Exit by Belinda Bauer

Description from Goodreads:

"IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE MURDER ...Pensioner Felix Pink is about to find out that it’s never too late ... for life to go horribly wrong.

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.

Now his routine world is turned upside down as he tries to discover what went wrong, while staying one step ahead of the law."

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A quirky and surprisingly heart-warming mystery

It’s such a good feeling to finally clear some space on my Kindle! I’ve had this one sitting in my to-be-read collection gathering way too much dust since 2021, but I’m really glad I finally made the time for it. Exit is such an unusual and refreshing take on a crime novel.

The story follows Felix, a seventy-five-year-old man who belongs to a group called the Exiteers, who sit with terminally ill people to make sure they aren't alone when they pass away. Things go horribly wrong during one of his visits, and suddenly Felix is on the run, convinced he’s committed a crime. It sounds quite dark, but it’s actually surprisingly funny and very moving in places.

I absolutely loved Felix as a character. He’s so well-drawn and endearing, and his perspective on the world brought a lot of heart to the story. The mystery itself is clever, but what really kept me reading was the mix of quirky humour and the more poignant moments. It’s not your typical gritty thriller, which I found really refreshing.

The only reason it’s not a full five stars for me is that the middle part of the book felt a little bit drawn out, and there were a couple of subplots that didn't feel quite as tight as the main story. However, it’s a very clever, compassionate and entertaining read that I’d definitely recommend if you want a mystery with a bit of a difference. 

Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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