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The Euthanist
In this auspicious debut, Alex Dolan announces himself as a virtuoso of psychological suspense and a rightful heir to masters of the genre like Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott. A young woman helps to end the lives of people with terminal diseases, her reasons her own. When she helps the wrong person, she will be roped into a plot to gain vengeance on behalf of dozens. Her journey will make her question everything she ever thought she knew about herself. And the last life she ends may be her own.
They know her as Kali. She is there to see them off into the afterlife with kindness, with efficiency, and with two needles. She’s been a part of the right-to-die movement for years, an integral member, complicit in the deaths of twenty-seven men and women, all suffering from terminal illnesses.
And she just helped the wrong patient.
They know her as Kali. She is there to see them off into the afterlife with kindness, with efficiency, and with two needles. She’s been a part of the right-to-die movement for years, an integral member, complicit in the deaths of twenty-seven men and women, all suffering from terminal illnesses.
And she just helped the wrong patient.
315 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2015
22 people are currently reading
1407 people want to read
About the author
Alex Dolan
3 books78 followersAlex Dolan is the author of The Euthanist and The Empress of Tempera, both published by Diversion Books. He also hosts the show “Thrill Seekers,” part of the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network, which reaches more than 3.5 million listeners. His short fiction is featured in the anthology The Swamp Killers (Down & Out Books), and he is the creator of the audio drama “The Patron Saint of Suicides,” produced in partnership with Audiohm Media. Visit www.alexdolan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 15, 2016
Fan-freaking-tastic book! OMG I cannot rave about this one enough, it just took me to another dimension and was the most unexpected read of 2015 so far. I am fanatical about this book. Incredible. I can't believe this is a debut novel.
With a plot that has you thinking it's going one way which is great, then twisting another way which is better than more twisting until it's just blown your mind, The Euthanist is one to get, devour and escape into. Truly incredible plot. Something unique, like nothing I have read in ages.
The plot? I am giving you a tiny bit of it:
A young woman helps to end the lives of people with terminal diseases, her reasons her own. When she helps the wrong person, she will be roped into a plot to gain vengeance on behalf of dozens. Her journey will make her question everything she ever thought she knew about herself.
And the last life she ends may be her own. They know her as Kali. She is there to see them off into the afterlife with kindness, with efficiency, and with two needles. She's been a part of the right-to-die movement for years, an integral member, complicit in the deaths of twenty-seven men and women, all suffering from terminal illnesses.
And she just helped the wrong patient.
And THAT is not where the plot sits or stalls, oh no, on no indeedy. You are in for a ride dear readers.
If that's not amazing enough, seriously I was flicking pages on my Kindle and hardly breathing, when the book takes it's first twist it is a truly jaw-dropping moment, this book is NOT predictable at all and I can't reveal where it goes, but trust me, you don't want to miss this one.
I loved Kali as a character, flawed herself, but passionate, strong, gutsy, amazing woman. The way she changes and develops through the book is brilliant. In fact a lot of the characters in this book are strong, there is quite a few that stand out and dominate with their characters, and it's all for good reason.
I am so excited about this book I am struggling to write this review as I just want to basically tell you to read it and trust me. If you hate it I will be shocked, truly shocked. Can you tell how excited I am? Is it tangible through your tablet, phone, laptop?
Where it ends up and some of the background and scenes that takes us there are powerful, moving, emotive, shocking and chilling. You think you know how dark a book can go? Think again. Basically if you can read, grab it.
5 paw prints from Booklover Catlady, I can't rave enough, I think you get the message. I am exhausted from just recalling this book! Released June 2nd, 2015.
For more of my reviews, book talk, giveaways and more go to:
www.facebook.com/BookloverCatlady
Thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review. Brilliant!
With a plot that has you thinking it's going one way which is great, then twisting another way which is better than more twisting until it's just blown your mind, The Euthanist is one to get, devour and escape into. Truly incredible plot. Something unique, like nothing I have read in ages.
The plot? I am giving you a tiny bit of it:
A young woman helps to end the lives of people with terminal diseases, her reasons her own. When she helps the wrong person, she will be roped into a plot to gain vengeance on behalf of dozens. Her journey will make her question everything she ever thought she knew about herself.
And the last life she ends may be her own. They know her as Kali. She is there to see them off into the afterlife with kindness, with efficiency, and with two needles. She's been a part of the right-to-die movement for years, an integral member, complicit in the deaths of twenty-seven men and women, all suffering from terminal illnesses.
And she just helped the wrong patient.
And THAT is not where the plot sits or stalls, oh no, on no indeedy. You are in for a ride dear readers.
If that's not amazing enough, seriously I was flicking pages on my Kindle and hardly breathing, when the book takes it's first twist it is a truly jaw-dropping moment, this book is NOT predictable at all and I can't reveal where it goes, but trust me, you don't want to miss this one.
I loved Kali as a character, flawed herself, but passionate, strong, gutsy, amazing woman. The way she changes and develops through the book is brilliant. In fact a lot of the characters in this book are strong, there is quite a few that stand out and dominate with their characters, and it's all for good reason.
I am so excited about this book I am struggling to write this review as I just want to basically tell you to read it and trust me. If you hate it I will be shocked, truly shocked. Can you tell how excited I am? Is it tangible through your tablet, phone, laptop?
Where it ends up and some of the background and scenes that takes us there are powerful, moving, emotive, shocking and chilling. You think you know how dark a book can go? Think again. Basically if you can read, grab it.
5 paw prints from Booklover Catlady, I can't rave enough, I think you get the message. I am exhausted from just recalling this book! Released June 2nd, 2015.
For more of my reviews, book talk, giveaways and more go to:
www.facebook.com/BookloverCatlady
Thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review. Brilliant!
September 30, 2016
THE EUTHANIST by Alex Dolan is a fast-paced debut thriller, an absolute must read for psychological thriller fans. I was very anxious to read this book after hearing so much good feedback…and I was not disappointed. All I can say is WOW…I loved it! I can't believe this is a debut novel!
The basis for this novel is nothing more than excellent. Our protagonist is Pamela/Kali, a twenty-six year old who has a day job as a California firefighter/paramedic, but volunteers her time as a practitioner of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Her clients are suffering from terminal illnesses, and she assists them in their “right to die.” Her reasons are her own.
“She kills the old and the sick, because she thinks she is putting them out of their misery.”
“They know her as Kali. She is there to see them off into the afterlife with kindness, with efficiency, and with two needles. She’s been a part of the right-to-die movement for years, an integral member, complicit in the deaths of twenty-seven men and women, all suffering from terminal illnesses.”
“And she just helped the wrong patient.”
The plot has Kali caught by an FBI agent posing as a dying patient, but instead of arresting her he has other ideas in mind.
This was a well-written psychological thriller that kept you constantly on your toes, wondering where it is headed. I didn’t know who to trust! There were three huge REVEAL moments, which were brilliant! I am not going to say any more about the plot, for risk of spoilers. You have to read this book and experience the moment.
It is very evident that much research went into this novel, covering the controversial topic of euthanasia. The ending was quite captivating and makes the reader question their opinions on euthanasia.
What a fantastic debut Mr. Dolan! Highly recommended.
Now I am looking forward to reading Mr. Dolan’s recent novel, “The Empress of Tempera”, a copy supplied from Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author in exchange for a fair and honest book review.
The basis for this novel is nothing more than excellent. Our protagonist is Pamela/Kali, a twenty-six year old who has a day job as a California firefighter/paramedic, but volunteers her time as a practitioner of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Her clients are suffering from terminal illnesses, and she assists them in their “right to die.” Her reasons are her own.
“She kills the old and the sick, because she thinks she is putting them out of their misery.”
“They know her as Kali. She is there to see them off into the afterlife with kindness, with efficiency, and with two needles. She’s been a part of the right-to-die movement for years, an integral member, complicit in the deaths of twenty-seven men and women, all suffering from terminal illnesses.”
“And she just helped the wrong patient.”
The plot has Kali caught by an FBI agent posing as a dying patient, but instead of arresting her he has other ideas in mind.
This was a well-written psychological thriller that kept you constantly on your toes, wondering where it is headed. I didn’t know who to trust! There were three huge REVEAL moments, which were brilliant! I am not going to say any more about the plot, for risk of spoilers. You have to read this book and experience the moment.
It is very evident that much research went into this novel, covering the controversial topic of euthanasia. The ending was quite captivating and makes the reader question their opinions on euthanasia.
What a fantastic debut Mr. Dolan! Highly recommended.
Now I am looking forward to reading Mr. Dolan’s recent novel, “The Empress of Tempera”, a copy supplied from Booklover Catlady Publicity and the author in exchange for a fair and honest book review.
June 2, 2015
I RECEIVED THIS BOOK THROUGH NETGALLEY FOR A FAIR REVIEW
It's a bit difficult for me to review this book. There were parts that gripped me, but all in all I was left not that impressed.
This is the story about Kevorkianesque EMT who, on her off-hours, helps terminal patients leave the world on their own terms. This "angel of death" gets wrapped up in a crime mystery involving decades of missing children.
The plot was good, and carried along the story quite well. I never felt like I was forcing myself to keep going through the book. I guess my problem with it was....the main character SUCKS. She fails at being a strong heroine, even though the whole story she mentions how ripped and how tall she is. She fails at properly planning out clandestine ops, even though she seems pretty smart at medical-type stuff. And she oh so spectacularly FAILS at having empathy for those who suffered, even though she prides herself on ending suffering.
Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but if I wanted to read a book about someone fucking up all the time, I'd read my own auto-biography.
PS: The blurbish description of this book starts with "In this auspicious debut, Alex Dolan announces himself as a virtuoso of psychological suspense..." Over-fucking-exaggerate much? If you promise shit like that, I expect my socks knocked off. My socks are still on my feet.
It's a bit difficult for me to review this book. There were parts that gripped me, but all in all I was left not that impressed.
This is the story about Kevorkianesque EMT who, on her off-hours, helps terminal patients leave the world on their own terms. This "angel of death" gets wrapped up in a crime mystery involving decades of missing children.
The plot was good, and carried along the story quite well. I never felt like I was forcing myself to keep going through the book. I guess my problem with it was....the main character SUCKS. She fails at being a strong heroine, even though the whole story she mentions how ripped and how tall she is. She fails at properly planning out clandestine ops, even though she seems pretty smart at medical-type stuff. And she oh so spectacularly FAILS at having empathy for those who suffered, even though she prides herself on ending suffering.
Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but if I wanted to read a book about someone fucking up all the time, I'd read my own auto-biography.
PS: The blurbish description of this book starts with "In this auspicious debut, Alex Dolan announces himself as a virtuoso of psychological suspense..." Over-fucking-exaggerate much? If you promise shit like that, I expect my socks knocked off. My socks are still on my feet.
June 9, 2015
This is a book unlike any other I have read recently. Different story line, different approach to the subject matter and oh so thought provoking that I just had to continue to read this into the early hours.
I have just had a wisdom tooth out so was feeling pretty rotten so took the time to lay and read this. [Any excuse will do]
I really don't want to give any more away as lots of reviews have been given on this book that I cannot add to or it will be 'spoilers' so I am going to concentrate on how it made me feel.
Of course the Title of the book is what draws you in.
The Euthanist
So I kinda guessed what it was going to be about. However, I didn't know, had no idea, not the foggiest of how this subject matter was going to be addressed.
The actually round about terms this took halfway through the book was amazing, the complete turnaround had me turning my pages as I wasn't sure if....if.....was she.....or wasn't she...
Will he....or won't he.....
Like I say, its a read unlike any I have read recently that has hooked me right from the beginning to the end with me being utterly clueless.
Gotta be a 5 star.
Thank you to Diversion Books via Net Galley for my copy to read and express my personal thought on
February 23, 2016
This was a novel I was looking forward to reading after hearing so much hype around it. The premise is brilliant, the story revolving around "Kali," who volunteers her time to help those in need of "moving on" in life. Basically a self-subscribed murderer, but in a different sort than we're used to seeing; Kali takes those who are suffering from terminal illnesses and aids them in ending their lives.
A lot of research went into this novel, and I appreciated the depth to which the idea of euthanasia was explored, especially seeing characters who cast opposing views towards it. The plot has Kali caught by an FBI agent posing as a dying patient, but instead of arresting her he has other ideas in mind.
This is a novel that continuously keeps you on your toes, wondering where it's going, and Kali is one intriguing protagonist. There were a couple of missed opportunities in my mind, areas that could have been explored, but overall this was a tremendous read. Great pace, characters, a fantastic debut for Mr. Dolan. Highly recommended.
A lot of research went into this novel, and I appreciated the depth to which the idea of euthanasia was explored, especially seeing characters who cast opposing views towards it. The plot has Kali caught by an FBI agent posing as a dying patient, but instead of arresting her he has other ideas in mind.
