World of Trouble

As a mystery it was good. I enjoyed the ride to the surprising conclusion. I admit–I solved it! Ha! About two sentences before the reveal. I guess that doesn't count.

But of more importance than the mystery, of course, is the whole trilogy's question, “What would you do, really do, if the world were about to end?” (Perhaps we can translate that into “What would you do if you were going to die some day?”) I like Palace's answer.

For the reason why I'm re-reading this series, see my review on the first book in the trilogy - "The Last Policeman." For me this was the most fully formed and engaging of the trilogy. The countdown to the arrival of the asteroid is at just two weeks when the novel begins. The narrow window of time and the focus of the mystery (where's the main character's wayward sister?) gives a focus and urgency to the plot not as present in the first two novels. There's more twists plus some authentic suspense in the final third. I particularly appreciated the arc of the encounter with the Amish patriarch and his large family. His answer to the main theme of the stories - how should we live with impending, catastrophic doom - is a thought-provoking and different response than what we witness elsewhere. A highly recommended - and quick to read series - especially as we in the US wait for the "asteroid" of the Nov 5th election day to arrive.