Faking Your Own Death: We All Do It, But Why?

The novel follows an unnamed English assassin, known only as the Jackal, who is hired by the OAS (Organisation de l'armée secrète), a French dissident paramilitary organization, to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle. The story is divided into three parts: 'Anatomy of a Plot', detailing the Jackal's preparations; 'Anatomy of a Manhunt', focusing on the French secret service's efforts to identify and stop the Jackal; and 'Anatomy of a Kill', the final confrontation. The novel is known for its detailed and methodical portrayal of both the assassin's plans and the police investigation, creating a tense and suspenseful narrative[2][4][5].

In 'Playing Dead', Elizabeth Greenwood delves into the intriguing world of pseudocide, where people fake their own deaths for reasons ranging from financial troubles to escaping abusive relationships. The book chronicles her journey through this complex and often bizarre phenomenon, highlighting the motivations and consequences of such actions.