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 “If the Boot Fits” by Karen Witemeyer

“If the Boot Fits” by Karen Witemeyer is an example of both historical and Christian fiction at their finest. As an added bonus, there’s a tie-in to the classic Cinderella story.

The story opens with the typical Cinderella elements (a ball, someone fleeing, and an abandoned piece of footwear). There’s a brief bit in which our heroine tries to match feet with the boot-wearer, but it’s not a key part of the plot. There’s a nice scene at the end linking the story back to Cinderella as well. I enjoyed these elements, and thought they fit into the book perfectly. However, don’t go into this expecting a true Texas retelling of the fairy tale!

For the most part, the book centers on the evolving relationship between Samantha and Asher. I found the slow-burn romance to be very authentic. The author includes enough scenes of the two together, talking and getting to know one another, that the reader can easily believe that their feelings are genuine. Since the course of true love never runs smoothly, the couple is hampered by Samantha’s father’s influence, Asher’s family’s financial problems, and some unknown villain attempting to kill Samantha.

I enjoyed reading about each main character separately, as well as the two of them together. The relationship between Samantha and her father, in particular, was well-written, and I liked getting glimpses into their past as well as witnessing their present-day interactions. Revelations about Samantha’s long-deceased mother come to light; these are interesting in their own right, and also affect Samantha’s understanding of her father.

I appreciated the faith aspects as well; as Samantha navigates the twin challenges of her blossoming romance and the attempts on her life, she grows in her faith and learns to rely more fully on God. All in all, she has a lovely personal growth arc, in her faith, in her familial relationships, and in her romance.

In conclusion, I have to say that this book has everything: romance, history, danger, and faith.

Definitely 5 slices of perfect sharp cheddar!