This is a novel that continuously keeps you on your toes, wondering where it's going, and Kali is one intriguing protagonist. There were a couple of missed opportunities in my mind, areas that could have been explored, but overall this was a tremendous read. Great pace, characters, a fantastic debut for Mr. Dolan. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2015
The Euthanist is probably the biggest page turner of the year for me so far, I practically inhaled it because of its utterly addictive quality.
Kali helps people die. Only if they are dying anyway and only if she is convinced that it is truly what they want. Then one day, one client does something completely unexpected. At that point Kali is pulled this way and that, through drama after crisis after drama - and into an ever changing situation that is completely gripping and so compelling that you will come out of the other side feeling like you have run a marathon.
I loved it - because it is not what you think it will be - things change fast, the author keeps you right on your toes. There are some brilliantly depicted characters, not the least of whom is Kali, I guess whether or not you sympathise with her might well depend on how well your beliefs match hers. I can't really talk about anyone else without giving something away and this novel is most definitely best read cold.
This is a psychological thriller with heart and soul and a very fascinating premise that will keep you up until all hours until you can finally find out what the heck is going on. Some emotional subjects tackled well within the narrative, something to think about while you are following Kali around as she faces emotional turmoil and is given something to think about herself...
Really excellent construction, spot on pacing and pitch perfect reveal moments make this an absolute must read for psychological thriller fans.
Happy Reading Folks!
Kali helps people die. Only if they are dying anyway and only if she is convinced that it is truly what they want. Then one day, one client does something completely unexpected. At that point Kali is pulled this way and that, through drama after crisis after drama - and into an ever changing situation that is completely gripping and so compelling that you will come out of the other side feeling like you have run a marathon.
I loved it - because it is not what you think it will be - things change fast, the author keeps you right on your toes. There are some brilliantly depicted characters, not the least of whom is Kali, I guess whether or not you sympathise with her might well depend on how well your beliefs match hers. I can't really talk about anyone else without giving something away and this novel is most definitely best read cold.
This is a psychological thriller with heart and soul and a very fascinating premise that will keep you up until all hours until you can finally find out what the heck is going on. Some emotional subjects tackled well within the narrative, something to think about while you are following Kali around as she faces emotional turmoil and is given something to think about herself...
Really excellent construction, spot on pacing and pitch perfect reveal moments make this an absolute must read for psychological thriller fans.
Happy Reading Folks!
May 23, 2015
this is a great book for a debut novel, mature writing with such a controversial subject and this is what attracted me to it, and it took me for a ride. I found my heart beating at a faster rate than normal while reading this and even after finishing I keep thinking about it and it´s unusual plot. Kali is the main character, she has various faces but at the end of the day all she want is to help people.
I was blown away with the first twist, completely unexpected and from then on you understand what is going on with the revelations.
Highly recommended.
Psychological Suspense, Netgalley copy.
I was blown away with the first twist, completely unexpected and from then on you understand what is going on with the revelations.
Highly recommended.
Psychological Suspense, Netgalley copy.
September 8, 2018
In this auspicious debut Alex Dolan announces himself as a virtuoso of psychological suspense and a rightful heir to master of the genre like Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott
What a way to start off the description copy for this book.
The first thing I thought when I saw this was, well it's about time some dude showed the ladies how strong character driven psychological thrillers with excellent female (anti)heros is done.
After reading this I can safely say that Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott are safe from having their thrones taken away from them by Alex Dolan.
The problem with hyperbolic copy is the book then needs to live up to it.
This doesn't.
It's a fine thriller/suspense/mystery/crime type of novel. I've read a lot worse, and I've read a lot better. There isn't anything that is eye-rollingly bad, but nothing that shines either.
What authors like Flynn and Abbott do so well is they create rich characters and then wrape those characters up in good plots... but it's the characters (in Flynn's case) and the way the little details and way they interact with one another (Abbott) that really make their books stand out.
Unfortunately, too often people just take the 'damaged' aspect of the characters and then make them 'interesting' by making them emotionally distant and OCD about something non-feminine, like weapons, or hacking, or MMA fighting, or lifting weights.
In this book the biggest character trait is that she is apparently really muscular, muscular that at multiple times she is worried that it will make her stand out and remember her at times when it's better if she were anonymous... which I'm having a hard time picturing these days. What would this look like? You mean like any tall-ish woman who does Crossfit or power lifts? Does this really stand out as such an anomaly? When this would be mentioned in the book in my head I made the character out to be some non-green and female version of the original Hulk.
But then more than one person upon meeting her says that she isn't as muscular as they imagined she would be.
She also knows how to spar, and she was once a firefighter and then now she is a paramedic, and on the side she helps an organization led by a Jack Kervorkian-esque doctor who offers assistance to terminally ill patients.
After one of her terminally ill patients turns out to be an undercover cop looking to trap her she is extorted to help the cop in assisting in the death of his sister (which is later inexplicably changed so that a quip can be made). Kali (that's the name the main character goes by when she is assisting people with their deaths) realizes that the woman doesn't want to die, and she isn't an executioner so she goes back on her deal with the cop and goes on the run.
I don't want to give away anymore of what happens, because if you are reading this because you are going to, or are reading the book everything else is just spoilers, maybe not good spoilers, but the plot has lots of twists, and what the story seems like it is for the first 50 pages or so isn't at all what the story is really about.
There were quite a few parts of the book that could have been developed more, and probably saved the story by breathing real life into the characters. Unfortunately, when they weren't explored or explained at all they felt more like inconsistencies needed to move along the plot rather than adding some complexity to the story.
As I said the book is fine, although since it took me over three weeks to make my way through the book I wouldn't say that it was much of a page-turner.
What a way to start off the description copy for this book.
The first thing I thought when I saw this was, well it's about time some dude showed the ladies how strong character driven psychological thrillers with excellent female (anti)heros is done.
After reading this I can safely say that Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott are safe from having their thrones taken away from them by Alex Dolan.
The problem with hyperbolic copy is the book then needs to live up to it.
This doesn't.
It's a fine thriller/suspense/mystery/crime type of novel. I've read a lot worse, and I've read a lot better. There isn't anything that is eye-rollingly bad, but nothing that shines either.
What authors like Flynn and Abbott do so well is they create rich characters and then wrape those characters up in good plots... but it's the characters (in Flynn's case) and the way the little details and way they interact with one another (Abbott) that really make their books stand out.
Unfortunately, too often people just take the 'damaged' aspect of the characters and then make them 'interesting' by making them emotionally distant and OCD about something non-feminine, like weapons, or hacking, or MMA fighting, or lifting weights.
