The Last Murder at the End of the World Summary & Review

Introduction: A Murder Mystery Meets the Apocalypse

Turton, known for The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, delivers his most ambitious novel yet—a high-stakes whodunit set at the edge of human extinction. This The Last Murder at the End of the World Summary explores why this tale is a must-read for mystery and sci-fi lovers alike.

In The Last Murder at the End of the World, bestselling author Stuart Turton blends mystery, science fiction, and psychological suspense into a chilling narrative that questions memory, morality, and survival. Set on a small Greek island spared from an apocalyptic fog that decimated the world, this isn’t just a tale about a murder—it’s about humanity’s last hope.

When one of the island’s three scientists is found brutally murdered, the serene life of the islanders is shattered. But there’s more at stake: the fog that destroyed the world is held back by a failing AI security system, which now gives them just 107 hours to solve the crime before it lets the fog in.

To make matters worse, the security system has wiped everyone’s memory of the night of the murder.

The Last Murder at the End of the World Synopsis (from amazon)

“A gripping tale that reads like a Sherlock Holmes novel set in a broken future…Turton is an exciting writer with a knack for strange tales that push the envelope, and this strange story of murder, survival, and the importance of memory might be his best work yet.” ―Gabino Iglesias for NPR

From the bestselling author of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water comes an inventive, high-concept murder mystery: an ingenious puzzle, an extraordinary backdrop, and an audacious solution.

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.

Quick Summary

• A post-apocalyptic island faces extinction unless a murder is solved.
• Memory-erasing tech complicates the investigation.
• 122 villagers and three scientists are trapped in paradise-turned-prison.
• A gripping, genre-blending thriller by Stuart Turton.
• Time-sensitive mystery with rich characters and a haunting setting.

What Questions Does This Book Answer?

1. What happens when memory is weaponized?
2. Can humanity survive without truth?
3. How do you solve a murder without any memories?
4. What secrets are worth killing to keep?
5. What defines humanity when the world has ended?

The Last Murder at the End of the World Summary & Review

What Is the Book About?

Set on the last habitable place on Earth, this novel dives deep into a dystopian future where human survival depends on order and obedience. The fog outside is lethal, and only the island remains, protected by an AI named Abi.

But when one of the three scientists maintaining Abi is murdered, everything is thrown into chaos. The countdown begins. If the murderer isn’t found within 107 hours, the island dies.

The twist? Everyone’s memories of the murder night are gone.

Who Are the Main Characters?

• Emory – The protagonist, driven, logical, and emotionally scarred. She leads the investigation.
• Abi – The AI protector of the island. Silent, yet all-powerful, with secrets of its own.
• The Scientists – Leaders of the island, responsible for maintaining the AI and the illusion of safety.
• The Villagers – 122 seemingly peaceful people with hidden pasts and motives.

How Does Memory Affect the Investigation?

The memory-erasing mechanism is the book’s central innovation. By erasing everyone’s recollection of the murder night, Turton removes the reader’s and characters’ usual tools for solving mysteries. This creates a unique narrative tension:

• Everyone is a suspect.
• No one remembers the crime.
• Clues come from fragments, not flashbacks.

This plot device amplifies suspense and turns the reader into an investigator.

Why Is the Fog Important?

The fog is more than a backdrop—it’s the clock. It represents death, the unknown, and the consequence of failure. It also raises questions:

• Is the fog natural or engineered?
• Why was this island spared?
• Who controls what, and why?

These mysteries are slowly unraveled, revealing chilling truths about humanity and the apocalypse.

What Makes This a Unique Murder Mystery?

Turton adds multiple layers to a genre that often sticks to formulas:

• Sci-fi setting: A post-apocalyptic world.
• Psychological complexity: Characters can’t trust their minds.
• Philosophical undertones: Can truth survive in a world built on forgetting?

This isn’t a simple “whodunit.” It’s a deep, twisting exploration of survival.

What Are the Themes of the Book?

• Survival vs. morality: Is truth worth risking extinction?
• Trust and memory: Can we rely on others when we can’t rely on ourselves?
• The burden of leadership: The scientists carry the weight of past decisions.
• The cost of knowledge: How much should we know about our past?

Top 10 Powerful Quotes from the Book

1. “everything we fear finds us eventually, so there’s no point trying to outrun it.”
2. “Humanity does not easily abandon its pleasures, even the vile ones.”
3. “Love is simply a matter of what people need and what they lack. It’s two broken things fitting together for a time.”
4. “There are no second chances when the end has already come.”
5. “She remembered nothing, but feared everything.”
6. “Truth was a currency, and everyone was bankrupt.”
7. “You can’t mourn a world you don’t remember.”
8. “Why doesn’t anybody question anything?” she asks her grandfather, focusing on him once again.
9. “Time is the only thing we’re running out of.”
10. “The fog isn’t the enemy. It’s the reminder.”

Author Spotlight: Who Is Stuart Turton?

Stuart Turton is a master of high-concept fiction. With a degree in English and Philosophy and a wildly varied career path, he brings a unique lens to storytelling. From The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle to The Devil and the Dark Water, his novels explore memory, identity, and morality.

Turton’s strength lies in constructing intricate puzzles wrapped in character-driven narratives. A former journalist and travel writer, he blends intellect with adventure. His stories challenge readers to think while keeping them turning pages late into the night.

He lives in London with his wife and two daughters, drinks lots of tea, and insists he’s untrustworthy—in the most charming way possible.

Conclusion: Should You Read It?

Absolutely. The Last Murder at the End of the World delivers a thrilling, mind-bending experience that fuses mystery and science fiction. It’s emotionally rich, structurally complex, and thematically bold. If you’re a fan of Black Mirror, Agatha Christie, or dystopian fiction, this book is for you.

It may stumble slightly with complexity and structure, but the originality and ambition shine through.

Try this unforgettable survival mystery today!

Looking for a deep dive into a mind-bending thriller? Bookmark this The Last Murder at the End of the World Summary and discover what makes Stuart Turton one of today’s most inventive storytellers.

Get Your Copy

• The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
• Explore Similar Books

Attachments & References

• Amazon’s book page
• Goodreaders’s book page
• Author’s image source: writers-online.co.uk
• Book Cover: Amazon.com
• Quotes sources: Goodreads