The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton ★★★★

[John]

This dystopian science fiction novel is as labyrinthian as his earlier The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. At its core, it is a Agatha Christie-like locked-room mystery that includes themes of survival, identity, and the ethics of control.

The novel is set on a Greek island that is home to the last remnants of humanity. The outside world has succumbed to a mis ysterious fog that kills on contact, and the islanders' survival hinges on a protective barrier powered by the knowledge and memory of a single scientist. When that scientist is murdered, the shield begins to falter—and with it, the potential future of the human race. To make matters worse, the memories of everyone on the island are wiped in an act of forced amnesia, leaving only a brief window to solve the murder and save the world.

This cerebral mystery is tightly plotted populated with enough red herrings to fill the Aegean Sea. When I thought I knew how the elder was murdered, I found that I had fallen down the rabbit hole. The novel also has an emotional undercurrent as it explores the importance of memory in identity. Some may not like the complexity of its plot; however, if you enjoy thought-provoking mysteries, you might want to consider this one.

[Theresa]

Your wonderful review has me moving this up the TBR Tower, and even putting it on the possibilities to read list for my IRL Feminerdy Book Club. I absolutely loved The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and this one intrigues me.

Love your enough red herrings to fill the Aegean Sea.