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Bitter Sweet
Harrowing, deeply moving, Bitter Sweet is a gripping revelation of human trafficking, escorts and police corruption
Nina's double-life as a university student and an escort falls apart when she is drawn into a web of violence, human trafficking and police corruption.
When Nina rescues three girls from the clutches of a vicious trafficker a city-wide pursuit ensues, one in which Nina must outwit not only the police, but also the trafficker and a fate far worse than prosecution.
Can Nina avoid capture by the trafficker and a life of sexual slavery? Or will she in desperation contact the police? And can she avoid her worst nightmare - exposure as an escort?
Nina's double-life as a university student and an escort falls apart when she is drawn into a web of violence, human trafficking and police corruption.
When Nina rescues three girls from the clutches of a vicious trafficker a city-wide pursuit ensues, one in which Nina must outwit not only the police, but also the trafficker and a fate far worse than prosecution.
Can Nina avoid capture by the trafficker and a life of sexual slavery? Or will she in desperation contact the police? And can she avoid her worst nightmare - exposure as an escort?
- GenresMystery
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2013
20 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Mason N. Forbes
4 books22 followersMason Forbes is a Crime Fiction writer. A life-long passion to understand human psychology is evident in his writing and he draws heavily on the moral dilemmas present in the individual and society.
He was born and grew up in the United Kingdom and is of Anglo-German-Irish heritage. After university he worked in industry for a number of years before moving to live in Germany where he successfully ran his own business.
Forbes now lives UK and is married with two children. When not involved in family life and tending to three dogs, he dedicates his time to writing. He has written three stand-alone thrillers; The Strontian Factor, Bitter Sweet, The Migrant and a novella; Refugee
He was born and grew up in the United Kingdom and is of Anglo-German-Irish heritage. After university he worked in industry for a number of years before moving to live in Germany where he successfully ran his own business.
Forbes now lives UK and is married with two children. When not involved in family life and tending to three dogs, he dedicates his time to writing. He has written three stand-alone thrillers; The Strontian Factor, Bitter Sweet, The Migrant and a novella; Refugee
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 19, 2014
After reading M. Forbes ‘Strontian Factor’ I decided to pick up his ‘Bitter Sweet’ and I’m so glad I did. Forbes has proven himself as a strong writer already and he has done just as well with this book. This is completely different from the last novel that I had read by him but is amazing nonetheless. As you follow the story of Nina, who is leading two lives; her normal life and her life as an escort, you are given a glimpse into her world which isn’t what it seems. As she rescues two girls from becoming slaves in the human trafficking industry, you are led through this fast paced, gritty thriller that, once read, leaves you wanting more. I was so absorbed in this story and even after reading; my mind was still reeling over the book. This truly has been an amazing novel, but I expect nothing less from an author of this caliber. I highly recommend this; I will be on the lookout for more of M. Forbes *****
October 20, 2021
Controversial Crime Thriller
Sex trafficking is certainly a hot topic but this author did a beautiful job of describing the horror in this story. In depth characters with a human interest plot made for a great story.
Sex trafficking is certainly a hot topic but this author did a beautiful job of describing the horror in this story. In depth characters with a human interest plot made for a great story.
November 5, 2013
This is the most helpful Amazon review.
An author with a top-flight story and a message which confronts preconceptions.
Action-packed, the pace is swift and the writing is sparse with a snappy style to carry you quickly through this tale of police corruption, human trafficking, and the escort business.
The opening chapters establish Nina's double life as an escort and a student, and her ambivalent but platonic relationship with Mike, a client, a middle-aged man. A spectre of menace is introduced early in the form of strange phone calls and an unscheduled "security upgrade" in the building.
Cut to action: Bitter Sweet runs on pure adrenaline as the pacing is exceptionally fast, and I would definitely concur with other reviewers that once you're hooked in, it is tremendously difficult to put down. The action sequences are deftly realised and genuinely edge of the seat, very much in the manner of cinema action thrillers.
Nina possessing a good moral compass, throws off a lot of the clichés of escorting - very refreshing. In fact, Nina dismisses all caution and displays single minded determination to rescue three girls, forced into sexual slavery.
So to sum up, a one-of-a-kind début with a good central storyline, good use of dialogue, an engaging protagonist and more than enough action to keep those pages turning.
An author with a top-flight story and a message which confronts preconceptions.
Action-packed, the pace is swift and the writing is sparse with a snappy style to carry you quickly through this tale of police corruption, human trafficking, and the escort business.
The opening chapters establish Nina's double life as an escort and a student, and her ambivalent but platonic relationship with Mike, a client, a middle-aged man. A spectre of menace is introduced early in the form of strange phone calls and an unscheduled "security upgrade" in the building.
Cut to action: Bitter Sweet runs on pure adrenaline as the pacing is exceptionally fast, and I would definitely concur with other reviewers that once you're hooked in, it is tremendously difficult to put down. The action sequences are deftly realised and genuinely edge of the seat, very much in the manner of cinema action thrillers.
Nina possessing a good moral compass, throws off a lot of the clichés of escorting - very refreshing. In fact, Nina dismisses all caution and displays single minded determination to rescue three girls, forced into sexual slavery.
So to sum up, a one-of-a-kind début with a good central storyline, good use of dialogue, an engaging protagonist and more than enough action to keep those pages turning.
March 24, 2015
I found the book to be a bit confusing due to the difference in language - British/English vs. American/English. The story was interesting, and seemed well researched concerning the trafficking of women for sexual purposes. There was a lot of detail in the telling of the chase scenes, which made them more thrilling. The main characters were well developed. I didn't quite understand the relationship between Tina and Mike. It was never really explained. It was a quick read, and I would recommend it to friends.
March 10, 2014
This was a raw, psychological, roller coaster of a thriller that gripped me from the start with a great plot based around injustice in its many forms. Nina being an escort made me wary at first, worrying about clichés, but she and all the characters are well crafted, not stereotypes but very much their own, realistic people. That is true of the writing in general, the style is authentic and in the new tradition of gritty, gripping, Stieg Larsson style crime novels. Thoroughly recommended!
March 20, 2014
A great-paced controversial story.
Convincing characters, a well thought out plot in a cracking action-filled story. Bitter Sweet gives us an inside look at what it is like to be an escort. It doesn’t wallow in sentimentalism and isn’t padded with flowery descriptions. It’s written with authority, and in the no nonsense style of C J Box, Robert Crais and Co. A brave story as the subject matter is controversial; you’re going to love it or hate it. I will be reading more.
Convincing characters, a well thought out plot in a cracking action-filled story. Bitter Sweet gives us an inside look at what it is like to be an escort. It doesn’t wallow in sentimentalism and isn’t padded with flowery descriptions. It’s written with authority, and in the no nonsense style of C J Box, Robert Crais and Co. A brave story as the subject matter is controversial; you’re going to love it or hate it. I will be reading more.
December 9, 2013
Hehe, one glowing 5 * review, one insightful 5 * star review and one blah, blah, blah horrible review.
I love controversy - 4 *s for that.
Was looking at Bitter Sweet on Amazon, my sister told me to look at Goodreads. Going to find out for myself.
Goodread.
An eye opening crime thriller. Perceptive with layers of meaning.
I love controversy - 4 *s for that.
Was looking at Bitter Sweet on Amazon, my sister told me to look at Goodreads. Going to find out for myself.
Goodread.
An eye opening crime thriller. Perceptive with layers of meaning.
April 27, 2014
Human trafficking and prostitution crash head on in what could be a true-life account. Amazingly, the story is written with an escort as the main character. Tough and gritty, Forbes pulls no punches. The reader is confronted with an inside take on escorting and must squirm at the realities of human trafficking. Read it!
January 7, 2015
This is an unusual and rather remarkable novel in which a university student who is also n escort is arrested and charged with trafficking along with other lesser charges. It tells about the circumstances of her life and the people with whom she has contact along with her work in clearing herself of the charges. Corruption is rampant. All in all, excellent reading.
May 18, 2015
After I downloaded this for free from Amazon.com and really read this part "Nina’s double-life as a university student and an escort falls apart when she is drawn into a web of violence, human trafficking and police corruption." I thought OH NO not another book crammed about sex! But it wasn't that way at all. It was a very interesting read and I will be looking for other books by the author!
August 21, 2015
Terrific trafficking tangle...
Captivating story about a very terribly serious subject. The author was able to draw me in and when the book ended I was relating so closely to the main character that I am sure I felt the same as she-i.e.,is the horrible nightmare of being an innocent in a tangled web of criminals and corrupt cops really over.
Captivating story about a very terribly serious subject. The author was able to draw me in and when the book ended I was relating so closely to the main character that I am sure I felt the same as she-i.e.,is the horrible nightmare of being an innocent in a tangled web of criminals and corrupt cops really over.
January 4, 2014
This book gets two stars only because the person made an attempt to put something down on paper. I couldn't finish this book, it did not keep my interest to continue on even though it was free through amazon prime.
March 19, 2014
This book is intelligent and controversial, thrilling and intriguing. It takes you into the ‘real’ psyche of an escort, not the clichéd variety served up by the media and Hollywood. It's a must read.
December 3, 2013
Horrible!! Very long winded. The book just kept going on and on about chase scenes and nothing.........blah, blah, blah. Remove 100 pages and there may be a story!
June 18, 2015
This book is fast paced and well written. Human Traficing, prostitution, and suspense. Tina Thompson leads a double life and is caught in the middle. Well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews