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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 Last Policeman presents a fascinating portrait of a pre-apocalyptic United States. 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?

Set in a pre-apocalyptic world where a meteor is set to crash and ultimately destroy all civilization, The Last Policeman introduces us to Detective Hank Palace, a man who knows his job and continues to do his job even when others have stopped doing theirs. Crime is still happening, but the biggest item the Detective has to contend with is the suicides, which, understandably, are at an all time high. However, Palace comes upon a case that isn’t as open and shut as some might think it is…or want it to be and Hank won’t be letting this sleeping dog lie.

Filled with some likeable characters, some wonderfully cheesy lines, as well as, some great dialogue, The Last Policemanis primarily a mystery with the pre-apocalyptic undertones. If you are looking for a straight up apocalypse book this is not it…it is set in the world of an upcoming event and the focus is on the suicide/murder, which, to be honest, I do not feel was given the attention it deserved. The way it was wrapped up seemed rather careless. There are a few scenes that allude to a bit more involving the government (they’re always involved somehow, aren’t they?) and a possible escape from the meteor. I will admit, I am a bit unclear as to how everything fits together, however,  since this is book 1 of a trilogy maybe my questions will be answered in the next installments, but I do feel things could have flowed a bit better and I’m not sure how interested I am in continuing with the series.

Pick up your copy of The Last Policemanfrom Amazon for Kindle/audio or in paperback by clicking on the cover image above.

Espresso rating: Double