Rating: Summary: Excellent Erotic Mystery Review: Topping from Below is an excellent sexual thriller. Laura Reese takes you on a journey of sexual exploration and at the same time gives you a great mystery. This book opens the door into the erotic, sexual world of S&M. Reese writes about things that you only think about but never tell anyone. It's a wonderful experience, both sexually and psychologically. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.
Rating: Summary: Great murder mystery/psychological thriller Review: Get ready for a glimpse into the seedier aspects of BDSM. Laura Reese uses simple but powerful writing to bring the reader vivid images of one sister's grief, self-search, guilt and immersion into a part of her psyche she never knew existed. The novel alternates chapters telling the story of shy Franny with chapters narrated by older sister Nora who is intent on unravelling the mystery surrounding her sister's gruesome murder. When Nora involves herself with M., Franny's former lover, she participates in a lifestyle made riskier by her uncertainty of the killer's identity. The writing is superb, the mystery is an attention-grabber, and the psychological aspects of all the characters blend to make for great reading. I found myself racing toward the end to find out if Nora ever wreaks her vengeance, and if she works through some of her own issues. The novel is erotic (with a capital E), suspenseful and even touching. Those offended by images of intense sexuality and D/s would do better to read something else! (And it may take a while for you to make eye contact with your pet again) But this is great reading for anyone who can pick it up with an open mind.
Rating: Summary: Very Pleased Review: This book keep my attention from start to finish. I have had some experience with S/M and found her writing to be very close to the real thing. The storyline was neatly woven into the S/M scene. Can't wait to read her next novel.
Rating: Summary: An erotic thriller to haunt your nightmares Review: It's a modern erotic thriller with a great plot, deeply developed characters, and intelligent lively writing.A young woman sets out to find her sister's killer. Her sister was involved in a sadomasochistic relationship and she suspects this man is responsible. She soon becomes involved with him also, and the "who done it" part of the mystery deepens. Of course I read the last chapter; I always do; but this didn't lessen the impact at all. The story moves fast, the writing is complex, and the sex scenes are frequent, violent, and explicit. I've read two books recently that have these kinds of scenes: one was "The End of Alice" about a child molester; the other was "In The Cut" which was about a serial killer. Many years ago I read "The Story of O," which also has this quality. "Topping From Below", like these, is not for everyone. Many of the scenes will make you cringe. There's psychological and physical cruelty and scenes including whips, chains and bestiality. The title refers to an expression that supposedly comes from the sadomasochist culture. The "top" is the dominant partner; the "bottom" is the submissive. If the submissive starts to gain control, it's called "Topping From Below". You might throw this book away in disgust, but it will surely haunt your nightmares, take you away from the comfortable and hurl you into a world where pain and degradation is a sexual turn on. For the adventurous only. But be forewarned.
Rating: Summary: Fascinating glimpse into BDSM..... Review: ...though not totally realistic with the majority of those who experience this element of the subculture (and I speak from experience), this book is fascinating and well-written. The heroine's needs that draw her into M's hands are truly those of someone who does take part in BDSM. The stronger you are, the more you need a space in which to be the vulnerable one. All in all, interesting, well-written (though I do agree, the mystery could use a few more twists and turns, it seemed more of a psychological novel than a true suspense novel).
Rating: Summary: A View From A Different Angle, "Topping From Below" Review: A powerful and claustrophobic attempt to exhibit and explain the substitution of severe and bloody pain, gender dominance and humiliation for the searing physical pain-free pleasure sought and often obtained in sexual acts free of bondage and (usually) male physical power. Not the headiness sometimes equated by penile power. One questions the pleasure in such reading; not that it is sought, but that it can be derived. I think Ms. Reese has come quite close in attracting/directing our attention to such a portrayal, although I have no personal experience of or in the world about which she writes. As a "mystery book" reader, among many other genres, I usually avoid "slice and dice" books as almost all I've read or read about are the dismembering or humiliating females for the entertainment of readers, male or female, a subject I abhor. Yet, I was directed to this book by a mature female suburban bookstore manager who had recommended David Lindsey's "Mercy", a brilliant thriller along similar lines but a more complex, and perhaps challenging story. Both are worth the read, but I think one must examine one's self to view the image in the mirror that draws us and others to these kinds of stories. I felt the book a bit long, and unnecessarily reptitious, especially since the "mystery" was actually slight: it could be easily solved by guessing the solution.
Rating: Summary: Very Gross book Review: I didn't even know things like this went on. It totally grossed me out.How could anyone with an ounce of self esteem allow "M" to do those things to her. And Nora seemed like a strong, well adjusted heroine, but her decline into S & M, was totally unrealistic to me. The book did keep you guessing however as to who committed the crime, but this book is too "hardcore" for my tastes.
Rating: Summary: good quick read Review: Suspense was well-done. I can't say whether the actual S&M depictions were accurate but they were certainly evocative. As someone who has never participated in such acts, Reese did a very good job of depicting the emotions and the rationalizations of being in those situations. Otherwise, the writing became dull sometimes and sometimes I wasn't sure if I was reading a Sidney Sheldon novel or not. However, I did finish it so it was captivating on an entertainment level.
Rating: Summary: a horrifying page flipper, once you start, you cannot stop Review: the best of all emotions-wrapped-up in one book. laura reese should write a book like this at least once a week for all the opened minded book lovers.
Rating: Summary: Erotic, story of curiosity, domination and revenge.... Review: A friend of mine recommended I read this book based on the fact that my own master has stricking similarities to "M". I read the book in one day, and it was as if the author was writing about my life with my master. To begin with they have the same name, mannerisms, temperment, and perversions. Each page was intoxicating for me to read and in most respects parallel to my life with my "M".
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