In his remarkable first novel, Thomas Mullen employs a theme as old as Sophocles' plague-ridden Thebes and as modern as Camus' Oran A brilliant series of plot twists is set in motion Time and again, Mullen's suspenseful storytelling pulls us forward. Time and again, his imagery... is devastatingly right.

Deep in the Pacific Northwest is the small mill town of Commonwealth.With World War I raging overseas and a deadly influenza striking down vast swaths of surrounding communities, Commonwealth votes to quarantine itself against contagion. Guards are posted at the single road leading in and out Worthy, the adopted son of the town's founder, is among them. He will be unlucky enough to be on duty when a cold, hungry, tired--and apparently ill-soldier presents himself at the town's doorstep begging for sanctuary. The encounter that ensues, and the shots that are fired, will have deafening reverberations throughout Commonwealth, escalating until every human value--love, patriotism, community,family, friendship not to mention the town's very survival, is imperiled.

Inspired by a little-known historical footnote regarding towns that quarantined themselves during the 1918 epidemic, The Last Town on Earth is a remarkably moving and accomplished debut.