In Ben H. Winters’ novel, The Last Policeman. The world is ending. Astrophysicists, scientists and all the experts have predicted that in six months time, an asteroid will strike the earth, killing everyone.
With only less than six months to the end of the world. There is pandemonium in the small town of Concord. People are quitting their miserable jobs, something they had always wanted to do. People are getting married in a huff to fulfil their dreams.
People, ticking their bucket lists, are smoking, drinking and engaging in all forms debauchery. Some have become super-religious in an effort to prevent the inevitable.
Now, detective Henry Palace, a recently promoted to cop, is called to investigate a “hanger”, a suicide by hanging. Suicides have become a common occurence since the big announcement about the asteroid. With the many suicides, new laws and procedures on investigating suicides require detectives to act without rigor and quickly close the cases.
But detective Palace suspects that the man who was found hanging in a toilet at a deserted McDonald outlet did not kill himself.
So, he sets to investigate the case. Despite the apathy and skepticism by his colleagues. Despite the anarchy brought about by the impeding doom. He is determined to get to bottom of the issue. He goes on doing his job, just like a good detective does.
But what’s the point of solving a murder if the world is ending anyway?
In a world where everyone is trying to scam you.
In a society where no one wants to do his damn job.
There are still a few people who still want to do their job well.
People who still show up with generosity and commitment.
Life is life
Fabio