Reviewed by Roberta

TITLE: Bloodletting

AUTHOR: William Prystauk

PUBLISHER: Edge A Booktrope Imprint

LENGTH: 240 Pages

BLURB:

Punk rocker and sadomasochist Denny Bowie, a legwork guy for a private investigation firm, is out to find the killer of five masochistic men, as well as his childhood friend, fetish photographer Tommy Heat. He gets back with Penny Dallion, the goth-girl of his dreams, and is enthralled by his hot and androgynous new boyfriend Erin Marr. While investigating Tommy’s murder, Denny discovers pictures missing from Tommy’s meticulous collection. These photos not only hold the key to the killer’s identity, but may also prove Penny’s involvement in the murders.

Embroiled in New York’s vibrant S&M subculture, Denny revisits old haunts: fetish clubs in Greenwich Village to find the killer who’s a step ahead of him – and maybe right behind him.

REVIEW:

This book was different than I expected. I figured that this was a great mystery/suspense novel with hits of romance and a bit of BDSM. That’s what I got!!

Denny Bowie…what can I say about him? Denny is such an interesting character. He is a young man in his late 20’s who has been working in a PI firm doing the background work. Denny wants to get ahead and work as an investigator and his friend, Penny gives him the chance of a lifetime. Denny really is a smart young man and as he gets deeper and deeper into this case…what he thought he knew and who he is…is different when put to the test.

Denny is a wonderful character that he’s true to his sadomasochistic side. He doesn’t have the hang ups that you see when someone is in the life. I like that you get to see how he has evolved into the person that he is in regards to his sex life. I like the honesty in which Denny portrays. I like that Denny has been friends with Penny all these years, even as they both have wanted to get together and yet, have not done so in order to not ruin their friendship. I like that kind of loyalty. I like that Denny is honest about his attraction to Erin. That he loves the more androgynous look and that he’s attraction to that doesn’t bother him. He’s ok with all of his quirks and that is really refreshing to see.

Now, there are BDSM elements in this story, yet that isn’t all that this is about. The BDSM lifestyle led by these people that are open and honest about what their needs are and getting them met. There are some scenes shown in the book and they are not for the faint of heart. I went in knowing that this is a mystery/suspense story and that it would probably show me some things that I had not anticipated. I really liked seeing that this story delved deeper into some of the BDSM style that you don’t see lots of. I was intrigued by the way in which these characters had these needs and found ways and people to have them met.

The mystery/suspense that this story had going on was…AMAZING!! There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t really realize what was happening until it showed up on the screen. I LOVED IT!! I was kept in suspense until the very end and that normally doesn’t happen to me. I usually figure out who is doing what and why almost from the moment I get part of the picture, this book…not so much. I really have to say how much I enjoyed truly not knowing what was going to happen next.

Now, there was a bit of sex in this story and I have to let you know that even though Denny hooks up with Erin, our androgynous young man…it’s never shown on screen. It’s barely alluded to. There is however, on screen sex between Denny and Penny. So, there are lady bits in this story.

I will say that this book is different than what I usually read and it was a really pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the mystery/suspense. I didn’t so much enjoy lady bits in my m/m books, however, this book wasn’t really wasn’t an m/m book. It’s more thriller with BDSM elements and more heterosexual book with a splash of m/m element. That part I didn’t like at all. If I had to be subjected to m/f sex….I wanted my m/m sex…but alas…it wasn’t meant to be. I also had issue with Denny not always being focused on the case. He got too distracted sometimes and I wanted to kick him…HARD!!

Overall, this book was well written with some great suspense and characters that you feel for as you are on the journey right along with them. So, sit back and relax and prepare to be transported into a great mystery.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Booktrope