
Member Reviews

I loved this book - was a bit unsure in the first chapter where it was going but was a really great story with lots of twists and turns. The main character, Felix Pink is a lovely character and is part of a group who help terminally ill people to die - called the exiteers
They usually work in pairs and Felix has overseen a couple of suicides and then is partnered with a new lady and something goes horribly wrong. Being a lovely gentleman, felix decides he will take the blame.
|The story unfolds and we hear more about the incident and the lives of the family involved. Really well written and different. Throroughly recommend.

A good detective novel that I would a happily plunge back into. Well written and lots of twists and turns

Really enjoyed this new story by Belinda Bauer. The books I’ve read by her all have a feel good factor by the end. The plot involved assisted suicide and was thought provoking. I really enjoyed the friendships created during the telling of the story. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

If you’re going to read a book about a group of people that aid the terminally ill to end their life then this is the one to read. (Probably wasn’t on your list of subjects to read; was it?) More plot twists than a slinky, funnier and more twee than this subject ought to be. Marvellous characters with Felix (John) straight out of an Ealing comedy. Elderly amiable gentleman travelling round the country by train and bus to assist people with their suicide until something goes wrong.
Brilliant, hilarious, touching, page turning crime novel; what more could you want?

Felix Pink is a 75-year-old man. He lives an ordinary life in Devon. His wife has dementia and sadly his son died of cancer. He lives on his own with his black and tan dog called Mabel and wears a Beige jacket. He is lonely man, so he decides to join a group called The Exiteers. They are a group of people who support and oversee terminally ill people, who take their own lives. They do not assist them in anyway. But, after the pain he saw in when his wife died, he wants to help people in any way he can when they take their own life.
When Felix is asked visit Skipper Cann with new recruit 23-year-old Amanda, they get the wrong man! Felix goes on the run, trying to cover his tracks. On his heels is Policeman Calvin Badge. When he is interviewed by the police. Things are not as clear cut as he had thought.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld publishers for a copy of Exit by Belinda Bauer. This is the first book from the author I have read, and I will out for other books that she has written.
I really enjoyed Exit of Belinda Bauer. A bit different to thrillers that I have read. To me it was a heart-warming tale of an elderly man trying to help others have a smoother ride and end their suffering in life. With a bit of comedy thrown in. It has great characters and premise and I liked how the author tied all ends of the story so nothing was left unsaid.

3.5 stars
Objectively, The Exit is a good book - well written, with realistic characters, original plot and several unexpected twists. However, I just found it a little dull, slow in places and generally lacking excitement. It didn’t grip me like the other Belinda Bauer’s novels.

I’m a big fan of this author so was excited to hear about this new book. I really enjoyed it, and I’ve never read a book quite like it, in fact I’ve never read anything like it in the slightest. Great to read something unusual and different for a change! Won’t go into the storyline because you need to read it.

I enjoyed reading Snap by Belinda Bauer so I was thrilled to get a copy of Exit from NetGalley. I certainly wasn't disappointed. It was full of Belinda Bauer's humour, which I love, but absolutely heart breaking at the same time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Belinda Bauer's new book, Exit is a brilliant read filled with wonderful, quirky characters and a very original plot. Main character, Felix Pink is an elderly retired man living in Devon, who has lived an ordinary life, never taking risks or seeking adventure. After his beloved wife died a slow death, he joined the Exiteers, a secret group that witnesses suicides in the terminally ill. The Exiteer doesn't assist the dying to commit suicide but tidies up afterwards so the death looks natural to their loved ones. However, one day when Felix is working with a new Exiteer, something goes terribly wrong and Felix finds himself on the wrong side of the law.
What happens next is told from Felix's point of view as he grapples with his mistake and his wish to make amends as well as that of PC Calvin Bridge, a young policeman grappling with whether he has what it takes to be a detective. Full of warmth and charm, Bauer has created some memorable, characters (including Mabel, Felix's dog) and a plot that is humorous and quirky as well as a gentle and respectful commentary on living and dying well.

Having read and enjoyed Snap by the same author I was very much looking forward to Exit. I wasn't disappointed! It is the story of a quiet, ageing gentleman who turns to aiding people on their way to the next world, by being with them as they take their own life, and then removing the evidence so as not to upset their nearest and dearest. They do this in pairs and he's done it a lot... until something goes wrong. What then follows is the most unlikely and yet wholly believable series of events.
I was completely gripped by this excellent book. It was a well written easy read, not sensational or comedic but I didn't want to put it down. My only disappointment is I'd have liked to know more about 'Susanna' but perhaps that'll be the subject of a sequel?

Loved this book - would 100% recommend and am looking forward to reading what this author writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy. Reading the latest Belinda Bauer novel, Exit, it is not surprising that she is a Booker nominated author. Unlike many crime writers, Bauer, does not simply stick with the what has previously been successful for her- as many authors typically do- rather she experiments with characters and plot to create something unique every time. Exit is a tremendously well written novel that takes you in directions you cannot predict, with realistic characters that you can imagine living next door to. Will be buying the hardback as soon as it comes out as this is a novel to be reread.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
This was I thought a change of pace for Belinda Bauer and I found Exit very humorous and entertaining in a dark and sometimes subtle way. In the midst of the Coronavirus Crisis, I found it was one of the few books that I could read and find enjoyable. That maybe a reflection on the reader and not the book.
The characters and storyline were excellent and the book was well written, amusing and funny and thoroughly enjoyable.
Highly recommended.

