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Check It Out: The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

This is Jenn Delperdang with the Sioux City Public Library, and you’re listening to Check It Out.

Today, I’m recommending The Last Murder at the End of the World—the latest genre-blending, mind-bending locked-room mystery from Stuart Turton.

The world has ended. A small Greek island is the last refuge against a deadly black fog that has covered the world for the last 90 years. 122 villagers are all that remain of humanity, living a cheerful but regulated existence on the island, ruled over by three elders and Abi—an omniscient and benevolent voice in their heads. When one of the elders is brutally murdered, the villagers are left stunned. Emory—the villager who has questioned the rules and struggles to find purpose in this community is thrust into the role of investigator. Her search leads her to discover that the barrier that protects the island from the deadly fog will collapse unless the killer is found.

That’s the plot—but the real joy in reading this book is in the brilliant writing, and the way the clues are revealed. If you read The Seven ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle—Turton’s debut novel in 2018, you know that he creates keenly calibrated twists and turns. This is a mystery at its core—but the elements of sci-fi are believable and terrifying, the existential questions raised about humanity are thought-provoking, the characters and world-building are complex, and the suspense is palpable as the clock runs down with each page turned.

Check out The Last Murder at the End of the World at the Sioux City Public Library.

Support for Check It Out on Siouxland Public Media comes from Verde Outdoor Media.

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