There’s a general rule in life that everyone should know and follow. It might not be pretty, but sooner or later, all will discover its truth. People suck.

In Sebastian Stuart’s debut novel, “The Mentor,” this point is more than driven home. In fact, Stuart should probably just cut to the chase and title it, “Life’s a Bitch, and Then You Die.”

Stuart is a native New Yorker, which may explain his bleak outlook, and the Big Apple also serves as the backdrop for three characters who should probably be locked away. Of course, then we couldn’t watch them mess up their lives beyond repair, and boy, do they have lives worthy of messing up.

The opening pages begin the tale of the mousy Emma Bowles, obsessed with the city she’s in and getting to a higher station in life. She begins her journey to the top by working as a secretary for the rich, successful, career-driven Anne Turner, head of trend-setting magazine “Home.” Turner has everything in life that Emma hopes to achieve someday. The fame. The wealth. The trophy husband.

The trophy is famous author Charles Davis, whose latest works have begun to decline in both quality and readership. At first introduction, Davis is awaiting news of his latest novel’s reviews. The news isn’t good. He begins his normal spiral of depression, which wife Turner tries to solve by hiring him a personal assistant. This is where Bowles meets Davis and the spiral of chaos begins.

From the day she enters his office, Bowles is a source of intrigue for Davis. As Davis’ writer’s block grows, so does his interest in Bowles. He begins to spend more and more time with her. Soon their relationship crosses the professional line and the two become lovers. Eventually, Davis’ passion for Bowles drives him to write the novel that he has lost the ability to produce.

Stuart reinvents each of his already complex characters with every page. Each has his or her own hidden agendas and secrets which could destroy the others if revealed.

With a final 50 pages full of unexpected twists, one gets what is deserved, one is cheated and the other gets away unscathed. Stuart’s debut is a rather impressive one. He has the rare ability to turn a potentially predictable tale into a surprise-a-minute page turner.

One thing is sure, “The Mentor” isn’t the feel good book of the year, but it is an entertaining journey into the not so pretty side of human nature.

4 1/2 Stars