"A sharp, strange, well-observed murder mystery.” - Kirkus Reviews
The Most Precious Friends Hide the Darkest Secrets
"In the Hamptons, interlopers are as ubiquitous as deer ticks. The only way to remove one is to apply steady, even pressure on the head and pull."
JB Pulaski, a tenured sociology professor, thought surviving cancer was his greatest battle. Now, desperate to save his crumbling marriage, he retreats to his Sag Harbor summer home with his philandering husband Mike and teenage son Emilio.
Instead, he finds humiliation.
When Mike begins a public affair with Italian pianist Gianni Cuomo, JB becomes the summer's most whispered-about scandal—the cuckolded husband everyone pities but no one respects. But when Gianni is found murdered at an exclusive costume party, pity transforms into suspicion, and JB becomes the prime suspect.
Behind the gated driveways and manicured lawns lies a world where appearances are everything and loyalty is currency. As the investigation closes in, JB must confront not only a conspiracy designed to destroy him, but the darkness he's spent a lifetime suppressing. With his son's future hanging in the balance and his own violent impulses emerging, JB discovers that in the Hamptons, the most dangerous predators wear the most beautiful masks.
Book 3 in the Angelo Perrotta Mysteries—a standalone psychological thriller
Frank Spinelli, MD is an American born physician living in New York.
He has contributed articles for the Advocate and The Huffington Post. Writing credits include: The Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness (Alyson Books), Pee-Shy: A Memoir (Kensington Books), which has been optioned to be developed into a limited series and contributing author – Our Naked Lives (Bordighera Press) and Understanding the Sexual Betrayal of Boys and Men (Routledge).
He has made appearances on Sirius Radio’s Morning Jolt with Larry Flick and co-hosted Speak Out: Real Talk about AIDS.
Documentary credits include, 30 Years from Here (Emmy-nominated), Positive Youth and I’m a Porn Star.
Television credits include ABC News, NBC Nightly News, MTV, a national commercial and Sesame Street. In 2015, he hosted a season of Dueling Doctors.
Frank Spinelli is an advocate for child sexual abuse survivors and has given frequent interviews about his experience as a victim of child sexual abuse while in the Boy Scouts.
Thoughts: A good start as JB is scaring Dan about being involved in th Sag Harbor murders awhile ago for a joke. JB is still recovering from cancer and its effects but his marriage is rocky with Matt. The start of the book is all about JB and Mike’s falling marriage along with Rajesh and his Andy’s marriage woes. This is the 3rd book in the series which is best read in order.
Writing Style- written in 3rd person. Themes & POV- cheating included, strained marriages, health problems from kemo, attempted murder.
Conclusion- I gave up on this as the storyline didn’t hold my attention until 40% but the cheating escalated and then attempted murder happened. Nope, not for me triggered. I received an author advance reader copy and this is my honest thoughts.
If you are looking for a great summer read, look no further than Frank Spinelli’s Precious Friends. JB has been married to Mike for seventeen years. When JB was diagnosed with prostrate cancer their marriage began to crumble. Mike embarrassed JB with his flagrant affairs. In an effort to chase off one of Mike’s lovers, JB claims to have murdered a couple that Mike had been involved with. While the lie works, it will come back to haunt him when Gianni, Mike’s current lover, is murdered. This is the Hamptons, where society thrives on gossip and social climbing is a full time occupation. At an exclusive party, JB’s drunken behavior ruins his social standing. He is given another chance by the hosts at a costume party. He was the last person seen with Gianni before the body was found floating in the pool. In a fit of rage, Mike accuses JB of the murder and he becomes the prime suspect. There is a conspiracy to destroy JB and Spinelli will keep you guessing who is behind it right up to the very end.
This is the third book in the Angelo Perrotta series, but Angelo steps back in this entry. As JB’s friend, he is there to advise him and give support, but this is JB’s story. While he deals with his crumbling marriage, he is also supported by Rajesh, a friend from college who has marriage problems of his own. Despite this, Rajesh is always handy with a martini and gossip. JB and Mike also have a teenage son who is aware of the situation at home and is not handling it well. When it leads to a health crisis, JB finally takes a good look at his life and sees a way forward. Secrets, blackmail, infidelity and murder will keep you racing through the pages of Precious Friends. I would like to thank NetGalley and Level Best Books for providing this book.
This was my first book by Frank Spinelli and it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved it and could not put it down!
JB Pulaski has had a rough year. As he battled cancer, he was forced to watch his husband of seventeen years carry out numerous not-so-secret affairs. Now that JB has recovered, his husband Mike is bolder than ever—parading men around for anyone to see. But when one of Mike’s strays is found murdered, JB becomes the prime suspect. What unfolds next is a twisted tale full of infidelity, secrets, and lies.
Set in the Hamptons, this story does an incredible job of placing you amongst the wealthy and elite. There are exclusive social circles, extravagant parties, and a constant stream of gossip. I thought all the characters were very well written, especially JB. I enjoyed watching his growth throughout the story and really loved his relationship with his son Emilio.
The mystery itself created an atmosphere of ever-building tension. With so many twists and turns and suspicious characters that I never had any idea which direction the story was heading. I would recommended this to any mystery lover and cannot wait to read more of this author’s works.
Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Precious Friends is a campy, quotable, voyeuristic thriller that stays surprisingly funny despite multiple deaths. The main characters are unlikable and self‑absorbed, but their messy, privileged world is undeniably entertaining. The standout side characters including the doctor and his fiancé, plus the (Ina Garten coded chef)add warmth and laughs.
The pacing is quick, and while the murder weapon is easy to guess, the killer isn’t. The cancer subplot felt unnecessary, but the awkward relationship with the teenage son improves and he becomes one of the more likable parts.
A fun, breezy summer read. Perfect for poolside with a lemon bar and iced coffee.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. I would certainly check out other books by the author.
This book had all the fun things to keep me invested - murder, suspense, psychological games, marriage implosions. Having survived cancer, JB spends a lot of the beginning of the book telling himself and nearly everyone else that everything is fine. Slowly, however, he finds out just how much it isn’t, especially after his husband’s current “stray” is murdered and he’s a person of interest for the crime. The mystery itself was intricate and entertaining, and the detailed description of a summer among the elite at Sag Harbor made it that much more compelling. The third in a series, I was perfectly fine reading it as a standalone. That said, the first two are now on my TBR.
An absolute delight! Precious Friends is more than a suspenseful murder mystery. Full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this entertaining read is set in the high society of the Hamptons, where public opinion turns deadly.
Reeling from real-life issues of illness, infidelity, and the possibility of becoming a single parent, the main character, JB, faces exclusion from social events. He tells potential suitors that he’s responsible for the deaths of his husband Mike’s former lovers to keep them away from Mike, informing his friends that he’s just joking. But when the body of Mike’s current lover is found in the pool during the party of the season, and he becomes the prime suspect, it’s no longer funny.
From the start, author Spinelli creates doubt about whether JB is guilty or innocent. Suspicion surrounds him as he grapples with husband Mike’s behaviour, who flaunts his lovers in public and ignores his husband’s and son’s needs. Although his close friends stand by JB, distrust creeps into his relationships.
The suspense builds with urgency as suspicion zings back and forth between characters. Revelations keep coming, with clues cleverly pointing to different suspects, as JB tries to keep his family intact. The climactic reveal of the killer comes as a shock, with aftereffects as all the loose ends are resolved.
Although Precious Friends is book 3 in a series, it works perfectly as a stand-alone read. Great storyline, excellent characterization, and real-life issues. Such a fun read! Each time I was forced to put down the book to attend to my own real-life responsibilities, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. Spinelli’s smooth writing style and finesse at doling out snippets of information at a time kept me wanting more. Drama, romance, and mystery all rolled into an enjoyable read with a satisfying conclusion.
Thoughts: This was such an addictive and scandalous thriller! This is my first Frank Spinelli book and will not be my last. His writing has a sophisticated and sharp tone to it that matches the vibe of this old-money Hamptons setting so well. Like any good murder mystery, Precious Friends had me considering nearly every character as the killer. The main character JB is certainly relatable at times, but spirals just enough to make him feel unreliable. There was also such a satisfying amount of affluent society drama. There’s infidelity, blackmailing, drugs, martinis, invite only parties — oh, and a murder!
4 stars mainly for marketing inconsistencies. This book is marketed as a psychological thriller and I somewhat disagree. While JB and other characters are absolutely all in need of therapy for one diagnosis or another, I think the core tension in this story stems from all of the scandals and interpersonal dramas going on. I would personally sell this as a domestic thriller.
Recommended To: Anyone who is looking for a murder mystery that is fast and addicting and full of scandal. This is the perfect summer vibe. I also think a reader should be prepared for characters who are messy — entertaining and interesting above being likable. While this is a fun summertime murder mystery, there are themes that some readers might find upsetting. Proceed with caution if you are particularly sensitive to infidelity, pharmaceutical drug use, PTSD, and cancer treatment (past-tense)
I received an ARC from the publisher. The third in a series but a complete standalone.
Precious Friends: Murder in Sag Harbor is the kind of psychological thriller that reminds you why the genre exists—not just to shock or entertain, but to explore the darkest corners of human nature with surgical precision. JB Pulaski begins as a sympathetic protagonist: a cancer survivor watching his marriage disintegrate as his husband parades affair partners through their Hamptons social circle. But Spinelli has crafted something far more complex than a simple tale of betrayal. What starts as a story about a cuckolded husband slowly transforms into a chilling examination of how trauma can reshape someone into something unrecognizable. The genius lies in the gradual revelation. JB's transformation from passive victim to calculating predator is so expertly paced that you find yourself rooting for him even as you begin to question his methods. The author never lets you off the hook morally—JB remains sympathetic even as he becomes terrifying. The Hamptons setting isn't just backdrop; it's a character itself, with its performative wealth and social hierarchies providing perfect camouflage for predators of all kinds. The recurring metaphor of "interlopers as ubiquitous as deer ticks" is haunting and brilliant. The plotting is intricate without being convoluted, the dialogue crackles with authenticity, and the psychological insight is razor-sharp. This isn't just a thriller—it's a sophisticated exploration of marriage, trauma, class, and the lengths we'll go to protect what we love.
This was my first book by Frank Spinelli and I was thoroughly entertained. I want to go and read the previous books featuring a certain Doctor. Written in the third person you follow JB as the author slowly peels away the layers of his character, life, family, and friends. You start to see connections between four couples, their different social statuses in and out of their partnerships and how mid-life crisis, snobbery/social climbing and infidelity are a driving force. Shown as beauty and allure when it is really overindulgence, dishonesty and superficiality. Mixed in through this psychological suspense is the murder mystery. This was done so well as the suspense built. I vacillated between it's .... no it's .... . I wanted to flip ahead and see, but I didn't spoil the story for myself, well worth the wait. Difficult to put down once it started going. I didn't even clock .... , I may have tossed my tablet and yelled WTF. I was keeping a little list of suspects and their suspicious activities, not quite Charlie Day level. The deer/stag symbolism, without giving any story away, was giving me the destruction of innocence, while intending to end suffering still carries guilt. It had me really mulling over the end of the book and what JB really saw.
And you know your limits, so read the author's content warnings. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
This novel was disappointing. For me, this was less of a murder mystery than an overblown snapshot of vacuous life among idle rich gay men summering in the Hamptons, leading lives that seemingly is all about gossip driven by infidelity.The murder seemed to be an afterthought.
The protagonist, JB, is the most decent of all the characters. He has been married to Mike for seventeen years and they’ve adopted a son, Emilio. JB is recovering from prostate cancer and during that time his husband has been very sexually active, even bringing lovers into their home.
A thinly veiled power couple (based on a celebrity that even those who have not heard of Sag Harbor or the Hamptons would be aware of) hold a costume party and Mike’s lover of the moment, Gianni, is murdered.
JB is, of course, the prime suspect. and most of the book showcases the personalities of the people at the party, Hampton intrigue, and an array of possible suspects.
I tried to be interested. JB was the most developed of the characters and had the most depth but even he annoyed me at times. The character I felt most sympathy for was Emilio whose world was complicated and confusing.
I wonder why this is an Angelo Perrota murder mystery since he was a minor character and he didn’t solve the case.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Level Best Books for the opportunity to read the ARC and give an honest review.
This was a sharp, addictive psychological thriller that completely pulled me into its world of privilege, secrets, and simmering tension.
Precious Friends delivers a compelling mix of scandal, mystery, and emotional depth, set against the glossy backdrop of the Hamptons—where appearances are everything and nothing is quite as it seems. The story does an excellent job peeling back layers of its characters, revealing the cracks beneath carefully curated lives. I was especially drawn to the way the narrative explores vulnerability, betrayal, and the quiet unraveling of identity under pressure.
The pacing kept me hooked, balancing introspective moments with steadily building suspense. Every interaction felt loaded, every revelation meaningful, and the atmosphere carried this underlying sense of unease that made it hard to put down. It’s the kind of book where you’re constantly questioning motives and second-guessing what you think you know.
What really stood out was how character-driven the story is—this isn’t just about the mystery, but about the emotional consequences that ripple through every choice and relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A gripping, polished thriller that blends drama and suspense beautifully—definitely one to add to your must-read list.
Precious Friends is a psychological suspense wrapped in the glittering decay of Hamptons society. Frank Spinelli has crafted something rare: a murder mystery where the real mystery is the human heart. JB Pulaski is an unforgettable narrator—sharp, damaged, darkly funny, and impossible to look away from. As he navigates his relentless infidelities against the backdrop of endless cocktail parties and social posturing, you feel his humiliation, rage, and desperate love for his son. When murder enters the picture, the stakes become unbearable. What sets this apart is Spinelli's refusal to offer easy answers or comfortable heroes. This is a novel about the masks we wear, the prices we pay for acceptance, and how far we'll go to protect what matters. The Hamptons setting is rendered with such sharp-eyed precision—equal parts beautiful and brutal—that it becomes a character itself. The prose is elegant and cutting. The dialogue crackles. The final act gutted me in the best way possible. If you love smart, literary thrillers with complex characters and moral ambiguity, this is your next obsession. I couldn't put it down.
Review of an advance copy from NetGalley. No incentive was provided in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is a fascinating look into what happens when the petty dramas of a well-to-do martini clique are overtaken by a real crisis - a murder.
The author takes a scalpel to each of the characters, including the protagonist, so the reader is left with no illusions that there's a hero in the bunch. They are all flawed, and for one reason or another could be associated or implicated in the murder. From unrequited love and blackmail, to internalised homophobia and addiction, Spinelli weaves a whodunit together at the same time as challenging the reader to understand that money and status comes at a price in this world.
I enjoyed the twists, and didn't seem the ultimate one coming. I know the sign of a good story is to leave you wanting more, but I knocked half a star off for the question I had left at the end, and the lack of karmic retribution for Mike. On the flipside, Luca's final scene was delicious.
Didn't realise this was part of a series and wouldn't say it feels like that impacted my enjoyment.
When I read Precious Friends, I didn't realize it was part of a series. However, it worked fine for me as a standalone. This novel gives readers a glimpse of the glamorous, upper-middle-class gay society in the Hamptons. But it's not trying to be an LGBQT+ story; being gay is simply who these characters are, and they experience the same problems as straight people: philandering spouses, cancer diagnoses, raising teenagers. It's about friends, family, loyalty, and betrayal. And murder. The story is told in third person, mainly from the POV of JB Pulaski, a sociology professor. When the latest lover of his philandering husband, Mike, is found dead in a swimming pool at a high-profile party, JB is the obvious suspect. And he soon becomes persona non grata. JB has to prove his innocence, but things get complicated as he starts to investigate. By clearing his name, he may end up implicating someone he loves. This was a well-constructed mystery with memorable characters and a glitzy setting. Recommended.
Precious Friends will have you packed and ready for the summer. This perfect read by the pool brings you gossip, fabulous parties, affairs and murder. What else can a gal ask for?
JB and Mike's marriage is on the rocks. Mike's has several boy toys and is not discreet about it. JB is dealing with a serious illness and Mike isn't helping at all. So JB decides to lie about murdering a couple that Mike was involved with. It all seems to be working in JB's favor until the body of one of Mike's side pieces turns up dead floating in the pool. JB becomes the suspect and the Hamptons has enough gossip that will last them the whole summer.
Loved this book so much. I thought everyone was a suspect and the killer. There is definitely someone trying to ruin JB and that makes for a great story. The ambience was perfectly set in the Hamptons where wealth, status, beauty parties and gossip rule the elite. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the characters and the murder.
Thank you Netgalley and Level Best Books/IBPA for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
“Life is too short. If I was upset with someone, I’d simply kill them.”
JB Pulaski in a moment of madness starts a rumour that he killed his husband’s lovers the previous year to scare away Mike’s newest conquest. But when Sag Harbour is rocked by another suspected murder at “TV Host’s Killer Party”, JB finds himself at the centre of the investigation.
As the story unfolds and pieces of evidence are cleverly dropped like crumbs it was really difficult to figure out not only who did it, but who to trust. I changed my mind so many times but loved that the characters had various vices and character flaws - they felt authentic against a backdrop so perfectly manicured.
Precious Friends is full to the brim with delicious tension, with twists and turns that kept me guessing right to the last chapter. I love this style of writing, Frank Spinelli has such a beautiful and decadent prose. A fantastic thriller set in the Hamptons; devour on your sun lounger with a martini.
“Frank Spinelli takes us on a romp through the rich and privileged society of the Hamptons in this twisting and dark ride that never lets up its pulse-pounding beat until the last page. Drama, mystery, suspense, metaphorical backstabbing, and literal baseball-bat bashing drip from the pages in a collective ooze of decay, set amid old friends, social ladder climbers, secret intrigues, and clandestine affairs. Interwoven into the debauchery swirling through Sag Harbor are tendrils of friendship, hope, honesty, and love that fight to gain a foothold in a tale of infidelity, blackmail, old grudges, and murder. Precious Friends is the modern, gay version of The Great Gatsby, where power, prestige, and presence are at the forefront of society, and gossip is the fuel that powers the action. Move this to the top of your pile of books, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.”
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of Precious Friends : Murder in Sag Harbor by Frank Spinelli. When I started this book I didn’t realize it was part of a series. I don’t think it’s necessary to read the first 2 books. JB and his husband of nearly two decades, Mike are part of Sag Harbors most elite. Together they have a teenaged son and a seemingly wonderful life. Unfortunately in the past year as JB battled cancer Mike carried on multiple affairs, each one becoming more brazen than the last. When his most recent dalliance is found dead JB is immediately a suspect. With so many suspects and twists and turns I truly wasn’t sure who the murderer was! Each time I thought I had figured it out something new was revealed. I do wish we got to see Mike get what he deserved, I truly hated his character. This was fast paced and so much fun. 4.25⭐️
If you love gripping murder mysteries and psychological thrillers with a fantastic M/M tinge, Precious Friends: Murder in Sag Harbor by Frank Spinelli is a must-read! Set against the seemingly perfect backdrop of the Hamptons, this book masterfully pulls you into a dark web of secrets, infidelity, and murder The suspense is brilliantly executed. Just when you think you finally have the mystery solved and know exactly what is happening, Spinelli throws another massive twist your way that completely upends your theories. The complex character dynamics and MM elements add a rich layer of tension to an already fast-paced plot. It is an absolute rollercoaster of a thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page! Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from Gay Romance Reviews and have provided my honest feedback.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
This was a proper page turner, that kept you guessing right until the very end. A true whodunnit, I raced through this book, needing to know.
