Review of Countdown City by Ben H. Winters

• ISBN-13: 9781594746260
• Publisher: Quirk Publishing
• Publication date: 7/16/2013
• Pages: 320

Former police detective Henry Palace is still interested in serving the public, he still dresses for work even though he’s no longer employed, he still meets other “retired” officers of his disassembled unit at the local diner where they commiserate on the state of the world, or what’s left of it. He still believes in serving his community so when approached by his childhood babysitter to locate her missing husband he readily agrees, even though according to the “experts” in 77 days the asteroid known as Maia will hit the Earth with apocalyptic results. There are forces that will attempt to keep him from solving this puzzle and he will re-connect with unlikely allies to help him search. But in the end what does it matter, is he the only voice of reason left in a world gone mad. Or is he just as deranged as the rest of the planet?

Ben H. Winters leads his readers by the nose through this second in his pre-apocalyptic trilogy, a terror-filled, can’t put it down, page turner. He uses the most eloquent of dialogues to describe what’s happening in the world, the world where the information highway we enjoy is shutting down more each day, and the inevitable event-to-come is all smoke and mirrors. He lets us use our imagination just enough to scare the bejeezus out of us, but not enough for us to stop turning the pages. He’s a magician with words and phrases and his narrative will flow smoothly through every titillating experience. If you love apocalyptic fiction, pre, post or otherwise this will be your next must read, but to enjoy every page, every scene and every interaction the novels should be read in order. If you love the novels of Stephen King, Harry Turtledove, Justin Cronin or Orson Scott Card you will love this trilogy too.
Ben you’ve taken me on an adventure of a lifetime so far and I’m looking forward to “The End”.

The Last Policeman 

I'm fortunate to be hosting this month the book club read and discussion of Ben's first in the trilogy The Last Policeman. If you care to follow along or chime in please do. Ben's contribution as well as the readers has made this an incredible experience.
Week One Discusion is here
Week Two Discussion is here
Week Three starts Monday