The Last Place on Earth

"The Last Place on Earth" by Jim Harmon is a psychological science fiction novel likely written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around a protagonist's internal struggle as he navigates themes of identity, control, and the supernatural amid a backdrop of futuristic elements such as rocket ships and government projects. The narrative delves into the human psyche and addresses concepts of alien influence in a small-town setting. The plot follows Sam Collins, a man haunted by his troubled past and a strange encounter with the local undertaker, Doc Candle, who claims to be an alien with a sinister mission. As Collins grapples with his own dark impulses, he inadvertently becomes embroiled in a series of events that lead to violence and confusion, including a mistaken assault on a woman named Nancy Comstock. With the looming threat of the government and Candle's manipulative control, Collins races against time to prove his own innocence while dealing with the ghosts of his past. Ultimately, the story blurs the lines between sanity and madness, freedom and control, culminating in a surreal encounter that tests the limits of Collins' identity and will to live.