Steven’s protagonist, Evan, is quite mixed up, but in a ‘normal’ way, if that makes any sense. He’s quite an ordinary guy who falls into quite an extraordinary job. He gets involved in assisting legal suicides, and even just the opening chapters had me hooked with the different characters he meets while practicing his new trade and the feelings that evokes in him. Evan is gay and has a sweet relationship with another gay couple, which made me both happy and sad for him, as it felt to me that he wanted commitment but couldn’t give it.

He also has to keep his work secret from everyone, as there is a lot of disapproval around assisted suicide, which adds to his neuroses. Evan’s relationship with his mother, stricken with Parkinson’s disease is strained and difficult, but supportive and loving in its own way.

It’s an odd book in many ways, with a difficult subject matter – but ultimately it’s enjoyable, with a fine leading character and some very important issues raised – I would recommend it to anyone who fancies something a little bit different and also to anyone who has divided, or strong opinions on assisted suicide.

3.5/5