I absolutely could not put this book down and found myself looking forward to bedtime so I could pick it up and dive back into it! It's a real blend of murder mystery and post-apocalyptic/dystopian horror - though I almost want to avoid using the term 'horror' as so much of the content seems totally plausible given the current global crisis. In fact, it's so plausible that I spent most of the book wondering what I would do if I were in the same situation - the way it's written is so evocative and descriptive that it really feels as if you are living through it with them (I also really liked the 'journal-style' format and the concept of the protagonist documenting the events as they played out). There were so many twists and turns and I loved getting to know the characters and following the plot as it developed, it was very skilfully dealt with in the way that it evolved. I would absolutely read more from Hanna, and I can see this being made into a film - I think it would be great on the big screen.

This is an interesting mashup of suspense thriller and post-apocalyptic SF tale.

Historian Jon Keller has been doing something academic-y in a hotel in Switzerland when the bombs land. Through TV/phones/internet they can see that all the major cities have gone. Most people leave the hotel to try and get to airports and train stations, though it seems unlikely any planes will fly.

20 or so remain at the hotel, frightened of what's out there, or what isn't. Jon has no way to find out whether his wife or children are still alive, though it seems unlikely.

Then they discover the body of a young girl in a water tank, who probably died around the time of the bombs dropping. Jon is appalled and intrigued and decides to investigate - who would have done such a thing, and are they still at the hotel?

I found the book was quite a good page-turner - I stayed up late to get to the end. The tension at the hotel is depicted quite well as the number of inhabitants lowers and suspicion increases.

A few elements frustrated me - Jon was not hugely likeable. Also, I couldn't quite understand why they didn't explore much further than the hotel for so long. Finally, I didn't like the resolution of the crime plot. May have just been me, though!

The concept of this book is brilliant, following the story of residents of a somewhat remote hotel after a mass nuclear event. Unfortunately, for me, the execution didn't live up to the promise. The first half or so is pretty good, and there are some really interesting looks at society throughout. But it meandered and I found increasingly that I just didn't care all that much about the protagonist or most of the characters. So it was fine, but it felt like it could have been so much more.

It was an interesting idea about what wouold happen if you were in a remote Location when the world ended. The idea that a killer could also be on the loose throws a real Twist in it. However, all we get is meandering through our main characters hazy thoughts, the killer Story goes nowhere, and even the end of the world is just alluded too. He is too busy with his new relationships in the Hotel, that are also not going anywhere. The ending is a fizzer, it was like he just decided to stop writing.

This was an interesting concept that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The back story is strong as is the premise and promise of the plot,

The start of the book is strong and the plot and tension thickens as it moves forward.

However 50% through the book, the author seems to lose the way providing various aspects of the story that seem rushed, cliched and lacking in cohesiveness.

The conclusion of the plot was not clear, it felt like an Agatha Christie, where the detective disappeared for two days and then came back with an conclusion that a reader couldn’t reach.

Perhaps I just didn’t get it, but it was not one of my favourites ( I read the last half because I felt I owed it to the author).

I really enjoyed this book. It is scary to think how quickly people would turn on each other in the fight for survival. Jon documents what is happening in an easy to read way that makes you feel part of what is happening.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...” (Hotel California)

It’s business as usual at the Hotel Post-Apocalypse, where staff just seem to be carrying on as normal. In fact, for Dylan, there seems to have been a promotion: from Head of Security to Leader of the Remaining World.
As for the guests …fear and lack of ambition keeps them holed up without an internet connection, blaming each other for voting for a (barely disguised) Trump and dispensing harsh justice and painkillers.
At times puzzling, at times shocking, The Last flirts with the genres of horror and whodunnit but ultimately finishes with several narrative threads unresolved and the over-riding thought – that was weird!
Weird-good or weird-bad? I’ve not decided yet but I have already thought of someone I think would enjoy the book…
I’ve read lots of post-apocalypse/ dystopian books lately but this one was certainly unique.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book had me hooked immediately from page one. Post-apocalyptic dystopias tend to draw me in easily, but this book felt different from many others. It focused less on the cause of the apocalypse - although it did feature and felt all too real at times - and less even on the survival aspect than many other similar books. Instead it felt more like an adventure book featuring a murder mystery.

