There is nothing like an inflated ego to spice up the profile of a self-righteous lunatic. Perhaps it is a good thing that some of our members did not venture into this account of how it is possible to exist without a conscience and remain unaffected about killing someone.

Probation Officer Cate Austin, returning from ‘The Woman Before Me’ by the same author, attempts to second-guess and outwit Alice Mariani, who has responded enthusiastically to a personal advert searching for someone romantic to assist in a suicide.

In order to achieve a recommendation to keep her out of prison, the selfish, very twisted Alice must win the sympathy of Cate who is only too aware of the defendant’s over-critical, egocentric nature. Alice tries show-case to the professionals that she is insane, but it is her love for the unreachable ‘Smith’ that needs to be believed. This is the man who needs so much adoration that his lover will help him achieve a truly memorable death.

The main characters are undeniably intriguing, but not in the least bit likeable. They seem to take interesting turns in being dangerous or sympathetic, dominant or submissive, evil or misunderstood. There is more than one twist in the tale that makes this a difficult book to put down.

Compared to the average horror story this is mild, but that does not mean it is not both peculiar and disturbing. The book does not seek to preach or educate on the subject of assisted suicide. It is more about outlining how manipulative and calculating narcissistic people can be. The subject matter might put some readers off, but most of our group were engaged immediately by it and felt almost guilty to have ‘enjoyed’ reading it.

The average mark was 7.5 out of 10.