Expired Listings by D.M. Barr
“I’m not some shlub condo buyer you’re sending on a one-way trip to the poorhouse, so shut up and listen…. You’ve got until tomorrow evening to recount your sins and prepare to atone for them…. The next time we speak, I expect some heartfelt confessions. Otherwise, better drum up whatever catchy slogan you’d like written on your tombstone. Clear?“
Someone is killing Rock Canyon realtors and Dana Black is the lead suspect. Her alibi is a Dom named Dare from her BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism and Masochism) community. If word got out who he really is and that she has periodic, stress-induced blackouts losing hours at a time, her life would be over. Can she risk her burgeoning relationship with private detective, Aidan Cummings, by exposing her murky past?
Aidan Cummings has a problem with Dana Black. Even though evidence points to her as the killer, his attraction to the quirky, smart alecky, Sub (aka Thissie) is difficult to resist. Can he find out what she is hiding before it’s too late?
This book really surprised me. I was expecting some kind of cozy mystery, but the story is a bit dark with a warning upfront that the book is for Adults Only considering there are some BDSM scenes which may offend some people. However, in my opinion, the scenes are not explicit at all. Believe me, I have read erotica and this is not even close.
Dana’s character development is very well done. The reader discovers how Dana’s traumatic, unhappy childhood led her to the choices and behaviors she displays today. I’m not a big fan of stories that jump back and forth from past to present, but Ms. Barr does a good job in the transitions. Also, the author’s research on the cut throat real estate business and the private BDSM communities was very interesting and informative. All in all, I enjoyed Ms. Barr’s debut, award-winning, novel (with sexy cover) and recommend it to those who like cozy mysteries with a twist of humor, romance and some kinky characters.
Thank you to Ms. Barr, Punctuated Publishing, and Buoni Amici Press for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
About the Author
a mild-mannered salesperson, wife, mother, rescuer of senior shelter dogs, happily living just north of New York City. By night, an author of sex, suspense and satire.
My background includes stints in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations and real estate. I was, for a long and happy time, an award-winning magazine writer and editor. Then kids happened. And I needed to actually make money. Now they’re off doing whatever it is they do (of which I have no idea since they won’t friend me on Facebook) and I can spend my spare time weaving tales of debauchery and whatever else tickles my fancy.
The main thing to remember about my work is that I am NOT one of my characters. For example, as a real estate broker, I’ve never played Bondage Bingo in one of my empty listings or offed one of my problem clients.
But that’s not to say I haven’t wanted to…
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