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Bitter Almonds & Jasmine
When you’re above the law.
You can get away with murder.
Until you kill the wrong person.
And everything falls apart.
PI Daniel Beckett plunges into another gripping investigation in Bitter Almonds & Jasmine by bestselling author Dominic Piper.
★★★★★ "Superb prose, a thrilling, gripping storyline, and a charismatic main character meld together to make this the best thriller I’ve read in ages."
★★★★★ “Dialogue that leaves you in awe of its perfection and other times leaves you laughing because it is so slick."
★★★★★ “An intelligent, imaginative and somewhat shocking read.”
★★★★★ "An unputdownable and jaw-dropping thriller."
It was all going so well.
A cabal of corrupt intelligence officials and convicted criminals orchestrating secret, lavish orgies for influential figures in international business.
All tastes catered to --- no matter how extreme, debauched, or distasteful.
Discretion assured.
Security leaks handled swiftly, efficiently, and ruthlessly.
Then they made a mistake.
And they pissed off the wrong person.
For readers seeking bold, thrilling crime fiction filled with wit and seductive tension, Dominic Piper cements his place as a master of suspenseful, smart, and irresistibly sexy storytelling with the PI Daniel Beckett Detective Series.
Get your copy!
ALL BOOKS by DOMINIC PIPER
PI Daniel Beckett Series
Standalone detective thrillers that can be enjoyed in any order.
★★★★★ " A perfect combination of mystery, sex and violence."
★★★★★ "Dominic Piper is an excellent author who writes razor-sharp, beautiful prose."
Kiss Me When I’m Dead
Death is the New Black
Femme Fatale
Bitter Almonds & Jasmine
Acid Yellow
Dominic Piper is an author living in London.
You can get away with murder.
Until you kill the wrong person.
And everything falls apart.
PI Daniel Beckett plunges into another gripping investigation in Bitter Almonds & Jasmine by bestselling author Dominic Piper.
★★★★★ "Superb prose, a thrilling, gripping storyline, and a charismatic main character meld together to make this the best thriller I’ve read in ages."
★★★★★ “Dialogue that leaves you in awe of its perfection and other times leaves you laughing because it is so slick."
★★★★★ “An intelligent, imaginative and somewhat shocking read.”
★★★★★ "An unputdownable and jaw-dropping thriller."
It was all going so well.
A cabal of corrupt intelligence officials and convicted criminals orchestrating secret, lavish orgies for influential figures in international business.
All tastes catered to --- no matter how extreme, debauched, or distasteful.
Discretion assured.
Security leaks handled swiftly, efficiently, and ruthlessly.
Then they made a mistake.
And they pissed off the wrong person.
For readers seeking bold, thrilling crime fiction filled with wit and seductive tension, Dominic Piper cements his place as a master of suspenseful, smart, and irresistibly sexy storytelling with the PI Daniel Beckett Detective Series.
Get your copy!
ALL BOOKS by DOMINIC PIPER
PI Daniel Beckett Series
Standalone detective thrillers that can be enjoyed in any order.
★★★★★ " A perfect combination of mystery, sex and violence."
★★★★★ "Dominic Piper is an excellent author who writes razor-sharp, beautiful prose."
Kiss Me When I’m Dead
Death is the New Black
Femme Fatale
Bitter Almonds & Jasmine
Acid Yellow
Dominic Piper is an author living in London.
565 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2024
13 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Dominic Piper
6 books64 followersDominic Piper is an author, film and television writer, journalist and script editor. He lives in London, UK. He is the author of the best-selling, critically acclaimed thrillers Kiss Me When I'm Dead, Death is the New Black, Femme Fatale, Bitter Almonds & Jasmine, and Acid Yellow, all featuring the enigmatic, London-based private investigator Daniel Beckett. All five novels are published by Opium Den Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 15, 2020
Best book I read this year. That’s it. That’s my review.
March 21, 2021
I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Dominic Piper, but I have to say this one seemed even more intense and more thrilling than the previous books. Though there are plenty of laugh out loud outrageous moments in this installment, there is also a very ominous and disturbing element at the core of it. Very disturbing. But the author treats the subject with the deference it deserves while highlighting the base appetites of the truly depraved. Bad, unspeakable things do happen in our world every day, but Daniel Beckett is not going to let this special brand of predators get away with it this time.
As usual, there is a vibrant cast of characters who add to the wicked fun. It’s all larger than life and probably a lot more interesting than real life, but it is great fun to watch our man settle the score while keeping up with his vices. I especially enjoy reading about all the new tech tools and methods for getting the goods and catching the bad guys. I can’t wait to see what Dominic Piper and Daniel Beckett get up to next!
As usual, there is a vibrant cast of characters who add to the wicked fun. It’s all larger than life and probably a lot more interesting than real life, but it is great fun to watch our man settle the score while keeping up with his vices. I especially enjoy reading about all the new tech tools and methods for getting the goods and catching the bad guys. I can’t wait to see what Dominic Piper and Daniel Beckett get up to next!
January 14, 2021
A eerie and caustic thriller full of suspense, twists and turns dealing with extremely sensitive issues such as human trafficking. Actually, I'm not used to this kind of books, and it sometimes made me feel quite uncomfortable, but it is well written, filled with intoxicating characters and mystery... it's simply captivating!
My advice: take a big breath before reading Bitter Almonds and Jasmine! But it certainly deserves a five star!
My advice: take a big breath before reading Bitter Almonds and Jasmine! But it certainly deserves a five star!
January 5, 2021
Intrigue, mystery, sex, human trafficking, murder, violence. Powerful and explosive British noir thriller that will keep you captivated.
December 8, 2020
Ever really enjoyed a particular author's books and you’ve been impatiently waiting on their next release and as you open the book you sort of think oh god will it even possible for this to be as good as the others? Just me lol? I have to say, right from the start I thought, oh Dominic Piper you have not let me down and if things keep going this way I think I might have my book of the year in my hands. And let me tell you, this book is definitely my top read of 2020. If you go check out my best of 2020 you will notice that the list is incredibly small this year. Just a handful of books really knocked me out. But this book! This book! It was everything a reader could ask for. I don't know how this author does it, but every single time he knocks it out of the ballpark.
Bitter Almonds & Jasmine is brilliantly written. If you have not had the pleasure of being introduced to Daniel Beckett, mysterious private investigator, you are in for a treat. He is ingenious, suave and quite the ladies man. Actually all his characters in the book have such unique and interesting personalities.
This book is full of intrigue, dry witty banter and lots of twists, one twist in particular was very unexpected. Piper has a gift for writing that is so detailed and visual. Sometimes when his characters are having a conversation you feel like you are right next to them or a fly on the wall. And every book that Piper writes I can visualize being either on the small or big screen. When is someone going to give this man a show of his own!
If you are looking for an intelligent, imaginative and somewhat shocking read this one is the one.
Bitter Almonds & Jasmine is brilliantly written. If you have not had the pleasure of being introduced to Daniel Beckett, mysterious private investigator, you are in for a treat. He is ingenious, suave and quite the ladies man. Actually all his characters in the book have such unique and interesting personalities.
This book is full of intrigue, dry witty banter and lots of twists, one twist in particular was very unexpected. Piper has a gift for writing that is so detailed and visual. Sometimes when his characters are having a conversation you feel like you are right next to them or a fly on the wall. And every book that Piper writes I can visualize being either on the small or big screen. When is someone going to give this man a show of his own!
If you are looking for an intelligent, imaginative and somewhat shocking read this one is the one.
October 14, 2021
Absolutely beyond captivating!! This author ABSOLUTELY knows his craft. This is the third book I’ve read by D. Piper and again I was caught by the twists, the characters, and frightening reality that, as I read, all is a very real possibility! It’s mysterious, sensual, dynamic, and a page turning, up in your face read. Guaranteed to leave you reflecting and reliving the fantastic journey long after you’ve read that last word!!!
January 6, 2021
A phenomenal, sexy thriller that grips you tight in an addictive hold and doesn’t let go – Just read this!
Once in a while, an author emerges on to your radar that, when their new book hits, has you drop everything else you’re reading and just get stuck in. For me, that author is Dominic Piper.
I love books and reading is my pleasure. I read a lot, across many genres, and no barriers are erected to what I try. I like versatility. And I like books that push boundaries and make you think. That’s how I came across Mr Piper, many years ago, whilst searching for something extraordinary to read. And boy did I find it in his books.
I have to come clean and tell you that I have read all of Mr Piper’s previous Daniel Beckett based PI books, and I’ve found that I’ve adored each one that little bit more each time. His latest offering ‘Bitter Almonds And Jasmine’ is undoubtedly his best yet. If I hadn’t have had so much work on my plate, this book would have been finished in a day. As it stands, despite my massive workload, this only took a few days to get to the denouement. I raced through the pages that almost catch alight from the heat and velocity of action and passion.
In Daniel Beckett PI, Mr Piper has crafted the most alluring, captivating and brutal badass the literary world has seen. He’s a babe magnet, knowing exactly what those gorgeous woman want; he knows the ingredients of perfumes, lingerie design and haute couture fashion; he recognizes locks, safes and guns instantly; he’s an art, interior design, wine and food connoisseur; he speaks a mind-boggling number of languages with effortless ease; he has the face and body Adonis would kill for; he’s chummy with the nefarious and shadowy; he understands the inner operations of international security agencies and he can kill with a single well aimed punch in a second, well, okay may be two. Such a character makes you literally begging for more…
All of Mr Piper’s books take you on a twisting (and twisted) journey of discovery, written in first person, you’re in the mind-space of Beckett as he unravels the truth of case he’s investigating. This type of writing pulls the reader in so forcefully that you don’t want to come out of Beckett’s world and this was the principal reason I was still reading at 2 am, despite having early morning vid-meetings. I simply couldn’t let go of the pages. The term ‘unputdownable’ is banded around like confetti in book reviews, but Bitter Almonds And Jasmine is the VERY definition of this word. It is the reason ‘unputdownable’ has been invented.
The storyline is dark, chilling and so very plausible it causes the reader to reassess the view of the world around them. Not to give away any spoilers, but Bitter Almonds and Jasmine follows an initial investigation of a high ranking foreign diplomat by a friend of Beckett’s working in a unit within the security services. It transpires that this friend is also a former colleague from Beckett’s mysterious past, and someone whom he holds a closeness and deep affection, and probably, love for (although that isn’t explicitly said). The friend, during her investigating, uncovers something so fundamentally devastating that its exposure would rock the very foundations of government, if not society itself. She brings Beckett in to help her, and this is when the story picks up a lightning pace, with Mr Piper introducing some delightfully decadent individuals - ballsy, intelligent and beautiful women, who, of course catch Beckett’s eye. One of them, Francie, an American working as a PI in London, is a wonderful character whom I warmed to instantly. I adore this kind of character. No nonsense, risqué and funny-as-hell with it. She’s the perfect balance to Beckett, and the scenes with her portray her unflinching, feisty attitude and acid-tipped sharp tongue, matching Beckett’s, and making them a terrific duo. I can only imagine how phenomenal this book could be if it was made into a movie. Truth to say, I already had that movie running in my head with visceral definition as I devoured each page.
The subject matter of child pornography is handled with a sublime sensitivity, and although the very fact of this focus is disturbing, it is perhaps, what isn’t said, but implied that delivers the horrific punch to the gut. Mr Piper is a superb writer who has mastered the fact that less is most definitely more!
What makes this book (and all the others that Mr Piper has written) such a joy to read is the off-handed, sarcastic humor of Beckett, and his ability to turn situations to his advantage, despite them seemingly to be intractable, with suggested dark and ominous outcomes. In Bitter Almonds And Jasmine, although there is a heavy darkness permeating through the book by the scumbag villains and their truly horrendous activities, there is also a balancing lightness by the unwavering courage and tenacity of the hero Daniel Beckett.
If you’re looking for an unmitigated blast of continuous adrenalin-pumping action fused with intriguing, passionate and completely addictive characters, then you’ve found it in Bitter Almonds And Jasmine. And if you haven’t read Mr Piper’s earlier books (Kiss Me When I’m Dead, Death Is The New Black and Femme Fatale), I suggest you look them up. They’re all too good to miss. I recommend Bitter Almonds and Jasmine unreservedly, and urge you to get Beckett on speed dial, meet up with him and let him whisk you away from mundane and ordinary – you’ll be pleased you just let go!
US Version
I love books and reading is my absolute passion. I read a lot, across many genres, and no barriers are erected to what I try. I like versatility. And I like books that push boundaries and make you think. That’s how I came across Mr Piper, many years ago, whilst searching for something extraordinary to read. And boy did I find it in his books.
Once in a while, an author emerges on to your radar that, when their new book hits, has you drop everything else you’re reading and just get stuck in. For me, that author is Dominic Piper.
I have to come clean and tell you that I have read all of Mr Piper’s previous Daniel Beckett based PI books, and I’ve found that I’ve adored each one that little bit more each time. His latest offering ‘Bitter Almonds And Jasmine’ is undoubtedly his best yet. If I hadn’t have had so much work on my plate, this book would have been finished in a day. As it stands, despite my massive workload, this only took a few days to get to the denouement. I raced through the pages that almost catch alight from the heat and velocity of action and passion.
In Daniel Beckett PI, Mr Piper has crafted the most alluring, captivating and brutal badass the literary world has seen. He’s a babe magnet, knowing exactly what those gorgeous woman want; he knows the ingredients of perfumes, lingerie design and haute couture fashion; he recognizes locks, safes and guns instantly; he’s an art, interior design, wine and food connoisseur; he speaks a mind-boggling number of languages with effortless ease; he has the face and body Adonis would kill for; he’s chummy with the nefarious and shadowy; he understands the inner operations of international security agencies and he can kill with a single well aimed punch in a second, well, okay may be two. Such a character makes you literally begging for more…
All of Mr Piper’s books take you on a twisting (and twisted) journey of discovery, written in first person, you’re in the mind-space of Beckett as he unravels the truth of case he’s investigating. This type of writing pulls the reader in so forcefully that you don’t want to come out of Beckett’s world and this was the principal reason I was still reading at 2 am, despite having early morning vid-meetings. I simply couldn’t let go of the pages. The term ‘unputdownable’ is banded around like confetti in book reviews, but Bitter Almonds And Jasmine is the VERY definition of this word. It is the reason ‘unputdownable’ has been invented.
The storyline is dark, chilling and so very plausible it causes the reader to reassess the view of the world around them. Not to give away any spoilers, but Bitter Almonds and Jasmine follows an initial investigation of a high ranking foreign diplomat by a friend of Beckett’s working in a unit within the security services. It transpires that this friend is also a former colleague from Beckett’s mysterious past, and someone whom he holds a closeness and deep affection, and probably, love for (although that isn’t explicitly said). The friend, during her investigating, uncovers something so fundamentally devastating that its exposure would rock the very foundations of government, if not society itself. She brings Beckett in to help her, and this is when the story picks up a lightning pace, with Mr Piper introducing some delightfully decadent individuals - ballsy, intelligent and beautiful women, who, of course catch Beckett’s eye. One of them, Francie, an American working as a PI in London, is a wonderful character whom I warmed to instantly. I adore this kind of character. No nonsense, risqué and funny-as-hell with it. She’s the perfect balance to Beckett, and the scenes with her portray her unflinching, feisty attitude and acid-tipped sharp tongue, matching Beckett’s, and making them a terrific duo. I can only imagine how phenomenal this book could be if it was made into a movie. Truth to say, I already had that movie running in my head with visceral definition as I devoured each page.
The subject matter of child pornography is handled with a sublime sensitivity, and although the very fact of this focus is disturbing, it is perhaps, what isn’t said, but implied that delivers the horrific punch to the gut. Mr Piper is a superb writer who has mastered the fact that less is most definitely more!
What makes this book (and all the others that Mr Piper has written) such a joy to read is the off-handed, sarcastic humor of Beckett, and his ability to turn situations to his advantage, despite them seemingly to be intractable, with suggested dark and ominous outcomes. In Bitter Almonds And Jasmine, although there is a heavy darkness permeating through the book by the scumbag villains and their truly horrendous activities, there is also a balancing lightness by the unwavering courage and tenacity of the hero Daniel Beckett.
If you’re looking for an unmitigated blast of continuous adrenalin-pumping action fused with intriguing, passionate and completely addictive characters, then you’ve found it in Bitter Almonds And Jasmine. And if you haven’t read Mr Piper’s earlier books (Kiss Me When I’m Dead, Death Is The New Black and Femme Fatale), I suggest you look them up. They’re all too good to miss. I recommend Bitter Almonds and Jasmine unreservedly, and urge you to get Beckett on speed dial, meet up with him and let him whisk you away from mundane and ordinary – you’ll be pleased you just let go!
Once in a while, an author emerges on to your radar that, when their new book hits, has you drop everything else you’re reading and just get stuck in. For me, that author is Dominic Piper.
I love books and reading is my pleasure. I read a lot, across many genres, and no barriers are erected to what I try. I like versatility. And I like books that push boundaries and make you think. That’s how I came across Mr Piper, many years ago, whilst searching for something extraordinary to read. And boy did I find it in his books.
I have to come clean and tell you that I have read all of Mr Piper’s previous Daniel Beckett based PI books, and I’ve found that I’ve adored each one that little bit more each time. His latest offering ‘Bitter Almonds And Jasmine’ is undoubtedly his best yet. If I hadn’t have had so much work on my plate, this book would have been finished in a day. As it stands, despite my massive workload, this only took a few days to get to the denouement. I raced through the pages that almost catch alight from the heat and velocity of action and passion.
In Daniel Beckett PI, Mr Piper has crafted the most alluring, captivating and brutal badass the literary world has seen. He’s a babe magnet, knowing exactly what those gorgeous woman want; he knows the ingredients of perfumes, lingerie design and haute couture fashion; he recognizes locks, safes and guns instantly; he’s an art, interior design, wine and food connoisseur; he speaks a mind-boggling number of languages with effortless ease; he has the face and body Adonis would kill for; he’s chummy with the nefarious and shadowy; he understands the inner operations of international security agencies and he can kill with a single well aimed punch in a second, well, okay may be two. Such a character makes you literally begging for more…
All of Mr Piper’s books take you on a twisting (and twisted) journey of discovery, written in first person, you’re in the mind-space of Beckett as he unravels the truth of case he’s investigating. This type of writing pulls the reader in so forcefully that you don’t want to come out of Beckett’s world and this was the principal reason I was still reading at 2 am, despite having early morning vid-meetings. I simply couldn’t let go of the pages. The term ‘unputdownable’ is banded around like confetti in book reviews, but Bitter Almonds And Jasmine is the VERY definition of this word. It is the reason ‘unputdownable’ has been invented.
The storyline is dark, chilling and so very plausible it causes the reader to reassess the view of the world around them. Not to give away any spoilers, but Bitter Almonds and Jasmine follows an initial investigation of a high ranking foreign diplomat by a friend of Beckett’s working in a unit within the security services. It transpires that this friend is also a former colleague from Beckett’s mysterious past, and someone whom he holds a closeness and deep affection, and probably, love for (although that isn’t explicitly said). The friend, during her investigating, uncovers something so fundamentally devastating that its exposure would rock the very foundations of government, if not society itself. She brings Beckett in to help her, and this is when the story picks up a lightning pace, with Mr Piper introducing some delightfully decadent individuals - ballsy, intelligent and beautiful women, who, of course catch Beckett’s eye. One of them, Francie, an American working as a PI in London, is a wonderful character whom I warmed to instantly. I adore this kind of character. No nonsense, risqué and funny-as-hell with it. She’s the perfect balance to Beckett, and the scenes with her portray her unflinching, feisty attitude and acid-tipped sharp tongue, matching Beckett’s, and making them a terrific duo. I can only imagine how phenomenal this book could be if it was made into a movie. Truth to say, I already had that movie running in my head with visceral definition as I devoured each page.
The subject matter of child pornography is handled with a sublime sensitivity, and although the very fact of this focus is disturbing, it is perhaps, what isn’t said, but implied that delivers the horrific punch to the gut. Mr Piper is a superb writer who has mastered the fact that less is most definitely more!
What makes this book (and all the others that Mr Piper has written) such a joy to read is the off-handed, sarcastic humor of Beckett, and his ability to turn situations to his advantage, despite them seemingly to be intractable, with suggested dark and ominous outcomes. In Bitter Almonds And Jasmine, although there is a heavy darkness permeating through the book by the scumbag villains and their truly horrendous activities, there is also a balancing lightness by the unwavering courage and tenacity of the hero Daniel Beckett.
If you’re looking for an unmitigated blast of continuous adrenalin-pumping action fused with intriguing, passionate and completely addictive characters, then you’ve found it in Bitter Almonds And Jasmine. And if you haven’t read Mr Piper’s earlier books (Kiss Me When I’m Dead, Death Is The New Black and Femme Fatale), I suggest you look them up. They’re all too good to miss. I recommend Bitter Almonds and Jasmine unreservedly, and urge you to get Beckett on speed dial, meet up with him and let him whisk you away from mundane and ordinary – you’ll be pleased you just let go!
US Version
I love books and reading is my absolute passion. I read a lot, across many genres, and no barriers are erected to what I try. I like versatility. And I like books that push boundaries and make you think. That’s how I came across Mr Piper, many years ago, whilst searching for something extraordinary to read. And boy did I find it in his books.
Once in a while, an author emerges on to your radar that, when their new book hits, has you drop everything else you’re reading and just get stuck in. For me, that author is Dominic Piper.
I have to come clean and tell you that I have read all of Mr Piper’s previous Daniel Beckett based PI books, and I’ve found that I’ve adored each one that little bit more each time. His latest offering ‘Bitter Almonds And Jasmine’ is undoubtedly his best yet. If I hadn’t have had so much work on my plate, this book would have been finished in a day. As it stands, despite my massive workload, this only took a few days to get to the denouement. I raced through the pages that almost catch alight from the heat and velocity of action and passion.
In Daniel Beckett PI, Mr Piper has crafted the most alluring, captivating and brutal badass the literary world has seen. He’s a babe magnet, knowing exactly what those gorgeous woman want; he knows the ingredients of perfumes, lingerie design and haute couture fashion; he recognizes locks, safes and guns instantly; he’s an art, interior design, wine and food connoisseur; he speaks a mind-boggling number of languages with effortless ease; he has the face and body Adonis would kill for; he’s chummy with the nefarious and shadowy; he understands the inner operations of international security agencies and he can kill with a single well aimed punch in a second, well, okay may be two. Such a character makes you literally begging for more…
All of Mr Piper’s books take you on a twisting (and twisted) journey of discovery, written in first person, you’re in the mind-space of Beckett as he unravels the truth of case he’s investigating. This type of writing pulls the reader in so forcefully that you don’t want to come out of Beckett’s world and this was the principal reason I was still reading at 2 am, despite having early morning vid-meetings. I simply couldn’t let go of the pages. The term ‘unputdownable’ is banded around like confetti in book reviews, but Bitter Almonds And Jasmine is the VERY definition of this word. It is the reason ‘unputdownable’ has been invented.
The storyline is dark, chilling and so very plausible it causes the reader to reassess the view of the world around them. Not to give away any spoilers, but Bitter Almonds and Jasmine follows an initial investigation of a high ranking foreign diplomat by a friend of Beckett’s working in a unit within the security services. It transpires that this friend is also a former colleague from Beckett’s mysterious past, and someone whom he holds a closeness and deep affection, and probably, love for (although that isn’t explicitly said). The friend, during her investigating, uncovers something so fundamentally devastating that its exposure would rock the very foundations of government, if not society itself. She brings Beckett in to help her, and this is when the story picks up a lightning pace, with Mr Piper introducing some delightfully decadent individuals - ballsy, intelligent and beautiful women, who, of course catch Beckett’s eye. One of them, Francie, an American working as a PI in London, is a wonderful character whom I warmed to instantly. I adore this kind of character. No nonsense, risqué and funny-as-hell with it. She’s the perfect balance to Beckett, and the scenes with her portray her unflinching, feisty attitude and acid-tipped sharp tongue, matching Beckett’s, and making them a terrific duo. I can only imagine how phenomenal this book could be if it was made into a movie. Truth to say, I already had that movie running in my head with visceral definition as I devoured each page.
The subject matter of child pornography is handled with a sublime sensitivity, and although the very fact of this focus is disturbing, it is perhaps, what isn’t said, but implied that delivers the horrific punch to the gut. Mr Piper is a superb writer who has mastered the fact that less is most definitely more!
What makes this book (and all the others that Mr Piper has written) such a joy to read is the off-handed, sarcastic humor of Beckett, and his ability to turn situations to his advantage, despite them seemingly to be intractable, with suggested dark and ominous outcomes. In Bitter Almonds And Jasmine, although there is a heavy darkness permeating through the book by the scumbag villains and their truly horrendous activities, there is also a balancing lightness by the unwavering courage and tenacity of the hero Daniel Beckett.
If you’re looking for an unmitigated blast of continuous adrenalin-pumping action fused with intriguing, passionate and completely addictive characters, then you’ve found it in Bitter Almonds And Jasmine. And if you haven’t read Mr Piper’s earlier books (Kiss Me When I’m Dead, Death Is The New Black and Femme Fatale), I suggest you look them up. They’re all too good to miss. I recommend Bitter Almonds and Jasmine unreservedly, and urge you to get Beckett on speed dial, meet up with him and let him whisk you away from mundane and ordinary – you’ll be pleased you just let go!
March 24, 2025
“Coffee?”
“Sure. Black with a dash of milk, no sugar.”
—-————————
This series is outstanding. It has me in its grip on the edge of my seat. I never want it to end. It’s the perfect combination of sex, violence and detective work. Basically, perfect noir.
In this particular story, there were many characters introduced and I had a hard time keeping them straight (aka - the bad guys).
I would love to know a little about Daniel Beckett’s backstory. What made him who/how he is.
I will keep reading as long as Dominic Piper keeps writing. Keep up the great work, good sir!
“Sure. Black with a dash of milk, no sugar.”
—-————————
This series is outstanding. It has me in its grip on the edge of my seat. I never want it to end. It’s the perfect combination of sex, violence and detective work. Basically, perfect noir.
In this particular story, there were many characters introduced and I had a hard time keeping them straight (aka - the bad guys).
I would love to know a little about Daniel Beckett’s backstory. What made him who/how he is.
I will keep reading as long as Dominic Piper keeps writing. Keep up the great work, good sir!
September 21, 2021
This review was originally posted to https://bit.ly/2ZbCNmJ.
Daniel Beckett is a private investigator with all the perks. A classified background, fake name, and enough charm and know how to get a date plus some fun from most women he meets. During one such tirade he gets a call from someone talking in code that he hasn't heard from in years. Little did he know that this job would become as deep and disturbing as it is. But, no matter what Daniel will finish this job. No matter how sticky of a situation it becomes. Packed with origies, beautiful women, death, and a torture session or two it's hard to believe the fun could ever end.
I received a paperback copy of this book in the mail from the author in exchange for an honest review. It took me a bit of time to finish it, but I enjoyed it from the start. There are some disturbing moments in it, involving children, but Piper worked this well into the storyline.
Beckett is a bit of a horn-dog, but it isn't a book full of overly sexual scenes. I feel like if it had been I would have hated those bits of his personality more. Instead, he is upfront about how things are with females and they are as fine with it as he is. How he is getting that many stunning women to sleep with him is another matter, but I must assume he is overly attractive. Charisma can only get one so far. That being said his knowledge of so many brands of perfume was a bit boring. Just felt a little like useless facts that flit around in people's brains that we seldom voice.
Francie was a bit unexpected, but I liked her. I enjoyed her personality, especially her avid collection of porn. Weird about those with her family in it, though. She was sure of herself and having dated someone from North Carolina she would fit in there. That was something I was amused about considering the author is from the UK where this book is set. There are some details in this book what I didn't understand at first as they are things associated with UK, but with Google's help it wasn't hard to traverse.
My favorite character in this book was Liva. Just for how kooky she is. After everything she witnessed within these pages she is upbeat and knows exactly what she wants. She has a career where she is recognized and it is something she enjoys doing. More power to her if she wants to be in porn. I fell for her when she was darting around her house offering up books and giving little backstories on items that she had. It was just adorable.
Alright, I have spent more time on the characters than I normally do so I will get right down to it. I loved this book from start to finish. I wanted to know how deep this ran and how everything was going to tie together. The dog was confusing. If you didn't know what a japanese mountain dog is then I am sure it would have played off well. But they are a medium sized dog that is beyond adorable. Unable to be a family pet? A little far fetched. If I had my way I would have a Russian Mountain dog. Which in all honesty fits the description a bit more since they could be 250 lbs. That being said I couldn't see them battling Samuri. Bears are more their style.
This is definitely a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting more, until everything is tied up. In some cases literally. Helpful hint. Use the Google translate on the phrases. They are a bit hilarious. Especially Salo at the end. You won't regret it. This is a great crime mystery novel that I have already suggested to more than one individual and have no plans on stopping any time soon.
Daniel Beckett is a private investigator with all the perks. A classified background, fake name, and enough charm and know how to get a date plus some fun from most women he meets. During one such tirade he gets a call from someone talking in code that he hasn't heard from in years. Little did he know that this job would become as deep and disturbing as it is. But, no matter what Daniel will finish this job. No matter how sticky of a situation it becomes. Packed with origies, beautiful women, death, and a torture session or two it's hard to believe the fun could ever end.
I received a paperback copy of this book in the mail from the author in exchange for an honest review. It took me a bit of time to finish it, but I enjoyed it from the start. There are some disturbing moments in it, involving children, but Piper worked this well into the storyline.
Beckett is a bit of a horn-dog, but it isn't a book full of overly sexual scenes. I feel like if it had been I would have hated those bits of his personality more. Instead, he is upfront about how things are with females and they are as fine with it as he is. How he is getting that many stunning women to sleep with him is another matter, but I must assume he is overly attractive. Charisma can only get one so far. That being said his knowledge of so many brands of perfume was a bit boring. Just felt a little like useless facts that flit around in people's brains that we seldom voice.
Francie was a bit unexpected, but I liked her. I enjoyed her personality, especially her avid collection of porn. Weird about those with her family in it, though. She was sure of herself and having dated someone from North Carolina she would fit in there. That was something I was amused about considering the author is from the UK where this book is set. There are some details in this book what I didn't understand at first as they are things associated with UK, but with Google's help it wasn't hard to traverse.
My favorite character in this book was Liva. Just for how kooky she is. After everything she witnessed within these pages she is upbeat and knows exactly what she wants. She has a career where she is recognized and it is something she enjoys doing. More power to her if she wants to be in porn. I fell for her when she was darting around her house offering up books and giving little backstories on items that she had. It was just adorable.
Alright, I have spent more time on the characters than I normally do so I will get right down to it. I loved this book from start to finish. I wanted to know how deep this ran and how everything was going to tie together. The dog was confusing. If you didn't know what a japanese mountain dog is then I am sure it would have played off well. But they are a medium sized dog that is beyond adorable. Unable to be a family pet? A little far fetched. If I had my way I would have a Russian Mountain dog. Which in all honesty fits the description a bit more since they could be 250 lbs. That being said I couldn't see them battling Samuri. Bears are more their style.
This is definitely a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting more, until everything is tied up. In some cases literally. Helpful hint. Use the Google translate on the phrases. They are a bit hilarious. Especially Salo at the end. You won't regret it. This is a great crime mystery novel that I have already suggested to more than one individual and have no plans on stopping any time soon.
December 5, 2020
I've been a huge fan of Dominic Piper's mysterious UK private investigator Daniel Beckett since reading the first novel in the series, Kiss Me When I'm Dead. This is the fourth in the series and is absolutely, devastatingly brilliant. I finished reading it two days ago and I can't stop thinking about it; the plot, the characters, the implications of what was going on in the story - everything. Piper has a sharp, witty, punchy style of writing which makes it virtually impossible to stop reading, and I stuck with this until I couldn't keep my eyes open. As usual, beautiful, exotic women feature strongly in the story, as do clever, jaw-dropping plot twists (one, quite early on, was so unexpected and calamitous that I had to stop reading for a while to take it in). There is more of a sense, without giving a great deal away, of who Beckett is and where he came from. There are people in this book who know him from his past life - some like him and trust him, others are plainly terrified of him. But he still remains an enigma. In a novel which has many disturbing and shocking elements, the story is littered, as with the other novels, with charming and appealing characters. Two of them, both female, only appear for the first time quite a way into the story, but their personalities get stamped so firmly onto the pages that you'll find them utterly impossible to forget and perhaps even fall in love with them (or maybe that's just me!). Whatever your preferred genre, read this. I guarantee you won't forget it.
December 1, 2020
As an ardent fan of Dominic Piper’s P.I. Daniel Beckett series, I expected this installment to be a page-turner. But I did not expect it to be so groundbreaking. This newest novel featuring the seductive man of mystery is brilliantly imaginative, gutsy, sexy, and disturbingly plausible.
As always, Piper’s novels are filled with intoxicating characters and he divulges mounds of fascinating spycraft, so much so that one wonders if he was a spy himself or at least worked in intelligence.
In Bitter Almonds and Jasmine, Beckett is convoked by a beautiful former intelligence colleague to help on a case, setting in motion the unmasking of a mindbogglingly horrific international sex trafficking ring for the rich, powerful and famous. At first, the reader is skeptically aghast, but as the story develops it becomes the more and more convincing. These days, one can hardly tell fact from fiction anymore and this theoretic scenario pushes that envelop.
The writing is seamless, with brilliant characters each uniquely enchanting and organically utilized for enticing exposition. Piper also has a gift for tying everything together with a poetic flourish at the end, leaving nothing to chance. All this delivered with incisively hilarious wit. Oh, and talk about twists!
My addiction to this series remains unslaked, I can’t wait for the next one!
As always, Piper’s novels are filled with intoxicating characters and he divulges mounds of fascinating spycraft, so much so that one wonders if he was a spy himself or at least worked in intelligence.
In Bitter Almonds and Jasmine, Beckett is convoked by a beautiful former intelligence colleague to help on a case, setting in motion the unmasking of a mindbogglingly horrific international sex trafficking ring for the rich, powerful and famous. At first, the reader is skeptically aghast, but as the story develops it becomes the more and more convincing. These days, one can hardly tell fact from fiction anymore and this theoretic scenario pushes that envelop.
The writing is seamless, with brilliant characters each uniquely enchanting and organically utilized for enticing exposition. Piper also has a gift for tying everything together with a poetic flourish at the end, leaving nothing to chance. All this delivered with incisively hilarious wit. Oh, and talk about twists!
My addiction to this series remains unslaked, I can’t wait for the next one!
Read
May 7, 2021An Exciting Read
Dominic Piper has written another great story. His fast paced writing draws you in immediately and you just can't put it down. You want to get to the end and find out who did it, but when you get there you don't want it to stop. The story is exciting and leads you through every emotion as it takes you on a rollercoaster ride of danger, fear and sex, with a good helping of dry humour. If you like to be kept on your toes, wondering what is going to happen next, Bitter Almonds & Jasmine is for you. A real dynamite page turner full of grit and fire, that will also find time to touch your heart.
Dominic Piper has written another great story. His fast paced writing draws you in immediately and you just can't put it down. You want to get to the end and find out who did it, but when you get there you don't want it to stop. The story is exciting and leads you through every emotion as it takes you on a rollercoaster ride of danger, fear and sex, with a good helping of dry humour. If you like to be kept on your toes, wondering what is going to happen next, Bitter Almonds & Jasmine is for you. A real dynamite page turner full of grit and fire, that will also find time to touch your heart.
May 17, 2021
PI Daniel Beckett is like Lee Child's Jack Reacher on steroids; John Le Carré's spies on speed. We know it's happening. It's another pandemic; glad someone is cleaning up the filth. I devoured it; my best read so far this year.
April 3, 2021
Another great read
Another very well written yarn! I love your descriptions of people and places. It makes you feel like you’re there with your characters. I love the series.
Another very well written yarn! I love your descriptions of people and places. It makes you feel like you’re there with your characters. I love the series.
October 15, 2021
Really good Pulp Fiction genre
Yup, classic pulp fiction writing. You’ll love it. Fast paced and a world of hurt for the protagonist. But… sorry no spoilers.
Yup, classic pulp fiction writing. You’ll love it. Fast paced and a world of hurt for the protagonist. But… sorry no spoilers.
February 1, 2024
A Superb Modern Thriller
London-based private investigator Daniel Beckett tackles a sinister and dangerous case in this superb modern thriller. Magnificent writing, believable characters, and a page-turning story. Highly recommended.
London-based private investigator Daniel Beckett tackles a sinister and dangerous case in this superb modern thriller. Magnificent writing, believable characters, and a page-turning story. Highly recommended.
September 17, 2024
Magnificent!
Wow! This book is incredibly good! This is the first book I've read by Dominic Piper but it will definitely not be the last!!! The storyline is off the charts!
There is so much action and edge of your seat suspense, along with murder, violence, and beyond horrific events, balanced with humor, lust, and revenge.
The writing was reminiscent of one of my favorite authors back in the day, Sidney Sheldon! That's quite an accomplishment! I'm anxious now to read more of this author's work! If it's anywhere close to the caliber of this book, they will be extraordinary reads!
Extremely well done, and highly recommended!
Wow! This book is incredibly good! This is the first book I've read by Dominic Piper but it will definitely not be the last!!! The storyline is off the charts!
There is so much action and edge of your seat suspense, along with murder, violence, and beyond horrific events, balanced with humor, lust, and revenge.
The writing was reminiscent of one of my favorite authors back in the day, Sidney Sheldon! That's quite an accomplishment! I'm anxious now to read more of this author's work! If it's anywhere close to the caliber of this book, they will be extraordinary reads!
Extremely well done, and highly recommended!
May 9, 2022
I've Read All Four Twice Now
Okay. This reading was even better than the first time through. Still has the same great, creepy characters, too. Lots of nasty business there. So that hasn't changed.
Now here's the good news and the good news: First Good News: I get to start reading the four - book series all over again. Second Good News: I get to, once again, look forward to reading Book Five! HINT THERE, DOMINIIC!
Cheers and Happy Reading!
Adam James 😎
Www.blackdogebooks.com
Okay. This reading was even better than the first time through. Still has the same great, creepy characters, too. Lots of nasty business there. So that hasn't changed.
Now here's the good news and the good news: First Good News: I get to start reading the four - book series all over again. Second Good News: I get to, once again, look forward to reading Book Five! HINT THERE, DOMINIIC!
Cheers and Happy Reading!
Adam James 😎
Www.blackdogebooks.com
March 14, 2023
Dominic Piper's writing is compelling. Huge and unashamed hints back to old style PI books, but done with far more panache. Couldn't put it down, but had to at 2am! Finished by 4pm the next day. Awful crimes tastefully(!) handled. There is some blood!
October 18, 2024
A fast paced story, with quirky, believable characters and a satisfyingly twisting plot that kept me turning pages. If you like detective stories with a dark difference, this is the book for you.
March 16, 2023
I read this in dribs and drabs over a few weeks as I had a lot going on! This is the first book I've read by this author and I've just bought the other ones. It's simply fantastic! Daniel Beckett is a London-based private investigator with some sort of secret past that you only find out about through his abilities and actions. He's contacted out of the blue by a former colleague (but how she is a colleague, we typically are never told) who has been involved in some unpleasant intelligence duties and is now in fear of her life after unmasking a terrible conspiracy. I won't spoil the story for you, I'll just say that this is a morally satisfying, pretty sexy, well-paced, brilliantly written novel that drags some of the worst scumbags in the world into its orbit and gives them a damn good kicking! The secondary characters bubble over with personality and wit and could even be given books of their own. I've never been a great fan of the crime/thriller genre, but this book goes beyond that and is in a class of its own. It'd be a great book to take on holiday. Recommended and then some. I'll certainly review the others when I've read them.
January 30, 2024
The Best Thriller I’ve Read In Ages.
Superb prose, a thrilling, gripping storyline, and a charismatic main character meld together to make this the best thriller I’ve read in ages. Daniel Beckett is a thirty-something private investigator with way more skills/abilities than you’d expect from someone in that job. This begs the question: who the hell is this guy? Where does he come from? The mystery of the case he’s on (when an old colleague turns up out of the blue requiring assistance) is mixed in with the mystery of Beckett himself to dramatic effect. Mysterious, smart, twisted, witty, sleazy, envelope-pushing and pretty damn sexy. You’ll love it.
Superb prose, a thrilling, gripping storyline, and a charismatic main character meld together to make this the best thriller I’ve read in ages. Daniel Beckett is a thirty-something private investigator with way more skills/abilities than you’d expect from someone in that job. This begs the question: who the hell is this guy? Where does he come from? The mystery of the case he’s on (when an old colleague turns up out of the blue requiring assistance) is mixed in with the mystery of Beckett himself to dramatic effect. Mysterious, smart, twisted, witty, sleazy, envelope-pushing and pretty damn sexy. You’ll love it.
March 13, 2023
Terrible! Nowhere is it mentioned that themes of graphically abused children feature in this story. I found the whole orgy scene to be abhorrent and triggering. I think you have to be a certain type of writer and reader to get kicks from
a fictionalised story such as this one. The description and blurb are misleading. A trigger warming must be added for real victims who may pick up this book and have their entire day ruined due to having ptsd and trauma triggered. False advertising. Needs to be clearer this is what the book is about.
a fictionalised story such as this one. The description and blurb are misleading. A trigger warming must be added for real victims who may pick up this book and have their entire day ruined due to having ptsd and trauma triggered. False advertising. Needs to be clearer this is what the book is about.
March 13, 2023
Took me a while to get around reading this one due to my other reading commitments! This is a brilliant piece of work. Daniel Beckett is a charming, private investigator with a mysterious past. One night (or early morning), he's contacted by a former colleague whose life appears to be in danger after a clandestine surveillance job. Then things go badly wrong. A superb thriller that is probably one of the best books I've read in years. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2026
Bitter Almonds & Jasmine is a formulaic pop-fiction private eye novel, with a far-fetched plot, an impossibly good-looking and fearless private investigator, non-stop (but unfunny) witty one-liners, instant lock-picking, handcuff escapes and superhuman fighting skills. There are also multiple incorrect uses of “disinterested” (when “uninterested” was clearly meant) which was annoying. This is not the worst novel of this kind but generally not recommended.
Want to read
July 2, 2021
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Blurb:
It was all going so well.
A cabal of corrupt intelligence officials and convicted criminals organising secret, lavish orgies for important movers and shakers in the world of international business.
All tastes catered for, no matter how extreme, debauched and distasteful.
Discretion assured. Security leaks dealt with quickly, efficiently and mercilessly.
Then they make a mistake.
And they've just pissed off the wrong person.
Merged review:
→ On sale for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
It was all going so well.
A cabal of corrupt intelligence officials and convicted criminals organising secret, lavish orgies for important movers and shakers in the world of international business.
All tastes catered for, no matter how extreme, debauched and distasteful.
Discretion assured. Security leaks dealt with quickly, efficiently and mercilessly.
Then they make a mistake.
And they've just pissed off the wrong person.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews