Countdown City: The Last Policeman Book II

Just as good as the first one. A bit more philosophical and angst ridden.

"I keep my head down and my mind focused on the case because I’m sick of wondering why I’m doing this, why I care. This is just what I have, this is what I do."

..and with that, Hank Palace gives us an answer to why he’s so goddamn determined to run around playing detective in the face of certain doom. With Countdown City, Ben H. Winters takes us back to Concord, New Hampshire, less than 3 months until impact. In just 77 days, Maia will collide with Earth and the impact along with the resulting chaos will bring humanity to the brink of extinction. As we’re brought back into Concord, there are barely any utilities up and running, people are stockpiling food and weapons and everyone is looking over their shoulders – no one is to be trusted.

Despite a tendency to go "bucket list" – leaving your life behind to pursue your dreams – Martha Catavone approaches Hank, asking him to find her missing husband. Given the sordid state of society, Hank is doubtful he’ll turn anything up. However, without much left to do and considering the history he shares with Martha, he’s determined to give it a shot.

With the end of the world lingering on the horizon, Palace struggles to keep his mind on the case although he also still has to deal with his sister Nico’s whereabouts. It’s discovered that Nico has joined up with a group that are certain they've found a way to curb the aftereffects of the asteroid’s impact but Hank remains skeptical. As a result, he damages his relationship with his sister.

It was just a few weeks ago that I put down The Last Policeman. While I wasn't ecstatic about it, I did champion its originality as well as Winters’ writing. For whatever reason, I wasn't aware that the sequel had been scheduled to hit shelves so soon and when I caught a glimpse of it as I entered a bookstore, I snagged it right away.

It basically came down to needing to know where things were headed. I only assumed that in Winters’ second installment, society would continue to degrade as more and more people would begin to accept their fate. Anyone who follows my reviews will know that I’m a huge fan of post apocalyptic fiction. There’s something about the way humanity deals with this Armageddon that fascinates me. While Winters continues to focus heavily on Concord and Palace’s world, he also gives a broader view of the way others are dealing with it. For example, the United States is dealing with a massive influx of refugees who threaten to spread North America’s dwindling resources thin. Their response, while understandable, is a little frightening.

There’s something about the writing in these books that is just flat out addictive. It moves so quickly and smoothly that I flew through large chunks of the novel without even realizing it. While I didn't find anything drastically wrong with The Last Policeman, I just found Countdown City a more enjoyable read. It probably has something to do with Hank Palace becoming a more sympathetic character. He’s more or less stripped of any authority and is constantly trying to do so much with so little. You’ve got to hand it to him, the man does not give up easily.

I can’t wait to see where Winters goes from here. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to. With no scheduled release date available outside of “2014”, I’ll be frothing at the mouth to get my hands on Book III when the time comes.

Cross Posted @ Every Read Thing

Not as good as part one...but it's a bridge to third book.

There was no letdown from the first book in this near future trilogy. This time, Hank Palace is no longer a police detective, but he's still obsessed with solving a mystery, a missing person case. With the asteroid Maia hurtling toward Earth, the husband of Hank's long ago babysitter asks him to find her husband and bring him back home. Hank's search for Brett takes him into an increasingly chaotic and lawless landscape. He has to deal with anarchists forging their own society with their own rules, groups of hoarders, and a lack of the basics of life we all take for granted.The mystery is almost beside the point, its main function being the thing that gives Hank's life meaning when life is slowly eroding into meaninglessness. The details feel alarmingly real as Winters weaves his simple story with big ideas. This is a future that could realistically happen and Winters covers a myriad of human reactions that are just as plausible. Given the current political climate, this series feels incredibly relevant.

Enjoyed it even more than book one,wonder if houdini makes an appearance in book three - trying to slow down my “whole bag of chips” tendency to go kindle and binge on book three instead of waiting & listening thru the audio which had been great for the first two .

After reading The Last Policeman I had to get Countdown City. I liked it. We are still enjoying former Detective Henry Palace, the cop that can't retire. We start this book with only 77 days left before the asteroid named Maia smacks down in Indonesia and kills off most of the Earth's population.In the remaining days, Henry can't seem to relax and feels a sense of duty from his police force days. He is investigating the disappearance of Brett Cavatone. Has Brett gone "bucket list" or is he dead? Brett's wife asks Henry to find him and so he sets out to do just that.After a bit of an investigation Henry realizes he needs help getting into a former University which has...believe it or not....seceded from what is left of the United States. Brett had hooked up with an anarchist named Julia and there is a definite conspiracy theory in the works that actually plays out to be true. Besides the hoarding of firearms the biggest problem is the U.S. Navy. They are openly shooting people who try and gain access to our shores,That's a scary real life scenario. The military are keeping immigrants from the impacted hemisphere from entering the U.S. An asteroid is going to hit their continent and our Navy won't let them in safely! That's so rude.There is a shootout which involves Brett and Henry with interesting consequences. I don't want to put spoilers in here but the ending resolves a few things and now I need the last book. Yes, it left you hanging just a little bit.This photo below is from the end pages at the back of the book. I haven't checked it out yet but I am curious about how people answered.It's not brilliant writing (in the sense of the classics :-) but it certainly kept me entertained. If you are a fan of apocalyptic lit this will be right up your alley.

A solid follow up to the first novel, and just as good. In this book we see a bit more of the breakdown of society in anticipation of the asteroid's arrival. And of course, in the midst of chaos and destruction, former Detective Hank Palace has a missing persons case, and is determined to follow it. One of the other characters in this book compared Hank to a monster: "From a monster movie. The man who would not f***ing quit." A very true statement. It's telling of Hank's character that at certain moments in his investigation, he refers to himself as Detective, and at one point as "a policeman", even though that is technically no longer true. It is what he still feels he is. I liked the way the author decided to end this particular installment, and now of course I await the final book in the trilogy.

Darker than the first book. But just as good.

I was almost done with "Countdown City" when the I saw the headline "Big Asteroid Buzzes Past Earth" on Oct. 18. Ironic, yet it made me really think about the book in a new, more frightening way. Would I be a survivor and huddle in my home with resources, or would I be instantly torched like millions of others? Not a pleasant idea. But by the last of the story I was more involved and actually decided it was better than the first one. I enjoyed Hank's reunion with his sister, and the pizza parlour striving for normalcy in the face of shortages. I'm very interested to see how he ends the series.

A solid detective novel with an intriguing premise. Using the typical and seemingly straightforward detective novel standard of a manhunt to expand and explore the greater universe created by the impending asteroid impact makes for a good read. Definitely made me put the first book of the trilogy on my "to buy" list.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher through FB contests.
Review: With 77 days before Maia, an asteroid collides with Earth, the countdown has begun. "The world is on the move." Missing persons are common and a missing persons investigation is especially challenging.
Detective (former) Henry "Hank" Palace's former baby-sitter Martha Milano Cavatone begs him to find her husband Brett Cavatone and deliver the message "He has to come home his salvation depends upon it."
Why look for Brett? Do you care? Do you break your promises that the world is coming to an end? "Civilization is just a bunch of promises."
Palace follows clues, finds Brett and delivers the message. Brett is shot dead likely by a sniper. Palace is shot in the arm finding himself in Concord Hospital. Martha is now also missing. Who is Mr. N? Who shot Brett? Where's Martha? What to do next? How's Nico?
Another great mystery that I highly recommend, I'm counting down the days until the next book.

What would you do if an asteroid was on its way to earth and guaranteed to hit? In a world that's mostly gone haywire, Hank Palace's answer is: business as usual. Formerly a policeman, his former babysitter has asked him for help finding her husband, a man she's sure wouldn't just leave her and go "Bucket List." Will Hank be able to find him in time?This mystery trilogy with a hint of science fiction and conspiracy theories (Hank's sister Nico is part of a group still trying to affect the asteroid) is a fun genreblending read. The setting of Concord, New Hampshire, is familiar New England to me with a touch of difference - martial law, the breakdown of society, that kind of thing. It also gets you wondering... What would I do? "Go Bucket List"? Business as usual? Something in between? And what if it can be stopped - what will that mean for rebuilding a society that's broken down? (Guess I'll have to read the next book to find out!).

In this second book of the trilogy, an asteroid is expected to collide with Earth in 77 days. Henry Palace is no longer a police detective since his unit was disbanded but he can't help trying to solve problems. As in the first book, he is set on another pointless mission to find the missing husband of a damsel in distress. This mystery at the core of the book is resolved by the end, but the questions surrounding the big problem of the end of Earth are only slightly advanced here.I'm glad that Henry still has Houdini, the dog that he adopted in the first book, but now he has to measure out the kibble to make sure it lasts for 77 days. Supplies are becoming increasingly scarce, there is no electricity and soon there won't be any water. Henry's sister has joined up with a group of conspiracy theorists. I didn't think the plot was as tight here as in the first book. There were some coincidences and improbable rescues. I thought that Henry's foray into the socialist Free Republic of New Hampshire went on for too long. There was also an excessive amount of time spent with the consequences of a gunshot wound. I've had enough of looking for missing persons. I just want to know whether or not Earth ends as scheduled. I'm hoping for some pay off in the final book of the trilogy.

I loved the first book of the trilogy, and so was pleasantly surprised to find this one in my mailbox. Great blend of mystery and science fiction. In this book, the mystery wasn't quite as strong as the last book, but still enjoyable. However, Winters has handled the creation of this world quite well, and I am eagerly awaiting the final installment.

I liked this more than the first one to be honest. And I highly recommend it! But please, this isn't a stand alone book. (well I guess it could be, but the reader might be lost on some things)The premise is still amazing. The clock ticking down to where the world will end, OR WILL IT???? (DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUNNNN) It probably will, but still, I'd be on Nico's team. Nico is the best.

Disclaimer: Book received as part of the Early Reviewers program.A bit late reading and reviewing this book. I enjoyed this entry of Ben H. Winters' "The Last Policeman" trilogy much more than the first.Much like the comet of the series racing toward the earth, the story seems to be gathering momentum as it races to conclusion. Some of the questions posed in book one are answered, of course being replaced by more questions. Like can the comet really be stopped before it wipes mankind off the face of the earth?Actually I am glad I put off reading book two...Book three should be here shortly, and I can't wait to see how this story ends.

I really liked The Last Policeman when I read it last year, so I was pleased to received this early reading copy from Library Thing. Countdown City was even better than The Last Policeman. When I read the first book I don't think I was aware it was a trilogy and thought it ended rather abruptly, but it still made sense. Mr. Winters writes very well and his main character, Henry Palace (the last policeman), is a great character, flaws and all. The premise of an asteroid set to encounter earth and ending civilization as we know it, is really interesting and Winters has written it exactly as it would probably happen in the time leading up to the collision. Many different reactions to the situation, good and bad. I am anxious to read the third book when it comes out and then I will probably read them all again.

Another tense, densely plotted, page-turner. A slightly darker story than "The Last Policeman," but another interesting one. I'm curious to see how the third book unfolds.

It's not necessary to have read The Last Policeman to enjoy this. The best part of the novel is the way the author realistically portraits civilization knowing that an asteroid will impact the earth. Some people join a cult, others hoard food and supplies. If you can get past the flimsy premise that begins this book, it's an enjoyable read. Why an officer would undertake a monumental task for someone he doesn't know very well and expects nothing in return is a bit far-fetched especially since there's less than three months to go until impact. I was impressed that this book didn't slump which has been known to happen to second books in a trilogy. It's very well paced and captures the attention of the reader from the start. I will definitely pick up the concluding novel in the series.

Countdown City is a somber, beautifully written look at civilization on the edge. As the rest of the world prepares for an impending asteroid by hoarding supplies or going Bucket List, former detective Hank Palace promises a young wife that he'll find her missing husband. Once again, Winters blends a traditional mystery with a careful, difficult look at human nature.

I love the premise of this series. An asteroid is about to crash into Earth, destroying everyone... but Detective Henry Palace wants to keep on solving ordinary murders and missing person cases.

In the end, you get a compelling mystery that would work as a novel in its own right, surrounded by an equally gripping per-apocalyptic atmosphere, all injected with a healthy dose of conspiracy theory!

Countdown City reminded me what I loved about The Last Policeman, and I think Winters' writing is even stronger in this second book. Looking forward to the next one!

I'm just floored again by Henry Palace and the Last Policeman series.It's less than three months until the end of world and Henry Palace has one more case to solve. The husband of childhood friend has gone missing, but so have a lot of people. Why track down this one man? Well, what else is there to do? Palace could go "Bucket List" and find some way to pass the time until the end, but he's not built that way.A beat cop promoted to detective and then retired all because the world was ending, Palace will always be a cop first.This world is haunting and powerful. I can't wait to read book 3, but I don't want to start it because then it will be over much too soon.

The end of the world is coming with a little less than three months until Mia, a giant asteroid, destroys the planet. All around Harry Palace, people are checking out of town, either to finish their bucket list or jump ship by suicide. Crime has taken over with resources dwindling and the police force is severely reduced and barely visible. Although he had been let go from the force, Harry cannot help but commit himself to taking on another case. Harry's childhood crush contacts him about her husband who has gone missing. Desperate to find him before the end of the world, she begs Harry to help her. Harry, as in the first book of the series, thoroughly commits himself to finding the missing husband, and willingly puts himself in harm's way just because he has to figure out what happened. With society collapsing all around him, Harry enlists his paranoid conspiracy-obsessed sister and others to help him along the way. Harry is an enjoyable character who really cares about people and is committed to helping others until his last days on the planet, which are numbered, seriously numbered. This is a quick but suspenseful read for anyone who enjoys apocalyptic fiction with a mystery twist.

Brief but entertaining. As with Book 1, I still felt that the characters were slightly underdeveloped, and that the author would have gone more into discussing the world facing the characters as the asteroid approaches.

When Detective Henry Palace returns in this second volume of The Last Policeman Trilogy, there are only 77 days left until the asteroid is due to hit Earth. Henry is no longer employed by the police department, and the few police who are left take a pretty laissez faire attitude in a society where money has no value, and shortages of necessary goods and services prevail.Henry's old babysitter turns up one day seeking his help in finding her husband Brett, who has disappeared. She is sure that he would never "go bucketlist" or otherwise desert her to face the end alone, and fears he has come to some harm. Although hundreds of people are disappearing everyday (including many who commit suicide), Henry believes her and takes the case.What was more interesting than the mystery to be solved (as was also the case for me with the first volume) is the creation of the world at the end--the reflections on what it means to face the end of the world. As Henry searches for Brett we experience with him the difficulties of retaining his humanity when all around people are losing theirs.I guess I'm going to have to read the final volume to see if the world really does end.3 stars

There is some serious middle-book-syndrome and sequel-itis going on with 'Countdown City.'
'The Last Policeman' was gripping from the first page straight through to the end. I read it in one sitting, and gave it 5 stars.

'Countdown City' was... ok. It took a while to get going, and even once things started rolling, I just didn't really care about the case. Former detective Hank Palace agrees to help his former babysitter find her missing husband before the end of the world (which is coming, in just a couple of months).

There is some interesting stuff here about expectations: the missing man was a former state trooper, and seems to be considered by all who knew him to be 'noble' and good. Even without having met him, Hank is illogically eager to assume the best of the man - not only was he a respected law officer, but he won the love of Hank's own childhood crush.

Hank's investigation proceeds in an interesting-enough manner, with some unexpected twists and turns. I like how the decline of society is pictured, as the day on which an asteroid will impact Earth approaches - but the story just didn't have the urgency for me that the prior book did.

I also felt like, after spending more time with him, Winters decided he liked his protagonist a lot more. Hank Palace, as portrayed here, seems both less crazy and generally more likable than he did in the first book. I really enjoyed the aspect of The Last Policeman that involved Hank's obsessive-compulsive behavior leading to him causing a swath of destruction and death behind him, regardless of his good intentions. There's only one similar incident in this book, and it'd be a real stretch to call it Palace's fault.

Overall, it's not a bad book - but it didn't quite live up to my (very high) expectations. (I did, however, like the third book better - I've already read it.)

This second book of Winters' The Last Policeman trilogy was a well-done follow up to the first and I'm definitely looking forward to the final installment. Considering the circumstances of the series (pre-apocalyptic detective tales set 6 months or so before an asteroid is due to end all life on Earth), I came away from the first book feeling like the world presented was a little to orderly and not quite dark/bleak enough. I was pleased to see that Winters moves the story in this direction with the second installment and starts to show a much more drastic breakdown of society. The reader also begins to see more clearly that the protagonist's clinging to his former position and moral scruples is less a noble endeavor so much as his own form of desperation. I hope the end of the trilogy is as entertaining as the first two volumes.

When I read The Last Policeman earlier this year I thought it was terrific and I wanted to read the rest of the series. But I also wondered if the next books would be as good as the first. I can answer that question now with a definite yes. It looks like there is a third book, World of Trouble. I'll be looking for it.An asteroid is hurtling through space on a collision course with Earth. It is due to hit the Eastern Hemisphere in October. Even if all human life is not killed by the collision most of the survivors will die from hunger or thirst or cold. With less than six months to live many people walked away from their jobs, their houses, their responsibilities determined to enjoy their remaining time. But Henry Palace, former police detective, is determined to carry on with his responsibilities even though he has been fired from his job on the police force. When the woman who was his babysitter asks for his help to find her husband, Henry cannot say no. Brett Milano went out to find supplies for the pizza place owned by his father-in-law at ten o'clock one morning and never returned. His wife, Martha, is dumbfounded because Brett had promised he would stick it out with her until the end. Henry follows the clues trying to find Brett. At one point he has to ask his sister, Nico, for help. Nico is involved with some cult that thinks they can destroy the asteroid. She has contacts that Henry needs and the two of them team up for a while. In fact, Nico saves Henry's life but then she disappears. Henry has an answer for Martha but now Martha is missing. And the town they live in is sliding into anarchy since the water went out. What does a man who feels strongly about honouring his commitments do when he might not survive the night? Read the book to find out.This book raises big questions and will leave you thinking about them long after the book is finished. For me that is the mark of great writing.

It's the end of the world as we know it...and everything is not fine. Detective Henry (Hank to me and you) Palace has been forced into early retirement as the days tick closer and closer to the asteroid landing. Despite this hurdle, he is determined to help wherever he can so when an old family friend asks him to find her missing husband he doesn't hesitate. Of course, in these uncertain times it's no easy feat to find a missing man and the situation is not at all black and white. Hank is drawn further and further down a rabbit hold of criminality, conspiracy, and chicanery. As he gets closer to unraveling his case the world counts down the days until destruction and chaos erupts. If you're looking for a story filled with tension and mystery then you need look no further than Countdown City. The only downside is that the third novel in the series, World of Trouble, isn't due out until this summer. :-(

Start with book 1 - The Last Policeman - so you'll know the characters. If you do, you will want to devour this immediately thereafter. Plot twists within a true-to-life locale are interesting but more importantly, you'll begin to wonder, "What would *I* do if...." The third (and, sadly, final) book in this series can't come soon enough!