Suicide is an ageless concern that has been with us as long as man has existed. Forbidden by all religions, suicide has nonetheless become such a practical problem that it is now an everyday concern, resulting in more annual deaths than homicide. Suicide must be seen as a societal and personal problem - it is a complex act with no simple explanation. The motivation is multifaceted, often not understood by the family or by other survivors.

Suicide is unique in that it offers an accessible overview of suicide. Written by Ronald M Holmes and Stephen T Holmes, two of the foremost authors of murder and violent crime books in the world, this book examines the social problem and criminal justice concerns of suicide from unique perspectives. The authors discuss the various forms of suicide and analyze the latest data on regional differences and how gender, marital status, occupation, health, drug use and religion all influence the practice of suicide.