4.5 humorous stars

I read “Snap” back in 2018 and I remember really liking the author’s writing style, when I saw this one, I had to snap (ha ha) it up! I was expecting a gritty thriller, but this author has more talent than just repeating an earlier formula. In fact, I’ve seen some references to the fact that all of her books are unique. I like that and it is a good reminder to not go in with preconceived ideas about a book!

You wouldn’t necessarily expect a book about euthanasia to be laugh-out-loud funny. This one had a lighter feel and I really appreciate that at this time in the world. I adored the character of Felix Pink, he’s 75 and wonders how much longer he’ll be around this world. He sorely misses his wife and son and he’s not sure about continuing his work as an Exiteer. This group consists of a pair of individuals who will go and sit with someone and comfort them in their final moments/hours.

Just as he’s contemplating his future as an Exiteer, the latest one goes terribly wrong and soon Felix and his fellow Exiteer (a brand-new recruit) are on the run. Here’s where some of the humor comes in as this should be a serious situation, but the author has magically created the humor. Throw in some wonderful pets, a friendly neighbor who likes to rate the neighborhood gardens and this one is a gem!

The other storyline features the detective Calvin and some of his police work in this case and a few others. There are some gambling and horse racing scenes with some interesting characters thrown in the mix here. Calvin’s character grew on me, but I must say I preferred the portions that featured Felix.

Not only is there humor in this book, but a few mysteries that get solved at the end and I was completely fooled! I love when an author does this! I would definitely recommend this book and at some point I want to go back and read some earlier books by this author.

3.5 rounded up!

Felix Pink is a retired widower who after watching his beloved wife Margaret suffer in her final days, signed up to be an Exiteer. As a volunteer, you support those with “terminal illnesses” to “exit” a life where pain has become unbearable.

But something goes wrong, when he enters Number 3 Black Lane with his new assistant Amanda, who is along for her first exit.

Was what happened a simple mistake? Or a set up??

I have to agree with some of my other Goodreads friends who have read this-it reads like a cozy mystery-
“Cozies” are a sub genre of crime fiction where you have a likable amateur sleuth, a small intimate community, and the crimes are not depicted with much blood or violence.

This one also adds a dollop of SILLY humor, blunders and misunderstandings for good measure.

While not really MY cup of tea, I would enjoy sharing tea with Felix, who charmed me immediately, as I enjoyed the chapters with him much more so than those spent with the actual detective, Calvin.

And, I must admit that the writing was CLEVER and the misdirection was FLAWLESS.
YEP, I was fooled!!

Thank You to the Publisher for my gifted copy.
It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!

Available NOW in the U.K., and on FEB. 2, 2021 in the U.S. !

This was the first book by Belinda Bauer I've read, but I had heard such good things about Snap that I was really excited. This book exceeded my expectations and is now one of the thrillers that I would definitely recommend to others!
I loved so many things about this book. The characters were so well established, and I felt attached to many of them, especially Felix. I love reading about older people and really enjoyed learning about his story. He was funny and endearing, and I sincerely hope that he and Ms. Knott end up falling in love. Felix's perspective alternated with Calvin's, which was also an interesting one. It wasn't your classic type of police perspective because it was more personal and about his connections to the larger story. I loved watching him grow in many ways throughout the novel.
The thriller aspect of this book is fantastic. I kept coming up with new theories but was still taken by surprise at the end. I found myself thinking about the book a lot when I wasn't reading it which is always a great sign, and I wished I could turn on a tv adaptation to experience it all over again when I finished it. I really look forward to picking up some of Bauer's previous books after having read this!

Felix Pink is a uniquely sweet and charming narrator. It feels strange to say that about a man who is essentially in the business of engineering death for those who wish to “exit” — but also comforting because if you yourself were suffering, Felix is the kind of guy you’d probably want by your side.

The premise of this book is a good one — a team (including Felix) in the business of compassionate death accidentally kills the wrong man. Felix sets out to discover how this could have happened. The writing and plotting here is excellent, as are the characterizations. My only issue is that I was unfamiliar with this author, so from the blurb I expected I was going to be reading a medical thriller. However, this is much more of a cozy mystery. Cozies aren’t my thing, but if you like them, this one is very good. My one recommendation to the publisher would be to market this with more of a cozy blurb or cover so it reaches more of its intended audience. For me this was more of a 3.5 but I think if you like cozies more that I do, it would be a 4.

Thanks to NetGalley, Grove and the author for the advance copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Exit.

I'm a fan of Belinda Bauer so I was pleased when my request was approved.

I went into Exit with certain expectations but I was surprised (in a good way) and my expectations surpassed.

Felix Pink is an unlikely hero, as are most of the characters in Exit, because they are elderly, sick and/or infirm.

Felix is lonely, mourning the loss of his wife and son. His current endeavor has him as part of a group of people assisting the sick and infirm with suicide, a task he feels is worthy and ethical.

But, when one of his jobs goes horribly wrong, Felix finds himself in a predicament that has never happened before. He's in trouble.

There are a small handful and supporting characters, most of whom are likable, including Felix. He is described as an ordinary, average, mediocre man, but he is also kind and caring.

Even the detectives, including Calvin, are good people, and not idiots as they are sometimes portrayed in books.

There were plenty of twists (that made sense) and that I didn't see coming. I love it when that happens!

All of the main characters, Felix, Calvin and Skippy, evolve and move on as the story unfolds.

The ending is terribly bittersweet but so well done.

Ms. Bauer is wonderful at evoking sympathy and tenderness with her stories, her words and her characters, and Exit is a great example of her talents.

I look forward to her next book!

Pensioner Felix is an Exiteer. He’s there for people who want to end their lives. But at his last job, he makes a mistake and soon finds himself on the run from the police.

Well, this wasn’t what I was expecting. This is more of a light mystery, but I enjoyed it. Bauer’s trademark wit and humour kept my attention throughout. It is a fun, quirky and hilarious read with interesting offbeat characters.

It was a nice break from the dark thrillers I’ve been reading lately. I recommend this if you’re after something a bit different within the crime genre.

I had not read the author, Belinda Bauer, before, but after this book, "Exit", I shall be visiting her back-list, as I found this novel both readable and utterly charming! In this book, we find the main protagonist, Felix Pink, AKA "John", who at 75, lives alone after losing his wife and son, and works as an "Exiteer" - a loose-knit group that oversees the suicides of those with terminal illness - always with a partner. Until one day, something goes terribly wrong... We also have the story of the investigation by the local police, particularly the wrong-side of the tracks Calvin Bridge, and a lot of other local characters, all of who come together rather splendidly in this story - it's a mystery, and a local story, it's darkly funny and charming and it made me laugh and cry. I highly recommend it. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, and the author for the ARC.

An uneven but satisfying reading experience.

Elderly (but not geriatric) widower Felix is on an assignment with his new partner, Amanda, as an Exiteer. Exiteers are a secret cell of people who anonymously volunteer who provide the means for people with fatal diseases to die. Unfortunately, as they sit in vigil with their latest client, the man fumbles the mask so badly that Amanda violates protocol and assists it onto his face. Awkward, but a potential learning mistake, until they discover the real client is still alive, and they’ve assisted his ailing, deadbeat son into the hereafter.

While Exit contains a number of clever ideas, one of my most significant challenges with the book is one of tone around the premise of the Exiteers. You see, I worked for a number of years as a hospice nurse, and for my entire nursing career as a cancer nurse, so I’ve seen many manifestations of both life and death at the end of the human lifespan. In fact, I believe that people should have a real, controlled way out at the end of their life, if they so choose. So this premise was a struggle, because Felix and his group have truly done a huge disservice to what should be a vital personal right.

That said, once I was able to take my feelings around that issue and put them into a little compartment in the scattered library of my mind, I was able to enjoy the story, particularly as the plot picked up. I hesitate to say any more without spoilers, so let me say that all this is just the beginning of the book. Though it begins with a definite feel of sadness, eventually there there’s somewhat of a comedy-of-errors feel of it as Felix tries to work through what he’s done, both emotionally and socially. This is compounded by his own feelings of loss and grief over the deaths of his wife and son:

“Nobody ever spoke of the relentless parking that was demanded by a relative in hospital with a prolonged illness. Twice a day, every day, in the dystopian concrete multi-storey that smelled of urine and smog. The constant change for the ticket machine. The long queue at the barrier. The forgetting where the car was. Was it this row? This level?”

However, much like many Shakespeare comedies, ‘all’s well that ends well.’

Narration jumps around, at first sticking with Felix, and then alternating with Constable Calvin Bridge, who is assisting DCI King with the investigation. Eventually more viewpoints are brought in. In fact, I think by the end, the reader will get a taste of everyone’s viewpoint, including the villain’s. Normally, it’s the kind of device that irritates me, but something about this story worked more like a play, with a large cast of characters, than as a single-person, character or plot-driven mystery. What was nice about that is that it helps sell it as a feel-good tale, knowing as we do the mental and emotional place the characters are coming from.

The pacing is perhaps the most challenging thing about it. The main plot doesn’t take off until 11%, and the wrinkles that really give it spark aren’t until 35%. Eventually, there are plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged, to the point where it becomes a little bananas, really. There are frequent humorous asides, such as when he tries to help take care of a cat, his accidentally developing relationship with the elderly neighbor lady, and when he tries his luck standing on a boat.

Ultimately, a fun tale to read that fans of British humor should particularly enjoy. Just remember to keep that personal-ethical-political box locked up tight and have some patience for the ride.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC

Take one 75 year old man with a big heart. Add an organization that aids people who feel the need to control the end of their lives with a compassionate death. Combine with a huge mistake that upends his life. Stir,mix well,and there is the beginning of a fabulous story. Very British in tone, I could vividly depict the characters' conversation, making this a sure bet to be turned into a movie. Felix Pink lives alone, except for his dog, Mabel, after the slow demise of his wife . He joins the group,Exiteers, which gives humane care and sits with the elderly who wants his/her life removed from the pain of living. The group is very secret, but gives instructions to the individual wanting to die so that the Exiteers don't assist him in any way. When he is making his rounds with a newbie, Amanda, a dreadful mistake occurs. PC Calvin Bridge is assigned to the case but finds nothing is at it seems. While the story is peeled back layer after layer, I laughed and cried as Felix tries to genuinely make things ethically right. The less I say about the book the better because it is a must read for those who love sympathetic characters with an ending that is peppered with surprises.What an entertaining read that has compelling twists and turns, heart stealing characters, and deft assured writing.

Felix Pink (perfect name for an unlikely hero) is a 75-year-old widower, with a kindly "occupation." He sits at the side of afflicted clients breathing their last breaths. Walking the perilous tightrope of the law, he and another "volunteer" called Exiteers perform this kindness, and so far all has gone smoothly with all his cases, until something goes terribly wrong with one, and chaos ensues. The point of view shifts to that of Calvin Bridge (another great name), a young constable with a complicated personal history and a strong moral compass, who is investigating a possible breakin and murder. These two, working together (not always aware of that fact), solve the case, and the wrap-up is most satisfactory. Belinda Bauer has previously demonstrated her ability to create original thrillers that captivate as well as puzzle, and need I say, I'm a huge fan.

I'm sad, this book kept me excellent company during a rainy weekend and this morning when I turned to the last page I did not want to leave.

Oh as usual Bauer gives a great story with lots of red herrings flying about (or swimming about) and interwoven threads and paths thoroughly explored. What I will miss most are the people in this book. She builds them up and they are people I want to meet again and see how they are doing. Bauer's forte are her people.

In this one she explores death, ok what do you expect from a murder mystery, but no I also mean death in it's other forms. Death through sickness or accident or old age. What to do when you are at that stage when you are actively welcoming it and hurrying it along. What makes a good death?
I'd say it's a death you have faced, accepted and made peace with. Dying whilst doing something you live is a true blessing in my opinion. Bauer grabs euthanasia and sees what could go wrong, somewhat like Amsterdam, and takes us along for a great ride.

An ARC gently given by author/publisher via Netgalley in return for a review

75-year-old Felix Pink is retired and widowed for more than a decade. Having lost his son as well, Felix's only companion is a dog called Mabel. To keep himself busy and occupied, Felix becomes an Exiteer. It was an unusual job albeit being a not-so-lawful one. To put it clearly, an exiteer simply needs to sit with terminally ill people as they die by suicide, assisting them with logistics and moral support. After they passed, the exiteer would remove the evidence so that anyone is not implicated in the death. Felix's latest assignment is an elderly man living at No. 3 Black Lane. Alongside with him is a rookie called Amanda who's in her early 20s. An exiteer job usually works in pairs and while Felix finds Amanda is too young and inexperienced to perform such a "heavy" job, he has no choice and no say in anything considering he's merely a person who's doing his job, too.

Felix would soon figure that Amanda's age would be the last thing on his mind, for they later realised that they'd made a huge mistake by assisting the wrong man. As Felix finds himself on the run from the police, he couldn't help but to wonder what has turned wrong during their duty. Surely it was a terrible mistake, but what if someone has meant it to be a murder?

I was enamored by Bauer's previous novel, Snap, and found it to be a well-written and a well-executed crime novel with a little touch of humanity. Her characters are so real that they seemed to jump off the page, and despite knowing that Felix's choice of job may not be recognised by everyone, I couldn't help but to feel sorry for him due to what he's gone through and most of all, his thoughtfulness not only to all people in general but also to his dog, Mabel, which he fears she'd be left on her own should anything happen to him. As much as this is a character-driven story, I'd say the suspense and the intensity are equally on par plot-wise and it took me by surprise everytime a layer of intrigue is revealed till the whole picture is fully presented. This latest release by Belinda Bauer has made me a fan and I'll be sure to check out her future releases.

Exit by Belinda Bauer is her newest book. I have been looking forward to reading this one as I thoroughly enjoyed her book Snap.

This was also a very enjoyable read. A rather sensitive topic of assisted dying, but the writing was exceptional and the main character so enjoyable and very comical both

A strong 4.5 stars for me

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Publisher for my advanced copy to read and review

Felix, 75, Exiteer.

The Exiteers are those who support people with terminal illnesses who wish to take their own lives (wouldn't it be a terrific band name?). When one of his exits goes terribly wrong he is on the run from the police while trying to find out if what happened was an honest mistake or a set up.

After reading the synopsis I was expecting more of a thriller, but it turned out more of a cozy mystery with small doses of humour throughout the story (that must be the most surreal arrest and interrogation scene I've ever read!). Although the first half of the book is more slow paced I found I enjoyed it the most, as I couldn't help to root for Felix. He was such a lovely and sweet character! After a life without much excitement he finds himself involved in a tricky situation and it was fun to read how his straightforward world collided with all the antics he was forced into. Mabel was adorable, as was his relationship with his neighbour and I would have loved for them to interact a little bit more.

The pace was a little bit uneven and that was not helped by some scenes that were quite stretched and didn't contribute that much to the main plot (the bookies scenes, with all that talk about bets and horses were quite boring). Although I liked the resolution I think too many twists were packed in the last chapters, and the last one, although sad, made a perfect ending.

Original concept and lovely characters but uneven development.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Felix Pink, 75, has a unique job. He is an Exiteer. People with loved ones get in touch with someone (Geoff) to arrange for Exiteers (usually in twos) to arrive at their homes.The only catch is that the loved ones to "exit" must be in pain and have conditions considered terminal. Felix and a fellow Exiteer go to the home of the ill person to "spend their last moments" with the loved one.

There is no assistance - no "help" to hasten an "exit". (Aside from a cannister of nitrous oxide). Also, before the person who ordered the Exiteers leaves the house (conveniently) he/she places a mask on the face of the one to "exit" before leaving the house.

Then, calmly, Felix and his partner spend the last moments of life with the loved one.at their bedside. If it takes a long time, they bring lunch...

All seems fine with this, right? No problem. Just patience and a little "debris" in a briefcase not to be left behind...

However, this calm venture perhaps might have a negative side to it...

A little bit creepy but a great thriller with twists and surprises galore. A MUST READ!

Many Thanks to Atlantic Monthly Press/Grove and NetGalley for a delightful read!!!

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

When Felix lets himself in to Number 3 Black Lane, he’s there to perform an act of kindness and charity: to keep a dying man company as he takes his final breath . . .

But just fifteen minutes later Felix is on the run from the police – after making the biggest mistake of his life.

This is a cosy mystery with some dark elements and some genuine comedic moments.. The characters are masterfully written and Felix was a delight. He is an old fashioned gentleman with an innocent disposition leading a boring life until one fatal error throws him into a maelstrom of horror.

This is a fun entertaining read about a difficult subject.

This one was different. Or at least wildly different from my expectations of it. And that’s almost entirely to blame on the genre itself, all these female driven thrillers that are ever so popular these days have gotten so formulaic. So this seemed like another one of those, the British version. But it turned out to be surprisingly lighter. Almost a cozy mystery, but so British it saved itself from that lamentable assignation. So not a cozy, but certainly quaint. A tale of a 75 year old man who climbed into someone’s place and unwittingly witnessed/almost assisted in a suicide of the wrong person. Yes, there will be inevitable comparisons to that and other modern classic of elderly charmers, because Felix Pink is a gentleman of a certain age and because the novel decidedly quicks that way. The basic concept, from which the title derides its name, is assisted suicide witnessed for comfort. An exit kindly observed by Exiteers. Of which Felix Pink is one, having been a helpless witness to the deaths of his son and wife years before, he’s developed a conviction that people should be able to leave life when life gets to be too much and now that’s his sort of job. All legal and above the board. Sort of. And all smooth sailing too, until this one case. The case that merited the book. The case where there were two old men present and the wrong one died. The seemingly simple mistake that gets more and more complex and obviously deliberate the more you get to know the players. So there is a crime and a body and all the prerequisite plot twists of a traditional mystery thriller, but there’s also enough lightness and charm sourced almost entirely from the older characters to give the entire thing a distinctly comedic mood. And Felix is a lovely protagonist, a risk averse man, who had led a life strategically deprived of any sort of excitement, gets to finally have an adventure of a lifetime. So it’s fun, a very fun light read with just enough darkness thrown in to not have it veer into silliness, a nice story with a nice ending and a good amount of surprises thrown in. Quaint all around, plenty entertaining and a very quick read. Thanks Netgalley.

A rich, rewarding and timely tale from a suspense writer who seldom disappoints. In this novel circling around assisted suicide, the characterizations are wonderfully textured: Bauer knows how to craft intriguing casts. But the pets steal the show! Don't miss this intriguing read--

A good thriller from an experience author. There are already a lot of smart reviews for this, so I'll just recommend it to thriller fans.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

EXIT
BY BELINDA BAUER

Felix Pink is in his seventies who is a widower whom belongs to an underground organization called the Exiteers. They are a secret group that sits beside the terminally ill and the dying and is strictly a hands off volunteer whom it is legal albeit in the UK. They don't assist the dying in any way but that is where I got a bit confused because they are involved with a dentist who supplies this group with N2O which is administered as laughing gas during dental visits for some people. This group is there to provide the dying person comfort and they remove the evidence that the death isn't by natural causes. So I don't think it could be legal except in fiction. The members of the Exiteers are supposed to keep someone from dying alone and they help the family members knowing that their dearly departed have had some comfort in not passing on alone.

This sounds like it could be a depressing book but it wasn't at all with the talented efforts of author Belinda Bauer providing much needed humor throughout this narrative. Felix Pink is a kind and compassionate soul who on the second outing something goes terribly wrong. He is with a new partner named Amanda who when the mask falls out of the bed and the elderly gentleman couldn't reach it; Amanda picks it up and hands it to the man that was grasping for the death instrument and gave it to the man they were there to comfort.

All of the Exiteers go by a made up name and Felix is going by the name of John who was his wife's doctor's name. Felix tells a very upset Amanda that although she made it a case of assisted murder by handing the man they were helping the instrument of death that he will take one hundred percent responsibility. She left first and Felix barely made it out of the house's back door and barely escaped the police by leaving through a dilapidated fence. Felix forgot his briefcase at the scene of the crime.
A neighbor called the police saying that she saw two strange people entering the house.

I have only read one other book before a few year's ago by Belinda Bauer called "Rubbernecker." It was recommended by another Good Read's friend and I liked that one much better. I think that she is the Queen of making depressing subjects more palatable by infusing her book's with humor and the ability to make her reader's laugh out loud. I will read more by her and would rate this book called "Exit," with 3.5 stars rounded up. I think this one was just okay but that could just be me.

Publication Date: February 2, 2020

Thank you to Net Galley, Belinda Bauer and Grove Atlantic for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#Exit #BelindaBauer #GroveAtlanticPublishing #NetGalley