I can't help but think that this period of time is going to be defined in a literacy fashion by the number of post-apocalyptic novels around. The cause of the apocalypse in this book, for example, was a very thinly veiled Trump-type US President engaged in escalating nuclear conflict. It will be interesting to look back on as this trend continues to develop and reflects the zeitgeist.

I really enjoyed not knowing which direction this book was going to go, genre-wise. It hinted at paranormal elements. There were horror elements that were genuinely chilling. And it could definitely be classed as a thriller.

The ending, unfortunately, was my least favourite part. The pacing of the book was so strong, until the final 10% or so. The closer I got to the end, the more worried I became that it would not all be wrapped up satisfactorily. Most things WERE wrapped up, but in a pretty rushed fashion and without feeling particularly linear.

However, I'm still giving it 4 stars because it was a book I really struggled to put down all along. Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very interesting as I expected. I hope they turn it into a movie, as it would be entertaining to watch :)
In our story, the World comes to an end because of a nuclear war carried by incapable politicians. No communication, transport, everything is destroyed. Jon is an American lecturer stuck in a big hotel in Europe with 20 strangers. We're getting to know the story through Jon's diary entries. After the end of World, they finda young girl's body in a water tank. And Jon tries to find who she is and why she's been murdered?

I really enjoyed this book for this murder mystery plus the social drama demonstrated about this post-apocalyptic happening. It was very good in analysing the psychological effects of this situation, how relationships evolve, etc. I'm a bit confused on why the story sharply moved away from teh murder mystery at half way point. I wish it was also equally involved in the plot.

All in all, I recommend this book to people who love sci-fi, dystopian, or post-apocalyptic stories.
Thanks a lot to Netgalley and the publisher for granting access in exchange for an honest review.

Wow: where do I start with a review of this novel? End of the world malarkey is not my normal choice of reading material but I’m glad I made an exception. The thing about this book is that its theme is frighteningly possible given the current state of the world. If you are convinced that the POTUS is hell bent on blowing us to ‘Kingdom Come’ you might want to brace yourself for this dystopian story about nuclear war and the end of the world as we know it. It is one heck of a read.

Jon Keller is an American academic attending a convention at a hotel in Switzerland when nuclear bombs start landing in America and Europe. As the internet goes down and email no longer exists, he and nineteen other guests/staff are trapped in a very remote hotel. On top of this, the body of small girl is discovered in one of the hotel’s water tanks. When it is established that she has been murdered the realisation dawns that one of the survivors is most likely a killer.

The combination of post-apocalyptic thriller and murder mystery is very effective and there is an assuredness about the author’s writing which conjures up a seriously creepy atmosphere in a thirteen floor, one thousand room, hotel with only twenty inhabitants. Shudder!

I don’t want to create spoilers so I won’t go any further into the plot. It was, however, a very satisfying read which I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

The last is a new take on the end of the world genre. It's well worth a read and uses a post nuclear world scenario to delve into some interesting topics around how we interact, what drives us and how people would react in this type of situation. Jon the lead character is beliverable and likable but I did find myself thinking his 'voice' was more female than male. Overall I'd definitely recommend and be interested in how the author deals with other subjects on any future books.

An interesting book with a very realistic and interesting premise, what would you do in the event of a nuclear war?
I found the first two thirds of the book engrossing, the detective work story line / thread running throughout, comes and goes as reality threatens to take over. However it is the human interactions that I found fascinating, how some people gravitate together and others repulse, exasperated in a catastrophic event.
I found however the final third of the book somewhat rushed and the conclusion forced, which is unfortunate as it detracted from, what up until then had been an excellent story.
However in summary, this was an enjoyable read with a very thought provoking plot, I recommend reading it.

I struggled a bit trying to decide if I disliked this book or just the world it presented. I ended on the latter. Post-apocalypse stories are nothing new, whether it be zombies or nuclear war there is plenty of media covering what would happen to mankind. It's rare to find a piece that felt so honest and real though.

<spoiler>There is no prescribed major character or story arc and the ending fell a bit flat. I found that a bit disappointing at first but then the more I thought about it the more that made sense.</spoiler> This isn't an epic tale, it's just a snippet on someone's life as they go through all this. Jon's skill as a historian is what drives him to keep logging the events. He makes a strong effort to be as neutral as possible and veer away from the unreliable narrator territory.

Usually in tales such as these we get a super star protagonist whose innate abilities save and support others. Here we have a bunch of regular people all going through something together. We may see things from Jon's perspective but he's certainly not the most capable at many things. I liked the pieces we saw from other characters and how they handled this horrible event. I especially appreciated the mention of narcan which shows the author has done their research and not gone the usually cliche route when drugs are involved.

All in all it was an interesting window into a world for a short while that I was equally eager and dreading to go back to every night.

This was such a different read.

The feeling of this book was so much like 'The Walking Dead' but it's without the Zombies.

The world comes to an end after the 'stupid' politicians turn each other's countries to nuclear playgrounds. Attacks on everywhere, cuts the communication, transport and destroys the order of the world as we know it. In a massive hotel building in Europe, far far away from every form of civilisation is the American lecturer Jon, stuck with some 20 strangers.

The story is told via Jon's diary, he writes to keep the journal of what happened in hopes of her wife Nadia might read it one day. Ovious and inevitable socialisation with other 'strangers' he is trapped with, will be a curse and gift for Jon at the same time. Not long after the end of world they discover a young girl's body in a water tank. She doesn't look like she's been attacked or anything but it's clear she's been murdered. Jon starts to investigate. Who is this girl? Who killed him and why?

This is the murder mystery element of the book, but this book is not a murder mystery. It's more a social dystopia, if there is such a genre. The only reason I am giving this book a 4 stars, not 5 is because it moved the focus from the girl's murder after 40-50% of the book, transforming into a psychological drama between characters in a post-apocalyptic environment. I still enjoyed reading this book and would recommend this to people who likes: sci-fi, dystopia with a hint of mystery.

A really enjoyable read. Given the glut of post apocalyptic novels.around at the moment I was more than pleasantly surprised to enjoy this from start to finish. Highly recommended!

The idea of a nuclear attack and the fall out that follows is a fascinating premise for a book and one that instantly grabbed me.

Jameson’s style is easy to read and regularly captures the nuances of human nature, thus making the characters relatable. The imagery was strong, helping to create the isolated Swiss hotel and the circumstances surrounding it. .

My main criticism would be that I always felt that I wanted more... More detail, more exposition and more from the plot line in general. This isn’t a necessarily negative note; more that I was taken into the book and wanted to explore it further.

At times I questioned logistics; internet access, phone batteries etc... but who am I to know what could or would happen in those circumstances?! Overall though this didn’t affect my enjoyment or investment in this book. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author in the future.

This was an interesting read, but the ending seemed to wind everything up very suddenly. I would have enjoyed following the characters further into their story.
I liked the 'near future' setting - which was unsettling - and while the ending left me with unanswered questions, I'm looking forward to the author's next book.

An excellent believable read, well written with excellent unusual plot, although a bit of strange ending, a page-turner found it hard to put down. Makes you wonder how easy something like this could happen.

The Last is a very tense, and unsettling post apocalyptic story of survival, and the discovery of a murdered young girl, all seen through the eyes of Jon Keller, who writes 'A Narrative Chronicle of the Initial Postnuclear Months by Possibly the Last Living Historian'.

I did really enjoy this book, and Hanna Jameson worked the tension so well in the book that I spent most of the time wanting to know what happened next, but being worried about what it would be.

Jameson has Jon say in his narrative 'I think it was Stephen King who said that the sum of all human fear is just a door left slightly ajar.' and yes, I'm sure Jameson pulls every trick to get your heart racing and the page turning.

My advice to you is to not read this book whilst listening to any music that might in any way add to the tension, because it really doesn't need it, and I might have completely unsettled myself enough to want some Disney to make it all right again!

The Last by Hanna Jameson is due to be published on 31st January 2019. Here's the pre-order link from Amazon!

I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and Viking (the publishers) for this book.

Check out my GoodReads profile for more reviews.

This is an intriguing idea, a mixed group of people, by chance staying in the same hotel, when the world is overtaken by nuclear war. Along side this is a murder mystery, so that the feel of the book is of an Agatha Christie novel in a dystopian setting. The action carries along nicely until the final section, when the surviving residents reach a nearby town. For me this was an unsatisfying conclusion.