The Suicide Shop

The Suicide Shop by Jean Teule (the last name should have an accent mark over the final "e", but I have no clue how to insert that) is book of black humor. Long ago, there used to be a cartoon character who always walked with a black cloud hanging above his head. His sadness was nothing compared to the invisible black clouds that follow these characters. Everyone in the Tuvache family, along with just about everyone in their town, is depressed. Their only joy is The Suicide Shop, which carries a vast array of ways to kill yourself.

No one smiles when they come to the shop, even when they find the perfect-for-them suicide tools.

But then the unthinkable happens. A happy child is born to the Tuvache family and he refuses to step into the darkness and follow his family. He is the oddball in town and an enigma to his family.

This book was almost depressing, as person after person comes into the shop looking for ways to kill themselves. The Tuvaches have an unlimited list of methods to get the job done. And yet, there is Alan's tiny smile and joy that bring light to the shop, much to the chagrin of the family and shoppers.

Can the smile of one boy change his family? His town? Or will he succumb to the doom and gloom?

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If you like dark humor, you'll probably like this book. I give The Suicide Shop a rating of Hel-of-a-Twist.

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FTC Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by Jean Teule's publicist. I did not request a copy, nor did I offer to do a review. I think most followers of my reviews know that I don’t review a book I don't like. So, you can surmise that I liked the book, odd as it is. While The Suicide Shop is dark humor, it also has a small ray of sunshine, but like most dark stories, there is always an unexpected twist to the story.