Perfected Sinfulness

by Michael Gilbert

Sometimes small towns harbor the most sinister secrets. A chance meeting at a café reunites Franki with her old high school classmate, Eli, who has returned to their hometown. Franki is urged by her friend, Ryah, to overcome her bashfulness and pursue him. But Ryah has plans of her own. The beautiful and seductive Ryah can have any man that she wants, but forbidden pleasure excites her, so she targets Eli. Ryah is also having an affair with Bo, the local detective. He visits her, despite being involved with the emotionally damaged Scarlett, whose secret past threatens to ignite a series of events that could destroy everyone. Narrated through six different perspectives, Perfected Sinfulness exposes the dangerous nature of interpersonal relationships when narcissism and manipulation become the primary modes of interaction. Suspicion and dishonesty contaminate relationships as everyone pursues their own interests. The ensuing aftermath guarantees no one will escape unharmed.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Born in Lincolnshire in 1912, Michael Francis Gilbert was educated in Sussex before entering the University of London where he gained an LLB with honours in 1937. Gilbert was a founding member of the British Crime Writers Association, and in 1988 he was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America - an achievement many thought long overdue. He won the Life Achievement Anthony Award at the 1990 Boucheron in London, and in 1980 he was knighted as a Commander in the Order of the British Empire. Gilbert made his debut in 1947 with Close Quarters, and since then has become recognized as one of our most versatile British mystery writers.

He was the father of Harriett Gilbert.

Reviews

[Adam Lawler]

Not a bad short novel, especially for the price. It's not perfect. I'd like to have seen more character developmnt. I wish each storyteller would have written in a different style. But the characters and plot are interesting. Kept me wanting to read. If you're looking for a quick weekend read, I'd recommend this book.

[Yvonne deSousa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to receive this book as the winner of a Goodreads giveaway and it definitely held my interest as an easy summer read. I would have liked more plot and character development but if you are looking for something light, this fits the bill.

[Rhian · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed the 1st half but thought the book ended too soon and seemed quite rushed, I would read this author again