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Deadly Pleasures
Megan Riley has bigger things to worry about than the fact that her neighbor has just been found dead. Her engagement has just ended, and she is once again on a quest to find Mr. Right-or at least Mr. Right Now. Tired of emotional ties and ready for a new adventure, Megan and her three best friends make a fateful decision. They hire hunky stripper Michael Harrington as their timeshare boytoy-unaware he is the prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders. Suddenly, they find themselves involved in a complicated murder investigation led by a handsome detective who is focused only on finding the twisted serial killer before he strikes again. But who will be the next to die? Megan, the hardworking real estate agent; newly divorced Kathleen; Alex, married to a wealthy businessman; or Rachel, the spurned wife of a hot Hollywood screenwriter? Following her own investigation, Megan takes a wild ride through L.A.'s bondage parlors, hidden sex clubs, and the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous; soon she discovers that her quest for adventure has abruptly transformed into a dangerous game of life and death.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Mary Firmin
2 books20 followersMary Firmin was formerly vice president of a large real estate firm in Santa Monica. As a Yacht Club member and author of a society column, she has channeled her observations and experiences into her first novel. Mary resides in Rancho Mirage, California. Her first novel is Deadly Pleasures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 28, 2012
Deadly Pleasures
Mary Firmin
Some men don’t know when to quite or all it a day. George Fisher was hot for a quick, looking for a romp in the hay with Sherrie Weston prostitute extraordinaire. Something happens. Pent up, excited and definitely poor George was hoping not to strike out with Sherrie. But, Sherrie as the reader learns can’t stand George and is just doing this, as a business opportunity that she hoped would be lucrative in the long run. Poor George never saw it coming and this dear readers was his final jolt in life. As tings heat up our prostitute decides to go in for you might say financial kill. Sherrie having her own agenda in mind for George whispers something in his ear that either got him too excited, frightened him or just plain made him keel but not over just on top of poor Sherrie. Sometimes blackmail can work but in this case the poor man died and left his big corpse right on top of this woman who remained stuck under him until she was finally rescued.
George or the late George Fisher was a member of the Bayside Yacht Club and the women of this club would now when they find out facts have something besides tanning and eating to occupy their conversation and thoughts. Megan, Alexandra, Kathleen and Rachel are four friends that belong to this club and when the facts about the murder are brought to light and made public, you know women, they have their own take on it and can’t help but weigh in with their own opinions.
When your husbands are notorious for cheating, but still pay your bills what’s a wife to do except spend his money. Alexandra is married to a cheat, Megan’s relationships have all gone sour, Kathleen is not very stable and Rachel finds the world quite humorous. What is the plan to get revenge on a rotten fiancé, cheating husband and just plain need to have some real fun, get a toy boy? Rachel feels that this is the perfect solution to their problems. Why not hire a guy or guys to take care or service you when the call, desire or urge befalls you. Enter Helen Jennings the queen gossip of the club who makes sure that everyone knows the dirt and facts behind poor George’s untimely demise. Heart attack or something else? Why is this about to be treated as part of a murder investigation linked to the death of Sherrie’s friend Allison? But, dear reader let me add that just before George keels over he spies the picture of Allison and becomes irate when he sees it. Studying the picture in the frame for some reason upsets poor George. Well, Alex things this whole situation is appalling. Rachel finds it humorous. Megan is dismayed and Kathleen is just too fragile. But, what about his poor wife Junie? Does anyone really care about her feelings or is she going to run, skip and laugh her way to the bank?
Enter one hot detective named Matt Donovan who has Megan’s interest from the start. Questioning all of the women about George brings to light the murder of Allison dubbed the Bondage Murder. As Matt delves further into his death he finds a link between Sherrie, George and Allison. One business card with Sherrie’s information found in George’s jacket pocket, on the reverse side Allison’s number. Just how do these two deaths tie together? But, some fates are not just left for one but for more than one as Sherrie’s fate was the same as her friends. The author describes the victim, the murder and the mutilation quite graphically for the reader as we learn that George had Sherrie’s card in his jacket pocket with Allison’s number of the reverse side as Matt Donovan delves into the murder. The crime scene was not wiped clean and the evidence just might be there. What was the connection to George as we also learn that Sherrie was filming the events, DVD’s were sent to her and others found. Someone was making plenty off of this and a serial killer or mutilator was out there targeting prostitutes. Why?
Megan’s ex decided to pay her unwelcome visit to get some of his clothes. Brian seemed strange, his behavior odd, too friendly and suggestive when talking to Megan. Jumpy and on edge we learn more about her past, how she met Brian and her addiction to alcohol and food. Megan drowns her sorrows in chocolate. But, we now have another play Detective Angelle Bentley who Matt finds alluring and attractive but will she do the job? So, why is he thinking about Megan and what will happen next?
Mrs. Zuckerman is a wealth of too much information as Matt learns more about a man named Michael Harrington and hopes to link him to the murders. Working for the same place as Sherrie, going over to her house to check on her does not give him the perfect alibi according to the two detectives. Party Favorites provides entertainment for many different occasions. Imagine your own personal birthday card from someone like Sherrie! But, Sherrie was often high on drugs, Allison too and the link to these S&M murders has yet to be found. Is this Michael the real killer?
Back to the four friends who are now drowning their sorrows and woes in drinks as each one relates the next unfortunate chapter in their love lives to each other. Megan just recalls her own, Rachel’s husband is cheating and she caught him in the act. He doesn’t know. Alex has it all figured out. Don’t let on you know and poor Kathleen’s husband Gino has decided to move on child and all leaving her a wimping and crying mess. Just what happens to drag these women into the murder just wait and see. There is much more to tell as I continue my review of Deadly Pleasures, which if you think about it, is the end result for these women.
George’s funeral would bring all of the players together but not before the police decide to question and arrest Michael Harrington for Sherrie’s murder. Blackmail, lies, deceit and a serial killer are just some of what makes up this intriguing and fast paced plot. As Rachel decides to do something about her life, Megan wonders what she is really up to, as Alex and Charlie along with the rest go to the funeral, which proves to be quite unique. Each one reacting in her own way, poor Junie playing the grieving widow the scene was often comical or surreal but definitely not indicative of your typical funeral.
The funeral over and no one seemed that upset as they party returns to the Yacht club to celebrate George’s life. But, what happens next will definitely rock you to the core if you are not familiar with hard core S&M you will definitely get a first hand view, education and tour of many places that offer this as recreation, diversion and much more. Why was Rachel definitely going to enlist the aid of her own toy boy hoping to entice the others too? Let’s recap for just a moment: Why was Rachel trying to gain entrance into a kinky club? Where does Brian fit in? Why was he so friendly with Gino?
The investigation revealed that there were many others involved including a murder in San Francisco that links with the ones Matt was dealing with. Even more the owner of the Party Favorites, Fantasy Films where the DVD’s originated and his wife was a member of the Yacht club even more she had not idea about these businesses or her husband’s sexual preferences. The plot thickens, the suspects add up and the clues are all scattered but the murders all the same. But, when the detectives approach Helen, whose ex-husband owned all of the above another piece of the puzzle is revealed about the location of the Bondage Murders. But, Helen decides a little afternoon diversion for the ladies might be fun who better than to serve it up: Michael Harrington!
When the pieces finally fit into place and the players are all together just who the killer is will definitely surprise the reader and the reasons behind the murders too. Who lives? Who else falls prey to our killer you won’t believe as Matt and Angelle race the clock to save not only Megan but also the others when the killer is revealed, their lives are in danger and one woman would never be the same. Author Mary Firmin allows the reader to take a first hand look at these S&M clubs, the history behind them is shared and the need to have a man in some women’s lives might just lead to more than just Deadly Pleasures. This is one book that will make you think twice before getting involved with a toy boy, going to these clubs and finding happiness in all the wrong places. Great novel. Great characters. Let’s hope they return to solve more murders.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Mary Firmin
Some men don’t know when to quite or all it a day. George Fisher was hot for a quick, looking for a romp in the hay with Sherrie Weston prostitute extraordinaire. Something happens. Pent up, excited and definitely poor George was hoping not to strike out with Sherrie. But, Sherrie as the reader learns can’t stand George and is just doing this, as a business opportunity that she hoped would be lucrative in the long run. Poor George never saw it coming and this dear readers was his final jolt in life. As tings heat up our prostitute decides to go in for you might say financial kill. Sherrie having her own agenda in mind for George whispers something in his ear that either got him too excited, frightened him or just plain made him keel but not over just on top of poor Sherrie. Sometimes blackmail can work but in this case the poor man died and left his big corpse right on top of this woman who remained stuck under him until she was finally rescued.
George or the late George Fisher was a member of the Bayside Yacht Club and the women of this club would now when they find out facts have something besides tanning and eating to occupy their conversation and thoughts. Megan, Alexandra, Kathleen and Rachel are four friends that belong to this club and when the facts about the murder are brought to light and made public, you know women, they have their own take on it and can’t help but weigh in with their own opinions.
When your husbands are notorious for cheating, but still pay your bills what’s a wife to do except spend his money. Alexandra is married to a cheat, Megan’s relationships have all gone sour, Kathleen is not very stable and Rachel finds the world quite humorous. What is the plan to get revenge on a rotten fiancé, cheating husband and just plain need to have some real fun, get a toy boy? Rachel feels that this is the perfect solution to their problems. Why not hire a guy or guys to take care or service you when the call, desire or urge befalls you. Enter Helen Jennings the queen gossip of the club who makes sure that everyone knows the dirt and facts behind poor George’s untimely demise. Heart attack or something else? Why is this about to be treated as part of a murder investigation linked to the death of Sherrie’s friend Allison? But, dear reader let me add that just before George keels over he spies the picture of Allison and becomes irate when he sees it. Studying the picture in the frame for some reason upsets poor George. Well, Alex things this whole situation is appalling. Rachel finds it humorous. Megan is dismayed and Kathleen is just too fragile. But, what about his poor wife Junie? Does anyone really care about her feelings or is she going to run, skip and laugh her way to the bank?
Enter one hot detective named Matt Donovan who has Megan’s interest from the start. Questioning all of the women about George brings to light the murder of Allison dubbed the Bondage Murder. As Matt delves further into his death he finds a link between Sherrie, George and Allison. One business card with Sherrie’s information found in George’s jacket pocket, on the reverse side Allison’s number. Just how do these two deaths tie together? But, some fates are not just left for one but for more than one as Sherrie’s fate was the same as her friends. The author describes the victim, the murder and the mutilation quite graphically for the reader as we learn that George had Sherrie’s card in his jacket pocket with Allison’s number of the reverse side as Matt Donovan delves into the murder. The crime scene was not wiped clean and the evidence just might be there. What was the connection to George as we also learn that Sherrie was filming the events, DVD’s were sent to her and others found. Someone was making plenty off of this and a serial killer or mutilator was out there targeting prostitutes. Why?
Megan’s ex decided to pay her unwelcome visit to get some of his clothes. Brian seemed strange, his behavior odd, too friendly and suggestive when talking to Megan. Jumpy and on edge we learn more about her past, how she met Brian and her addiction to alcohol and food. Megan drowns her sorrows in chocolate. But, we now have another play Detective Angelle Bentley who Matt finds alluring and attractive but will she do the job? So, why is he thinking about Megan and what will happen next?
Mrs. Zuckerman is a wealth of too much information as Matt learns more about a man named Michael Harrington and hopes to link him to the murders. Working for the same place as Sherrie, going over to her house to check on her does not give him the perfect alibi according to the two detectives. Party Favorites provides entertainment for many different occasions. Imagine your own personal birthday card from someone like Sherrie! But, Sherrie was often high on drugs, Allison too and the link to these S&M murders has yet to be found. Is this Michael the real killer?
Back to the four friends who are now drowning their sorrows and woes in drinks as each one relates the next unfortunate chapter in their love lives to each other. Megan just recalls her own, Rachel’s husband is cheating and she caught him in the act. He doesn’t know. Alex has it all figured out. Don’t let on you know and poor Kathleen’s husband Gino has decided to move on child and all leaving her a wimping and crying mess. Just what happens to drag these women into the murder just wait and see. There is much more to tell as I continue my review of Deadly Pleasures, which if you think about it, is the end result for these women.
George’s funeral would bring all of the players together but not before the police decide to question and arrest Michael Harrington for Sherrie’s murder. Blackmail, lies, deceit and a serial killer are just some of what makes up this intriguing and fast paced plot. As Rachel decides to do something about her life, Megan wonders what she is really up to, as Alex and Charlie along with the rest go to the funeral, which proves to be quite unique. Each one reacting in her own way, poor Junie playing the grieving widow the scene was often comical or surreal but definitely not indicative of your typical funeral.
The funeral over and no one seemed that upset as they party returns to the Yacht club to celebrate George’s life. But, what happens next will definitely rock you to the core if you are not familiar with hard core S&M you will definitely get a first hand view, education and tour of many places that offer this as recreation, diversion and much more. Why was Rachel definitely going to enlist the aid of her own toy boy hoping to entice the others too? Let’s recap for just a moment: Why was Rachel trying to gain entrance into a kinky club? Where does Brian fit in? Why was he so friendly with Gino?
The investigation revealed that there were many others involved including a murder in San Francisco that links with the ones Matt was dealing with. Even more the owner of the Party Favorites, Fantasy Films where the DVD’s originated and his wife was a member of the Yacht club even more she had not idea about these businesses or her husband’s sexual preferences. The plot thickens, the suspects add up and the clues are all scattered but the murders all the same. But, when the detectives approach Helen, whose ex-husband owned all of the above another piece of the puzzle is revealed about the location of the Bondage Murders. But, Helen decides a little afternoon diversion for the ladies might be fun who better than to serve it up: Michael Harrington!
When the pieces finally fit into place and the players are all together just who the killer is will definitely surprise the reader and the reasons behind the murders too. Who lives? Who else falls prey to our killer you won’t believe as Matt and Angelle race the clock to save not only Megan but also the others when the killer is revealed, their lives are in danger and one woman would never be the same. Author Mary Firmin allows the reader to take a first hand look at these S&M clubs, the history behind them is shared and the need to have a man in some women’s lives might just lead to more than just Deadly Pleasures. This is one book that will make you think twice before getting involved with a toy boy, going to these clubs and finding happiness in all the wrong places. Great novel. Great characters. Let’s hope they return to solve more murders.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
June 7, 2012
If you want a great ride, something exciting and fast paced, then this is the perfect book to read. Things heat up right away in the opening scene where a drugged-up prostitute, Sherrie, (red garter belt and lace) is having sex with her trick, George. George is a member of the Bayside Yacht Club where our protagonist, Megan Riley and her three rich girlfriends hang out. Between grunts, groans and lots of sweat, George studies a framed photograph of Sherrie with her close friend, another prostitute named Allison, who was brutally murdered six months prior. George dies in ecstasy having an orgasm with Sherrie and the women of the Yacht Club are about to be pulled into a murder mystery.
As prostitutes continue to turn up dead, things ramp up even more and the Yacht Club ladies, as an antidote to their cheating husbands and boring lifestyle, hire a boy-toy. Megan, a struggling real estate agent and recovering alcoholic, is a breath of fresh air in the group and goes along only because of their friendship. There is a taste of reality TV in the superficiality, the cattiness, the whining. I could picture all of the women, except Megan, on "The Housewives of Orange County!" The boy-toy thing was amusing and a gutsy turn on the double standard. The plot thickens when their boy-toy turn out to be suspected as the killer.
Enter Matt Donovan an LAPD detective, widower and all-around good guy who is determined to find the horrific murderer...(victims are mutilated, their right breasts cut off) Megan and Matt are soon an item. The ride continues...on and off yachts, into the world of sadomasochism - scenes all vividly described and well rendered, very real. I admit I did learn something here. There was one "club" that was located in a house on top of a hill and people had to take a tram and have a password to get in. It was a party like I've never seen and reminded me of that Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman movie, "Eyes Wide Shut."
The story never loses it's roller-coaster pace and there is a thrilling scene in the end set on one of the yachts that left me on the edge of my seat. The ending was my favorite part of the book. All of the loose ends came together and all of the scenes paid off in a satisfying way. So, take your e-reader on the plane or grab your towel and hit the beach. Let "Deadly Pleasures" engage and entertain you in a really fun way!
As prostitutes continue to turn up dead, things ramp up even more and the Yacht Club ladies, as an antidote to their cheating husbands and boring lifestyle, hire a boy-toy. Megan, a struggling real estate agent and recovering alcoholic, is a breath of fresh air in the group and goes along only because of their friendship. There is a taste of reality TV in the superficiality, the cattiness, the whining. I could picture all of the women, except Megan, on "The Housewives of Orange County!" The boy-toy thing was amusing and a gutsy turn on the double standard. The plot thickens when their boy-toy turn out to be suspected as the killer.
Enter Matt Donovan an LAPD detective, widower and all-around good guy who is determined to find the horrific murderer...(victims are mutilated, their right breasts cut off) Megan and Matt are soon an item. The ride continues...on and off yachts, into the world of sadomasochism - scenes all vividly described and well rendered, very real. I admit I did learn something here. There was one "club" that was located in a house on top of a hill and people had to take a tram and have a password to get in. It was a party like I've never seen and reminded me of that Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman movie, "Eyes Wide Shut."
The story never loses it's roller-coaster pace and there is a thrilling scene in the end set on one of the yachts that left me on the edge of my seat. The ending was my favorite part of the book. All of the loose ends came together and all of the scenes paid off in a satisfying way. So, take your e-reader on the plane or grab your towel and hit the beach. Let "Deadly Pleasures" engage and entertain you in a really fun way!
April 29, 2012
Deadly Pleasures by Mary Firman
NOTE: Iconsider it my personal crusade to find reasonably priced ($.99-$2.99) exciting Indie mystery/suspense on Kindle/Amazon. Here's another winner for only $.99
While Megan Riley struggles to keep her real estate career afloat in a down economy, her rich and beautiful women friends live life to the hilt. But as Megan watches her friends lives unravel with philandering husbands and financial problems of their own, she realizes that her lonely life may not be so bad after all.
Enter Matt Donovan, LAPD homicide detective, and his investigation into the brutal and sadistic murders of young hookers. Though there's an instant attraction between Matt and Megan, I liked the slow and sexy way the author took to bring these two people together. I also liked that Megan, though lonely, doesn't fall into the trap that her desperate-for-love women friends do when they consider hiring a "boy-toy."
The police procedural for this suspense novel is top-notch with Matt and his team of two other investigators. That they all have to work through all the sordid underground S&M clubs of LA to uncover an insane serial killer was really interesting and very well done. I was also fascinated by the juxtaposition between the wealthy yacht club crowd and what appears to be a completely unrelated world… that of an S&M serial killer of young prostitutes. That these two incredibly divergent worlds should be connected is what makes this book a winner for me.
Though the subject of the story seems lurid and frightening, the author paces every scene so that the suspense is ramped up and up until the last exciting scenes where the serial killer is brought to justice and lovers find each other.
Highly recommended read!
RP Dahlke: Amazon/Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/6hdg3bf
A Dead Red Cadillac
A Dead Red Heart
(coming 2012) A Dead Red Oleander
A Dangerous Harbor (A mermaid, a bald parrot and the love of her life, all in A Dangerous harbor)
NOTE: Iconsider it my personal crusade to find reasonably priced ($.99-$2.99) exciting Indie mystery/suspense on Kindle/Amazon. Here's another winner for only $.99
While Megan Riley struggles to keep her real estate career afloat in a down economy, her rich and beautiful women friends live life to the hilt. But as Megan watches her friends lives unravel with philandering husbands and financial problems of their own, she realizes that her lonely life may not be so bad after all.
Enter Matt Donovan, LAPD homicide detective, and his investigation into the brutal and sadistic murders of young hookers. Though there's an instant attraction between Matt and Megan, I liked the slow and sexy way the author took to bring these two people together. I also liked that Megan, though lonely, doesn't fall into the trap that her desperate-for-love women friends do when they consider hiring a "boy-toy."
The police procedural for this suspense novel is top-notch with Matt and his team of two other investigators. That they all have to work through all the sordid underground S&M clubs of LA to uncover an insane serial killer was really interesting and very well done. I was also fascinated by the juxtaposition between the wealthy yacht club crowd and what appears to be a completely unrelated world… that of an S&M serial killer of young prostitutes. That these two incredibly divergent worlds should be connected is what makes this book a winner for me.
Though the subject of the story seems lurid and frightening, the author paces every scene so that the suspense is ramped up and up until the last exciting scenes where the serial killer is brought to justice and lovers find each other.
Highly recommended read!
RP Dahlke: Amazon/Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/6hdg3bf
A Dead Red Cadillac
A Dead Red Heart
(coming 2012) A Dead Red Oleander
A Dangerous Harbor (A mermaid, a bald parrot and the love of her life, all in A Dangerous harbor)
April 11, 2012
Don't judge this book by the cover. I am a cover freak too and I know its not the book you will pick up, when you see the cover. But, this book is such an exception I am glad I agreed to review it.
The novel starts with a murder of a man, when he is in bed with a hooker. Well, for a murder mystery, that's a great start. Soon, there are a series of murders, and the handsome LAPD detective, Matt Donovan, takes on the case.
When this is happening, four friends - Megan, Kathleen, Rachel and Alex - who all are facing some difficult situations in their lives right now, plan to hire a boytoy, to forget their problems. That boytoy is, unfortunately, the prime suspect of the murders, that Matt is investigating. And Matt Donovan is attracted towards Megan, who had recently broken up with her fiancee. Will the next murder be one of these four friends?
This book was so surprisingly good..yeah, its adult-only, but still its good. I can see that the sex and violence is because the plot needs it, not because the readers need it. The writing is very good and that is what, I think, makes this book successful. The small talk, that happens between the four friends, were so realistic, that I was so immersed in those conversations. Even the conversation in other places, the difficulties in relationships and problems in a beautifully built family are also too realistic..nothing dramatic or for the sake of attracting readers. Its like viewing a well-made documentary.
The romance and suspense are so hand in hand, and the real surprise is you are equally interested in both.
Go for it, readers! You will have a thrilling blast!
Warning: Involves S&M sex, violence of the highest variety! So, adults-only book!
4.5 stars! (0.5 knocked off for the cover issue! :) )
The novel starts with a murder of a man, when he is in bed with a hooker. Well, for a murder mystery, that's a great start. Soon, there are a series of murders, and the handsome LAPD detective, Matt Donovan, takes on the case.
When this is happening, four friends - Megan, Kathleen, Rachel and Alex - who all are facing some difficult situations in their lives right now, plan to hire a boytoy, to forget their problems. That boytoy is, unfortunately, the prime suspect of the murders, that Matt is investigating. And Matt Donovan is attracted towards Megan, who had recently broken up with her fiancee. Will the next murder be one of these four friends?
This book was so surprisingly good..yeah, its adult-only, but still its good. I can see that the sex and violence is because the plot needs it, not because the readers need it. The writing is very good and that is what, I think, makes this book successful. The small talk, that happens between the four friends, were so realistic, that I was so immersed in those conversations. Even the conversation in other places, the difficulties in relationships and problems in a beautifully built family are also too realistic..nothing dramatic or for the sake of attracting readers. Its like viewing a well-made documentary.
The romance and suspense are so hand in hand, and the real surprise is you are equally interested in both.
Go for it, readers! You will have a thrilling blast!
Warning: Involves S&M sex, violence of the highest variety! So, adults-only book!
4.5 stars! (0.5 knocked off for the cover issue! :) )
April 15, 2012
Deadly Pleasures is a murder-suspense thriller written by Mary Firmin. I received this book from the author as a free read for an honest review.
Short Synopsis:
This story centers on a circle of women at the Bayside Yacht Club, most notably, Megan Riley and her group of friends, Kathleen, Alex and Rachel. Megan, a struggling real estate agent who’s trying to overcome recent economic struggles, is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict who is also moving on from a recent break up with her addict fiancé, Brian. She’s had it with relationship woes as well as her circle of female friends who have each found themselves in the midst of philandering husbands, each who have become questionable in a grisly string of S&M murders. The wives each have their share of life problems and they center around their significant others. So they decide to be like the cheating men in their lives and hire a share-time boy-toy.
Detective Matt Donavon is investigating the murders and each time a new clue presents itself, he’s lead back to the Bayside Yacht Club, the yuppie rich and the roving Michael Herrington, who’s just popped to the top of the suspect list and has also accepted the wives boy-toy offer.
But in the mist of all this debauchery, Megan finds herself in the middle of a sadistic sexual murder mystery, a hot detective that has her reconsidering her no-men policy, and a group of friends who are determined to have a little fun of their own.
Review:
I really enjoyed this book! So much so, that I read it all in one sitting. I love spending my Saturdays enjoying a great book in the silence of my library and this book definitely kept me seated throughout the day. I enjoyed the full cast of characters. Megan was a wonderful heroine and I respected her bravery. The camaraderie between Megan and her female leads was fun and refreshing to read. I loved the interaction and devotion they display towards one another. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, especially as they were trying to find the “right boy-toy”. The gym scene alone was hilarious and one I’ll not soon forget. The dialogue between the friends was superbly written and realistic. The mystery behind the murders was well done and left you guessing throughout most of the book. The writing was cleaver and flowed well. I was impressed with the knowledge and research it must have taken to get the facts for this story. Crime scene procedures can be daunting to read with the author getting to bogged down in the inner workings but Firmin does this surprisingly well. (J.D. Robb would be proud!) This book was written with the novice in mind. The topic of BDSM is prominent in the murder mystery but it’s done in such a way as to not offend any reader. Its mild in description and anyone would feel comfortable with the topic. And the ending… well, fantastic is the one word I can use to describe this remarkable book. This was just a wonderful read and one I’ll definitely be adding to my favorites list!
I'd like to send out a huge Thank You to Mary Firmin for the opportunity to read and review this terrific book! It was brilliant!
Short Synopsis:
This story centers on a circle of women at the Bayside Yacht Club, most notably, Megan Riley and her group of friends, Kathleen, Alex and Rachel. Megan, a struggling real estate agent who’s trying to overcome recent economic struggles, is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict who is also moving on from a recent break up with her addict fiancé, Brian. She’s had it with relationship woes as well as her circle of female friends who have each found themselves in the midst of philandering husbands, each who have become questionable in a grisly string of S&M murders. The wives each have their share of life problems and they center around their significant others. So they decide to be like the cheating men in their lives and hire a share-time boy-toy.
Detective Matt Donavon is investigating the murders and each time a new clue presents itself, he’s lead back to the Bayside Yacht Club, the yuppie rich and the roving Michael Herrington, who’s just popped to the top of the suspect list and has also accepted the wives boy-toy offer.
But in the mist of all this debauchery, Megan finds herself in the middle of a sadistic sexual murder mystery, a hot detective that has her reconsidering her no-men policy, and a group of friends who are determined to have a little fun of their own.
Review:
I really enjoyed this book! So much so, that I read it all in one sitting. I love spending my Saturdays enjoying a great book in the silence of my library and this book definitely kept me seated throughout the day. I enjoyed the full cast of characters. Megan was a wonderful heroine and I respected her bravery. The camaraderie between Megan and her female leads was fun and refreshing to read. I loved the interaction and devotion they display towards one another. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, especially as they were trying to find the “right boy-toy”. The gym scene alone was hilarious and one I’ll not soon forget. The dialogue between the friends was superbly written and realistic. The mystery behind the murders was well done and left you guessing throughout most of the book. The writing was cleaver and flowed well. I was impressed with the knowledge and research it must have taken to get the facts for this story. Crime scene procedures can be daunting to read with the author getting to bogged down in the inner workings but Firmin does this surprisingly well. (J.D. Robb would be proud!) This book was written with the novice in mind. The topic of BDSM is prominent in the murder mystery but it’s done in such a way as to not offend any reader. Its mild in description and anyone would feel comfortable with the topic. And the ending… well, fantastic is the one word I can use to describe this remarkable book. This was just a wonderful read and one I’ll definitely be adding to my favorites list!
I'd like to send out a huge Thank You to Mary Firmin for the opportunity to read and review this terrific book! It was brilliant!
April 15, 2012
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.
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.
January 21, 2012
This is Mary Firmin's debut novel, and I must say I can't wait to read the next one! It had all the elements of a great murder mystery, it kept me guessing till the very end who the real killer was and I loved it!
Megan Riley's life is a bit of turmoil as she is trying to stay sober, her ex-fiance won't leave her alone, and now woman are being murdered and it hits close to home. Now she gets to add to everything the fact that her friends want to timeshare a man for fun, they figure that men do it all the time so why not them. Megan wasn't real sure that she wanted to but after meeting the handsome detective she really doesn't want to go through with it. Megan is a really strong character, very gutsy and I really liked her. I love strong female characters, especially when there is danger involved. I hate it when they run away screaming, but Megan she was a fighter.
Detective Matt Donovan is just one of those male characters that you take an instant liking too. He is handsome, kind and very determined to find out who is behind the murders. When he meets Megan he can't seem to get her out of his head but he doesn't think he has a chance with a high society lady. Not only does he have to try and solve the bondage murder case but he has to figure out if he can trust Megan or not since a lot of things keep happening to make him wonder about her.
Mary Firmin, does a great job of writing a face-paced murder mystery that makes me think it could be a Desperate House wives episode, even though I have never watched that show. :) I really thought I knew whodonit right up until the end then it was sort of like OH MY! I think I figured it out the same time the detective did! It was great! I love it when I am kept guessing till the end.
Don't let the cover put you off if you are thinking it is some sort of steamy sexy romance novel because it isn't. I actually thought it would be steamy but instead it was light on romance and heavy on mystery and I think it was wrote well enough that even both genders could enjoy it.
Megan Riley's life is a bit of turmoil as she is trying to stay sober, her ex-fiance won't leave her alone, and now woman are being murdered and it hits close to home. Now she gets to add to everything the fact that her friends want to timeshare a man for fun, they figure that men do it all the time so why not them. Megan wasn't real sure that she wanted to but after meeting the handsome detective she really doesn't want to go through with it. Megan is a really strong character, very gutsy and I really liked her. I love strong female characters, especially when there is danger involved. I hate it when they run away screaming, but Megan she was a fighter.
Detective Matt Donovan is just one of those male characters that you take an instant liking too. He is handsome, kind and very determined to find out who is behind the murders. When he meets Megan he can't seem to get her out of his head but he doesn't think he has a chance with a high society lady. Not only does he have to try and solve the bondage murder case but he has to figure out if he can trust Megan or not since a lot of things keep happening to make him wonder about her.
Mary Firmin, does a great job of writing a face-paced murder mystery that makes me think it could be a Desperate House wives episode, even though I have never watched that show. :) I really thought I knew whodonit right up until the end then it was sort of like OH MY! I think I figured it out the same time the detective did! It was great! I love it when I am kept guessing till the end.
Don't let the cover put you off if you are thinking it is some sort of steamy sexy romance novel because it isn't. I actually thought it would be steamy but instead it was light on romance and heavy on mystery and I think it was wrote well enough that even both genders could enjoy it.
July 23, 2014
In Deathly Pleasures, you are invited to explore a culture where the darker a pleasure is—the more delight is to be found in it. Witness the collusion between the seemingly stable world of wealthy yacht club members, and the gritty, risqué world of BDSM clubs. Of the many characters, who is the Bondage Murderer, and which of the two worlds does he—or she—come from?
The author, Mary Firmin, aims for a fun, action filled delivery that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Her female protagonist, Megan Riley (a struggling real estate agent) is a woman who learns to find her strength. She takes risks, which makes her a dynamic character, and no less intense than the male protagonist, Matt Donovan (an LAPD detective.) Many of the reviews have given a plot summary already. Instead, I will focus on the writing.
The story is crafted, for the most part, in brisk utterances, short paragraphs. Leading up to the cinematic climax, Megan has to compose herself, and figure out her surroundings. “Then it all came back. She was on the Grants’ yacht. She was in the hallway. She’s been attacked from behind. She was hit on the head, over and over… Whoever it was had done a real number.”
The author punctuates her story, ever so cleverly, with clues, some of which are red herring, for the fun of keeping you guessing until the last twist of the plot. When she does offer descriptions, they are crafted with economy, and reflect her many days of sailing up and down the California Coastline: “Sliver-lined clouds hovered above the island, hiding the moon. From where she stood, Megan could see the anchor lights of the boats repeat themselves in the blackness of the water and glimmer like reflected stars.”
Five Stars.
The author, Mary Firmin, aims for a fun, action filled delivery that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Her female protagonist, Megan Riley (a struggling real estate agent) is a woman who learns to find her strength. She takes risks, which makes her a dynamic character, and no less intense than the male protagonist, Matt Donovan (an LAPD detective.) Many of the reviews have given a plot summary already. Instead, I will focus on the writing.
The story is crafted, for the most part, in brisk utterances, short paragraphs. Leading up to the cinematic climax, Megan has to compose herself, and figure out her surroundings. “Then it all came back. She was on the Grants’ yacht. She was in the hallway. She’s been attacked from behind. She was hit on the head, over and over… Whoever it was had done a real number.”
The author punctuates her story, ever so cleverly, with clues, some of which are red herring, for the fun of keeping you guessing until the last twist of the plot. When she does offer descriptions, they are crafted with economy, and reflect her many days of sailing up and down the California Coastline: “Sliver-lined clouds hovered above the island, hiding the moon. From where she stood, Megan could see the anchor lights of the boats repeat themselves in the blackness of the water and glimmer like reflected stars.”
Five Stars.
June 1, 2012
This book has all the components of a murder/mystery that will keep you glued to every page. It contains elements of love, sadomasochism, betrayal, suspense and murder. The entire cast of characters is interesting and each adds their own flavor to the story. The writing is seamless and the action non-stop.
Megan Riley is a divorced woman who is struggling on many levels to get her life in order. She is a great character who is strong, thoughtful and a loyal and compassionate friend. She is a member of the Bayside Yacht Club along with her circle of friends.
Detective Matt Donovan is a widower and a devoted father to his daughter. He is passionate about solving the murder case and all leads point to the Bayside Yacht Club.
Mary Firmin has made the characters come to life and the banter among the women is thoughtful yet has a degree of humor as well. Her characters all come to life as the story progresses and the tension and mystery succeed in holding you captive. The story is extremely well written and the suspense keeps building to an ending that is totally unexpected.
I found the wealthy yacht club members and the dangerous and decadent world of the S&M clubs that are connected with the murders to be a curious and disturbing part of the story. These two worlds meet and are so contradictory that it lends to the success of this complex mystery.
I recommend this book to all readers for its intensity and engrossing storyline, this is a book that will keep you speculating until the final page is read.
Megan Riley is a divorced woman who is struggling on many levels to get her life in order. She is a great character who is strong, thoughtful and a loyal and compassionate friend. She is a member of the Bayside Yacht Club along with her circle of friends.
Detective Matt Donovan is a widower and a devoted father to his daughter. He is passionate about solving the murder case and all leads point to the Bayside Yacht Club.
Mary Firmin has made the characters come to life and the banter among the women is thoughtful yet has a degree of humor as well. Her characters all come to life as the story progresses and the tension and mystery succeed in holding you captive. The story is extremely well written and the suspense keeps building to an ending that is totally unexpected.
I found the wealthy yacht club members and the dangerous and decadent world of the S&M clubs that are connected with the murders to be a curious and disturbing part of the story. These two worlds meet and are so contradictory that it lends to the success of this complex mystery.
I recommend this book to all readers for its intensity and engrossing storyline, this is a book that will keep you speculating until the final page is read.
April 9, 2012
Mary Firmin debut novel is fantastic, the character development, plot and her writing draws you in and doesn’t let you go till you reach the end. This is a great murder, mystery and romance novel and was so well written you don’t want to put it down. I for one will be keeping my eye on anything Mary Firmin writes.
Megan Riley, the main character is struggling, she has addictions problems, struggling at work due to the bad economy and worse she has just ended her relationship. Her girlfriends who are bored wealthy women are sick of their cheating husbands and decide to take matters in their own hands and hire a stripper named Michael Harrington to service their many needs. Mean while women are being murdered and Detective Matt Donovan is on the case. When Megan and Matt’s paths cross during the investigation you instantly feel the chemistry between these two.
This story is a fantastic read, you have murder, mystery and romance, and you get a glimpse into the darker side of things, blackmail, escort services, the bdsm lifestyle. Mary Firmin’s writing is excellent, easy to follow and she throws a twist here and there just to throw the readers off. I have rated this Deadly Pleasure’s 4 starts and cannot wait to read more of Mary’s work.
I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a great murder/mystery novels.
Megan Riley, the main character is struggling, she has addictions problems, struggling at work due to the bad economy and worse she has just ended her relationship. Her girlfriends who are bored wealthy women are sick of their cheating husbands and decide to take matters in their own hands and hire a stripper named Michael Harrington to service their many needs. Mean while women are being murdered and Detective Matt Donovan is on the case. When Megan and Matt’s paths cross during the investigation you instantly feel the chemistry between these two.
This story is a fantastic read, you have murder, mystery and romance, and you get a glimpse into the darker side of things, blackmail, escort services, the bdsm lifestyle. Mary Firmin’s writing is excellent, easy to follow and she throws a twist here and there just to throw the readers off. I have rated this Deadly Pleasure’s 4 starts and cannot wait to read more of Mary’s work.
I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a great murder/mystery novels.
February 14, 2012
Check out this review from author Doris Pamett!
"Mary Firmin’s titillating debut thriller Deadly Pleasures keeps the reader engrossed from start to finish. The author must have asked herself, “Why should men have all the fun? Why shouldn’t women enjoy the services of a boy toy?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Firmin’s deftly plotted mystery tosses real-estate agent Megan Riley into a world populated with a serial killer, bondage clubs, a skunk of a former boyfriend, a handsome hunk detective, while keeping up with her three rich female friends at a local yacht club. After these intrepid females hire a gorgeous boy toy, dead bodies appear with frightening regularity. Twists and turns sneak up on the reader. All signs point to involvement in sexual bondage. What do the women really know about the boy toy? What’s Megan’s role in helping the detective?
Deadly Pleasures doesn’t rely on gimmicks. Firmin writes with authority. Fully developed characters keep the story moving. While the setting is a yacht club for the wealthy, readers can relate to their universal problems. This reviewer hopes Mary Firmin gives us a follow-up book soon.
Reviewed by Doris Parmett, National Best-selling author of Lies, Risk, and 11 other novels."
"Mary Firmin’s titillating debut thriller Deadly Pleasures keeps the reader engrossed from start to finish. The author must have asked herself, “Why should men have all the fun? Why shouldn’t women enjoy the services of a boy toy?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Firmin’s deftly plotted mystery tosses real-estate agent Megan Riley into a world populated with a serial killer, bondage clubs, a skunk of a former boyfriend, a handsome hunk detective, while keeping up with her three rich female friends at a local yacht club. After these intrepid females hire a gorgeous boy toy, dead bodies appear with frightening regularity. Twists and turns sneak up on the reader. All signs point to involvement in sexual bondage. What do the women really know about the boy toy? What’s Megan’s role in helping the detective?
Deadly Pleasures doesn’t rely on gimmicks. Firmin writes with authority. Fully developed characters keep the story moving. While the setting is a yacht club for the wealthy, readers can relate to their universal problems. This reviewer hopes Mary Firmin gives us a follow-up book soon.
Reviewed by Doris Parmett, National Best-selling author of Lies, Risk, and 11 other novels."
March 23, 2012
Mary Firmin is one of Lightning Book Promotion's clients and I would love for you to see what some people have been saying about her novel!
"Firmin writes more like a seasoned storyteller than a debut novelist,...Deadly Pleasures is recommended for readers who like to be both titillated and entertained. Ones certainly hopes that the author, an iUniverse Rising Star, has more naughty novels up her sleeves." Jill Allen, Clarion Reviews. (Five star review)
"Firmin's first novel is a first-rate murder mystery...swiftly paced tale of lust, seduction, duplicity and horror, Firmin's debut easily keeps the pages turning." Kirkus Reviews
"Sex and the City meets James Patterson in this tale of friendship that's peppered with enough thriller action to make Deadly Pleasures a solid guilty pleasure." Blueink Reviews
"There is a nice balance between romance and mystery making this a great read. I always enjoy a good mystery and I am looking forward to more of Firmin's books as this is one of the best mysteries I have read!" -Kristie from Readers Favorite
"Firmin writes more like a seasoned storyteller than a debut novelist,...Deadly Pleasures is recommended for readers who like to be both titillated and entertained. Ones certainly hopes that the author, an iUniverse Rising Star, has more naughty novels up her sleeves." Jill Allen, Clarion Reviews. (Five star review)
"Firmin's first novel is a first-rate murder mystery...swiftly paced tale of lust, seduction, duplicity and horror, Firmin's debut easily keeps the pages turning." Kirkus Reviews
"Sex and the City meets James Patterson in this tale of friendship that's peppered with enough thriller action to make Deadly Pleasures a solid guilty pleasure." Blueink Reviews
"There is a nice balance between romance and mystery making this a great read. I always enjoy a good mystery and I am looking forward to more of Firmin's books as this is one of the best mysteries I have read!" -Kristie from Readers Favorite
April 9, 2012
Well you know the saying hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Well try 4 of those with lots of money. They could do some serious damage. Instead they come up with a plan to have a little fun with a stripper. I like the way it was phrased, timeshare boy-toy, because they do indeed take turns with this young hunk. Until the bomb is dropped and they find out her is the leading suspect in a string of murders investigation. But is it really that cut and dry? Did you ever know a good book that was?
The book in itself was catchy, and kept you drawn in on what was going on. The characters, while I think they may have been accurately portrayed, kind of get on your nerves. They have more money than actual common sense. But that adds to the story. Especially when the hunky detective struts in. I really enjoyed the book and recommend it for anyone who is really into the more unusual murder/mystery books. Because this novel takes you into some weird places!!! I would love to read the second book that is due out
The book in itself was catchy, and kept you drawn in on what was going on. The characters, while I think they may have been accurately portrayed, kind of get on your nerves. They have more money than actual common sense. But that adds to the story. Especially when the hunky detective struts in. I really enjoyed the book and recommend it for anyone who is really into the more unusual murder/mystery books. Because this novel takes you into some weird places!!! I would love to read the second book that is due out
May 13, 2014
Normally I'd pass on a murder mystery, but I'm glad to have read this latest from Mary Firmin. The story moved at a good pace. I especially enjoyed following Matt and Joe as they investigated multiple (and grisly) murders. There are several women characters, with varied personalities and all could be your friend or acquaintance. Yes they have flaws--don't we all? The scenes were set very well and the dialog was gritty and realistic--I felt like a invisible spectator watching from the corner.
Although the cover would not have attracted my attention to the book, please do look beyond the cover if you enjoy this genre. The sexual content is there, but it is tasteful and subdued--not the main plot element, only a minor detail. And quite honestly, it is a necessary detail to make the plot real and believable.
Mary Firmin is a gifted writer. I picked up on this right away and was enthralled by her character descriptions as much as the plot itself. Exceptionally well written and edited, this is not the usual Indie-published book. No reservations, this is a damned fine mystery!
Although the cover would not have attracted my attention to the book, please do look beyond the cover if you enjoy this genre. The sexual content is there, but it is tasteful and subdued--not the main plot element, only a minor detail. And quite honestly, it is a necessary detail to make the plot real and believable.
Mary Firmin is a gifted writer. I picked up on this right away and was enthralled by her character descriptions as much as the plot itself. Exceptionally well written and edited, this is not the usual Indie-published book. No reservations, this is a damned fine mystery!
April 30, 2012
This story starts with a very sexy scene and I thought that this was a different genre (read: erotic). In the very next moment I was in another "Sex and the City" story. Four girlfriends talking about their marriage problems, unsatisfied with their sex life, hire a stripper as a boytoy. And after that, murder and a possible serial killer.
What a twist!
The murder part, according to me, was the best. I had some doubts at the beginning, but reading on and on, somehow I was into the story. The murder scenes were well described, the suspects were unpredictable.
Who is the real killer and why is he killing? Who will be the next victim?
The characters were well plotted, especially the main ones, Megan and Matt. Two people with scars in their souls from the past.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. A mix of "Sex And The City" and a perfect crime. Oh, there is no perfect crime. And of course, love sparks are in the air.A story with many twists and turnovers.
What a twist!
The murder part, according to me, was the best. I had some doubts at the beginning, but reading on and on, somehow I was into the story. The murder scenes were well described, the suspects were unpredictable.
Who is the real killer and why is he killing? Who will be the next victim?
The characters were well plotted, especially the main ones, Megan and Matt. Two people with scars in their souls from the past.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. A mix of "Sex And The City" and a perfect crime. Oh, there is no perfect crime. And of course, love sparks are in the air.A story with many twists and turnovers.
July 1, 2013
Megan Riley and each of her three best friends have a genuine reason for being dissatisfied with their love life. When they hire hunky male stripper, Michael Harrington to be their 'toy boy', they throw caution to the wind and disregard the fact that they don't know anything about him.
A very bad idea, says Matt Donovan, the handsome detective investigating the series of horrific murders and mutilations that have recently plagued the area, targeting the local yacht club, and appear to be linked to bondage parlors and private sex clubs.
Michael Harrington is the primary suspect and any of the four friends could be next on his list. But is he really the killer? The author keeps you guessing almost to the last page.
If you like a fast-paced mystery-thriller, this book should be on on your shopping list.
A very bad idea, says Matt Donovan, the handsome detective investigating the series of horrific murders and mutilations that have recently plagued the area, targeting the local yacht club, and appear to be linked to bondage parlors and private sex clubs.
Michael Harrington is the primary suspect and any of the four friends could be next on his list. But is he really the killer? The author keeps you guessing almost to the last page.
If you like a fast-paced mystery-thriller, this book should be on on your shopping list.
May 1, 2012
This was a great story, suspenseful as well as romantic. It follows four women, and what happens around them which is lot. It's mostly wirtten in Megan and Detective DOnovan's point of view.
Women are dropping dead, murder by someone who enjoys causing other pain by torturing them. All evidence points to a certain members of a club. The plot thickens, making it hard for the detective to find the truth.
The story weaves in what is happening in the four women'S lives.
I enjoyed how Ms Firmin worked the story. There were key suspects, but were eliminated one by one until the mysterious killer was shown at the end. The two main characters were beliveable and likeable.
Recommended for fans who enjoy suspense stories, with a dash of romance.
Women are dropping dead, murder by someone who enjoys causing other pain by torturing them. All evidence points to a certain members of a club. The plot thickens, making it hard for the detective to find the truth.
The story weaves in what is happening in the four women'S lives.
I enjoyed how Ms Firmin worked the story. There were key suspects, but were eliminated one by one until the mysterious killer was shown at the end. The two main characters were beliveable and likeable.
Recommended for fans who enjoy suspense stories, with a dash of romance.
August 30, 2013
Mary Firmin takes the reader on a wild ride of intrigue, passion, lust and murder. This murder mystery keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the surprise ending. I was drawn in from the first page. The inequality of women are not allowed to have "something on the side", in contrast to men is explored with delightful insight and intrigue. Would I recommend this to others? Definitely, with rave reviews. Firmin demonstrates her talent as an author with masterful crafting of characters and plot development that takes the reader through many twists and turns. Keep an eye on Mary Firmin; she's a winner!!
July 1, 2012
Mary has a way with words that make you feel you have become one of her characters.
Her plot is a maze of intrigues that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
A great read. My husband saw it when it arrived and snatched it before I even had a chance! We both enjoyed this fabulously adventurous book.
Her plot is a maze of intrigues that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
A great read. My husband saw it when it arrived and snatched it before I even had a chance! We both enjoyed this fabulously adventurous book.
April 26, 2012
Disclaimer: I was very hesitant about reading Deadly Pleasures. The title and cover are a little deceiving – I was concerned because I thought it would have tons of sex in it but was told not to worry about it by a friend. She was right, there is one sex scene and truthfully, the YA books I have read are much more detailed than the short non-descript scene Deadly Pleasures has. However, there is sexual talk and descriptive crime scenes that I had a hard time with. I also discovered how naive I am.
Deadly Pleasures is my first adventure in the literary world of Murder Mystery. It starts out with a group of women that are fed up and discouraged by cheating husbands and the different standards for the two genders. They wonder why it seems ok for men to have a little something on the side but women can’t?
When one of the men in this rich circle of friends dies in a very socially awkward way the group of yacht club yuppies are dragged into the middle of a crazy serial killer mystery. Megan is terrified of the murders that seem to be happening close to her home. Through a little detective work she discovers that her group of friends has secrets that she wishes she hadn’t discovered.
The good: Matt Donavon is a rare gem. This character kept me glued to the second half of the book. Megan and Matt’s relationship is the real meat and potatoes of the story. For me Mary Firmin’s writing flows smoothly when these two are together, you cannot help but love these characters and the sincerity they both have.
The Bad: I hated the women, I hated the cat calling, cougar – we give women a bad name – if you pay somebody enough they’ll do you want women. There were too many of them. I really could not keep track of them all or the spouses or who was divorced who slept with whom. I honestly couldn’t figure out how someone like Megan was friends with them, she seemed like the only semi wholesome gal of the group.
The Ugly: Monsters. By looking at my blog design you can tell I like them. But Deadly pleasures had monsters of a different sort in it. Real ones, monsters that exist in our world and make me want to carry a weapon with me at all times. I’m glad that the monster in Deadly Pleasure was one that had a specific type of prey – my complete opposite – or I would have been sleeping with the lights on.
Who would I recommend Deadly Pleasures to? People that love crime, murder mysteries and drama. Deadly Pleasures actually reminded me a lot of a soap opera, a hot mess that you can’t help but get sucked into.
My rating: I remember looking at my kindle and thinking “Oh my goodness I’m only 37% done? I cannot force myself to finish this book.” But it came as a recommendation from someone that I trust and she loved it so I carried on. The reason I had a hard time was because I could not relate to the characters at all. There were to many of them a group of five friends and five cheating dirt bag men that had no humanity. The story also seemed to jump around and I had a hard time keeping track of who was narrating. For the first half of the book I would give Deadly Pleasures a 3 skull review.
For the second half of Deadly Pleasures I would give it a 4 skull rating. It’s intense, the narration is strictly from Megan and Matt and easy to follow. As I said before I think this is where Mary Firmin’s writing truly shines. The second half of the book is mysterious and has a shocking ending.
So I give Deadly Pleasures 3.5 Skulls. This means if you’re a fan of Murder Mystery you would really enjoy this book. If you are just trying out this genre, check it out from the library – like me you’ll be surprised at the ending. And that is always a treat!
Deadly Pleasures is my first adventure in the literary world of Murder Mystery. It starts out with a group of women that are fed up and discouraged by cheating husbands and the different standards for the two genders. They wonder why it seems ok for men to have a little something on the side but women can’t?
When one of the men in this rich circle of friends dies in a very socially awkward way the group of yacht club yuppies are dragged into the middle of a crazy serial killer mystery. Megan is terrified of the murders that seem to be happening close to her home. Through a little detective work she discovers that her group of friends has secrets that she wishes she hadn’t discovered.
The good: Matt Donavon is a rare gem. This character kept me glued to the second half of the book. Megan and Matt’s relationship is the real meat and potatoes of the story. For me Mary Firmin’s writing flows smoothly when these two are together, you cannot help but love these characters and the sincerity they both have.
The Bad: I hated the women, I hated the cat calling, cougar – we give women a bad name – if you pay somebody enough they’ll do you want women. There were too many of them. I really could not keep track of them all or the spouses or who was divorced who slept with whom. I honestly couldn’t figure out how someone like Megan was friends with them, she seemed like the only semi wholesome gal of the group.
The Ugly: Monsters. By looking at my blog design you can tell I like them. But Deadly pleasures had monsters of a different sort in it. Real ones, monsters that exist in our world and make me want to carry a weapon with me at all times. I’m glad that the monster in Deadly Pleasure was one that had a specific type of prey – my complete opposite – or I would have been sleeping with the lights on.
Who would I recommend Deadly Pleasures to? People that love crime, murder mysteries and drama. Deadly Pleasures actually reminded me a lot of a soap opera, a hot mess that you can’t help but get sucked into.
My rating: I remember looking at my kindle and thinking “Oh my goodness I’m only 37% done? I cannot force myself to finish this book.” But it came as a recommendation from someone that I trust and she loved it so I carried on. The reason I had a hard time was because I could not relate to the characters at all. There were to many of them a group of five friends and five cheating dirt bag men that had no humanity. The story also seemed to jump around and I had a hard time keeping track of who was narrating. For the first half of the book I would give Deadly Pleasures a 3 skull review.
For the second half of Deadly Pleasures I would give it a 4 skull rating. It’s intense, the narration is strictly from Megan and Matt and easy to follow. As I said before I think this is where Mary Firmin’s writing truly shines. The second half of the book is mysterious and has a shocking ending.
So I give Deadly Pleasures 3.5 Skulls. This means if you’re a fan of Murder Mystery you would really enjoy this book. If you are just trying out this genre, check it out from the library – like me you’ll be surprised at the ending. And that is always a treat!
August 15, 2013
Deadly Pleasures
Never judge a book by its cover. Not everything is what it appears to be. These are lessons we have all probably heard throughout the years, and they will serve you well when you read Mary Firmin’s murder mystery debut, Deadly Pleasures.
The first lesson is immediately apparent when you look at the cover for this novel. It leads the reader to believe they are about to read a novel filled with steamy sex scenes. That idea is fortified with the opening lines of the prologue, where we enter the bedroom of a prostitute entertaining a client. All thoughts of a steamy romance are pushed aside, however, when that client dies in the arms of the prostitute and we are led into a dark world of duplicity and murder.
Megan Riley, Alex Grant, Rachel Feinman and Kathleen Rosario seem to live privileged lives as members of The Bayside Yacht Club, but the author quickly pulls back the shiny veneer to reveal the private pain each woman faces in their daily lives. Megan, a recovering alcoholic, has recently broken off her engagement and is struggling to continue her successful real estate career in an unstable economy. Alex, married to a rich and successful businessman, is trying desperately to hold on to her looks. Rachel gave up a promising career for a husband who puts more effort into his work and extra-curricular activities than his marriage. Kathleen, recently divorced, is dealing with the pain of her husband’s rejection as he moves on with his new pregnant wife. When the idea of a time-share boy toy is brought up, they each consider it for different reasons, and the hunt begins. Their search leads them to a hunky stripper named Michael Harrington. What they don’t know as they embark upon this new journey is that their new boy toy is also a prime suspect in a murder investigation.
Matt Donovan is the lead investigator in the murder of two prostitutes and a member of The Bayside Yacht Club. When he arrives to question Alex’s husband, he finds Megan and her friends instead. Though he is instantly attracted to Megan, he is focused on catching the killer. He and his partners, Angelle and Joe, dive deeply into the underground world of S&M clubs in order to link the clues together. The deeper he goes, the more concerned he is for Megan’s welfare.
The beginning of the book, while fast-paced and intriguing, is a little confusing as the author uses multiple points-of-view to introduce us to a myriad of characters. Though the cast of characters quickly grows and some of them are stereotypical, most of them are full-bodied and complex. The author does an excellent job describing the setting, bringing the character’s world to life. Her experience with the yacht club lifestyle and the island of Catalina really shine through.
There were some inconsistencies that were distracting enough to grab my attention, but not so much that I couldn’t move past them. While the author is great at description, it was overwhelming at times. The background information about BDSM was dry, extensive and textbook in its presentation. I also found some of the detective work to be at odds with what I know of police procedures today. While I would have loved to see more interaction between Megan and Matt, the author did a great job keeping the storyline consistent and ended the story with a bang.
In the end, I found Deadly Pleasures to be a fast, entertaining murder mystery and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new author to read. I look forward to seeing more from Mary Firmin in the future.
Never judge a book by its cover. Not everything is what it appears to be. These are lessons we have all probably heard throughout the years, and they will serve you well when you read Mary Firmin’s murder mystery debut, Deadly Pleasures.
The first lesson is immediately apparent when you look at the cover for this novel. It leads the reader to believe they are about to read a novel filled with steamy sex scenes. That idea is fortified with the opening lines of the prologue, where we enter the bedroom of a prostitute entertaining a client. All thoughts of a steamy romance are pushed aside, however, when that client dies in the arms of the prostitute and we are led into a dark world of duplicity and murder.
Megan Riley, Alex Grant, Rachel Feinman and Kathleen Rosario seem to live privileged lives as members of The Bayside Yacht Club, but the author quickly pulls back the shiny veneer to reveal the private pain each woman faces in their daily lives. Megan, a recovering alcoholic, has recently broken off her engagement and is struggling to continue her successful real estate career in an unstable economy. Alex, married to a rich and successful businessman, is trying desperately to hold on to her looks. Rachel gave up a promising career for a husband who puts more effort into his work and extra-curricular activities than his marriage. Kathleen, recently divorced, is dealing with the pain of her husband’s rejection as he moves on with his new pregnant wife. When the idea of a time-share boy toy is brought up, they each consider it for different reasons, and the hunt begins. Their search leads them to a hunky stripper named Michael Harrington. What they don’t know as they embark upon this new journey is that their new boy toy is also a prime suspect in a murder investigation.
Matt Donovan is the lead investigator in the murder of two prostitutes and a member of The Bayside Yacht Club. When he arrives to question Alex’s husband, he finds Megan and her friends instead. Though he is instantly attracted to Megan, he is focused on catching the killer. He and his partners, Angelle and Joe, dive deeply into the underground world of S&M clubs in order to link the clues together. The deeper he goes, the more concerned he is for Megan’s welfare.
The beginning of the book, while fast-paced and intriguing, is a little confusing as the author uses multiple points-of-view to introduce us to a myriad of characters. Though the cast of characters quickly grows and some of them are stereotypical, most of them are full-bodied and complex. The author does an excellent job describing the setting, bringing the character’s world to life. Her experience with the yacht club lifestyle and the island of Catalina really shine through.
There were some inconsistencies that were distracting enough to grab my attention, but not so much that I couldn’t move past them. While the author is great at description, it was overwhelming at times. The background information about BDSM was dry, extensive and textbook in its presentation. I also found some of the detective work to be at odds with what I know of police procedures today. While I would have loved to see more interaction between Megan and Matt, the author did a great job keeping the storyline consistent and ended the story with a bang.
In the end, I found Deadly Pleasures to be a fast, entertaining murder mystery and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new author to read. I look forward to seeing more from Mary Firmin in the future.
July 14, 2012
Deadly Pleasures
By
Mary Firmin
Megan Riley is sunbathing with her friends on a ninety-foot yacht docked at The Bayside Yacht Club. The majestic boat belongs to Alexander’s husband, Charlie Grant. Rachel Feinman makes a remark that causes Megan to sit up in amazement. Alex just laughs, never dreaming she’s seriously suggesting that they rent a timeshare boytoy. Helen Jennings, club gossip, climbs aboard to tell them that one of their own, George Fisher, has died of a heart attack while with a hooker—under, to be more precise. This sends Rachel into hysterical laughing at the imagery of the ‘unhooking’. Katherine Rosario, arriving late, boards the ‘Ecstasea’ and scolds them for laughing. The four friends all have problems; Megan’s a recovering alcoholic, Katherine suffers over her divorce from her philandering husband, Gino. Rachel catches her screen writer husband cheating on her on their own boat, and Alex’s older husband is not what she wants in a man. A boytoy starts to sound like a plan.
Detective Matt Donavan, LAPD, drops by the yacht club to investigate the murder of Sherrie Weston, the hooker who was with George when he died. Megan’s drawn to his handsome dark Irish looks—blue eyes and curly dark hair. He doesn’t garner much info from the rich who tend to protect their own. Dr. Tom Wilson, Medical Examiner, calls him to another crime scene and informs him that the slain hooker, Sherrie Weston, has the same MO as The Bondage Murder of Allison Graham. Matt’s partner, Angelle Bentley, an exotic Haitian beauty, joins the discussion, surprising the men with her professionalism in the face of such raw carnage.
Matt and Angelle check out a gruesome bondage magazine with a name written on it—Michael Harrington. While interviewing Sherrie’s neighbor, old Mrs. Zuckerman, they learn that a young man had visited Sherrie the day before her murder. She has a package the UPS driver left with her for Sherrie; full of porn DVD’s she swears she never opened. Matt has no real leads in the case until he gets wind of a similar murder in San Francisco which looks to him like a ‘serial sexual sadist’. The sad facts that all three women were hookers keep their cases from drawing much attention.
After a hilarious afternoon at the Power Workout, sizing up muscular hunks as a potential boytoy, the four friends decide Michael Harrington is perfect for their needs. They are unaware that he is the main suspect in the Bondage Murders. Michael agrees to their plan and now it’s a matter of who goes first. Megan decides it’s too much money and tears up her check, but mostly because her mind drifts to Matt Donavan. Rachel goes first without telling the others and Kathleen, shy and timid goes next on a dare from the rest—resulting in amazing, certainly unexpected results.
Author, Mary Fimin brings her heavily-plotted action-packed story to a climatic close. This story is layered with plots within plots, keeping the reader mystified right up to the ending. This is a must-read for those who enjoy unusual suspense with even more unusual characters, who bring comic relief to bizarre situations. Firmin’s sense of the ironic and ridiculous make her book a winner.
Reviewer: Micki Peluso, writer, journalist and author of . . . And The Whippoorwill Sang
April 2, 2012
This is what I like to call one of those "more money than common sense" scenarios. Megan Riley, our main character and heroine, is a recovering addict. She's struggling in a depressed real estate market, and her engagement to fellow drunk and drug addict Brian has ended. Her friends, the rich housewives of Bayside, like to spend time on their husbands' yachts, complaining that their husbands are philandering jerks, which they are. They decide one day, much to Megan's disbelief, that they deserve something on the side as well, eventually hiring stripper Michael Harrington to service a variety of their personal needs. A bunch of wealthy women sharing a boytoy?! Who doesn't see problems on the horizon with that one?
While these women are wrapped up in their own little lifestyles of the rich and famous worlds, women are being tied up, hacked up, and murdered, and all leads point detective Matt Donovan back to the Bayside Yacht club. Things get really heated when a Senator's daughter winds up dead in her own little love dungeon.
Murder mystery readers will find a lot of familiar tropes here, and so it will be quite easy to sympathize with the characters. Again, reminiscent of the movie 8MM, we have a snuff film -- although in this plot line it was inadvertently made -- we have blackmail, escort services, porn peddlers, and we have the troubled heroine who falls in love with the handsome detective and manages to get herself into all kinds of tight spots. We also have a very brief look into the BDSM subculture as our detective takes a walk on the wild side through L.A.'s bondage parlors and hidden sex clubs, trying to catch a killer. In Ms. Firmin's novel, the sexual subculture is the demented backdrop and the underlying pathos behind a series of violent murders, explored through the eyes of homicide detective Matt Donovan. In this story, the BDSM is treated as a symptom of psychosis, and the brief jaunts into this world are dark and seedy, again, reminiscent of the movie 8MM, though not as graphic, so potential readers do not have to worry about the "ick" factor. All this is written very voyeuristically. A momentary peep through the peephole, so sensitive readers do not have to worry about graphic content. Even the one small sex scene is left off the page. I would liken it to an extended version of the TV show Criminal Minds, and anyone who enjoys murder mystery crime shows like that will find this book a light enjoyable read with just enough thrills to keep a reader engaged without being overwhelming.
While these women are wrapped up in their own little lifestyles of the rich and famous worlds, women are being tied up, hacked up, and murdered, and all leads point detective Matt Donovan back to the Bayside Yacht club. Things get really heated when a Senator's daughter winds up dead in her own little love dungeon.
Murder mystery readers will find a lot of familiar tropes here, and so it will be quite easy to sympathize with the characters. Again, reminiscent of the movie 8MM, we have a snuff film -- although in this plot line it was inadvertently made -- we have blackmail, escort services, porn peddlers, and we have the troubled heroine who falls in love with the handsome detective and manages to get herself into all kinds of tight spots. We also have a very brief look into the BDSM subculture as our detective takes a walk on the wild side through L.A.'s bondage parlors and hidden sex clubs, trying to catch a killer. In Ms. Firmin's novel, the sexual subculture is the demented backdrop and the underlying pathos behind a series of violent murders, explored through the eyes of homicide detective Matt Donovan. In this story, the BDSM is treated as a symptom of psychosis, and the brief jaunts into this world are dark and seedy, again, reminiscent of the movie 8MM, though not as graphic, so potential readers do not have to worry about the "ick" factor. All this is written very voyeuristically. A momentary peep through the peephole, so sensitive readers do not have to worry about graphic content. Even the one small sex scene is left off the page. I would liken it to an extended version of the TV show Criminal Minds, and anyone who enjoys murder mystery crime shows like that will find this book a light enjoyable read with just enough thrills to keep a reader engaged without being overwhelming.
July 29, 2012
Reunion
By
Jeff Bennington
Reunion begins with a chilling view into the mind of High School student, David Ray, who has suffered malicious and sexually abusive parenting, constant bullying from his classmates; he is a lonely, desperate young man with no hope and no foreseeable future. The author’s remarkable insight is painful for the reader and it comes as no surprise that the young student is planning a Columbine style attack on his High School in Crescent Falls, Idaho. But, with an incredibly delicate and compassionate approach, Author Bennington then shows the aftermath of the shootings and the suffering of the survivors.
