator.

Confusing narration

The narrator should be female. I had to ask a friend, who had read the paperback, for clarification a few chapters in.

Interesting plot

Distracting , overdone vocals. Most of the time I adapt to the narrator’s reading…this one. It so much.