In this book the biggest character trait is that she is apparently really muscular, muscular that at multiple times she is worried that it will make her stand out and remember her at times when it's better if she were anonymous... which I'm having a hard time picturing these days. What would this look like? You mean like any tall-ish woman who does Crossfit or power lifts? Does this really stand out as such an anomaly? When this would be mentioned in the book in my head I made the character out to be some non-green and female version of the original Hulk.
But then more than one person upon meeting her says that she isn't as muscular as they imagined she would be.
She also knows how to spar, and she was once a firefighter and then now she is a paramedic, and on the side she helps an organization led by a Jack Kervorkian-esque doctor who offers assistance to terminally ill patients.
After one of her terminally ill patients turns out to be an undercover cop looking to trap her she is extorted to help the cop in assisting in the death of his sister (which is later inexplicably changed so that a quip can be made). Kali (that's the name the main character goes by when she is assisting people with their deaths) realizes that the woman doesn't want to die, and she isn't an executioner so she goes back on her deal with the cop and goes on the run.
I don't want to give away anymore of what happens, because if you are reading this because you are going to, or are reading the book everything else is just spoilers, maybe not good spoilers, but the plot has lots of twists, and what the story seems like it is for the first 50 pages or so isn't at all what the story is really about.
There were quite a few parts of the book that could have been developed more, and probably saved the story by breathing real life into the characters. Unfortunately, when they weren't explored or explained at all they felt more like inconsistencies needed to move along the plot rather than adding some complexity to the story.
As I said the book is fine, although since it took me over three weeks to make my way through the book I wouldn't say that it was much of a page-turner.
June 5, 2015
(I was given a copy through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
One thing I'd like to say: blurbs, please stop spoiling the plot. Because, you see, when the main character learns of something only 50% in the book, and it's presented as a reveal, the reader having known for so long somewhat deflates it. Which is too bad.
Overall, this was an interesting story, one that made me keep reading, but to be honest, I found the blurb was more exciting than what it turned out to be. I didn't feel the urgency that much, and the two predators didn't come off as so ruthless in the end: we know how dangerous they used to be because of what other characters and newspapers said about them, but since they're not seen directly in action, their deeds appeared once removed, and the impact on me wasn't the same. I didn't feel the immediacy.
Mostly what I had a hard time with was Kali herself. While she's strong in a physical way, the mistakes she made were those of an amateur, not expected from someone who's been disguising herself and evading the law for years in order to give the good death to her clients. It's as if she had never really contemplated the possibility of getting caught (contrary to her mentor, whom she knew had made preparations), and once caught, every decision was illogical: running to other people and thus endangering them, using her real name when pretending to be someone she wasn't... In general: not being paranoid enough. Even I know that the first thing you do when on the run is to ditch your mobile phone, especially when you know you've remained unconscious for several hours with a manipulative bastard who could have made just any plans in order to follow you later.
Leland was infuriating, but in a way that still made me want to get to know him better, at least. He meant business, even though this involved lying and behaving harshly.
I did like the themes of trauma (due to kidnapping, more specifically) that the novel wove, the way different people reacted to it (one became sort of a recluse, another let her story out to exorcise her fears), and the person with a strong desire for revenge realised that this hadn't to be the main goal. Leland's second trade, while manipulative, of course, also allowed him to get an insight he probably hadn't expected within a world that he seemed to see previously as black and white only.
I guess that makes it a 2.5 stars: there were definitely twists and turns that made me want to know what would come next–it is a page-turner–but the main character was just too annoying, and her mistakes kept distracting me.
One thing I'd like to say: blurbs, please stop spoiling the plot. Because, you see, when the main character learns of something only 50% in the book, and it's presented as a reveal, the reader having known for so long somewhat deflates it. Which is too bad.
Overall, this was an interesting story, one that made me keep reading, but to be honest, I found the blurb was more exciting than what it turned out to be. I didn't feel the urgency that much, and the two predators didn't come off as so ruthless in the end: we know how dangerous they used to be because of what other characters and newspapers said about them, but since they're not seen directly in action, their deeds appeared once removed, and the impact on me wasn't the same. I didn't feel the immediacy.
Mostly what I had a hard time with was Kali herself. While she's strong in a physical way, the mistakes she made were those of an amateur, not expected from someone who's been disguising herself and evading the law for years in order to give the good death to her clients. It's as if she had never really contemplated the possibility of getting caught (contrary to her mentor, whom she knew had made preparations), and once caught, every decision was illogical: running to other people and thus endangering them, using her real name when pretending to be someone she wasn't... In general: not being paranoid enough. Even I know that the first thing you do when on the run is to ditch your mobile phone, especially when you know you've remained unconscious for several hours with a manipulative bastard who could have made just any plans in order to follow you later.
Leland was infuriating, but in a way that still made me want to get to know him better, at least. He meant business, even though this involved lying and behaving harshly.
I did like the themes of trauma (due to kidnapping, more specifically) that the novel wove, the way different people reacted to it (one became sort of a recluse, another let her story out to exorcise her fears), and the person with a strong desire for revenge realised that this hadn't to be the main goal. Leland's second trade, while manipulative, of course, also allowed him to get an insight he probably hadn't expected within a world that he seemed to see previously as black and white only.
I guess that makes it a 2.5 stars: there were definitely twists and turns that made me want to know what would come next–it is a page-turner–but the main character was just too annoying, and her mistakes kept distracting me.
August 4, 2015
As debut novels go, “The Euthanist” was a bit surprising. The cover was chilling and effective. The divergent plot and protagonist were not what I expected at all.
Our protagonist is Pamela/Kali, a practitioner of euthanasia and assisted suicide who has a day job as a California firefighter/paramedic. A physically strong and motivated young woman of twenty-six years of age.
When one of her ‘clients’ turns out to be deceiving her about the severity of his illness her life takes a turn for the bizarre.
Her client Leland Moon is actually a healthy FBI agent. Rather than arrest her as a result of this entrapment, he uses his knowledge of her illegal extracurricular activities to coerce her into taking part in a plot to wreck vengeance against the pedophiles who abducted his son. He believes that this will bring some solace to the families of the pedophiles’ many victims.
One of the pedophiles, Walter Mumm, is in prison, the other, his sister Helena Mumm, is terminally ill. After Kali learns of the horrific experiences of the children at the hands of the Mumms, she comes on board with Leland. However, in the quest for revenge, Leland and Kali begin to question their personal beliefs of what’s right and wrong. The ending was quite compelling and makes the reader question their opinions on euthanasia.
What bothered me more than a little was Pamela/Kali’s weak motivation for becoming a euthanist in the first place. More importantly, I found that I didn’t really connect with her character – which is a deal-breaker for me. I really wanted to bond with her and although she was in sympathetic situations I remained unsympathetic towards her. At odds with what I felt I should feel about him, I found Leland Moon’s character to be unlikeable and manipulative. Also, I found several editing errors which I found distracting as a reader.
“The Euthanist” is a fast-paced debut thriller which is sure to be enjoyed by many – though for some reason the novel left me less than overly impressed. An excellent premise that somehow didn’t deliver. Overall “The Euthanist” didn’t live up to the hype, and I will be unlikely to read another novel by this author.
Thanks to Diversion Books via NetGalley for my digital ARC copy.
Our protagonist is Pamela/Kali, a practitioner of euthanasia and assisted suicide who has a day job as a California firefighter/paramedic. A physically strong and motivated young woman of twenty-six years of age.
When one of her ‘clients’ turns out to be deceiving her about the severity of his illness her life takes a turn for the bizarre.
Her client Leland Moon is actually a healthy FBI agent. Rather than arrest her as a result of this entrapment, he uses his knowledge of her illegal extracurricular activities to coerce her into taking part in a plot to wreck vengeance against the pedophiles who abducted his son. He believes that this will bring some solace to the families of the pedophiles’ many victims.
One of the pedophiles, Walter Mumm, is in prison, the other, his sister Helena Mumm, is terminally ill. After Kali learns of the horrific experiences of the children at the hands of the Mumms, she comes on board with Leland. However, in the quest for revenge, Leland and Kali begin to question their personal beliefs of what’s right and wrong. The ending was quite compelling and makes the reader question their opinions on euthanasia.
What bothered me more than a little was Pamela/Kali’s weak motivation for becoming a euthanist in the first place. More importantly, I found that I didn’t really connect with her character – which is a deal-breaker for me. I really wanted to bond with her and although she was in sympathetic situations I remained unsympathetic towards her. At odds with what I felt I should feel about him, I found Leland Moon’s character to be unlikeable and manipulative. Also, I found several editing errors which I found distracting as a reader.
“The Euthanist” is a fast-paced debut thriller which is sure to be enjoyed by many – though for some reason the novel left me less than overly impressed. An excellent premise that somehow didn’t deliver. Overall “The Euthanist” didn’t live up to the hype, and I will be unlikely to read another novel by this author.
Thanks to Diversion Books via NetGalley for my digital ARC copy.
January 1, 2016
We start by meeting Leland. He's dying; not just a normal death, his organs one by one are giving up because they aren't getting enough oxygen. Leland has met Kali; Kali is an anonymous woman in disguise, she is the Euthanist.
For the past 5 years she's been helping the terminally ill record messages to their loved ones before helping them end their suffering in this world. And the surprise (which you find out quickly) is she's a qualified paramedic. She trained to save lives but now helps those who want to die. But she met her match and she's no longer in control.
Once he'd outed himself and the situation being a set up, I was intrigued to know who Leland really was and what he wants with Kali. As the book goes on, he shows his true colours and intentions.
Kali is a very interesting character. She's kind of an antihero, with controversial views and actions. But Leland makes her question herself.
The story is addictive, I just wanted to know how Kali got out of each predicament Leland led her into. The book builds gradually like a concerto, up to a dramatic finish.
This novel comes at a time when euthanasia is a subject under great discussion and the topics and scenarios the book covers do make you think.
A fantastic debut from Alex Dolan - he's an author to watch. I hope it's not the last we hear from him. Thank you to Netgalley and Diversion Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
For the past 5 years she's been helping the terminally ill record messages to their loved ones before helping them end their suffering in this world. And the surprise (which you find out quickly) is she's a qualified paramedic. She trained to save lives but now helps those who want to die. But she met her match and she's no longer in control.
Once he'd outed himself and the situation being a set up, I was intrigued to know who Leland really was and what he wants with Kali. As the book goes on, he shows his true colours and intentions.
Kali is a very interesting character. She's kind of an antihero, with controversial views and actions. But Leland makes her question herself.
The story is addictive, I just wanted to know how Kali got out of each predicament Leland led her into. The book builds gradually like a concerto, up to a dramatic finish.
This novel comes at a time when euthanasia is a subject under great discussion and the topics and scenarios the book covers do make you think.
A fantastic debut from Alex Dolan - he's an author to watch. I hope it's not the last we hear from him. Thank you to Netgalley and Diversion Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 8, 2015
Excellent and original book. Kali is a volunteer Euthanist, helping terminally ill clients into the death they truly want. Then she finds herself involved in the hunt for justice against a child killer. When is murder really justified? This book will leave you thinking...
I absolutely believe the laws should be changed around assisted dying for the terminally ill who truly desire it. I support the charity Dignity in Dying, so this was a fascinating book for me in many levels.
I absolutely believe the laws should be changed around assisted dying for the terminally ill who truly desire it. I support the charity Dignity in Dying, so this was a fascinating book for me in many levels.
August 15, 2015
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Warning: The synopsis that's provided with this book spoils more than half of the book. If you don't like your books spoiled, I suggest you skip it.
But seriously, I don't understand why any publisher/author would decide to tell so much on the back cover. Is it not meant to make you curious enough to buy the book? Then why tell exactly everything already. Why would I buy the book if I already know exactly what's going to happen
Luckily, I hadn't read the blurb and just a review which made me curious. And when I started reading this novel about an Angel of Death who happens to stumble on the wrong patient after which her life won't be same, I got immediately into the story. A few pages in and I was thinking 'wow, this is going to be good'. Unfortunately, the rest of the novel couldn't keep it up as I had hoped it would.
The writing was nice enough but in the second half I did get annoyed with the story. The guy I think was supposed to be the good guy is so annoying and their plan didn't make much sense.
So, the start was very promising but mainly in the second half the story kind of lost me.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Warning: The synopsis that's provided with this book spoils more than half of the book. If you don't like your books spoiled, I suggest you skip it.
But seriously, I don't understand why any publisher/author would decide to tell so much on the back cover. Is it not meant to make you curious enough to buy the book? Then why tell exactly everything already. Why would I buy the book if I already know exactly what's going to happen
Luckily, I hadn't read the blurb and just a review which made me curious. And when I started reading this novel about an Angel of Death who happens to stumble on the wrong patient after which her life won't be same, I got immediately into the story. A few pages in and I was thinking 'wow, this is going to be good'. Unfortunately, the rest of the novel couldn't keep it up as I had hoped it would.
The writing was nice enough but in the second half I did get annoyed with the story. The guy I think was supposed to be the good guy is so annoying and their plan didn't make much sense.
So, the start was very promising but mainly in the second half the story kind of lost me.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
June 7, 2015
I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but let myself be guided by fellow reviewers who enjoy similar books to myself. I am glad that I did as I would have missed out on this unusually plotted thriller.
Kali works as a paramedic and firefighter but in her spare time she belongs to a group that assist suicides. She spends time with them making sure that it is "the right decision" for them. Her latest client, however, is not who she is expecting and this leads Kali up a very different path.
I don't think you will read a book with such an unusual plot this year. Kali is a survivor and a strong character but with high morals. The addictive dialogue means this book was read in a very short period of time. I liked Kali and wanted to "mother" her even though she is a strong Amazonian type of woman!
A good read and a great debut.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Kali works as a paramedic and firefighter but in her spare time she belongs to a group that assist suicides. She spends time with them making sure that it is "the right decision" for them. Her latest client, however, is not who she is expecting and this leads Kali up a very different path.
I don't think you will read a book with such an unusual plot this year. Kali is a survivor and a strong character but with high morals. The addictive dialogue means this book was read in a very short period of time. I liked Kali and wanted to "mother" her even though she is a strong Amazonian type of woman!
A good read and a great debut.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
May 8, 2015
'Kali' assists people to pass on when they've decided life has become too much, but on the latest visit to her current patient, she encounters a different scenario to the one she is expecting and soon finds herself drawn into a vengeance mission on behalf of an unlikely person.
What a fantastic thriller this turned out to be! Such a unique plot with so many twists and turns I had no idea what was coming next. The story actually veered off in a totally different direction to the one I was expecting, which was so refreshing. One of the characters was sufficiently creepy to give me the chills each time they appeared and although I wouldn't say the protagonist was likeable, I was wishing for a good ending for her. A really great debut novel and an author to watch for the future.
*Thank you to the publishers for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
What a fantastic thriller this turned out to be! Such a unique plot with so many twists and turns I had no idea what was coming next. The story actually veered off in a totally different direction to the one I was expecting, which was so refreshing. One of the characters was sufficiently creepy to give me the chills each time they appeared and although I wouldn't say the protagonist was likeable, I was wishing for a good ending for her. A really great debut novel and an author to watch for the future.
*Thank you to the publishers for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 15, 2015
I was captured right from the start by the strong female title character. The Euthanist is a hard-to-put-down thriller with several twists and turns I did not see coming, and I'm pretty good at figuring out plots and "who done its." Don't let the uncomfortable title subject scare you away, there is much more to this story than euthanasia. Dolan weaves a creepy tale that keeps readers hooked until the last page. Thriller fans will not be disappointed. When finished you'll want to know what else Dolan has in store both for his character Kali, and as a writer.
June 4, 2015
Great debut on a controversial topic! Good storyline kept the pages turning,. Would read this author again!
January 30, 2017
Great thriller. I can definitely see this being turned into a movie.
December 16, 2015
”Morality may be universal, but people experience death in any number of ways.”
4.7 Stars
Thank you, NetGalley, for supplying me with this book! It was an awesome read!
I have never heard of a book with characters and a plot quite like this one. If there are, this is the first I’ve heard about it! This would be a beautiful way to fall into that genre!
This book fits into the psychological thriller types, but I felt it was so different. It required me to think a lot and left me flipping through pages and staying up late to find out what happens. It’s one of those books.
”Kali. That’s the name I used with clients. Kali is the four-armed Hindu goddess of death. She has been appropriated by hipster flakes as a symbol of feminine power. Maybe that’s fair too. But make no mistake. Kali is a destructress. In one of her hands she holds a severed head.
I know, I know, so fucking dramatic. I’ll admit to a little cultural appropriation for choosing a name like that.”
Imagine a girl. She works a standard job as a firefighter/paramedic. She blends into everyday life. She is tall, thin but has loads of muscles. Maybe it’s so no one can hurt her. Maybe it’s because she thinks they’re hot.
Now, imagine that this girl had a side job. This side job is sort of unheard of, but just bear with me. Imagine if this girl were to, for the lack of a better word, put down people who suffered from terminal illnesses.
That’s her job.
I have just described for you the main character of this book. She goes by a few names in this book, but the name that keeps buzzing around is Kali. The Hindu goddess of death, as the quote states.
All Kali wants to do is help people who are in pain pass as pain-free as possible, with the added bonus of it being on their own terms with everything in order. No loose ends.
When Kali helps the wrong person, the world that she has built up so carefully begins to crumble and her pseudonym is ripped apart.
”Many of them are lonely and want to make a human connection. They want to be heard.”
Like I said, Kali helped the wrong person.
This man has a name, but is it the right one? This man has a family, but are they safe? Is this man really who he says he is?
I found this character very hard to trust throughout the book, but that is what made me love his character that much more.
Leland has been with the Bureau for his whole career. He has everything he has ever wanted. A family, a good job, a house, happiness.
Until his son is kidnapped.
When he returns, he is not the same. He has told terrifying stories of that year. He can’t hold down a job. He can’t move out. He’s stuck.
He knows one person who may be able to help. He just has to find her first.
”Children are always target for a good hunter. The weakest always get sorted out.”
When these two characters meet, world’s collide.I don’t mean in a lovey dovey way.
Leland pulls Kali down into the darkness and the depths that have befallen his family. It becomes a game of hide-n’-go-seek and the game gets more fearsome. More desperate.
What Leland asks could mean the end of her. What she asks in return could mean the end of him.
One way or another, someone isn’t going to get what they want.
Meanwhile, time is running out.
”Someone who’s starving will take whatever food you give her, even if it’s poisoned.”
I’m sad this book is over, but I couldn’t help how fast the pages kept turning! I couldn’t say everything without spoilers so I’ll refrain. It is definitely worth the read though and when it hits the shelves expect me to be there to pick up my own copy!
“Since death can be experienced in infinite variations, I cannot place a universal value on it. This also means that I cannot place a universal value on what it means to bring death to another person.”
4.7 Stars
Thank you, NetGalley, for supplying me with this book! It was an awesome read!
I have never heard of a book with characters and a plot quite like this one. If there are, this is the first I’ve heard about it! This would be a beautiful way to fall into that genre!
This book fits into the psychological thriller types, but I felt it was so different. It required me to think a lot and left me flipping through pages and staying up late to find out what happens. It’s one of those books.
