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secre's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Exit is a funny yet poignant novel centred around the premise of an assisted suicide gone wrong. Felix, mid seventies, widower and Vilomah if we want to use the same Sanskrit basis for the description of a loss of a child. He's sat by many, many bedsides over the years. A comforting presence, but not one who can do anything but watch and wait. The problem first arises when his new colleague catches the canister, passing it to the man they are overseeing the death of, thereby making herself directly culpable in his death. The second problem that arises however is larger still; the man who died isn't the one who contracted them. The canister was in the wrong room.
Felix finds himself unexpectedly on the run from the police, even as he tries to piece together exactly what happened and why. DC Calvin Bridge is asking very similar questions and the answers aren't forthcoming. The plot thickens and both Felix and DC Bridge find themselves unearthing secrets somebody is keen to stay buried. What started as a murder investigation becomes much wider and Bauer does show case just how many ways in which assisted euthanasia can be manipulated and abused.
I genuinely found this both entertaining and well written, it's a dark topic and Bauer certainly doesn't shy away from it; Felix's own losses through his life are depicted well, as are the reasons he volunteers as an Exiteer. The depictions of ageing and wanting to die on your own terms are done well. The characterisations are excellent; not just that of Felix, but of many of the supporting characters. Where I felt the novel lost it's way slightly was how convoluted it got by the end; whilst it was still enjoyable, I think it could have been better without the detour down some rather more random garden paths. The message behind it would have been less obscured by the other aspects as well.
All in all though, this was a good read and one I firmly enjoyed. It's surprisingly funny for a book about assisted suicide, and I thought the more serious topics were handled well.
Felix finds himself unexpectedly on the run from the police, even as he tries to piece together exactly what happened and why. DC Calvin Bridge is asking very similar questions and the answers aren't forthcoming. The plot thickens and both Felix and DC Bridge find themselves unearthing secrets somebody is keen to stay buried. What started as a murder investigation becomes much wider and Bauer does show case just how many ways in which assisted euthanasia can be manipulated and abused.
I genuinely found this both entertaining and well written, it's a dark topic and Bauer certainly doesn't shy away from it; Felix's own losses through his life are depicted well, as are the reasons he volunteers as an Exiteer. The depictions of ageing and wanting to die on your own terms are done well. The characterisations are excellent; not just that of Felix, but of many of the supporting characters. Where I felt the novel lost it's way slightly was how convoluted it got by the end; whilst it was still enjoyable, I think it could have been better without the detour down some rather more random garden paths. The message behind it would have been less obscured by the other aspects as well.
All in all though, this was a good read and one I firmly enjoyed. It's surprisingly funny for a book about assisted suicide, and I thought the more serious topics were handled well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, and Suicide
Moderate: Murder
alrightcalv's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This one really surprised me with how good it was! Enjoyed it. Very easy to read, funny in parts and a good mystery.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
scribblinginthemargins's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A charming cosy murder mystery with a twist - the whodunnit may have been a little disappointing in the end but the warm and loveable Felix Pink easily makes up for this!
I really enjoyed how the author manages to reflect on some very difficult and emotive topics like assisted suicide and terminal illness yet also create loveable and humourous characters with plenty of laughs along the way. Exit does what The Thursday Murder Club tried (and imo failed) to deliver: creating a charming cosy crime mystery with a vibrant cast of older characters and it was so much fun to see Felix and his neighbour embracing adventure and new experiences in later life. An unusually wholesome read for such a heavy concept!
I really enjoyed how the author manages to reflect on some very difficult and emotive topics like assisted suicide and terminal illness yet also create loveable and humourous characters with plenty of laughs along the way. Exit does what The Thursday Murder Club tried (and imo failed) to deliver: creating a charming cosy crime mystery with a vibrant cast of older characters and it was so much fun to see Felix and his neighbour embracing adventure and new experiences in later life. An unusually wholesome read for such a heavy concept!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Suicide, and Cancer
Moderate: Blood
dixiecarroll's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
I’m sorry but this was so boring to me… I tried so hard to pay attention but every character was similarly written and I could never tell what mattered and what didn’t. It had great potential to discuss the complexities of assisted suicide but it instead was treated as murder. Idk I can see how it might work for others but I was bored to tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Suicide attempt, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Death, and Suicide
misty445's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
kirstycarson1's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Murder, Terminal illness, Grief, Death, Chronic illness, and Cancer
thelibraryofanna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Terminal illness, Addiction, and Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
hilarylouise's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Cancer
Assisted suicide; euthanasiaunablelemon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Chronic illness, Cancer, and Terminal illness
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
2.0
Felix Pink is an Exiteer, a stranger who sits with a terminally ill person whilst they commit suicide. Exiteers are forbidden to assist (commit euthanasia) so they skirt the law on assisted suicide, but they must go in pairs and they use fake names. Felix aka John has sat with several people but this time he is accompanied by a new Exiteer, a young girl named Amanda, and something goes wrong. Somehow the wrong person ends up dead, and Felix is now wanted for murder.
I requested this as I have read Snap by the author and enjoyed it, but unfortunately this one didn't live up to my expectations. I found the MC to be rather dull to be honest, and I expected it to take a darker turn, given the subject matter, than it did. My thoughts seem to be in the minority as many other reviewers seemed to like it, so it obviously was just not my cup of tea.
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK/Transworld, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
I requested this as I have read Snap by the author and enjoyed it, but unfortunately this one didn't live up to my expectations. I found the MC to be rather dull to be honest, and I expected it to take a darker turn, given the subject matter, than it did. My thoughts seem to be in the minority as many other reviewers seemed to like it, so it obviously was just not my cup of tea.
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK/Transworld, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
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