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Flesh Tones
In such erotic thrillers as In Fidelity and Lip Service , acclaimed author M. J. Rose took readers to the darkest edges of desire. Now, in her most riveting novel yet, she leads us across the fine line separating passion and obsession, mercy and murder.
In a New York courtroom, a woman stands accused of a controversial crime. Genny Haviland, thirty-eight, is said to have drugged and suffocated legendary painter George Gabriel. For two decades the tempestuous Gabriel has challenged audiences with his wild work. And in the end, the prosecution claims, he alienated the woman he first seduced, then enslaved—enough to cause his own death at her hands.
Yet in Genny’s mind there rests another story, one that started twenty years before . . . one in which a college girl on summer break met an older, attractive artist—and began a forbidden affair she would never forget, a shadowy, sensual union in which she was more helpless and more powerful than she would ever imagine. Then the discovery of a shocking secret blew it all Genny’s father was Jonathan Haviland, the renowned gallery owner who could make or break Gabriel’s career.
Now Genny contends she was only easing her old lover to a painless death, allowing him to escape the awful illness that was slowly eroding his sanity and self. But is that the whole truth? Or was Gabriel indeed killed—but for far more sordid reasons, from a motive driven by scandal and the threat of financial ruin? How much would Genny do for the man she professed to love, or for the father who has always loomed darkly in the background of her life?
Peopled with complex and fascinating characters, and capturing the essence of two different and decadent decades, here is the most impressive achievement of an up-and-coming author. In this irresistible novel, M. J. Rose creates a world where love doesn’t last and fame is fleeting . . . but desire never ends.
From the Hardcover edition.
In a New York courtroom, a woman stands accused of a controversial crime. Genny Haviland, thirty-eight, is said to have drugged and suffocated legendary painter George Gabriel. For two decades the tempestuous Gabriel has challenged audiences with his wild work. And in the end, the prosecution claims, he alienated the woman he first seduced, then enslaved—enough to cause his own death at her hands.
Yet in Genny’s mind there rests another story, one that started twenty years before . . . one in which a college girl on summer break met an older, attractive artist—and began a forbidden affair she would never forget, a shadowy, sensual union in which she was more helpless and more powerful than she would ever imagine. Then the discovery of a shocking secret blew it all Genny’s father was Jonathan Haviland, the renowned gallery owner who could make or break Gabriel’s career.
Now Genny contends she was only easing her old lover to a painless death, allowing him to escape the awful illness that was slowly eroding his sanity and self. But is that the whole truth? Or was Gabriel indeed killed—but for far more sordid reasons, from a motive driven by scandal and the threat of financial ruin? How much would Genny do for the man she professed to love, or for the father who has always loomed darkly in the background of her life?
Peopled with complex and fascinating characters, and capturing the essence of two different and decadent decades, here is the most impressive achievement of an up-and-coming author. In this irresistible novel, M. J. Rose creates a world where love doesn’t last and fame is fleeting . . . but desire never ends.
From the Hardcover edition.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2002
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About the author
M.J. Rose
89 books2,290 followersNew York Times Bestseller, M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother's favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice... books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.
Her most recent novel, The Last Tiara, will be published Feb 2, 2021
Rose's work has appeared in many magazines including Oprah Magazine and she has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, WSJ, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors - Authorbuzz.com
The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Reincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and currently serves, with Lee Child, as the organization's co-president..
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 14, 2020
Structure and writing style are decent in “Flesh Tones”. However, not being a fan of romance novels, I did not find it erotic or thrilling. In fact, I didn’t get interested until I was halfway through this novel. I liked the ending and that was probably the only part of the book that I enjoyed. Sorry to say that this novel is one for my “to donate pile”.
May 13, 2019
An OK story....compelling only in the sense that I have never read a novel concerning 'suicide-assisted' death and the legal ramifications.
December 27, 2019
I'm not a big fan of erotic novels necessarily, but I thought this one balanced plot and sex very nicely. The characters were well-rounded, and it was a good, quick read.
August 26, 2024
Heartbreaking and perhaps overly realistic. Would you help a sick friend commit suicide?
April 22, 2013
Genny (age 17) has an affair with 37-year-old artist Slade. He dumps her when he finds out her age and that her father is the owner of the gallery he has commissioned to work for. They meet 20 years later when Gabriel and her dad and involved in an accident, and affair is rekindled. Gabriel ends up dead in a suicide in which Genny assisted. Or did she? Was it an assisted suicide? Or murder? Was she enraged at Gabriel, or did she kill him because of her screwed up relationship with her father?.
The story goes back and forth between past events of their affairs/obsession and Genny’s relationship with her parents and a present day courtroom drama in which Genny is being tried for murder.
I found the obsessive relationship between Genny and Gabriel a little annoying – and found myself often thinking of the sloth in ice age when he said “she completes me” and made a little heart in the air with his fingers.
I don’t remember where I came across this book or why I chose to order it/check it out. After reading it, I noticed it had many five star rates on a review site I looked at and was called a “page-turner” and “thriller” – I obviously disagree. I thought the book was merely average, and found myself falling asleep and skimming.
The story goes back and forth between past events of their affairs/obsession and Genny’s relationship with her parents and a present day courtroom drama in which Genny is being tried for murder.
I found the obsessive relationship between Genny and Gabriel a little annoying – and found myself often thinking of the sloth in ice age when he said “she completes me” and made a little heart in the air with his fingers.
I don’t remember where I came across this book or why I chose to order it/check it out. After reading it, I noticed it had many five star rates on a review site I looked at and was called a “page-turner” and “thriller” – I obviously disagree. I thought the book was merely average, and found myself falling asleep and skimming.
August 26, 2014
This was listed under "erotica" on amazon.ca. To me, It isn't! But, even though it is not what I would normally choose to read, it is so well written it actually brought me to tears in the end. For that, I just had to give it 5 stars. It seems I've read a lot of duds lately. This is what good writing reads like!!
July 29, 2016
This is the first book that I have finished and then immediately started reading again. The characters and emotions are so real that at times I really thought I was Genny. I am in love and in mourning with her.
July 20, 2007
Amazing! I'm a sucker for beautiful and haunting love stories such as this. Recommended!
March 30, 2012
A moderately entertaining thriller - some interesting tidbits about the contemporary art world, but nothing especially memorable.
March 1, 2008
Hauntingly romantic.
June 12, 2011
This was a test for me to try mystery again. Didn't really do it for me. Not my style.
May 15, 2014
Fascinating!!!!
February 3, 2016
Not really my cup of tea, but good for its genre, a sexy mystery.
April 15, 2016
Accused murderer Genevieve endures the criminal trial that will determine her future while experiencing flashbacks both sad and semi-erotic of her dead and lamented lover.
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July 19, 2016I love M J Rose
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews