Deadly Pleasures [Kindle Edition]

Mary Firmin (Author)

Book Description

"Megan Riley has bigger things to worry about than the fact that her neighbor has just been found dead.
Her engagement has just ended, and she is once again on a quest to find Mr. Right—or at least Mr. Right Now. Tired of emotional ties and ready for a new adventure, Megan and her three best friends make a fateful decision. They hire hunky stripper Michael Harrington as their timeshare boytoy—unaware he is the prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders. Suddenly, they find themselves involved in a complicated murder investigation led by a handsome detective who is focused only on finding the twisted serial killer before he strikes again. But who will be the next to die? Megan, the hardworking real estate agent; newly divorced Kathleen; Alex, married to a wealthy businessman; or Rachel, the spurned wife of a hot Hollywood screenwriter?
Following her own investigation, Megan takes a wild ride through L.A.’s bondage parlors, hidden sex clubs, and the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous; soon she discovers that her quest for adventure has abruptly transformed into a dangerous game of life and death."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Firmin writes more like a seasoned storyteller than a debut novelist,...Deadly Pleasures  is recommended for readers who like to be both titillated and entertained. Ones certainly hopes that the author, an iUniverse Rising Star, has more naughty novels up her sleeves." Jill Allen, Clarion Reviews. (Five star review)

"Firmin's first novel is a first-rate murder mystery...swiftly paced tale of lust, seduction, duplicity and horror, Firmin's debut easily keeps the pages turning." Kirkus Reviews

"Sex and the City meets James Patterson in this tale of friendship that's peppered with enough thriller action to make Deadly Pleasures a solid guilty pleasure." Blueink Reviews

Deadly Pleasures doesn't rely on gimmicks. Firmin writes with authority. Fully developed characters keep the story moving. -Reviewed by Doris Parmett, National Best-selling author of Lies, Risk, and 11 other novels.

"There is a nice balance between romance and mystery making this a great read. I always enjoy a good mystery and I am looking forward to more of Firmin's books as this is one of the best mysteries I have read!" -Kristie from Readers Favorite

From the Author

Book Trailer
youtu.be/C9ep_iOIyw4

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 488 KB
• Print Length: 307 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1462042376
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: iUniverse (October 13, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0060MU6FQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,939 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Deadly Pleasures by Mary Firmin June 7, 2012

By BrendaUSA

Format:Paperback

If you want a great ride, something exciting and fast paced, then this is the perfect book to read. Things heat up right away in the opening scene where a drugged-up prostitute, Sherrie, (Red garter belt and lace) is having sex with her trick, George. George is a member of the Bayside Yacht Club where our protagonist, Megan Riley and her three rich girlfriends hang out. Between grunts, groans and lots of sweat, George studies a framed photograph of Sherrie with her close friend, another prostitute named Allison, who was brutally murdered six months prior. George dies in ecstasy having an orgasm with Sherrie and the women of the Yacht Club are about to be pulled into a murder mystery!

As prostitutes continue to turn up dead, things ramp up even more and the Yacht Club ladies, as an antidote to their cheating husbands and boring lifestyle, hire a boy-toy. Megan, a struggling real estate agent and recovering alcoholic, is a breath of fresh air in the group and goes along only because of their friendship. There is a taste of reality TV in the superficiality, the cattiness, the whining. I could picture all of the women, except Megan, on "The Housewives of Orange County!" The boy-toy thing was amusing and a gutsy turn on the double standard. The plot thickens when their boy-toy turns out to be suspected as the killer.

Enter Matt Donovan an LAPD detective, widower and all-around good guy who is determined to find the horrific murderer...(Victims are mutilated, their right breasts cut off) Megan and Matt are soon an item. The ride continues...on and off yachts, into the world of sadomasochism - scenes all vividely described and well rendered, very real. I admit I did learn something here. There was one "club" that was located in a house on top of a hill and people had to take a tram and have a password in order to get in. It was a party like I've never seen and reminded me of that Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman movie, "Eyes Wide Shut."

The story never loses it's roler-coaster pace and there is a thrilling scene in the end set on one of the yachts that left me on the edge of my seat. The ending was my favorite part of the book. All of the loose ends came together and all of the scenes paid off in a satisfying way. So, take your e-reader on the plane or grab your towel and hit the beach. Let "Deadly Pleasures" engage and entertain you in a really fun way"

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Deadly pleasures November 11, 2011

By Dr. Irwin C. Shiell

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great read. Mary Firmin has the ability to write a story that retains your interest, and never flags.Her descriptive abilities are first rate. You'll enjoy this book if you are not sqeamish.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing Read June 1, 2012

By Marilou George "Confessions Of A Reader"

Format:Kindle Edition

This book has all the components of a murder/mystery that will keep you glued to every page. It contains elements of love, sadomasochism, betrayal, suspense and murder. The entire cast of characters is interesting and each adds their own flavor to the story. The writing is seamless and the action non-stop.

Megan Riley is a divorced woman who is struggling on many levels to get her life in order. She is a great character who is strong, thoughtful and a loyal and compassionate friend. She is a member of the Bayside Yacht Club along with her circle of friends.

Detective Matt Donovan is a widower and a devoted father to his daughter. He is passionate about solving the murder case and all leads point to the Bayside Yacht Club.

Mary Firmin has made the characters come to life and the banter among the women is thoughtful yet has a degree of humor as well. Her characters all come to life as the story progresses and the tension and mystery succeed in holding you captive. The story is extremely well written and the suspense keeps building to an ending that is totally unexpected.

I found the wealthy yacht club members and the dangerous and decadent world of the S&M clubs that are connected with the murders to be a curious and disturbing part of the story. These two worlds meet and are so contradictory that it lends to the success of this complex mystery.

I recommend this book to all readers for its intensity and engrossing storyline, this is a book that will keep you speculating until the final page is read.

More About the Author

Mary Firmin was born in the North of England, emigrated to Canada, then traveled to Florida where she owned and operated an Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She moved on to Santa Monica, California where she worked in Real Estate Sales and eventually became Vice President of a large firm on the West Side. She began her writing career by attending many classes at local colleges, including UCLA, and then moved on to private writer's groups. As active members of a Southern California Yacht Club, Mary and her husband traveled up and down the California Coastline for years, and spent many days on Catalina Island. Upon moving to the Desert, Mary wrote a society column for a Palm Springs newspaper. It is from these experiences she forged her characters and the story of Deadly Pleasures. This book is a fun, casual read with a little romance, some deviant sex, and a sick serial killer. It is sure to keep your attention to the very end. Mary's loving husband, Bill, passed away this year. She has three children, one gorgeous grandchild and lives in Rancho Mirage, California. Mary is now working on her second book in this series, Deadly Secrets.