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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
emotional
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
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It takes a lot for me to re-read/listen, but as this was one of my top reads of last year, I jumped at the chance to revisit Felix and his friends when I saw the audio version pop up on Netgalley.
It was only made better by the excellent narration and I still wholeheartedly recommend everybody read this book. It is an absolute gem of storytelling, plotting and amazing characters, and I defy anyone not to fall in love with Felix Pink!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A completely origninal story line!
This book wasn't what I was expecting but I loved it, it was much more comedic and lighthearted than I expected. The main character is in his 70s so it had a similar feel to the Thursday Murder Club.
spoiler free plot summary:
- Felix works as an Exiteer, someone who is there to keep dying me company.
-But 25 minutes after entering the house on Brick Lane he makes a mistake and finds himself running from police.
-Was it his fault of was he set up?
This book wasn't what I was expecting but I loved it, it was much more comedic and lighthearted than I expected. The main character is in his 70s so it had a similar feel to the Thursday Murder Club.
spoiler free plot summary:
- Felix works as an Exiteer, someone who is there to keep dying me company.
-But 25 minutes after entering the house on Brick Lane he makes a mistake and finds himself running from police.
-Was it his fault of was he set up?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
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.
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 works as a so called Exiteer which means he accompanies people during their last hours to decently transit from this to another world. Normally, they work in pairs and so far everything has gone quite smoothly. They do not leave any clues about their presence and don’t use their real names even with their colleagues. When Felix is called to his next client, it is his first job together with Amanda who is new to the business. When they have accomplished their task, a bit more demanding since the old man this time seems to have become reluctant to die in the last second, they are about to leave the house. At this moment, somebody shouts for them, obviously, they haven’t been alone in the house as expected, but there was a witness – waiting for them to assist his suicide. Felix and Amanda have made a huge mistake and have to face reality: they have just killed somebody and the police are already on their way.
“He had made a terrible mistake, but hoped there was a good reason why. He just hadn’t found it yet.”
I was first allured by the idea of the Exiteer business since assisted suicide has been fiercely discussed and surely isn’t an easy topic. However, Belinda Bauer’s novel turned out quite differently than expected. From the rather serious and gloomy start, an incredible plot develops which is full of fine irony and humour, wonderful characters who are diligently drawn and all the absurdities life can offer.
“‘Bloody hell,’ said Pete. ‘I did not see that coming.’ Calvin thought that spoke well of Pete, because you’d have to be pretty sick to see that coming.”
Felix Pink is a decent elderly widower who is a bit lonesome but as Exiteer has found a task which gives him the feeling of being helpful. Finding himself suddenly in the middle of a crime is something he absolutely cannot cope with. He is full of pangs of conscience which leads him to worsen the situation even more. Yet, it is not only the Exiteer who is breath-taking to observe but also the dead man’s family – consisting of his son Reggie and his father Skipper – who have quite some story to offer and also the police is a set of extraordinary characters.
A remarkable plot which offers quite some surprises one surely cannot see coming.
“He had made a terrible mistake, but hoped there was a good reason why. He just hadn’t found it yet.”
I was first allured by the idea of the Exiteer business since assisted suicide has been fiercely discussed and surely isn’t an easy topic. However, Belinda Bauer’s novel turned out quite differently than expected. From the rather serious and gloomy start, an incredible plot develops which is full of fine irony and humour, wonderful characters who are diligently drawn and all the absurdities life can offer.
“‘Bloody hell,’ said Pete. ‘I did not see that coming.’ Calvin thought that spoke well of Pete, because you’d have to be pretty sick to see that coming.”
Felix Pink is a decent elderly widower who is a bit lonesome but as Exiteer has found a task which gives him the feeling of being helpful. Finding himself suddenly in the middle of a crime is something he absolutely cannot cope with. He is full of pangs of conscience which leads him to worsen the situation even more. Yet, it is not only the Exiteer who is breath-taking to observe but also the dead man’s family – consisting of his son Reggie and his father Skipper – who have quite some story to offer and also the police is a set of extraordinary characters.
A remarkable plot which offers quite some surprises one surely cannot see coming.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I can't believe that a mystery/crime novel can make me laugh out loud!
This is witty and charming.
5 laughing stars!
This is witty and charming.
5 laughing stars!
funny
mysterious
medium-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