The Last Policeman

The Last Policeman, Book 1

By: Ben H. Winters

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

As Seen on Today with Hoda & Jenna

“A genre-defying blend of crime writing and science fiction.”—Alexandra Alter, The New York Times

Winner of the 2013 Edgar® Award for Best Paperback Original!

What’s the point in solving murders if we’re all going to die soon, anyway?

Detective Hank Palace has faced this question ever since asteroid 2011GV1 hovered into view. There’s no chance left. No hope. Just six precious months until impact.

The economy spirals downward while crops rot in the fields. Churches and synagogues are packed. People all over the world are walking off the job—but not Hank Palace. He’s investigating a death by hanging in a city that sees a dozen suicides every week—except this one feels suspicious, and Palace is the only cop who cares.

The first in a trilogy, The Last Policeman offers a mystery set on the brink of an apocalypse. As Palace’s investigation plays out under the shadow of 2011GV1, we’re confronted by hard questions way beyond “whodunit.” What basis does civilization rest upon? What is life worth? What would any of us do, what would we really do, if our days were numbered?

©2012 Ben H. Winters (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Interesting premise, not so sharp resolution.

This was a really interesting premise. What would happen as society unbundles during an inevitable, visible and completely relentless apocalypse.

There are a lot of pre and post-apocalypse stories running around. Few are credible, whereas this scenario is only too frighteningly real. We get hit by objects from space all the time, most are small and do little damage. We don't spend much money researching them or how to deal with 'em if they do home in.

The murder mystery was yer standard fare. I didn't find that more than mildly diverting. The characters were fairly cookie cutter, good guy, bad guy, girl. What was interesting was the way the society itself wobbled. Cell phones not working, bucket listers, and how the brave, insane and merely resigned attempted to deal with the big rock arrival.

Beautiful read by Peter Berkrot.


brendan

Makes one think about meteorite disaster scenario

The interesting thing about this book isn't the murder mystery, but rather the question of what people would do, and the changes in society that would develop, of an impending meteorite strike of the magnitude of that which killed off the dinosaurs. I suspect they would be more significant than depicted in the book. Worth reading.

didn't like writing style

could have been the narrator but I think it was the writing style. kept getting lulled and would miss important events. interesting premise though.

Hard to follow

I was ok following most of it, but a little distraction and I was lost. I may need to try this a 3rd time later on.
I bought this book a couple years ago. Could just not be for me

Interesting Mystery in a Uniqy Societal Context

This is the first book in a trilogy, and it has an interesting premise; Detective Hank Palace is trying to solve a murder, that may not be a murder, in a society that has changed due to an upcoming asteroid collision with Earth. I thought I knew what would happen, but the ending had a twist that was a surprise to me. I enjoyed this murder mystery in this unique societal context and am planning to finish the trilogy.

twists and turns <br />

the book was like sitting in front of an old time radio mystery. loved it!

A classic who-done-it with a novel twist!

Loved this well crafted, well written, thought provoking, and engaging take on a classic who-done-it. Well worth the listen. Wish there were more like it.

good enough to be entertaining

this is my first attempt at Reading detective/mystery in a really long time. admittedly I wasn't all that thrilled with how the story began or with the narrator's voice and ability to differentiate between characters, but as I've learned with listening to these audiobooks, sometimes you just have to adjust. after forcing myself through the first 20 minutes or so I was good. overall the story was cool, just slow at certain parts. the main character did not really grab me the way I had hoped it would, but it was still well written and kept me engaged, especially once you get past the first third of the story.

Post apocalyptic..

This was fun, I liked it.
I'm finding my way through this genre, I usually don't go for detective mystery novels but the pre apocalyptic aspect in this totally sealed the deal for me.

NOBODY WANTS HIM TO SOLVE THIS MURDER

HIGH AS SATELITES
I did manage to get through the whole book, but my interest waned as the story creeped on. I got interested in Winters, after listening to Bedbugs. He also has written several great short stories. He comes up with some great and unique concepts, but I seem to have a problem feeling empathy or any interest in any of his characters. While the worlds he puts his characters in are very different, he has not mastered making us care about the people.

Narrator is great.