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Key West #5
Virgin Heat
Meet Angelina Amaro, the star-crossed daughter of Mafia capo Paul Amaro. For ten long years virginal Angelina has been carrying a secret torch for the stool pigeon who betrayed her father to the cops in exchange for a spot in the Witness Protection Program. When she recognizes her beloved's hands mixing drinks in a relative's Key West vacation video, Angelina stops pining and starts planning her escape from her family and reunion with her man Sal, who now goes by the name of Ziggy Maxx. Naturally, the course of true love never did run smoothly, and it isn't long before Papa is on her trail with hilarious results.
Playing the Mafia for laughs is a novel idea, and it works quite well in Laurence Shames' fifth book, Virgin Heat. In Angelina, Mr. Shames has found a sympathetic heroine, and in his collection of undercover cops, cross-dressing mafiosi, vengeful hit men, and long-suffering wives, he has created a memorable cast of supporting characters.
351 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1997
269 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Shames
40 books241 followersLaurence Shames has been a New York City taxi driver, lounge singer, furniture mover, lifeguard, dishwasher, gym teacher, and shoe salesman. Having failed to distinguish himself in any of those professions, he turned to writing full-time in 1976 and has not done an honest day’s work since.
His basic laziness notwithstanding, Shames has published more than twenty books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. Best known for his critically acclaimed series of Key West Capers--14 titles and counting!--he has also authored non-fiction and enjoyed considerable though largely secret success as a collaborator and ghostwriter. Shames has penned four New York Times bestsellers. These have appeared on four different lists, under four different names, none of them his own. This might be a record.
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951, to chain-smoking parents of modest means but flamboyant emotions, Shames did not know Philip Roth, Paul Simon, Queen Latifa, Shaquille O’Neal, or any of the other really cool people who have come from his hometown. He graduated summa cum laude from NYU in 1972 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a side note, both his alma mater and honorary society have been extraordinarily adept at tracking his many address changes through the decades, in spite of the fact that he’s never sent them one red cent, and never will.
It was on an Italian beach in the summer of 1970 that Shames first heard the sacred call of the writer’s vocation. Lonely and poor, hungry and thirsty, he’d wandered into a seaside trattoria, where he noticed a couple tucking into a big platter of fritto misto. The man was nothing much to look at but the woman was really beautiful. She was perfectly tan and had a very fine-gauge gold chain looped around her bare tummy. The couple was sharing a liter of white wine; condensation beaded the carafe. Eye contact was made; the couple turned out to be Americans. The man wiped olive oil from his rather sensual lips and introduced himself as a writer. Shames knew in that moment that he would be one too.
He began writing stories and longer things he thought of as novels. He couldn’t sell them.
By 1979 he’d somehow become a journalist and was soon publishing in top-shelf magazines like Playboy, Outside, Saturday Review, and Vanity Fair. (This transition entailed some lucky breaks, but is not as vivid a tale as the fritto misto bit, so we’ll just sort of gloss over it.) In 1982, Shames was named Ethics columnist of Esquire, and also made a contributing editor to that magazine.
By 1986 he was writing non-fiction books. The critical, if not the commercial, success of these first established Shames’ credentials as a collaborator/ghostwriter. His 1991 national bestseller, Boss of Bosses, written with two FBI agents, got him thinking about the Mafia. It also bought him a ticket out of New York and a sweet little house in Key West, where he finally got back to Plan A: writing novels. Given his then-current preoccupations, the novels naturally featured palm trees, high humidity, dogs in sunglasses, and New York mobsters blundering through a town where people were too laid back to be afraid of them. But this part of the story is best told with reference to the books themselves, so please spend some time and explore them.
His basic laziness notwithstanding, Shames has published more than twenty books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. Best known for his critically acclaimed series of Key West Capers--14 titles and counting!--he has also authored non-fiction and enjoyed considerable though largely secret success as a collaborator and ghostwriter. Shames has penned four New York Times bestsellers. These have appeared on four different lists, under four different names, none of them his own. This might be a record.
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951, to chain-smoking parents of modest means but flamboyant emotions, Shames did not know Philip Roth, Paul Simon, Queen Latifa, Shaquille O’Neal, or any of the other really cool people who have come from his hometown. He graduated summa cum laude from NYU in 1972 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a side note, both his alma mater and honorary society have been extraordinarily adept at tracking his many address changes through the decades, in spite of the fact that he’s never sent them one red cent, and never will.
It was on an Italian beach in the summer of 1970 that Shames first heard the sacred call of the writer’s vocation. Lonely and poor, hungry and thirsty, he’d wandered into a seaside trattoria, where he noticed a couple tucking into a big platter of fritto misto. The man was nothing much to look at but the woman was really beautiful. She was perfectly tan and had a very fine-gauge gold chain looped around her bare tummy. The couple was sharing a liter of white wine; condensation beaded the carafe. Eye contact was made; the couple turned out to be Americans. The man wiped olive oil from his rather sensual lips and introduced himself as a writer. Shames knew in that moment that he would be one too.
He began writing stories and longer things he thought of as novels. He couldn’t sell them.
By 1979 he’d somehow become a journalist and was soon publishing in top-shelf magazines like Playboy, Outside, Saturday Review, and Vanity Fair. (This transition entailed some lucky breaks, but is not as vivid a tale as the fritto misto bit, so we’ll just sort of gloss over it.) In 1982, Shames was named Ethics columnist of Esquire, and also made a contributing editor to that magazine.
By 1986 he was writing non-fiction books. The critical, if not the commercial, success of these first established Shames’ credentials as a collaborator/ghostwriter. His 1991 national bestseller, Boss of Bosses, written with two FBI agents, got him thinking about the Mafia. It also bought him a ticket out of New York and a sweet little house in Key West, where he finally got back to Plan A: writing novels. Given his then-current preoccupations, the novels naturally featured palm trees, high humidity, dogs in sunglasses, and New York mobsters blundering through a town where people were too laid back to be afraid of them. But this part of the story is best told with reference to the books themselves, so please spend some time and explore them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 1, 2017
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?
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?
May 25, 2022
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!
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!
July 27, 2012
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.
July 22, 2016
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.
June 16, 2022
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.
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.
August 16, 2021
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.
July 28, 2017
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.
December 21, 2021
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.
June 3, 2023
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.
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.
January 15, 2018
Wacky Florida humor thriller putting New York Mafia in Key West. In league with Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey.
May 9, 2019
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.
January 13, 2024
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.
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.
January 24, 2024
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...
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...
August 31, 2017
A low three-star novel that was light and quick to read.
January 16, 2020
Another One
Shames pens another entertaining novel, full of colorful characters and a playful caper.
Keep up the good work, and thanks.
Shames pens another entertaining novel, full of colorful characters and a playful caper.
Keep up the good work, and thanks.
May 8, 2021
This one was weak. I didn't find the story or characters interesting
September 12, 2022
This one missed the humor of the others in the series.
October 10, 2023
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.
January 17, 2024
Great story
This a complicated story, with interesting characters. It deals with interesting themes more than the typical adventure story. An enjoyable read.
This a complicated story, with interesting characters. It deals with interesting themes more than the typical adventure story. An enjoyable read.
May 5, 2024
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.
June 25, 2025
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.
I look forward to the next in the series.
November 21, 2025
virgin heat
interesting story. good look at the New York crime scene with its unique characters. I would recommend to other readers
interesting story. good look at the New York crime scene with its unique characters. I would recommend to other readers
July 6, 2025
Whilst initially gripping, the plot becomes very mediocre. Underwhelming ending in which arguably no characters seem to achieve anything.
August 8, 2014
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.
March 6, 2015
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.
May 1, 2016
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.
December 18, 2010
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.
June 28, 2014
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.
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.
January 20, 2015
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.
June 24, 2023
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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews