Is this an acceptable gift? What to do?

[PresentingPercy]

A friend received this book (Don’t read this if you’re stupid) as an anonymous gift in her pigeon hole at work. No note with it. Plain white envelope. Her name but a slight error on the address. She doesn’t think it’s from a client. The info about the book is attached from the publisher. It’s the last sentence that’s the issue. Friend lives in South London. Any advice welcome.

A threat from a disgruntled person who lost their case in court? Or attempted intimidation from some one else's client still to go to court?

@PresentingPercy

Apologies if I wrote the title of the book incorrectly. I’m not sure lots of reviews found it funny at all. Darker than dark is a common thread. The description I posted is Penguin’s own description. The publisher.

For the people who sympathised that this book has been received anonymously and wondered about her job: she’s a barrister. It came in the post at chambers. Its a new copy of the book with no marks or notes. No gift tag. Of course she’s asked around regarding who might have sent it. Posted on Facebook etc.

Thanks to the few people who cared that a young woman might be a bit worried by this. I didn’t really expect the sarcasm I have to say.

i don't believe this even happened at all.

and in any case what does it matter what an online forum thinks?

she's a barrister, I'd expect some advanced reasoning skills.

Odd. Unless she has reason to be worried, it’s just a book. The South London thing is not a threat.

OK. I'm giving up now. Nothing much more to be said. I did not say too much in the first place because I was not sure if it was a good idea to elicit views at all so I was wary. She has already widely sought opinions from friends and colleagues. Rather sad sarky views expressed on here.

Think about it logically, though - that’s what I’d encourage my friend to do.

The title of the book is possible a dig. But it’s extremely unlikely that anyone threatening has trawled bookshops for the perfect blurb on an old backlist title by a (brilliant but) obscure writer to threaten a barrister who happens to live south of the river (along with 50% of London).

‘Giving up now’ and you’ve only replied to the thread once with a massive drip feed of relevant information.

I haven't seen too much sarkiness. You asked whether the gift was acceptable and loads of posters questioned your motives for asking. That's all.

Sorry, not motives but reasons.

If someone left that for me with no note I would find it kinda creepy. Why no note?! Especially given the title and last line.

I think a weirdo is trying to flirt with her and doing it badly.