Bangkok Noir by Lisabet Sarai (#femdom #bdsm #thriller)

One of the most original books I have encountered in quite some time, Bangkok Noir is a story that I felt was somewhat unbalanced in its straddling of genres, but well-told, and exquisitely detailed. Lisabet Sarai captures the essence of the Bangkok experience beautifully, delivering on the language quirks and cultural nuances that really serve to orient the reader in the world of Diana and her girls.

Let me address that straddling of genres first. This is a story comprised of erotica, murder mystery, and thriller, with the erotica looming large over the narrative, but with the murder mystery dominating the reader's thoughts. I actually expected more of the murder mystery, given the gruesomeness of the killings and the way they serve to bring all the characters together, but it remains in the background for much of the story. As for the erotica element, it (no pun intended) dominates the story, with several relationships, dominant figures of different genders, and as much pain as pleasure. It is there where Diana - the Professor - really comes into her own, although she is a caring woman and a smart businesswoman outside the dungeon.

As for the plot, it is somewhat serpentine, winding through different subplots along the way. Sarai does a fantastic job of maintaining the suspense, giving us just enough clue to suspect several different people of being the killer, yet never makes us feel cheated as the truth is revealed. The subplot involving the offer to buy Diana's bar, and the exploration of just how dark the upper class can be, is fascinating as well, introducing even more suspicions.

While I am sure the culture would have come across well in the reading, listening to Bangkok Noir as an audiobook really brings Bangkok to life. I struggled with it a bit as first, but once I settled in, it really worked for me, Jazmin Kensington does an amazing job of capturing the different voices and nailing the different accents, even varying the speed with which each character talks.

This is a dark story that takes a realistic look at the professional BDSM lifestyle, and which deals with the pressures that make such release valuable, if not essential to emotional survival.

A dozen years ago Lisabet Sarai experienced a serendipitous fusion of her love of writing and her fascination with sex. Since then she has published two single author short story collections and six erotic novels, including the classic RAW SILK. Dozens of her shorter works have been released as ebooks and in print anthologies. She edited the acclaimed anthologies SACRED EXCHANGE and CREAM and is currently responsible for the altruistic erotica series COMING TOGETHER PRESENTS. 

@LisabetSarai
http://www.lisabetsarai.com/

Reviewed by Sally