The Last Policeman

yes, it was an engaging listen.

Naomi, she broke my heart and we never even heard her whole story. And we didn't need to.

Detective Culver

I cried ... don't want to spoil it.

I will be honest, I was hesitant to read this book. I have read so many Pre-Apocalypse books over the years that I was sure this was just another cookie cutter of a novel. But I figured it would kill some time and maybe be a little entertaining.

I am so happy I was wrong.

This book is truly just a wonderfully engaging, and heart breaking, murder mystery with the impending apocalypse used as a backdrop that does not overwhelm the story or the characters. But it is a backdrop of rich flavor and intensity, the author gives you a true feeling and perspective of what the nation at large is going through without ever really leaving the stories little corner of the continent.

As a police sergeant in a suburb of a large city, I approached this book like I find myself with most murder mysteries, quite tentative but hoping for a complicated, clever storyline with good character development. This read easily met those criteria but really hit home with a well done pre-apocalyptic setting.

The Last Policeman is written from the perspective of a very realistic main character, Detective Hank Palace, a “down to earth” police officer who still cares to do an already thankless job in the worst of times.

The author did an excellent job of adjusting the readers mindset to new and different types of motives, drives, ways of being and thought processes which had an effect on, not only each character within the story, but all of society. The setting of “impending doom” was only a backdrop to the overall story and, refreshingly, never took off as the actual problem to solve. Interpersonal and work relationships were very entertaining and emotionally engaging as well.

The audio quality was good and the narration was done well.

The premise was excellent, so my expectations were high. Unfortunately, it missed the mark and I'm not sure I'll listen to the next book.

First book by this author.

The performance was delivered in a sort of sarcastic manner and tone, which made the story seem juvenile, somehow. The narrator made the protagonist seem self loathing, rather than just troubled.

I found myself bored and distracted through this audiobook. I really wanted to like this book, perhaps with a different narrator it could have had a different feel. The dialogue was also a bit stiff, the protagonist switching between four letter words and expressions like "holey moley!" was grating and felt really forced. Again, this could have been the narrator's inflection.

I found The Last Policeman a very engaging listen. It's not your everyday story of the approaching apocalypse, but it is a gripping and realistic one told through a single and rather poignant voice.

Detective Hank Palace leads us through a seemingly pointless murder investigation. After all, who cares how someone died when the world is about to end? But in the process of discovering the truth behind the sad end of mathematically gifted insurance adjuster, we are faced with the question of who we are, and what our life is worth when there is no legacy to leave behind and no one to leave it behind to.

I wish I could have given this a 4.5, because it really is a wonderful novel. But there were some places where the story lagged a little. Nonetheless, don't let it put you off. Great tale.

The premise is fascinating and the main character interesting and solidly constructed, but the story began to drag. The narration is generally good but I am left wondering why a character so profoundly a product of his New England origins speaks with a southern accent. I think I will read rather than listen to the next two books planned for this trilogy.

One of the better audiobooks. On a scale of 1 to 10, definitely a 9+

The initial discovery of the body.

Easily differentiated between characters. Nice variation without being shrill.

Apparently this is the first book in a trilogy. I'll definitely be buying the 2nd & 3rd books! I want to hear what happens to these characters.

A very clever premise - dedicated detective pursuing a murder case during the last days of life on earth. The murder mystery could have been better constructed...for me it was the protagonist's interaction with others as the society crumbles around him that elevated this book beyond average.

I didn't know this was part of a trilogy. I do not think I will buy the next two parts.

The Narrator was very good. I would listen to him again.

The story took me two weeks to listen to. For some reason, and maybe this is part of what the author wanted, I felt as though I was listening to this from a black hole of despair.

None of the characters were engaging, I didn't care about any of them nor do I care to see what happens to the remaining ones in the next book.

I love End of the World stories. I did not love or even like this one.

maybe a sale item

was not very suspenceful , didn't really feel like the world was ending , guessed the ending after father's intro.

write this, audilbe bills it as great not so IMO

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