The Last Murder at the End of the World Quotes

“everything we fear finds us eventually, so there’s no point trying to outrun it.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Humanity does not easily abandon its pleasures, even the vile ones.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Why doesn’t anybody question anything?” she asks her grandfather, focusing on him once again.

“They like being happy,” he says softly.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Love is simply a matter of what people need and what they lack. It’s two broken things fitting together for a time.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Her grief will be waiting in the dark and quiet. It will hide behind a dozen ordinary things, ambushing her when her thoughts drift.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Streaking away from this moment are dozens of possible futures, each waiting to be conjured into existence by a random event, an idle phrase, a miscommunication or an overheard conversation.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“This is the way they revere the dead. They remember what they offered the world and what everybody else has to do to fill the gap. There are no prayers here, no thoughts of an afterlife. The reward for a good life is the living of it.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Niema didn't think in straight lines,' she says eventually. 'She solved problems by coming at them from right angles, seeing things we'd never have thought about. Your question shouldn't be why she did it. It should be what problem was she trying to solve?”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“I was created knowing exactly what I was for and I’ve sought to offer the villagers the same gift. Purpose is something which must be given, or it will be endlessly sought.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“being afraid of every hate-peddling psychopath who might win an election.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“She can't imagine how hard that was for her; to be full of doubt in a world of conviction.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“What’s bleach?’ asks Clara. ‘No idea,’ replies Emory, passing her the chart. ‘It was probably delicious, though.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“She never learned how to read people, how to pick up the corner of a sentence and peer underneath.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“It must have worked,” says Hui admiringly. “You’re not afraid of anything.” “Of course I am,” replies Clara. “I just jump anyway.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“I didn’t understand humans before,” says Emory, her voice still hoarse from being choked. “I knew they were different from us, but I didn’t realize how different. I didn’t understand their relationship with violence. How easy it is for them. How casually they can employ it.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“The more you look back, the more you miss what’s around you.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“She was afraid,” says Seth softly. “Powerful people usually are,” replies Thea. “They have the most to lose.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Because this is better!” yells Niema, thumping a table so hard she causes the equipment to jump. “All those miracles you described, what were they for? Yes, we had all the food and energy we could ever make, but only if you had the money to pay for it. Children were still starving on the streets of those beautiful coral cities. People in poorer countries were still dying of things we’d cured hundreds of years prior. There were still wars being fought. Women still had to worry about walking home by themselves late at night. Children were still snatched off the street. I miss the same things you do, Thea, but I don’t miss who we used to be. I don’t miss the violence that was everywhere. I don’t miss the poverty or the anger or being afraid of every hate-peddling psychopath who might win an election.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“We’ve spent hours with our heads down, building this world together. I suggested some stuff, but you dreamed it into being. You’re magic, and that shouldn’t pass without some sort of acknowledgment.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Streaking away from this moment are dozens of possible futures, each waiting to be conjured into existence by a random event, an idle phrase, a miscommunication, or an overheard conversation.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“exponent of civility”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“I've learned that the only guaranteed defense against grief is not loving at all. Truthfully I'm surprised more [...] don't consider it.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Purpose is something that must be given, or it will be endlessly sought.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Why were they fighting?” “We could always find a reason,” she replies. “We had different gods or different skin, or the fight had been going on so long we’d forgotten how to stop it. Somebody had something we needed, or we thought they were planning to hurt us.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Unfortunately, I’ve been alive a lot longer than you, and I’ve picked up some bad habits along the way. It’s not quite as easy for me to forgive people as it is for you, but I’m trying to be better.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“You're much closer to being human than I gave my mother credit for.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“And, yet, she was the biggest lie of all.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Sometimes the only way to win a game is to let the pieces think they're the ones playing it.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“We can't call ourselves good people if we stand by and let terrible things happen.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World

“Our entire lives we've been told to accept things that seem strange, and not to ask questions, but that's not going to work any more. We don't have time to be polite, or reticent.”
― Stuart Turton, The Last Murder at the End of the World