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The Seduction of Peter S.
Luxury and murder, action and erotic adventure collide in this shocking thriller by today's master of modern suspense. The smash bestseller by the author of The Seventh Commandment and the classic The First Deadly Sin, it is the story of a man who pursues woman's oldest profession ... until the mob walks in.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
9 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Sanders
160 books375 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.
Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 1, 2021
Lawrence Sanders must have had the confidence to write this after establishing a career of more mainstream novels and genre structure because this is a plotless series of vignettes held together by the character piece of Peter, a failed actor who fights to succeed at the best role yet, that of a rich gigolo and brothel owner. I say that as a compliment though because pure character studies are rare and unmarketable and sometimes a good story isn't a story at all but a perspective of how a protagonist thinks about his personal journey and himself.
Peter rapidly attains success, money and an expansive clientele of lonely women, hoping to finally find fulfillment in the "part" he sees the rich and powerful playing everyday, but slowly finds out that it is another bad gig and that no illusion will bring him the sense of dignity and self assurance. He realizes this truth much too late in one of the most quietly cruel endings I've read in awhile and after numerous moral compromises that lead to him losing those closest to him.
Sanders is once again a powerful writer with a distinct sense of his character's ambiguities & quirks and the tragic comedy of life. The only rough bit of this book was his silly interpretation of what women want and their sexual kinks. Those client vignettes were eye rolling and cheesy.
Peter rapidly attains success, money and an expansive clientele of lonely women, hoping to finally find fulfillment in the "part" he sees the rich and powerful playing everyday, but slowly finds out that it is another bad gig and that no illusion will bring him the sense of dignity and self assurance. He realizes this truth much too late in one of the most quietly cruel endings I've read in awhile and after numerous moral compromises that lead to him losing those closest to him.
Sanders is once again a powerful writer with a distinct sense of his character's ambiguities & quirks and the tragic comedy of life. The only rough bit of this book was his silly interpretation of what women want and their sexual kinks. Those client vignettes were eye rolling and cheesy.
June 19, 2016
My fourth Sander's book in a row. A well-written, highly original story (sprinkled with plenty of Sanders' humour) of a failed actor's deepening involvement with a whole host of interesting characters in the sex trade in New York. Entertainment.
August 29, 2020
Read in 1983. Masterful thriller about a young man seduced by power. One of my favorites that year.
June 12, 2017
I bought this book with its tattered cover from a small shop for 20 pence last month and it's on my list of favourite ever books.
It follows the journey of a failing actor who eats spaghetti at a little diner with his friends and spends his evenings sitting alone in the 'Losers Club', a small bar where failing actors and off-duty police men go to drink. This is where he meets a woman donning a mink coat and a designer handbag, a woman who definitely looks like she should not be here, who pays him to have sex with her.
From this encounter unravels the character and philosophy of Peter S, from his view that the rich are terribly embarrassing commodities of the modern world (written in the 80s), to his realisation that he eventually becomes much like them himself. He finds himself the co-founder of a luxurious, yet scandalous, club, and he realises that what comes with success, especially with this kind of business, is a lot of danger and a lot of pay-outs.
This is one of those books that you stumble across in a forgotten bookshop and you find yourself on this rollercoaster of ups and downs, following a character you can identify with. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will not be giving up my tattered edition to anyone.
It follows the journey of a failing actor who eats spaghetti at a little diner with his friends and spends his evenings sitting alone in the 'Losers Club', a small bar where failing actors and off-duty police men go to drink. This is where he meets a woman donning a mink coat and a designer handbag, a woman who definitely looks like she should not be here, who pays him to have sex with her.
From this encounter unravels the character and philosophy of Peter S, from his view that the rich are terribly embarrassing commodities of the modern world (written in the 80s), to his realisation that he eventually becomes much like them himself. He finds himself the co-founder of a luxurious, yet scandalous, club, and he realises that what comes with success, especially with this kind of business, is a lot of danger and a lot of pay-outs.
This is one of those books that you stumble across in a forgotten bookshop and you find yourself on this rollercoaster of ups and downs, following a character you can identify with. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will not be giving up my tattered edition to anyone.
February 7, 2022
I gotta say, this was one of those books that I bought cause I got a good deal on a first edition copy and the cover was pretty. Instead, I got a beautiful books that brings interesting takes on feminism and sex work in the 1980s. The book continues to build throughout the entire novel (be warned- its a thick book) but not once was I ever bored. At points, you ask yourself 'where could Sander's take me from here?' And then things just get better, more interesting.
May 28, 2016
This is another book that fell into my lap by accident when someone I had been hanging out with gave it to me. I think this is one of the few books I have read multiple times...not because of it's literary magnificence but simply for the pure joy of the absurdity of the story itself! I love this book...not sure how many people will join me on my bandwagon but it is pure entertainment for me!!
September 12, 2010
the book for management student
October 18, 2012
LEWD & DISGUSTING PROTAGONIST BUT COULD BE EMPATHIZED AS THE PLOT UNFOLDS
March 20, 2015
At the time I read this book (Feb 2000), I enjoyed it. That said, due to personal changes in my life, I would never read this book now (2015).
August 28, 2025
I skimmed through the other reviews after reading, but before writing my review and I have to ask myself if I read the same book as these people giving it 5 stars. I don't know how this was a best seller other than I find it to be a rather original, if boring, story line. Our main protagonist, Peter S., is a failed actor that finds himself getting highly involved in the sex industry, specifically male sex workers and, later, escorts in addition to a private club. Other than financially, and physically (the author makes several references to Peter's increased girth as the book progresses), Peter shows very little personal growth until the last few chapters and even then, it's more of an increased awareness rather than true growth.
It has some of the hallmarks of traditional American Literature, including spinning something successful out of failure (or nothing), and general struggle, but you also get some themes from your classical literature, including pride and, more specifically, the pride before the fall. Unfortunately, that does not make it any more interesting and I found myself constantly waiting for something to happen. When it finally did, it was rather anti-climatic and you could see it coming a mile away.
Overall, as I picked it up for under a dollar at the Salvation Army, I can't say I overpaid for it, but I will say that whoever wrote the summary on the back made it sound much more interesting than it actually was and probably deserves a raise.
It has some of the hallmarks of traditional American Literature, including spinning something successful out of failure (or nothing), and general struggle, but you also get some themes from your classical literature, including pride and, more specifically, the pride before the fall. Unfortunately, that does not make it any more interesting and I found myself constantly waiting for something to happen. When it finally did, it was rather anti-climatic and you could see it coming a mile away.
Overall, as I picked it up for under a dollar at the Salvation Army, I can't say I overpaid for it, but I will say that whoever wrote the summary on the back made it sound much more interesting than it actually was and probably deserves a raise.
June 26, 2022
I really am a big Lawrence Sanders fan. Saying that this was a reread from 25 years ago. I remember ripping through this novel in one day and loving it. ( I am a native New Yorker so maybe the scenery does feel nostalgic). Back then I would of given this 5 stars no doubt.
On my reread I realized some of the cliches and corny lines that just didn't fit with the book. I will say Lawrence Sanders is a master storyteller and recommend this book to anyone. Someone commented the novel was too long? It's under 400 pages folks. I also realized that although I disagree with the ending the Author took, he did want to leave a moral to his story. This is not a spoiler, it's just that Peter S. was naive In many things. The Author wants you to understand this with the ending. I believe that's why he titled the book the Seduction of Peter S. He was not seduced by sex, money, or women. Peter S. was seduced by his shortcomings..Now think about that..🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
On my reread I realized some of the cliches and corny lines that just didn't fit with the book. I will say Lawrence Sanders is a master storyteller and recommend this book to anyone. Someone commented the novel was too long? It's under 400 pages folks. I also realized that although I disagree with the ending the Author took, he did want to leave a moral to his story. This is not a spoiler, it's just that Peter S. was naive In many things. The Author wants you to understand this with the ending. I believe that's why he titled the book the Seduction of Peter S. He was not seduced by sex, money, or women. Peter S. was seduced by his shortcomings..Now think about that..🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
January 9, 2019
První třetina se rozjela slušně a vypadalo to na 4 hvězdičky. Nicméně pak už to bylo tak nějak pořád to samé dokola a nakonec to nějak vyšumělo. I tak je to skvělé jako příručka pro podnikatele, jak pružně řešit problémy a kreativně rozvíjet svůj business, i když nemáte ambice být zrovna mužská šlapka :D
May 19, 2022
This is a decent enough book - an interesting topic and the writing is overall pretty good. Somehow the characters and situation just didn't keep my interest past about halfway. The plot is no surprise and the characters have limited interest and sympathy. Not bad, but I think a condensed version would have pleased me more.
November 7, 2023
A will written mystery
A will written mystery with interesting well developed characters. Once again the usual characters enter into an entertaining fast moving mystery. I would recommend this novel and the series too anyone who enjoys an old fashion mystery. Enjoy reading 2007
I read this as an e-book from the local library
A will written mystery with interesting well developed characters. Once again the usual characters enter into an entertaining fast moving mystery. I would recommend this novel and the series too anyone who enjoys an old fashion mystery. Enjoy reading 2007
I read this as an e-book from the local library
July 16, 2018
Harder to find Lawrence Sanders work these days. In his time he was the king of police procedural/crime dramas. Written with a flair, this one is a character study of failing to live up to personal expectations and is highly engrossing.
Sanders's Deadly Sin series is very good reading.
Sanders's Deadly Sin series is very good reading.
October 10, 2017
Interesting and a good read. A little drawn out.
Read
March 31, 2022Mildly entertaining. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. Nor say it's weak.
October 21, 2023
Full of surprises. Could make an intriguing movie or limited series.
September 22, 2024
Love his books!
April 2, 2025
An Ok page turner which I enjoyed for about two thirds but then it ran out of stream
December 10, 2021
Like DeFelitta (Audrey Rose) but no Geiger-counter,for example. Still, it’s psychedelic ala the birth-of-London-Fashion collaborations and haunts. A masterpiece.
September 13, 2020
Didn’t finish. Enjoyed initially (good writing) but lost interest.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews