The Paperback Pursuer: Review # 131: Deadly Pleasures by Mary Firmin

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Review # 131: Deadly Pleasures by Mary Firmin

Description:

What do you do when you are a high class, rich, entitled, yacht-owning woman who finds out that her husband has a mistress on the side? For spurned wives Alex, Rachel, Kathleen, and Megan the answer is clear - get a "timeshare boytoy"; aka hire and share sexy stripper Michael Harrington!

Recovering addict and victim of a bad break-up, (and a crappy real estate market), Megan has her doubts about this new venture - but friends know best, right? Unfortunately, their plans go awry when prostitutes start turning up dead at Bayside Yacht Club, and everyone's a suspect - even their husbands. What is the killer's real agenda? Will Megan's growing feelings for widower Detective Matt Donovan protect her from the killer's twisted game? Or will her proximity to the case leave her and her friends sliced stern to bow?

Review:

When I first spotted the cover of Deadly Pleasures, I couldn't help but wonder what I was getting myself into. I am not usually a fan of the semi-erotic paperback romances that my grandmother enjoys, but from chapter one I sensed a difference. Mary Firmin is a very talented writer. Her attention to detail, the fast-paced sinuosity of the story-line, and her well-written characters immediately caught my eye; but for me, the smart balance of humor tied the whole book together. I ended up starting the book at 11, fully intending to take my time, and went to bed at 3:45 craving a sequel. The story goes from light and lively on one page to dark, twisty and surprise-full on the next. I did manage to figure out who the murderer was before the reveal, but the possibilities were endless. Admittedly, Mary Firmin's ability to introduce well-developed and realistic characters mid-story had me second-guess myself a couple of times. Back to the cover, I am not a fan, but I get the idea. The adage,"Don't judge a book by its cover", comes to mind - the murder mystery far outweighs the eroticism insinuated by the cover image. I recommend this book to adults (17+) of both genders who enjoy a mystery that will leave them satisfied. Now all I have to do is wait for the sequel...

Rating: On the Run (4/5)

*** I received this book from the author (Lightning Book Promotions) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.