I started the book with no idea what it about and I can honestly say, I really enjoyed it.
From the twists from john/felix or skipper. I didn't expect it to end the way it did.
Brilliant

carefully written with nuance so that the tensions and our involvement with characters in this end-of-life job is not only plausible (they sit by while you kill yourself so you are not along) - when something happens - and it goes wrong. Felix has a sense of humour even if he does not know it, and that is another strong feature of the novel - its wit. the question is whether Felix and the new recruit to the work of sitting by enabled an unintended death -and the ramifications spin out from there - kind of macabre humour that really works . impressive and refreshing crime style ... she's a great writer - i realise i've read her before ..

So I have to just start by saying…THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR SO FAR!! And it will take a lot to tip it off that pedestal! At the moment of writing the publication date is June 25th but as the publishing world is also living in the same surreal 2020 that we all are, I felt I just had to make sure you were aware of this book to get your preorders in! I’ve been a huge Belinda Bauer fan for years now and always preorder her books but this one is one I think everyone needs to read! Exit is a sharply observed novel with a very dark humour and one of the most memorable and engaging serial killers that you will ever meet! I found myself laughing out loud at times (most of them totally inappropriate!) so if “gallows humour” is your thing then this book is definitely for you.
Felix Pink is a pensioner with an unusual pastime. He’s an Exiteer, someone who will provide the service of assisted suicide for those who no longer want to live but want to depart this world on their terms. Working with a partner, they both use a pseudonym when they meet up to assist those suffering to end their own lives. But they do get to go for a nice cuppa and a chat afterwards. When his usual partner decides to quit, Felix is paired with a young woman and their first job together defends into chaos when they make a very serious mistake and find themselves wanted for murder. But something doesn’t sit right with Felix and he has to stay one step ahead of everyone to work out what feels off about this latest mission (and ofcourse why!) before it puts his own life in danger…
Belinda Bauer has delivered a perfectly plotted novel that kept me on my toes throughout. It is deliciously dark, with a fabulous cast of quirky characters and the odd unexpected twist thrown in for good measure! Felix wasn’t at all the man I was expecting from the blurb and I thoroughly enjoyed following him and the interactions between him and the other characters he becomes entangled with. I liked the fact I couldn’t predict his actions, even when I thought I knew him better, as Felix constantly surprised me. There is still a crime mystery to be solved and here it’s up to Calvin the police officer who gets to work through all the evidence that points the finger at Felix. Calvin is another character that surprised me as my opinions on his integrity really did chance quite dramatically towards the end-no spoilers her though so you will have to read Exit yourselves to work out why.
Exit is a book I want to unread just so that I can read the whole thing again for the first time! It was just incredible from start to finish. Funny, shocking and a little bit wicked at times, Exit smashed my expectations and I loved it from beginning to end.

I wasn't quite sure what I was expecting when I started this book - perhaps something more 'standard crime' from the title and description. Not that standard crime is a bad thing, and sometimes it's just exactly what I want to read. But with this story, I was instantly captivated, and I enjoyed it all the way through.
It reminded me, a little bit, of 'A man called Ove'. Perhaps because there was an elderly gentleman at the centre of it, but perhaps more because it is a story with heart. It is a cleverly plotted murder mystery, and it is also just a wonderful observation of a multitude of characters, all of whom come to life, quite beautifully. Felix is wonderful, as is his neighbour. And Skipper broke my heart.
Definitely recommended...good writing, all the way through.

You would not expect to find yourself thoroughly enjoying a novel the subject matter of which is euthanasia. But Belinda Bauer succeeds in introducing both pathos and real humour into this subject in her tale featuring Felix Pink as the innocent player in a euthanasia which ends up involving the police. Felix has recently lost his wife to cancer and, as a result, is empathetic towards those wishing to practice euthanasia. He takes on a role of attending, but not assisting, those who request support form the agency that refers him. His work is entirely voluntary and unpaid but ensures his clients don't die alone. Belinda Bauer uses his naivety in taking on this role to form the basis of a truly charming story. Surprisingly by the end of the book I felt really good about Felix and his determination to think the best of everyone and yet not to impose his opinions in any way. He is a true gentleman and we could all do a lot worse than to emulate his humble humanity. A genuinely heart-warming read which will certainly have you chuckling.

Felix Punk is a 75 year old widower who lost his son to cancer and his wife to dementia and being a kindly man, joined a group of people called the exiteers to "oversee" people with terminal illnesses take their own life without involving and creating issues for their family. He visits a house with Amanda, a "newby" to the exiteers to oversee a suicide. However, it all goes wrong and Felix has to run, leaving behind key evidence of his presence and the presence of the exiteers group.
He wants to protect Amanda but at the same time better understand what went to wrong. To this end he re-visits the house and in particular visits with "Skipper" the orginally intended suicide victim and starts to get to know Skipper, his son and the cleaner. The police have seen on a camera that 2 people entered the house and eventually link the wrongful death to Felix.
The cast of characters is strong including the police investigating the case and in particular PC Calvin Bridge who has his own mysterious background. You cannot help liking all of the characters and this is a highly amusing tale. I have read other books by this author and always been impressed with her writing but this is my favourite to date. It is full of humour and pathos and I recommend this book to fans of the author but also anybody who has not read any of her other books.
I would like to thank Netgalley, and publisher Bantam press for allowing me an advance ARC copy of this book for a fair and honest review of the book.

Senses of loss, irony, humour, a sense of wonder but somehow Belinda Bauer's rhythmical writing reaches senses you didn't know you'd got. Stay in! don't miss the Exit.