Review: The Last Policeman

Title: The Last Policeman
Author: Ben H. Winters
Category/Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction, Apocalyptic

See it at Goodreads


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?


The Last Policeman presents a thrilling pre-apocalyptic scenario of a world facing the end. There is a set date, and the clock is ticking its way down every second as the asteroid plummets its way to earth. With suicide rates going up, jobs being tossed aside, economy going to hell, and food sources depleting, people just don’t care about anything. Not even murder. Except Detective Hank Palace.


And I liked Hank. While everyone around him kept shrugging off the murder case or poked fun and jokes at him, he was determined to solve it no matter the state of the world. This was a realistic read with how society was portrayed in reaction to this possible situation. Fast-paced and riveting. I enjoyed the book, as well as the sequel, Countdown City, and look forward to finishing this trilogy!

Did you know I’m also doing a giveaway to win the first two books? Check it out here.