The Soulmate: A Novel

Content Warning: This section depicts murder and suicide and discusses mental health conditions.

Out her kitchen window, Pippa Gerard sees someone standing at the edge of The Drop, the cliff near her house. She tells her husband, Gabe, and he goes outside to speak to the person. When they moved there, they didn’t know that The Drop was recognized as a place where people come to die by suicide. Since the couple moved in a year ago, they have witnessed seven people contemplate suicide at The Drop. Gabe has talked them all into reconsidering. Now, he goes outside while Pippa calls the police. Pippa’s sister, Kat, distracts Pippa’s daughters, Freya and Asha.

The first time Gabe stopped someone from jumping, the police were surprised, but Pippa wasn’t: She thinks that he is a “hero” and considers it characteristic of Gabe, who is handsome and charismatic. Now he has become known for his ability to talk people away from the edge.

Pippa sees Gabe facing a small woman standing near the edge of the cliff. It is raining and incredibly windy. Gabe is standing closer than normal—the police have always warned him to keep a safe distance and never reach out to the distressed person.