Twenty years later, each one has responded in their own way to the crisis and managed to carry on in life like wounded warriors. Nick Tooley, whose brother was killed on that fateful day, and his sweetheart, Kate, eventually marry, but their union is anything but perfect because of his alcoholism. She still pines for Bryan Jacobs, now a Sheriff’s Deputy who is hoping she will leave her husband. Maria Vasquez, who has founded a Crisis Center to combat her demons, decides to put together a twenty year reunion. She extends feelers to the rest of her surviving classmates and is pleased that several of them respond positively.
There is her friend, Lana Jones, now a successful author, who was injured in the shooting and still carries the scars. She is also an unwed mother, who is hiding her own secrets. Tanner Khan has tried literally everything to erase his memories, and is now more than willing to face his fears. He also agrees to appear. And then there is Noah, an English exchange student who left the U.S. and returned to England the day after the tragedy. He will also return for the reunion.
But there is an evil even greater than their horrible memories lurking in the halls of their old High School. Now closed permanently, a presence prowls the school day and night, it permeates even the survivors’ dreams, and it will not go away. It will take someone with great strength, and God Himself, to erase the specter of David Ray -- but not until much more damage is done.
What a great story! I must say that Jeff Bennington has done a fabulous job of creating believable, likeable, and sometimes even scary characters in his novel and I salute him. Reunion is a fantastic read and I cannot wait to read his next book, Twisted Vengeance.
Mary Firmin, author of Deadly Pleasures
By
Jeff Bennington
Reunion begins with a chilling view into the mind of High School student, David Ray, who has suffered malicious and sexually abusive parenting, constant bullying from his classmates; he is a lonely, desperate young man with no hope and no foreseeable future. The author’s remarkable insight is painful for the reader and it comes as no surprise that the young student is planning a Columbine style attack on his High School in Crescent Falls, Idaho. But, with an incredibly delicate and compassionate approach, Author Bennington then shows the aftermath of the shootings and the suffering of the survivors.
Twenty years later, each one has responded in their own way to the crisis and managed to carry on in life like wounded warriors. Nick Tooley, whose brother was killed on that fateful day, and his sweetheart, Kate, eventually marry, but their union is anything but perfect because of his alcoholism. She still pines for Bryan Jacobs, now a Sheriff’s Deputy who is hoping she will leave her husband. Maria Vasquez, who has founded a Crisis Center to combat her demons, decides to put together a twenty year reunion. She extends feelers to the rest of her surviving classmates and is pleased that several of them respond positively.
There is her friend, Lana Jones, now a successful author, who was injured in the shooting and still carries the scars. She is also an unwed mother, who is hiding her own secrets. Tanner Khan has tried literally everything to erase his memories, and is now more than willing to face his fears. He also agrees to appear. And then there is Noah, an English exchange student who left the U.S. and returned to England the day after the tragedy. He will also return for the reunion.
But there is an evil even greater than their horrible memories lurking in the halls of their old High School. Now closed permanently, a presence prowls the school day and night, it permeates even the survivors’ dreams, and it will not go away. It will take someone with great strength, and God Himself, to erase the specter of David Ray -- but not until much more damage is done.
What a great story! I must say that Jeff Bennington has done a fabulous job of creating believable, likeable, and sometimes even scary characters in his novel and I salute him. Reunion is a fantastic read and I cannot wait to read his next book, Twisted Vengeance.
Mary Firmin, author of Deadly Pleasures
April 7, 2012
Original Review Posted - Here
This cover totally got my interest & the synopsis didn't sound too bad either! & you guys know me, I'm extra picky about what I read!
This book wasn't at all like I thought it was going to be. I was expecting it to be one of those Romance books that knocks your socks off - with just a hint of suspense it in! - She totally flipped the script on me! This is mainly a murder/mystery with some romance thrown in. Which, is also totally okay with me, seeing as to how I love me some suspense.
I love me some Megan. She is everything you want in a leading lady! She's driven, stronger than she realizes, has morals from here to next year and has some awesome taste in men! Well, minus the ex-fiance that just won't leave her alone! She is, in all aspects of the word, a fighter. - Throw in some friends who feel it's a "brilliant idea" to "time-share" a man - and you get the amazingly funny stuff that is, Deadly Pleasures.
Men do it all the time right? Share women? So this makes it okay for women to do it too, right? This is the logic Megan's friends used. Already iffy on the idea, Megan meets Detective Matt Donovan, the lead detective in charge of the murder investigation. Talk about REALLY not wanting to be a part of it now!
Donovan is a "swoon" factor of his own. Yes, I said swoon. I mean really, read the description of him and then tell me you don't agree! :) His determination to find the killer drives him in just about everything he does. Upon meeting Megan; he finds himself questioning himself. Is he good enough for her, this high society woman? Add into that the fact that his trust in Megan is slipping each and every time something happens in this case.
I did find myself wanting to shake some people in this book though. There were alot of "OMG - YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER!" and "NO YOU DIDN'T" moments. This made for some laughs though! I loved the pace of this book. It wasn't too slow and it wasn't so fast that you find yourself confused for most of the book. The ending was a surprise to me. Here I thought I had the whole thing figured out and then NOPE. Better luck next time! lol
This is an awesome book for the murder/mystery readers!
This cover totally got my interest & the synopsis didn't sound too bad either! & you guys know me, I'm extra picky about what I read!
This book wasn't at all like I thought it was going to be. I was expecting it to be one of those Romance books that knocks your socks off - with just a hint of suspense it in! - She totally flipped the script on me! This is mainly a murder/mystery with some romance thrown in. Which, is also totally okay with me, seeing as to how I love me some suspense.
I love me some Megan. She is everything you want in a leading lady! She's driven, stronger than she realizes, has morals from here to next year and has some awesome taste in men! Well, minus the ex-fiance that just won't leave her alone! She is, in all aspects of the word, a fighter. - Throw in some friends who feel it's a "brilliant idea" to "time-share" a man - and you get the amazingly funny stuff that is, Deadly Pleasures.
Men do it all the time right? Share women? So this makes it okay for women to do it too, right? This is the logic Megan's friends used. Already iffy on the idea, Megan meets Detective Matt Donovan, the lead detective in charge of the murder investigation. Talk about REALLY not wanting to be a part of it now!
Donovan is a "swoon" factor of his own. Yes, I said swoon. I mean really, read the description of him and then tell me you don't agree! :) His determination to find the killer drives him in just about everything he does. Upon meeting Megan; he finds himself questioning himself. Is he good enough for her, this high society woman? Add into that the fact that his trust in Megan is slipping each and every time something happens in this case.
I did find myself wanting to shake some people in this book though. There were alot of "OMG - YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER!" and "NO YOU DIDN'T" moments. This made for some laughs though! I loved the pace of this book. It wasn't too slow and it wasn't so fast that you find yourself confused for most of the book. The ending was a surprise to me. Here I thought I had the whole thing figured out and then NOPE. Better luck next time! lol
This is an awesome book for the murder/mystery readers!
June 27, 2012
I loved this 36 chapter book. It was entertaining, edgy, raw, with some funny moments. As a reader, it satisfied all my senses. I knew I was in for a treat when the prologue opened up with George dying after having sex with Sherrie. Then Chapter 1 opened up with two women discussing sharing a threesome. I enjoyed that the story went there–bondage, drugs, sex, blackmail, murder–instead of sugarcoating things. I appreciated that the story would be rated R instead of PG-13 if you will.
My favorite moments were when Megan and her friends hung out. I loved how they gossiped, and their attempts at finding a boytoy were hilarious, especially the gym scene. My favorite lines were: “More women are wearing the pants nowadays. Why shouldn’t they take them off as much as the damn men do?” and “She’s very codependent. Kathleen doesn’t fall in love – she takes hostages.” I liked the sarcastic sense of humor.
The story was told through Megan and Detective Matt Donovan’s point-of-view, each having their own chapters. These are my favorite type of stories to read because I get to know secrets before other characters do. Like, Matt and Megan had an instant connection when he interrogated her and her friends at the boat, but they didn’t know they were on each other’s radar. It was so cute when Matt asked Megan for her phone number, pretending he needed it for the case.
The suspense and the mystery was definitely there. The plot kept me on my toes. I liked that Megan was independent and strong enough to investigate on her own; she had a take charge attitude. The scenes with her ex were tension and conflict filled. Very interesting. At the end when the Bondage Killer was revealed, I was shocked! He wasn’t even on my radar as a suspect! So kudos to the writer for not making the mystery easy.
Mary Firmin has the talent of dialogue and characterization. The conversations and body language was witty, and even though there were two main characters, all characters’ personalities shone through with nonverbal cues, dialogue, sense of dress, etc. She was great with description that I got lost in the story. Her scenes were awesome. Basically, Mary Firmin was great with all the story elements. She’s a great storyteller.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
My favorite moments were when Megan and her friends hung out. I loved how they gossiped, and their attempts at finding a boytoy were hilarious, especially the gym scene. My favorite lines were: “More women are wearing the pants nowadays. Why shouldn’t they take them off as much as the damn men do?” and “She’s very codependent. Kathleen doesn’t fall in love – she takes hostages.” I liked the sarcastic sense of humor.
The story was told through Megan and Detective Matt Donovan’s point-of-view, each having their own chapters. These are my favorite type of stories to read because I get to know secrets before other characters do. Like, Matt and Megan had an instant connection when he interrogated her and her friends at the boat, but they didn’t know they were on each other’s radar. It was so cute when Matt asked Megan for her phone number, pretending he needed it for the case.
The suspense and the mystery was definitely there. The plot kept me on my toes. I liked that Megan was independent and strong enough to investigate on her own; she had a take charge attitude. The scenes with her ex were tension and conflict filled. Very interesting. At the end when the Bondage Killer was revealed, I was shocked! He wasn’t even on my radar as a suspect! So kudos to the writer for not making the mystery easy.
Mary Firmin has the talent of dialogue and characterization. The conversations and body language was witty, and even though there were two main characters, all characters’ personalities shone through with nonverbal cues, dialogue, sense of dress, etc. She was great with description that I got lost in the story. Her scenes were awesome. Basically, Mary Firmin was great with all the story elements. She’s a great storyteller.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
March 31, 2012
There are a bunch of crazy bored people with lots of money that belong to a yacht club & nothing better to do than dive into the world of prostitution S&M clubs & murder. It isn't nearly as dark as the description loors you to believe & the female characters have some sort of unhealthy emotional baggage & the men are all morally challenged bastards with some kind of side fling going, paid for or free.
The strong brilliant characters are the police detectives investigating the case Matt Donavan & Angelle. Then you got your token dumb a** almost retired can't bite his toungue detective & the female love interest of the lead detective who belongs to this lovely group of insane characters slightly & almost stepping over the ditzy line as her friends.
I thought it was pretty good & for some reason it read as almost funny with a calamity of things happening to stupid men making stupid choices, but I'm not sure it was supposed to be mostly funny. It did keep me stuck reading all the way through in one sitting, because I did want to know who did it & the outcome of the 2 characters Matt & Megan.
I do shake my head at these characters always asking "are you for real?" Geez you are like 30! grow up! Some points I never got. Like why was it so important for Megan to be in AA. Why Kathleen was so sad about divorcing her a**hole husband (god throw him overboard on the way to catalina! It's a 2.5 hour trip!) Sharks will eat him! Throw chum out with him! It's a guarantee! Not really, but you get a sense of the characters & hate all the men!
It's worth the read, but I can see it making a romance reader angry. It has a one liner incinuationg closed door romance a neon "break for commercial here" style & if someone is looking for an intense murder mystery it lacks the intensity. I would describe it as the perfect mystery beach/tanning read. It was worth it because it moved quickly. Every character introduced had a definite role in the story & the writing /descriptions were excellent.
The strong brilliant characters are the police detectives investigating the case Matt Donavan & Angelle. Then you got your token dumb a** almost retired can't bite his toungue detective & the female love interest of the lead detective who belongs to this lovely group of insane characters slightly & almost stepping over the ditzy line as her friends.
I thought it was pretty good & for some reason it read as almost funny with a calamity of things happening to stupid men making stupid choices, but I'm not sure it was supposed to be mostly funny. It did keep me stuck reading all the way through in one sitting, because I did want to know who did it & the outcome of the 2 characters Matt & Megan.
I do shake my head at these characters always asking "are you for real?" Geez you are like 30! grow up! Some points I never got. Like why was it so important for Megan to be in AA. Why Kathleen was so sad about divorcing her a**hole husband (god throw him overboard on the way to catalina! It's a 2.5 hour trip!) Sharks will eat him! Throw chum out with him! It's a guarantee! Not really, but you get a sense of the characters & hate all the men!
It's worth the read, but I can see it making a romance reader angry. It has a one liner incinuationg closed door romance a neon "break for commercial here" style & if someone is looking for an intense murder mystery it lacks the intensity. I would describe it as the perfect mystery beach/tanning read. It was worth it because it moved quickly. Every character introduced had a definite role in the story & the writing /descriptions were excellent.
January 9, 2015
Ok, on to this new year. The first review is Mary Firmin’s debut novel, Deadly Pleasures. The author provided me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest, impartial review.
This is a very well done romantic mystery from the dark side. Megan Riley is a divorced woman coming to terms with some personal demons as she struggles with the poor economy and a real estate business. She and her three best friends, tired of their cheating husbands and boyfriends, decide to turn the tables. All members of the Bayside Yacht Club, they agree to hire a “boytoy” by the name of Michael Harrington. Little do they know, he is the prime suspect in the grisly bondage murders. She soon finds herself in the murder investigation and falling for the detective in charge, Matt Donovan. There are elements of bondage, torture and sadism and many suspects other than Michael. Some may be closer than she knows!
Ok, that is all I am going to say. I will not give away any spoilers!
In my opinion, Ms. Firmin handled this extremely well. The pacing was just right, slow enough to give you a chance to think but fast enough to keep your heart racing. The subject of bondage and sexual content was tastefully described and wouldn’t damage the sensibilities of my aunt Mabel. What I found very refreshing, was the lack of grammatical errors and typos. This is not inherent solely in debut authors, by the way. Many traditionally published established A-list authors have some that slip by the editors. I usually catch them because that is what I look for in my own writing. I detected none in this novel at all, so my highest high five to Mary for that! In summary, I would recommend Deadly Pleasures to all those mystery buffs out there who like a thrill ride that is a bit off the beaten path. If you like a surprise ending in the bargain, then you will be even more satisfied. I wonder if Mary could tell us if she is planning a series? I would definitely love to see more of Megan and Matt and see where their relationship goes!
This review was first published on http://rebeccavance.com
This is a very well done romantic mystery from the dark side. Megan Riley is a divorced woman coming to terms with some personal demons as she struggles with the poor economy and a real estate business. She and her three best friends, tired of their cheating husbands and boyfriends, decide to turn the tables. All members of the Bayside Yacht Club, they agree to hire a “boytoy” by the name of Michael Harrington. Little do they know, he is the prime suspect in the grisly bondage murders. She soon finds herself in the murder investigation and falling for the detective in charge, Matt Donovan. There are elements of bondage, torture and sadism and many suspects other than Michael. Some may be closer than she knows!
Ok, that is all I am going to say. I will not give away any spoilers!
In my opinion, Ms. Firmin handled this extremely well. The pacing was just right, slow enough to give you a chance to think but fast enough to keep your heart racing. The subject of bondage and sexual content was tastefully described and wouldn’t damage the sensibilities of my aunt Mabel. What I found very refreshing, was the lack of grammatical errors and typos. This is not inherent solely in debut authors, by the way. Many traditionally published established A-list authors have some that slip by the editors. I usually catch them because that is what I look for in my own writing. I detected none in this novel at all, so my highest high five to Mary for that! In summary, I would recommend Deadly Pleasures to all those mystery buffs out there who like a thrill ride that is a bit off the beaten path. If you like a surprise ending in the bargain, then you will be even more satisfied. I wonder if Mary could tell us if she is planning a series? I would definitely love to see more of Megan and Matt and see where their relationship goes!
This review was first published on http://rebeccavance.com
August 18, 2012
Deadly Pleasures – Mary Firmin
Megan Riley and her best friends, Rachel Feinman, Alexandra Grand and Kathleen Rosario, are frustrated with the men in their lives – or lack thereof. On a whim, they decide to hire a 'boy toy' to keep them amused. The search is on! The first men they consider are totally unsuitable. It isn't until they are at a party for another yacht club member, that they meet Michael Harrington.
Michael is tall, muscular, friendly and devastatingly handsome. Fate has chosen for them. He is the obvious man to fill their pressing needs. He graciously agrees, though he finds the arrangement somewhat ludicrous.
Little to the women know when they make this arrangement, Michael Harrington is the number one suspect in an open murder investigation. Several women have been found brutally murdered, their bodies savaged after death. The method of killing leads police to suspect a tie to the tawdry S&M community.
Detective Matthew Donovan is the lead investigator on the S&M murders. He and his partner, Angelle Bentley, follow the clues that direct them not only to the seedy sexual underground, but to the posh, expensive yacht club – the club where all four women of Michael Harrington's harem, are members.
This well paced romantic suspense reveals aspects of the human psyche that teem and fester below the surface of normalcy. Though it deals with the S&M sub-culture, the novel doesn't delve too deeply into it. The scenes are not too graphic, making it acceptable to most readers.
The characters in Deadly Pleasures are diverse and well rounded. Each has his or her own motivations and the list of suspects grows longer as the story continues. Not until the last minute do readers finally realize who the guilty party is.
I highly recommend Deadly Pleasures to anyone who enjoys a mystery with an edge.
© 2012 Dellani Oakes
Megan Riley and her best friends, Rachel Feinman, Alexandra Grand and Kathleen Rosario, are frustrated with the men in their lives – or lack thereof. On a whim, they decide to hire a 'boy toy' to keep them amused. The search is on! The first men they consider are totally unsuitable. It isn't until they are at a party for another yacht club member, that they meet Michael Harrington.
Michael is tall, muscular, friendly and devastatingly handsome. Fate has chosen for them. He is the obvious man to fill their pressing needs. He graciously agrees, though he finds the arrangement somewhat ludicrous.
Little to the women know when they make this arrangement, Michael Harrington is the number one suspect in an open murder investigation. Several women have been found brutally murdered, their bodies savaged after death. The method of killing leads police to suspect a tie to the tawdry S&M community.
Detective Matthew Donovan is the lead investigator on the S&M murders. He and his partner, Angelle Bentley, follow the clues that direct them not only to the seedy sexual underground, but to the posh, expensive yacht club – the club where all four women of Michael Harrington's harem, are members.
This well paced romantic suspense reveals aspects of the human psyche that teem and fester below the surface of normalcy. Though it deals with the S&M sub-culture, the novel doesn't delve too deeply into it. The scenes are not too graphic, making it acceptable to most readers.
The characters in Deadly Pleasures are diverse and well rounded. Each has his or her own motivations and the list of suspects grows longer as the story continues. Not until the last minute do readers finally realize who the guilty party is.
I highly recommend Deadly Pleasures to anyone who enjoys a mystery with an edge.
© 2012 Dellani Oakes
June 29, 2013
I loved this book. The story took us on an unpredictable murder mystery and along the heroine (and another lady) found their true love.
Just as they thought their lives couldn't get any lower, the unpredictable happen once they've decided to take a leap of faith. Megan is a real estate agent and with the economy in the crapper, her sales plummeted and so is her commission. But thanks to her rich friends she still gets to enjoy a finer things in life, like exclusive spas, spending time on luxury yacht. She is also a recovering alcoholic and while she has plenty of opportunity to drink again, she resits all temptation. Even from her ex when he so pompously leaves his glass of whiskey on the table.
But not all is well in her friends' lives. Their cheating husbands made them to hire a "time share" boyfriend. Or a toy boy if you will. Choosing the right guy for the job, the one all four of them would agree on, took some work. However, with the Governor's daughter turning up butchered by the "bondage killer" all suspicion falls on their chosen guy.
When the detective Matt Donovan hits the bondage parlors to interview the owner on the patron in a mask, the evidence point in all direction and at one point I thought even a woman could've done it.
But the ending will surprise you and when the suspension will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Not what I expected at all.
Especially the epilogue. Very nice way to close the book and put the characters to bed, literally.
I can see how some readers may come to this book expecting a BDSM story which this is not, this is a detective story. The parlors visited by the detectives describe the setting and what they saw in there. However the cover and the title could mislead some.
Just as they thought their lives couldn't get any lower, the unpredictable happen once they've decided to take a leap of faith. Megan is a real estate agent and with the economy in the crapper, her sales plummeted and so is her commission. But thanks to her rich friends she still gets to enjoy a finer things in life, like exclusive spas, spending time on luxury yacht. She is also a recovering alcoholic and while she has plenty of opportunity to drink again, she resits all temptation. Even from her ex when he so pompously leaves his glass of whiskey on the table.
But not all is well in her friends' lives. Their cheating husbands made them to hire a "time share" boyfriend. Or a toy boy if you will. Choosing the right guy for the job, the one all four of them would agree on, took some work. However, with the Governor's daughter turning up butchered by the "bondage killer" all suspicion falls on their chosen guy.
When the detective Matt Donovan hits the bondage parlors to interview the owner on the patron in a mask, the evidence point in all direction and at one point I thought even a woman could've done it.
But the ending will surprise you and when the suspension will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Not what I expected at all.
Especially the epilogue. Very nice way to close the book and put the characters to bed, literally.
I can see how some readers may come to this book expecting a BDSM story which this is not, this is a detective story. The parlors visited by the detectives describe the setting and what they saw in there. However the cover and the title could mislead some.
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