Just Literature discussion

Just finished reading Deadly Pleasures and here is my review:

In Deathly Pleasures, you are invited to explore a culture where the darker a pleasure is—the more delight is to be found in it. Witness the collusion between the seemingly stable world of wealthy yacht club members, and the gritty, risqué world of BDSM clubs. Of the many characters, who is the Bondage Murderer, and which of the two worlds does he—or she—come from?
The author, Mary Firmin, aims for a fun, action filled delivery that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Her female protagonist, Megan Riley (a struggling real estate agent) is a woman who learns to find her strength. She takes risks, which makes her a dynamic character, and no less intense than the male protagonist, Matt Donovan (an LAPD detective.) Many of the reviews have given a plot summary already. Instead, I will focus on the writing.

The story is crafted, for the most part, in brisk utterances, short paragraphs. Leading up to the cinematic climax, Megan has to compose herself, and figure out her surroundings. “Then it all came back. She was on the Grants’ yacht. She was in the hallway. She’s been attacked from behind. She was hit on the head, over and over… Whoever it was had done a real number.”

The author punctuates her story, ever so cleverly, with clues, some of which are red herring, for the fun of keeping you guessing until the last twist of the plot. When she does offer descriptions, they are crafted with economy, and reflect her many days of sailing up and down the California Coastline: “Sliver-lined clouds hovered above the island, hiding the moon. From where she stood, Megan could see the anchor lights of the boats repeat themselves in the blackness of the water and glimmer like reflected stars.”

It is no accident that a reference to Amazon Women is introduced into the story, when Megan looks at a portrait: “A beautiful fair-haired woman stalked barefoot alongside a river. Hooked over her left shoulder was a rawhide quiver of arrows and, trailing behind her, a tired looking male, his hands secured by brown leather thongs… The woman’s right breast was gone, replaced by a vicious scar.” In the Iliad, Amazon women were referred to as “those who fight like men.” They removed their left breast, perhaps so they could better steady their bows and draw their arrows straight across their chest. Here, the bodies of the murder victims have been mutilated in a similar way. Perhaps this mutilation, which is the mark of being a victim, can also be a mark of finding your courage. In the most profound sense, Megan is a contemporary Amazon woman.

Five Stars.

Great review of an incredibly well written book by Mary Firmin. Deadly Pleasures grabbed my attention from the word go and I couldn't put it down.

Linda wrote: "Great review of an incredibly well written book by Mary Firmin. Deadly Pleasures grabbed my attention from the word go and I couldn't put it down."

Oh thank you Linda! I can totally understand that.