Virgin Heat

Key West #5

by Kathryne Wick

Mafia princess Angelina Amaro has only ever loved one man and that lone affair was never consummated. Why not? Because her would-be lover, Sal Martucci, fled into the Witness Protection Program after ratting out Angelina s father. When Sal is discovered working as a bartender in Key West, the wildly dysfunctional Amaro clan heads south one member with love on her mind, the others with murder in their hearts.

Nearly impossible to put down, wrote The Cleveland Plain Dealer. [The book s] laugh-out-loud wit recall[s] the best of Carl Hiaasen [and] its quirky characters and tough-mindedness are like Elmore Leonard s.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Humor, Crime, Comedy, Thriller

284 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Lance Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virgin Heat is a cocktail; Angelina Amaro is approaching thirty, a virgin hot for a bartender, whose hands she sees in her Uncle Louie’s home video mixing the drink in Key West. The hands look familiar – they look like the hands of her one true love, Sal from ten years earlier. Angelina secretly leaves New York and her father, Mafia godfather Paul Amaro, to search for Sal in Key West. The problem? Sal betrayed Paul Amaro and sent him to prison for nine years making him number one on the Mafia hit list. Sal has hidden behind plastic surgery and the Witness Protection Program ever since.

So begins another Laurence Shames’ tale with the same wonderfully descriptive writing, funny dialogue and great quirky characters as the other Key West Capers. Will Angelina find her true love? Will Paul Amaro get his revenge? Will Sal escape with his life? And why is Uncle Louie dressing as a woman, his man boobs fitting snuggly in those brassiere cups?

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

Even though it takes place in Key West I can’t waste my time to finish it. The whole plot is obvious and the writing leaves a lot to be desired!

[Jeff Yoak · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read Shames in the 90's, this is the book on which I crapped out. I think I abandoned it. It really isn't up to snuff with the earlier books, and I think he lost his distinctive sense of what makes Florida funny. I have more patience now and made it through the book and will try plunging into the next one to see if he recovers, but I current suspect that I'll only like his earlier novels.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good beach read--perfect if you are looking for something completely pointless and no brain required. The storyline was mediocre as were the characters and you figured it would have a happy enough ending. It wasn't as fun, frivolous and frolicky as I expected. Meh.

[Jerry Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

What else can I say but excellent. Laurence Shames always has such great characters, their faults, their insecurities, their love interests, their self-loathing: you have it in a nutshell.... and they always come out in the end being great for self-redemption. I always love the descriptions of the Keys and the sunsets, grills, hotels, street scenes, people, breakfasts and anything else interesting.
A childhood love for a gangster turing into an affair of family and pride. Sometimes unbelievable in the relationship, but always interesting into the thoughts, upbringing, and background of the characgters involved.
The descriptions are so very colorful, one feels as if they are there and sweltering in the heat like others. I highly recommend this read and also rate it as the best yet. So besides reading Tony Hillerman, this goes to the 6th in the series next week. Thank you again Laurence for such entertainment, that one has a really hard time doing anything else.

[Terry Steinborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of Laurence Shames' books set in South Florida (Key West, this time), with a full helping of local atmosphere coupled with a background of fading organized crime figures. This time One mob boss's daughter is reunited with the figure she fell in love with as a teenager 10 years before. However, that man is also the one that ratted out her father to the Feds and sent him away for 9 years. The path of true love never runs straight, and that was never truer than in this book. Of course it's buried in a small-time caper with the Mob, and the gay culture of Key West. The basic plot is fairly twisted, along with the culture, so everything gets well tangled and rather bogged down on the way. Interesting, humorous, but not really a compelling story.

[Geoffrey Gelb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful tale of unrequited love amidst hedonistic gay sex in Key West. The story of a New York mobster's daughter who is still in love with the mobster who turned in her father to save his own neck! Courtesy of the Witness Protection Program Sal Martucci has a new face and a new name, Ziggy Maxx. After 9 years he father's now out of prison and his grown daughter finally discovers where her old flame has flown off to hide: Beautiful Key West, Florida! The story reads like a travelog of where to go if you're gay and looking for some fun in the sun on the southern-most island in the Florida keys. It is well paced and keeps you riveted the whole time. There's something for everybody here.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Shames does the greatest job of juxtaposing New Yorkers in Key West. He knows both better than they know themselves. This time Sal Martucci went into the witness protection program after he testified against the Big New York Boss, Paul Amaro. After facial surgery, he emerged as Ziggy Marx, a bar tender in Key West, Florida. But Angelina, Paul's daughter, still loves him and her life is not complete until she finds him again. Shames is so funny and so wonderful. If you've never read him, treat yourself.

[Rex Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my favorite

While this story is very much in line with the other Shames’ Key West stories, this one was the Debbie Downer of the series so far. Not one person in the tale is happy. Everyone so maudlin and depressed, it was hard to keep going. The end is a good tie up of all the loose ends, with some happy endings here and there. But overall, I just need a drink and move on to the next book.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wacky Florida humor thriller putting New York Mafia in Key West. In league with Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun mix of Key West hijinks and New York mobsters. Listened to the audio version but the narration by Jem Matzan was not the best and I had to increase the narration speed which I never usually do.

[R Lee Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woven lives

Mr. Shames is able to tell greatly interwoven stories of South Florida life. Characters robust in their descriptions move cannily from book to book. With every book, I am becoming a very devoted fan
Great reads.

[Bil Cusack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jersey Florida Men

I enjoy books Where southern Florida Is it an important character. The other characters in this book Are also interesting and fun. The occasional prose will pop up Much to my delight. I look forward to reading the next one...

[Jon Koebrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A low three-star novel that was light and quick to read.

[Moss Properties & Investment · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another One

Shames pens another entertaining novel, full of colorful characters and a playful caper.
Keep up the good work, and thanks.

[Cyanemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was weak. I didn't find the story or characters interesting

[Steve Sandifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one missed the humor of the others in the series.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I missed Bert the Shirt, but still enjoyed this. Like all in the series, the characters are good, the plot is twisty, and the ending satisfying. Can’t miss.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This a complicated story, with interesting characters. It deals with interesting themes more than the typical adventure story. An enjoyable read.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun key west book but not my favorite. This one was a little more far fetched in it's premise than the previous books. I felt the absence of the regular characters as well.

[D F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Shames read. I like the way he develops characters such that one really sees things from their perspective.
I look forward to the next in the series.

[Vernon Tepen · Rating 4 out of 5]

virgin heat

interesting story. good look at the New York crime scene with its unique characters. I would recommend to other readers

[kombuchakiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst initially gripping, the plot becomes very mediocre. Underwhelming ending in which arguably no characters seem to achieve anything.

[Paul O'Grady · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two Laurence Shames books I read. I thought they had a certain whacky sitcom 1970s TV show kind of vibe and I enjoyed them for what they are. The quality of the writing in this book equaled the others but lacked the charm and humor. While I warmed up to the characters in the other books, the players here left me feeling flat. I did not find theme of love, sex, fulfillment that ran throughout to be particularly profound or satisfying. I'd skip this one and stick with Bert the Shirt and the other familiar characters.

[Robert Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since we were heading to Key West, I decided to read this book to remind myself of my favorite Key West writer that I read a decade or two ago. I recall that I really enjoyed his first couple of books and I kept reading when others of his books came out. At some point I gave up - not being sure if I was simply getting Shamed out or if his books were not quite as enjoyable. I finished this one thinking that it was the perfect one to read right now, but I still think his first couple are his best.

[Dobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with a good portion of this book, though it wrapped up well enough. This series requires the reader to suspend belief in a wink-wink/nudge-nudge sort of agreement: we're here to have fun, not to futz over details. Even so, some of the setups strained credulity a little too much and I found my mind wandering as I questioned the logic. All the loose threads came together at the end, though, so I'd rate it as a fun but sometimes loose read.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

a solid four stars. This has a different set of characters than the Joey Goldman books, but still mob and key west themed. This isn't as funny as the Goldman ones, but as usual the writing shines. Shames conveys emotions more effectively and with less melodrama than just about anyone out there. That alone makes his books worth the read.

[Diane Glotzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well developed characters and plot twists made this a page Turner.

the writing economically paints vibrant pictures of place and character. one is immediately drawn into the multi layered plot and there are laugh out loud moments to lighten the mood of a story that turns dark. when the story resolves it is satisfying.

[Cindy Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from this author who has an incredible talent for capturing the feel, light and sounds of Key West on paper. Cocktails, sunshine and a Don or two thrown in like some stormy weather ~ sure wish he was still writing this series of books.

[John Biddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Virgin Heat by Laurence Shames. It's funny, full of quirky but believable characters that you want to know how their lives will work out. It's a light hearted palate cleanser. All Shames' books have been like this and I've liked every one.