”Kali. That’s the name I used with clients. Kali is the four-armed Hindu goddess of death. She has been appropriated by hipster flakes as a symbol of feminine power. Maybe that’s fair too. But make no mistake. Kali is a destructress. In one of her hands she holds a severed head.
I know, I know, so fucking dramatic. I’ll admit to a little cultural appropriation for choosing a name like that.”
Imagine a girl. She works a standard job as a firefighter/paramedic. She blends into everyday life. She is tall, thin but has loads of muscles. Maybe it’s so no one can hurt her. Maybe it’s because she thinks they’re hot.
Now, imagine that this girl had a side job. This side job is sort of unheard of, but just bear with me. Imagine if this girl were to, for the lack of a better word, put down people who suffered from terminal illnesses.
That’s her job.
I have just described for you the main character of this book. She goes by a few names in this book, but the name that keeps buzzing around is Kali. The Hindu goddess of death, as the quote states.
All Kali wants to do is help people who are in pain pass as pain-free as possible, with the added bonus of it being on their own terms with everything in order. No loose ends.
When Kali helps the wrong person, the world that she has built up so carefully begins to crumble and her pseudonym is ripped apart.
”Many of them are lonely and want to make a human connection. They want to be heard.”
Like I said, Kali helped the wrong person.
This man has a name, but is it the right one? This man has a family, but are they safe? Is this man really who he says he is?
I found this character very hard to trust throughout the book, but that is what made me love his character that much more.
Leland has been with the Bureau for his whole career. He has everything he has ever wanted. A family, a good job, a house, happiness.
Until his son is kidnapped.
When he returns, he is not the same. He has told terrifying stories of that year. He can’t hold down a job. He can’t move out. He’s stuck.
He knows one person who may be able to help. He just has to find her first.
”Children are always target for a good hunter. The weakest always get sorted out.”
When these two characters meet, world’s collide.
Leland pulls Kali down into the darkness and the depths that have befallen his family. It becomes a game of hide-n’-go-seek and the game gets more fearsome. More desperate.
What Leland asks could mean the end of her. What she asks in return could mean the end of him.
One way or another, someone isn’t going to get what they want.
Meanwhile, time is running out.
”Someone who’s starving will take whatever food you give her, even if it’s poisoned.”
I’m sad this book is over, but I couldn’t help how fast the pages kept turning! I couldn’t say everything without spoilers so I’ll refrain. It is definitely worth the read though and when it hits the shelves expect me to be there to pick up my own copy!
“Since death can be experienced in infinite variations, I cannot place a universal value on it. This also means that I cannot place a universal value on what it means to bring death to another person.”
January 22, 2016
First impressions:
i chose to read this book for two reasons: the first reason being is that this book was on a particular must read list which caught my eye. the second reason was the title, a euthanist is a person who will grant merciful death to the terminally ill. a book with the title of such a taboo subject intrigued me. so i started reading the book with expectations of a story that would keep my moral compass spinning for weeks to come.
Few pages into the book:
the story introduces an enigma named kaly in reference to a hindu goddess, and you follow with the euthanist to a small house with a seemingly very old,fragile and smelly man named Leland Moon.
Halfway through the book:
here is where i think the story started to worsen in my opinion, what we begin with as one woman's psychological history problems soon shifts to many other problems. And the focus of the story is not one of euthanasia but of troubled families who had their children kidnapped. the only real relevance of the word euthanasia is that she does that as a job, while it is repeated many times it still feels forced. if i were to describe the what the writer tried to do here it would be filling a bowl to the point of overflowing. he tries to involve the reader in the problems of two separate families not really focusing on either of them completely leaving the reader feeling lost as whether to feel sorry for them or just ignore one and focus on the other.
Final impressions:
well we reached to the cliche of all cliches, a happy ending. And not one that feels justified. finishing this book felt like seeing a person sweep dust under the rug after realizing how problematic it is to actually clean it all up. the child who had night terrors and wet himself at the dinner table now is living alone after he killed someone. the female protagonist who couldn't stand spiders or her step father now was able to do so because of killing someone, and yes it was a violent death. i realize now that this story is the type of story that will be turned into a script, in short a Generic movie with a female protagonist.
2/5
i chose to read this book for two reasons: the first reason being is that this book was on a particular must read list which caught my eye. the second reason was the title, a euthanist is a person who will grant merciful death to the terminally ill. a book with the title of such a taboo subject intrigued me. so i started reading the book with expectations of a story that would keep my moral compass spinning for weeks to come.
Few pages into the book:
the story introduces an enigma named kaly in reference to a hindu goddess, and you follow with the euthanist to a small house with a seemingly very old,fragile and smelly man named Leland Moon.
Halfway through the book:
here is where i think the story started to worsen in my opinion, what we begin with as one woman's psychological history problems soon shifts to many other problems. And the focus of the story is not one of euthanasia but of troubled families who had their children kidnapped. the only real relevance of the word euthanasia is that she does that as a job, while it is repeated many times it still feels forced. if i were to describe the what the writer tried to do here it would be filling a bowl to the point of overflowing. he tries to involve the reader in the problems of two separate families not really focusing on either of them completely leaving the reader feeling lost as whether to feel sorry for them or just ignore one and focus on the other.
Final impressions:
well we reached to the cliche of all cliches, a happy ending. And not one that feels justified. finishing this book felt like seeing a person sweep dust under the rug after realizing how problematic it is to actually clean it all up. the child who had night terrors and wet himself at the dinner table now is living alone after he killed someone. the female protagonist who couldn't stand spiders or her step father now was able to do so because of killing someone, and yes it was a violent death. i realize now that this story is the type of story that will be turned into a script, in short a Generic movie with a female protagonist.
2/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2015
The Pith
Snowball plot that drags you into the mind of a complex protagonist, then sets you onto a fast and furious mission, that never goes to plan. Its not about blood, its about fear. Very well done.
The Verbose - may include spoilers, depending on your point of view.
I was about a third of the way into the Euthanist, when it occurred to me I was reading in my Neil Gaiman voice. Alex plots in the mind in a similar sound track. The Protagonist, may not be universally acceptable, but you like the person you are reading anyway. The Antagonist may not necessarily be seen as the bad guy, though in reality I would have serious issue with both method and alleged morals there, the point of the writing is to give you a point of view, not necessarily to agree, but to think and to see. The book definitely succeeds in drawing you up to the well of deep thoughts to set about and contemplate your own points of view.
There is a good bit of twisting and turning as characters reassess characters. First assessment being so far off, second assessment a pendulum swing, somewhere in there you can build an opinion of the other characters, but as in life, it is still an impression, so much is built on our own history of who we've dealt with and how we see them. Consider that personal type casting, which we all do to some extent I think.
This tale also includes a bit of the 'apprentice growing up, and seeing the master as a person', and both parties a bit uncertain in their new roles. I can see that forming another plot line in future tales. At one level I wanted to see this plot line expand, but at another I saw it as... oh now, THAT is another story to tell.
If you are a person who likes twisted thrillers, you will love this book. Its not about blood, its about fear.
A Damn Goodread and Good Job Alex! now I'm afraid I have to say to you the same thing I say to other authors who write books I truly enjoy...
MORE!MORE!MORE! NOW!NOW!NOW!
Snowball plot that drags you into the mind of a complex protagonist, then sets you onto a fast and furious mission, that never goes to plan. Its not about blood, its about fear. Very well done.
The Verbose - may include spoilers, depending on your point of view.
I was about a third of the way into the Euthanist, when it occurred to me I was reading in my Neil Gaiman voice. Alex plots in the mind in a similar sound track. The Protagonist, may not be universally acceptable, but you like the person you are reading anyway. The Antagonist may not necessarily be seen as the bad guy, though in reality I would have serious issue with both method and alleged morals there, the point of the writing is to give you a point of view, not necessarily to agree, but to think and to see. The book definitely succeeds in drawing you up to the well of deep thoughts to set about and contemplate your own points of view.
There is a good bit of twisting and turning as characters reassess characters. First assessment being so far off, second assessment a pendulum swing, somewhere in there you can build an opinion of the other characters, but as in life, it is still an impression, so much is built on our own history of who we've dealt with and how we see them. Consider that personal type casting, which we all do to some extent I think.
This tale also includes a bit of the 'apprentice growing up, and seeing the master as a person', and both parties a bit uncertain in their new roles. I can see that forming another plot line in future tales. At one level I wanted to see this plot line expand, but at another I saw it as... oh now, THAT is another story to tell.
If you are a person who likes twisted thrillers, you will love this book. Its not about blood, its about fear.
A Damn Goodread and Good Job Alex! now I'm afraid I have to say to you the same thing I say to other authors who write books I truly enjoy...
MORE!MORE!MORE! NOW!NOW!NOW!
June 1, 2015
The Euthanist is a debut novel by Alex Dolan. As debut's go this is really quite spectacular.
The story features Kali who helps people who are dying by bringing on death earlier to ease their pain and give them some dignity. Unfortunately one of the patients isn't as close to death as she first thinks. Here we meet Leland Moon who frames Kali into helping him. The author then takes us through a story of twists and turns that picks up pace throughout the book.
At first I didn't know whether I liked either of the characters in the story but as you get further into it, you can understand the reasoning behind why both Kali and Leland are doing what they are doing and you do start to feel empathy for both of them.
The Euthanist is certainly very thought provoking and it certainly made me question myself throughout as to what I would do if I was in the same position.
This is certainly a very different topic that you don't come across much in stories so for me it made The Euthanist stand out from the crowd in psychological thrillers. It certainly doesn't disappoint and I look forward to more by this talented author.
Many thanks to Diversion Books and Netgalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story features Kali who helps people who are dying by bringing on death earlier to ease their pain and give them some dignity. Unfortunately one of the patients isn't as close to death as she first thinks. Here we meet Leland Moon who frames Kali into helping him. The author then takes us through a story of twists and turns that picks up pace throughout the book.
At first I didn't know whether I liked either of the characters in the story but as you get further into it, you can understand the reasoning behind why both Kali and Leland are doing what they are doing and you do start to feel empathy for both of them.
The Euthanist is certainly very thought provoking and it certainly made me question myself throughout as to what I would do if I was in the same position.
This is certainly a very different topic that you don't come across much in stories so for me it made The Euthanist stand out from the crowd in psychological thrillers. It certainly doesn't disappoint and I look forward to more by this talented author.
Many thanks to Diversion Books and Netgalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2015
A fun thriller with a unique main character. Kali helps people suffering from terminal illness die on their own terms when their quality of life has declined to a point they can't handle it anymore. One day she helps the wrong client and ends up having to do the dirty work of an FBI agent obsessed with revenge on a couple that kidnapped many children (including his own) years ago. There were lots of twists and turns and the writing style was pretty good. I was hoping the book would be more focused on Kali dealing with clients and helping them end their lives, but it was moreso about her quest to help the FBI guy get his revenge. Overall, a good book.
March 17, 2017
The plot of this book was not at all what I was expecting based on the description, and while that is not always a bad thing, I was really disappointed in this case. It took such a sharp turn away from how it started that it seemed like two completely different books. And both could have been really good if they were separated. Instead, the forced together story felt confused, and in turn left me uninterested. Too bad, I was really looking forward to this.
August 24, 2015
The Euthanist by Alex Dolan
Oregon is one of the only states where Death with Dignity Law is legal so my interest in reading this was one of curiosity. It is still a hot debate but whatever side you stand on this issue this is a well written fast paced first novel of a very talented writer. 4.5+ stars
Oregon is one of the only states where Death with Dignity Law is legal so my interest in reading this was one of curiosity. It is still a hot debate but whatever side you stand on this issue this is a well written fast paced first novel of a very talented writer. 4.5+ stars
March 19, 2015
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book! It was about a young woman who helps end the lives of the terminally ill..it was a great concept, and like nothing I have ever read before. Definitely unputdownable!!
I loved this book! It was about a young woman who helps end the lives of the terminally ill..it was a great concept, and like nothing I have ever read before. Definitely unputdownable!!
June 22, 2015
Brilliant! One of the best I've read this year! I was hooked from the beggining and couldn't wait to know how that was going to end, and the ending was awesome, like every part of the story!
July 23, 2015
The Euthanist is psychological suspense at its best. Exceptional storytelling, intriguing well-developed characters--it's all there.
January 14, 2016
Loved it 4.5*
March 17, 2019
Found, bought, and read the book in a weekend. Easily could have finished it in a day if I didn’t have the projects I did this weekend. It was really good! I went in thinking it would just be about a woman who provides death and dignity services but when you are told she hides her true identity, you know it’s gonna bite her in the ass. And it does, within the first chapter shit gets real real quick. And a couple things are predictable (like why Lelan wanted her to euthanize the woman [yes I’ve already forgotten her name, my memory sucks]) but the ending was a good shock/twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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