Book review of Exit by Belinda Bauer

My first completed book for Book Challenge by Erin 14!

Exit is about a man who belongs to a dedicated group of people called Exiteers. (No, I’d never heard that term before.)

Felix aka John lives alone, is seventy-two, and watches people die.

An Exiteer is a volunteer who witnesses euthanasia and then clears the scene of all evidence—the most damning item being a canister of nitrous oxide. Who knew nitrous oxide could be lethal? As a confirmed dentophobe (someone who fears the dentist), I happen to be quite partial to the substance.

I chose Exit for the “questionable lifestyle category” of Book Challenge by Erin. No surprise here—euthanasia is controversial. It’s illegal in the UK where Exit takes place; it’s legal in Canada and in ten states in the US.

Felix is a perfectionist who believes in death with dignity. Unfortunately for Felix, on the day he initiates a young volunteer to the practice, said volunteer makes a mistake that results in a tragic mishap. Now Felix must do his best to make things right, and, failing that, accept criminal liability in place of the hapless volunteer.

Into the story steps Calvin, a police officer made insecure by a family of ne-er-do-wells and thieves, who nonetheless does his best to investigate suspicious activities. I didn’t expect to like Calvin (mostly because I saw him as a threat to Felix), but Calvin is one of those dedicated but humble public servants whom you can’t help but admire. Plus, he has his own character arc of self-doubt to travel.

Exit is perfect for readers of A Man Called Ove. Like Ove, Felix is in his twilight years, lives a solitary existence, is devoted to the memory of his late wife. And thinks about death.

I found Exit to be a delight. Dark humor, engaging voice, and lots and lots of heart.

I received a copy of Exit from NetGalley.