Sonal Singh On Sonal's Table
Ell P’s ‘Shameless in stilettoes’ is a peek into the world of erotic writing, but that’s not what the novel is about. Leaning heavily on elements of BDSM, LGBTQ rights, marital discord, misogyny, domestic abuse, feminine suppression, and more – this novel is a good old regular whodunit! Oh yes, most certainly. Inspector Meenakshi Rao is the perfect protagonist, independent yet vulnerable, career-oriented, but compassionate.
Chock-full of all the classic elements that make for a good murder mystery (you know, the kind that you read in the evening with a cup of coffee but finish late at night after several glasses of merlot), this book makes for a graphic read. Now, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea or coffee. But, as you sink your teeth into the plot, you understand why such graphic detail-ism was required. It’s not just a foreshadowing tactic, it’s a propellor that provides the thrust to advance the narrative. So, if BDSM is not your thing and you cringe at the thought of reading this book, think again. View it from a purely surgical point of view. Would you not look at a sonogram to diagnose an ulcer? What Ell has done is something similar. So, stick with it. Grit your teeth if you must, but read through every page so that you understand the world that she creates. That’s where the murder happens. That’s where the whodunit is solved.
Things that I found noteworthy –
1. Characters – complex yet detailed, exhibiting their vulnerabilities.
2. Research – commendable and must have taken quite a lot of it to write this book
3. Language – impeccable, easy to read and conversational. That’s what I Liked the most. A heavy hand on vocab + erotica – that would have been a recipe for disaster!
4. The climax of the plot – like peeling the layers of an onion, by the end you are crying to know who actually did it!
5. The ending – unexpected. Totally! Gobsmacked me!
Things I found cautionary (for others)
1. Graphic detailing – but, its essential for the story, very much so.
2. Past and present PoV – This could be disconcerting for some, not for me though.
3. Reader base – definitely recommended for adults
I enjoyed reading this book. The plotline is gripping. The climax, even more so. The ending satisfies. What else do you need in a whodunit?
