The Exit Facility

By: Fiona Scott-Barrett

Narrated by: Konstantina Scott-Barrett Braoudaki

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

In Scotland, in the not too distant future, Elaine, a partially sighted woman in her 60s, enters an exit facility. Down on her uppers, she is in search of a swift, free, and dignified death so that she can preserve her last remaining asset–a small flat–for her daughter to inherit. But once Elaine has checked in and finds her “Exit” delayed, the enforced wait leads her to question her choice and, more importantly, the state’s motives….

“We have different categories of client here. The first are the Facility’s original category, terminally-ill clients who are in urgent need of Compassionate Closure. Then we have the voluntary clients–people such as yourself who have chosen Closure for their own personal reasons,” the Administrator said.

“What about the third category?” Elaine asked.

“There is no third category.”

©2021 Fiona Scott-Barrett (P)2022 Fiona Scott-Barrett

Haunting, Well-Written

Elaine is a woman with a visual handicap who happens to be broke. In Scotland, in the future, people may choose to exit their life with dignity, on their own terms. That’s the way it is supposed to be in the near future anyway. Elaine discovers things and people are not what they seem. She first notices differences in the ID cards and then more questionable incidents. Determined to set the record straight, Elaine must take on a corrupt state and others in the facility.

Fiona Scott-Barrett weaves a deadly story of mystery, lies, corruption, and more with a subject that is touchy to say the least – choosing one’s permanent exit from life. She takes her time building the story, creating and developing characters that enrich the storyline and enable the plot twists to work. Subtle clues and vivid imagery keep the listener engrossed. One must wonder whether one would make the same choices if faced with a future like Elaine and how she chooses to provide for her daughter.

The narrator, Konstantina Scott-Barrett Braoudaki gives a remarkable performance complete with unique voices capturing the personality of each character. Her energy is clear, she speaks flawlessly and with ease. This is my first-time hearing Braoudaki and I hope to hear my performances by her.

Overall, this is a gripping book that haunts the listener long after the end of the book. There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Completely enjoyed the story

Sympathetic characters, novel story plot, and the narrarator did a soothing and fitting job. I would highly recommend.