At times there were so many suspects it could get a bit overwhelming, which left a lot of plot points to be resolved in a short amount of time after the big reveal. Some of them weren’t quite bottomed out.
Another small point was Luca’s rapid infatuation with JB, I feel like this could have been fleshed out more, as it was sudden and without context.
You will undoubtedly enjoy this read and would 100% recommend adding to your TBR.
Thanks to Netgalley and Level Best Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JB jokes that he murdered the couple his husband was having an affair with and then when another person his husband was having an affair with is murdered, he ends up being a suspect.
2.5 stars.
This book was ok at best. It took forever for anything resembling a mystery to get going and it was really just about rich gay men romping around Sag Harbor. It was a light mystery at best. I didn't really understand the relationship dynamics. I wish I would not have accepted the ARC offer on this one. Sorry.
JB Pulaski is a well-to-do sociology professor who has come to spend time in Sag Harbor with his son and husband in order to try to save his marriage. On top of recent cancer treatment, JB's husband has been openly flaunting his affairs. When his husband, Mike, starts an affair with an Italian pianist, the couple becomes the hot gossip topic of the summer. As JB tries to cope, the pianist is murdered at a party. The investigation begins to center on JB and his family and he must confront his own past in order to try to create a future. This is the third book in a series, but it does stand alone.
Ok so I was drawn to this initially for the cover, but what was inside was even better. Murder mystery/psych thriller that is fast paced? I was immediately sold. I loved how layered the characters were and how it kept you guessing + had a bit of drama in it too. This was my introduction to Frank Spinelli's work and I am keen to check out their other books as well. I think this is part of a series? But it felt like it could be read as a standalone. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Precious Friends, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I love a good mystery and this delivered! I had no idea where the story was going and I loved that. I really enjoyed the Hampton setting - exclusive parties, social circles full of wealth and gossip. All of the characters were well done. There was something suspicious about all of them. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery. This is book three in a series but it worked well as a stand alone. I haven’t read the others and had no issues following what was going on. Thank you GRR for my early copy!
This is my first Frank Spinelli book, and I went into it with expectations and was blown away. I literally started writing out the suspect I thought could have committed the crime, all to turn out completely wrong. This book kept me on edge the entire time, trying to figure out who killed him and why. And the side stories of the cheating husband, who I wished would be killed instead because how do you treat the man that gave you the life you had like crap after such a crazy diagnosis? Five-star read and will definitely read more in the future.
What could possibly go wrong in a community where drunken parties, scandal, and infidelity are the norm? Murder by person(s) unknown. J.B. is still pulling his life back together after his cancer treatments. His husband Mike is openly flirting and cheating on him. Their son, Emilio, is taking it all in, quietly. When a guest dies at a big splashy summer party with all three in attendance, J.B. is in the spotlight. This is a gripping, engrossing story of bad behavior and murder.
"'Precious Friends' teases, tempts, and then ropes the reader like a barbed-wire lasso. Sparkling with posh locales, biting dialogue, and razor-sharp narrative, Frank Spinelli’s gin-swilling characters are heroic or cruel or sexy or conniving…or all of the above. 'Precious Friends' is seductive, perfect fun." – Nick Nolan, author of Tales from Ballena Beach
What a mystery! So much going on that will keep you guessing until the end. The setting was perfect for the intrigue going on as the characters circle around each other, some in friendship, others in intrigue and murder thrown into the mix. Thanks to the author for the ARC!
Precious Friends is a fantastic, fast-paced murder mystery that hits all the right notes—drama, humor, romance, and high-stakes tension. Set in the luxurious world of the Hamptons, Frank Spinelli weaves a story that is as entertaining as it is emotionally grounded.