The Last Policeman

by Ben H. Winters
The Last Policeman cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Waterstones
Paperback • £16.99
Amazon
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  • ID: 7679
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781594745775
  • Publisher: Quirk Books
  • Published: 2012-07-10
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Last Policeman is the first book in a trilogy that explores a pre-apocalyptic United States on the brink of destruction due to an impending asteroid impact. As society unravels, Detective Hank Palace remains dedicated to his job, investigating a death by hanging that he believes is a murder. The novel delves into profound questions about the basis of civilization and the worth of life, all under the shadow of impending doom. /n/n Winner of the 2013 Edgar® Award for Best Paperback Original, this mystery series has been praised by John Green for its weird, beautiful, and unapologetically apocalyptic portrayal of a world facing its end. The book also includes an excerpt from the anticipated second book in the trilogy, Countdown City.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2025-12-16
fantastic 4.50

The book is a rich blend of murder mystery and dystopia, highly recommended for fans of either genre. The protagonist's journey is compelling, and the exploration of a society on the brink is thought-provoking.

This reviewer felt enriched by reading this book, which they describe as an intriguing mix of murder mystery and dystopia. They think it's a great recommendation for fans of either genre. The protagonist's journey is compelling, and the exploration of a society on the brink of collapse is thought-provoking. They appreciated the unique premise and the way the author weaves together different elements to create a cohesive and engaging story. However, they noted that the prose could be more polished in places, but overall, it's a satisfying read that leaves you wanting more.

Quick quotes

    I felt richer for reading this intriguing mix of murder mystery and dystopia.

    Highly recommend The Last Policeman to fans of either genre.

    The protagonist's journey is compelling, and the exploration of a society on the brink is thought-provoking.

Book by Book · 2022-10-26
excellent 4.00

The mystery at the heart of the novel is well-crafted and keeps readers engaged. The protagonist's journey is compelling, and the twists and turns are satisfying.

They loved the central mystery in this book, calling it twisty and intriguing. The protagonist, Hank, is a detective trying to solve a case while the world is about to end, and they think his journey is really engaging. The reviewer appreciated how the author keeps you guessing and the satisfying payoff of the twists. They also noted that the book does a great job of exploring how people cope with the idea of an impending apocalypse, making it a thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    The mystery at the center of the novel is a good one: twisty and intriguing.

    Hank brings the reader right along with him, wondering what will happen next.

    The novel does a great job of exploring how people cope with the idea of an impending apocalypse.

Grub Street Hack · 2019-10-27
intriguing 3.50

The novel blends mystery and literary prose effectively, creating a compelling pre-apocalyptic atmosphere. The central premise of an impending asteroid strike adds a unique layer to the traditional police procedural.

This reviewer really enjoyed the way the book combines a classic murder mystery with a literary style, making it stand out. They think the idea of an asteroid heading towards Earth adds a fresh twist to the story, creating a sense of urgency and tension. The protagonist's journey is engaging, and the exploration of human behavior in the face of impending doom is thought-provoking. However, they note that the prose could be more polished in places, but overall, it's a gripping read that keeps you turning the pages.

Quick quotes

    The Last Policeman is a mystery novel with literary aspirations (you know – it's just a prose style thing).

    The incoming asteroid creating a pre-apocalyptic backdrop adds a unique layer to the traditional police procedural.

    The economy spirals downward while crops rot in the fields, painting a vivid picture of a society on the brink.

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