Ben H. Winters' Last Policeman trilogy began with a built-in expiration date, and World of Trouble ends it in style. There may be a week before the end of the world, but the landscape Hank Palace travels through looks as though it's already happened. Technology died a long time ago. Cities are blackened and abandoned ruins. Bicycles are the most advanced mode of transportation. People have turned into hoarders and scroungers. Very few have the courage or the desire to show kindness to strangers, so Hank and his dog Houdini have no one to rely on but themselves.

While the first two books in the trilogy were pre-apocalyptic mysteries (The Last Policeman and Countdown City), this final book begins as a straightforward tale of a brother going to be with his sister at the end of days. But Hank Palace is a young man who has always done his best to do the right thing, so it should be no surprise that he manages to find a puzzle or two that need solving before time runs out.

Anyone who wanted a more explosive ending to the trilogy may not like this rather quiet, somber book. I didn't know what to expect and was content to let the story unfold. I was not disappointed. Hank Palace is a character that will live on in my memory as will the author's vision of the end of the world. I'm sad that the trilogy has come to an end; however, Winters appears to have followed the advice of P.T. Barnum: Always leave them wanting more. I'm looking forward to what Winters' imagination has in store for us next.

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This one is less of a mystery than the last two. With only a few days to go before the meteor strike, Palace is conducting his last investigation - a desperate attempt to find his sister Nico. Why he does this, when it was obvious in the last book she did not want or need his help, speaks to his isolation in the world. He has become less and less rational over the trilogy and now he's risking the few days that are left on what seems like a fantasy, although he's got some solid leads. But Nico said there was a plan to destroy the asteroid, and although Palace can't believe it, maybe it was true? Where DID they get the helicopter, anyway? Winters had me fooled - the situation with Jean (Lily) and Jordan took me by surprise. After that, the rest becomes obvious. Very affecting end.

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As the countdown to impact by Maia (the asteroid that is due to hit earth in Indonesia) continues, Hank is searching for his sister. He wants to spend his last days with her. While he bemoans his failure to protect her from her hopes, dreams and life's experiences, he wants to have her with him at the time of impact. He knows that he owes his life to her when she rescued him from an isolated area where he was wounded by a gunshot. As the novel unwinds, the author writes about deteriorating civilization with clarity and great detail. The dark side of man is in much evidence during this period. Yet a surprising character named Jordan disliked intensely by Hank is not who he seems and Hank marvels at the man's secret . Yes, the previous novels won awards. I hope that this one does, too. It's a great read.

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I really like apocalyptic stories. I liked the trilogy of course but, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ASTEROID?! There must be another book yet to be written. The story line has not been completed. For point of reference check out Lucifer's Hammer a vintage story of this genre published in 1982.

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