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.

Possibly the best audiobook performance I have ever heard.

Berkrot is just spectacular. The story is excellent, but his performance and so much more to it.

Engaging, and unique dystopian journey.

I listened to this book for a book club and do not imagine that I would have found it otherwise. I enjoyed the story of a dystopian earth which had no science fiction elements. The story line was was very modern and realistic. What if a good man was a police officer during a global, societal melt down. How does he fare, does he fall apart or keep going. How will he cope while fabric of society unravels? I enjoyed observing his difficult journey. you retn

Very Unique Idea!!!

An old fashioned murder mystery tied to the impending apocalypse!
Loved book 1. Can’t wait to get started on 2. The audible/ Kindle combo adds a lot

Its The End of the World As We Know It

I had The Last Policeman by Ben H Winters on my wish list since it was released a couple of years back. It combines a genre I love (apocalyptic) and an interesting idea. If you knew the world was going to end what would you do? So I finally took the plunge and recently read The Last Policeman and enjoyed it.

The Last Policeman follows Hank Palace and his journey as a detective as the world approaches an impending doom. My biggest issue with the book was that it lacked character development. We learn very little about Hank, his family, friends, or even his co-workers. The book jumps straight into a murder investigation and uses the impending astroid to change the typical crime solving formula up a bit. Its an interesting twist but could have used a couple hundred more pages to understand how the world has changed because of the impending asteroid and more insight into the characters. Instead The Last Policeman is a very enjoyable quick read thats an interesting concept not fully realized.

I sure hope the second book elaborates more on how the world is handling the upcoming disaster because to me that's what makes this series unique and interesting.

funny and exciting

i really enjoyed this listen. It had some twists I was not expecting. I laughed out loud a couple of times by myself in the car.

not bad listened to in one sitting

Any additional comments?

Not a bad story on its own, even without the whole " killer asteroid" heading for earth. If you have any background in law enforcement or investigation, you will probably figure out whats going on pretty fast. I do have to say I 100% respect the main character for keeping his head even though the world is coming to an end. The ending does seem to set the book up for a squeal which might be interesting and i wouldn't mind checking it out when it comes to audible.

Above or at Average

Some great premises set in a pre-apocalyptic setting. However, the characters are generic. I wanted to like this because I loved the premise of a murder mystery set in a time when a meteor is destined to destroy earth. I just did not feel a connection with the characters.

The narrator was good and did what he could with the material.

I will read the next in the series in hopes that the trilogy will get better.

No concept of real cops

What disappointed you about The Last Policeman?

I've been a cop for 18 years. The cops in this book are out of a 60s comic book. Hollywood has a better grasp and it sucks.

Would you ever listen to anything by Ben H. Winters again?

No

Would you listen to another book narrated by Peter Berkrot?

Sure

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. Premiss was great.

Any additional comments?

Skip

End of Days = career fast track

The world as we know it is going to end in six months, thanks to a six kilometer-wide asteroid that’s on course to slam into the Earth. This sort of knowledge has a way of triggering civil unrest, economic collapse, suicides, religious cults, and people living out their fantasies while the getting’s still good, and these things are happening all over the world.

However, in sleepy, unpretentious New Hampshire, people are mostly just trying to hang onto normalcy for as long as they can. For young detective, Hank Palace, promoted through the ranks after other officers “went bucket list”, the chaos of the last months offer an opportunity to live out his childhood dream of being a crime solver. When he discovers an apparent suicide, a dead accountant in a public restroom, his gut tells him that foul play is involved. Sure enough, his explorations into the man’s life begin to reveal some odd associations, as well as a mathematical obsession centered around the comet.

Despite the book’s apocalyptic themes, there’s a lot of quirky humor, which reminded me of the movie Fargo. Hank’s obsession with getting to the bottom of the “murder” has a quality of nutty desperation to it at first, but as the book progresses, we begin to see that there may be existential purpose to his belief in law, order, and decency, even as the tides flow against him. Though anarchy and martial law are both on the rise, the last days of civilization might not be altogether without hope or meaning.

When all is said and done, the crime mystery plot and its misdirections aren’t particularly mind-blowing or fresh, but were interesting enough to keep me listening. And a secondary mystery will no doubt figure into the two sequels. The characters, particularly Hank’s irresponsible younger sister, her Caucasian-dreadlocked dope of a husband, and a tough-as-nails medical examiner, are enjoyable, and I could easily see this novel becoming a TV show, as is rumored. Winters’s mix of mordant absurdity and sincerity is an appealing one. 3.5 stars.

An overall good read.

Would you try another book from Ben H. Winters and/or Peter Berkrot?

Yes, It was entertaining and surprising. He does leave you enough clues, but you don't believe the ending until you get there.The book was never boring. Each page turned itself. You just want to find out a little more until the end.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes. He did a good job.

Do you think The Last Policeman needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

A follow up book may ruin the premise of this book. Sometimes knowing ruins the story like catching your parents playing Santa Clause.

Any additional comments?

My complaint is only the style of story. The hard nose detective feel of the story annoyed me. Otherwise, this was a good reed.