My review of “The Last Murder at the End of the World” by Stuart Turton

“The Last Murder at the End of the World” is a gripping post-apocalyptic murder mystery. It’s also though-provoking, incredibly well-plotted, and entirely unique.

The murder in question occurs in an unusual version of the “locked room” scenario…the last survivors of a deadly-fog-apocalypse are living on an isolated island, so the suspect pool is obviously limited. To make things more challenging for the investigator (Emory), everyone’s memories of the night of the crime have been wiped, including her own. Just in case the stakes weren’t high enough…if Emory can’t solve the murder and make sure the killer is executed in just under two days, the fog will cover the island, killing everyone, and thereby ending human life on earth.

Within those parameters, Emory begins her investigation. Unlike most of the island’s inhabitants, she’s curious and willing to ask hard questions. However, given that LITERALLY nobody is able to remember anything, she has her work cut out for her. As she progresses through whatever leads she can find, she raises as may new questions as she answers, all in a high-stakes race against the clock.

Author Stuart Turton skillfully weaves character backstories and glimpses of the onset of the apocalypse with Emory’s investigation so that the reader fills in their own blanks about the past at the same time as Emory’s blanks in her memory and what actually happened. There’s a lot to uncover and figure out, and not everyone (or everything) is as it appears. To avoid spoilers, I won’t say more, but PLEASE read this one for some surprising revelations!

You’ll leave this story with a complete understanding of what actually happened on the night in question. However, you’ll also leave with a lot of things to think about. I wish I could share a few of them here but…..the questions themselves would be spoiler-ish. (If you’re planning to read this one, which I highly recommend, try to go in without reading any more about it. You’ll enjoy it much more if you have less of an idea what to expect.)

5 slices of perfect Provolone! (Also a nominee for my Top 10 books of 2024!)

My Review of “The Warsaw Sisters” by Amanda Barratt

“The Warsaw Sisters” is a powerful, historical, emotionally draining, amazing novel about two sisters living in Poland during the German occupation in World War 2.

Both main characters (sisters Antonia and Helena) are incredibly well-written. The reader will feel like he/she is gradually getting to know real people as the story moves along and more and more about the characters’ pasts, family/friends, and personalities are revealed. While we are getting to know these two strong women, we also get to observe them as they take action to help lessen the suffering around them.

Although both Antonia and Helena have some degree of romance in their lives, this is only one small part of what this book has to offer. The reader will learn a lot about the occupation of Poland, and its many atrocities. There is also plenty of information about daily life, religion, clothing, food, and the vital roles played by some women during that time. Despite learning quite a bit, you will never be bored or feel like you’re sitting in a history lecture. All of this information is presented as part of the story, and is truly fascinating (although, in some cases, disturbing).

A fair bit of time is devoted to the dynamic between the sisters. As the extreme danger in their resistance efforts requires them to be secretive, the women find a division between them that they’ve never experienced before. How they cope with this change makes for a powerful storyline.

I highly recommend this novel for the incredible depth of historical content, the moving and exciting stories of Antonia and Helena, and the positive messaging about trying to make a difference despite overwhelming odds.

5 out of 5 slices of thinly sliced, ultra-sharp Cheddar!