World of Trouble
Review
World of Trouble, by , is the third and final novel in the The Last Policeman series. It follows Detective Palace as he uncovers his sister’s involvement in a mysterious plot just days before the world’s end.
World of Trouble shares the same weakness as Countdown City: it focuses too heavily on the present at the expense of the past. Even within the present-day narrative, there are ideas that aren’t fully explored, such as how different towns handle the end of the world: green towns pretend everything is fine, red towns are total chaos, blue towns are populated but everyone is hiding, etc. I wanted to experience the different types of towns, and instead they were just mentioned.
The central mystery in this installment revolves around the murder of Palace’s sister, effectively tying together the overarching Nico-saves-the-world plotline with the individual mysteries of each book. We learn that Nico’s rebel group isn’t actually saving the world; instead, they’re unwitting participants in an elaborate FBI scheme designed to keep dangerous criminals occupied and prevent widespread chaos as the world approaches its end. This revelation explains the presence of the helicopter, the mysterious missions, and the secret documents.
While the book has some engaging scenes, such as the encounter with the Amish community and the couple raising chickens in their camper, the mystery and world-building aspects fall short. The series, which began with such promise in The Last Policeman, ultimately fails to deliver on its potential. I’m glad to move on.