23 November 2021

This brave work of fiction is guaranteed to offend some readers. Before reaching for this book you need to be warned that this book contains everything you might be sensitive to, language, sex, violence, animal cruelty and most importantly the character challenges religious beliefs all the way through. However, should you decide to pick up this book you are going to experience an entertaining read, that challenges everything about life as you know it. The author doesn’t hold back any punches, making this an intriguing read that you will be keen to see through even when you find yourself a little offended.

The story is told from Maeve’s perspective, and you find yourself inside this woman’s mind from start to finish. The author created a character that you love and hate as she fascinates you with her obscene take on the world. Part of this book is thought-provoking. Leave you curious about how much this woman will end up getting away with.

The world is full of addicts. Addicts of all kinds; alcoholics, drug addicts, sex addicts, food addicts, even social media addicts. People who need a fix and will do anything to obtain the pleasure they derive from that addiction. We know they exist among us. But what about a psychopath that needs to kill to get a fix? How do these people fit into the world? How do they manage their needs and urges? How do they conform to a society that is so very different to their way of thinking?

Maeve has needs, and she has spent a lot of time figuring out how she can function in the world that we know and still sustain her desires. After exploring Alcoholics Anonymous and their 12 step programme, Maeve designs her own 12 steps for Psychopaths Anonymous. A group she started to teach fellow psychopaths not to apologise for who they are, but instead to embrace themselves. However, when her anonymous group is facing the risk of exposure, she needs to ensure she maintains anonymity.

This book is a harsh read, the author really did not hold back any punches. However, his/the character’s attack on the world we live in was direct and sometimes thought-provoking. There is a lot wrong with the world we live in, and some aspects of life could be a lot better. This book while offering extremely unrealistic solutions based on a psychopath’s way of thinking highlights that humanity has lost the plot. That we have lost focus on what is important.

The first few pages of this book left me tempted to put it down, but as I persisted and kept reading, I found myself intrigued and eager to see where it was going. This brave work of fiction is creative, clever and thought-provoking.

I found that I loved and hated Maeve. This woman has a strange view of the world, and her solution to anyone who annoys or irritates her is to kill them. Good luck to anyone who crosses her path because it does not take much to get on this woman’s wrong side. She lives life by her own rules and nothing stirs any emotion. She is in control at all times and plans the perfect revenge. I found myself wondering how much the worlds population numbers would decrease if we all lived by Maeve’s rules.

Psychopaths Anonymous is going to offend a lot of readers, I suggested religious readers steer clear. However, those readers out there who can pick up this book and understand that it is a work of fiction, a book that drops you into the mind of a psychopath and does not take it too seriously, is sure to enjoy this as a brave, creative read that will even manage to bring a smile to your face when you least expect it.

Psychopaths Anonymous is a brilliant, creative read that will keep you intrigued and leave you looking at the world in a slightly different way. Hopefully not with the same extremes as Maeve, but you should be left considering the changes our world needs.

 I certainly recommend this book to brave, open-minded readers. I loved it!