When private investigator Daniel Beckett foils an assault on a young girl in London’s West End, it leads to an offer of work from a sinister and unlikely source in Soho’s Chinatown.But what starts out as a straightforward missing persons’ case soon takes on a more ominous aspect as he discovers a trail of blackmail, sadistic violence, conspiracy and murder, plus an influential, privileged and … privileged and poisonous presence that seems to permeate all spheres of society.
The perpetrators, however, are not expecting to encounter an individual like Beckett; an intelligent, amoral and fearless individual with a skill-set that points to a covert and violent past.
Acquiring an entrancing and mysterious female associate, his investigation leads him into London’s electrifying burlesque scene where it seems some of the answers may lie.
But no one is as they seem, and the truth is unexpected and disturbing.
Femme Fatale is the third novel by Dominic Piper featuring PI Daniel Beckett. The first two novels, Kiss Me When I’m Dead and Death is the New Black are critically acclaimed Amazon bestsellers.
Dominic Piper is an author living in London.
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The protagonist, Daniel Beckett, is a modern take on a London Private Investigator—part James Bond, part Jason Statham. In every story thus far, the guy gets his brains bashed in and still manages to solve the case. He’s also an unapologetic skirt chaser and—don’t laugh—a feminist. The author manages to pull all this off with a good deal of wit and wonderfully twisted unpredictability. As a female reader, there’s a part of me that would like to see the enigmatic Daniel developed just a wee bit more—a hint of intriguing vulnerability maybe?
This series is probably not for everyone—but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all three books and am hoping for more.
In this first book of the Daniel Beckett series, the London-based private investigator reluctantly takes on a missing-persons case. Delving into the world of high-priced sex-workers in the age of social media and the Internet, P.I. Beckett learns the intimate workings of current industry practices, almost making a case for legalization.
Beckett dives right in, possessing sleuthing skills from some as yet unknown prior career to crack the case as efficiently as possible. He has a flair for sniffing out clues, not missing a thing, from the scent of L’Air du Temps, to wiggle dresses. It is soon clear that the devastatingly witty P.I. has a way with the ladies, all of whom are world-class beauties.
The writing is smart and easy, with splendid vocabulary, and a British accent. The fast-paced story is highly entertaining and satisfying, with masterful twists and turns and plenty to savor until I have time to crack open book two of the series!
Daniel Beckett is today’s answer to James Bond, without all the governmental trappings. He’s a lone wolf, a man with many talents, an appreciator of women of all makes and models. The feeling is highly reciprocal. He is also a magnet for trouble.
In Femme Fatale, the third book in the series, Daniel is drawn into the periphery of the Asian crime syndicate called the Triads after coming to the aid of a young women being attacked in a parking garage. His gallant disposal of the thugs earns him the gratitude of a very powerful man in London’s Chinatown. After plying Daniel with tokens of his appreciation for saving his niece, the mystery man enlists Daniel’s help in finding one of his key employees, a young man who—as it turns out—has the same unusual skillset as the protagonist. Knowing he’s entering an unsavory, parallel world, Daniel keeps his eyes open and his calendar full of the lovely young women he encounters on this assignment.
Filled with unusual exploits and cringe-worthy bad guys, adventurous sexual encounters and a foray into the glam world of modern burlesque, Femme Fatale is one of those true guilty pleasures that will keep you laughing and turning the pages.
The quest takes the reader on a deadly yet sensual tour of London’s sub-cultures.
Beckett is a man of many talents and it was enjoyable to read the way he went about things. His punchlines, his approach to women, his fights – they were all enjoyably explained. The plot was good and the way the other characters especially the assassin, was created and weaved around the story was enjoyable to read. Liked it