Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book

Kate Summers's career on the police force came to an implosive end when the mayor’s wife exposed her secret life as the Mistress of Pain. Kate lost not only her detective’s badge but something much more valuable: she lost her confidence as a Mistress of men. She now scrapes by as a private investigator, feeding off the misery of others. When the mayor and his wife ask her to investigate the murder of their daughter, Kate faces a difficult choice. To follow the leads, she must reenter the world that destroyed her career and go undercover as a submissive to a noted Dom. Kate swore she would never endure the submissive role again, yet Jake Davenport is the one dominant fearless enough to not only challenge her rules, but break them. There's only one problem. Jake’s complicated past raises too many questions, and as her investigation progresses, Jake might just be her number one suspect.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2018

580 people are currently reading
421 people want to read

About the author

Ellie Masters

368 books1,623 followers
Angsty, Steamy, Heart-Stopping, Pulse-Pounding, Can't-Stop-Reading Romantic Suspense.

Ellie Masters is a USA Today Bestselling author and Amazon Top 15 Author.

In addition, she's a wife, military mom, doctor, and retired Colonel.

She writes romantic suspense filled with all your sexy, swoon-worthy alpha men. Her writing will tug at your heartstrings and leave your heart racing.

Born in the South, raised under the Hawaiian sun, Ellie has traveled the globe while in service to her country. The love of her life, her amazing husband, is her number one fan and biggest supporter. And yes! He's read every word she's written.

Don't forget to sign up for her newsletter. Never miss another release, sale, or exclusive. https://elliemasters.com/NewsletterSi...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
184 (48%)
4 stars
127 (33%)
3 stars
48 (12%)
2 stars
13 (3%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Marc Rieck.
344 reviews2 followers
November 29, 2018
This BDSM romantic suspense novel blew me away

The mechanics of this novel are wonderful. The characterizations, pacing and editing are great.

But the true worth of this story is the emotional content of the characters. The newbie in the lifestyle with his limits list that is going to be stretched. The owner of the club that has finally found a woman he wants as his sub, but she is a Domme. The worshipped Domme with a past, that fears her submissive side.

They all come together to investigate a murder. This book is a keeper.
Profile Image for Pooj.
912 reviews5 followers
January 27, 2024
it was ok, isn't the best writing in the world but the story was interesting enough
Profile Image for Angela Plumeria.
430 reviews4 followers
April 26, 2024
Damn…that was good. Such a fascinating BDSM murder mystery read. Love these authors’ (hubby and wife writing team) writing so far and keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen. Great build up. I would have totally given it 5 stars but my beef with it is that this first book ends on a cliffhanger, plus some of the situations happening at the end felt like she was being pushed into them without a choice and it didn’t hit quite right, though it seems like they plan to address and work out the concerns in the next book. I will very likely read this entire series if it keeps being this good. Might have to check out more of this writing duos’ work after this.
229 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2023
[edit: the next book doesn’t progress in terms of character growth, you mainly get plot tension and even darker themes and I didn’t like how the series progressed]

Dark Contemporary BDSM romance/suspense
First person, double pov
TW: past sexual assault, flashbacks, genital piercings, mention of abusive primal play, brief side character blood play, mouthing a safe word.
Bdsm themes: whipping, mind play, genital pain, bondage, abusive primal play.
Abrupt end- not a cliffhanger but continues in series

The author has two disclaimers mentioning to work with someone experienced if you’re trying any of the bdsm themes mentioned, the second one is a personal note to readers to be honest and express boundaries which stresses on safety and consent guidelines since both the main character and love interest are experienced with bdsm, and the BDSM and trigger themes mentioned are dark (and they test hard limits in this situation) even if you’re not reading about experienced characters, it’s a wholesome note to read, knowing the author is looking out for the readers’ best interests. It’s reiterated in the story with the main character and the love interest going over limits and safe words as well. The main character gets triggered by the past but she has to start the process of working through it in this specific situation so it makes the book darker.

In terms of pacing, this writing is pretty fast paced, but also slow in terms of the main plot of her having to submit picking up at the end. The book spans a few days but you don’t get noticeable time jumps which was nice! There is repetition of certain key facts, themes and phrases, but otherwise has good plot structure and is well written! I think it follows a murder mystery structure more than a rom com, since it’s labeled as suspense but this first book mostly felt like an introduction to the world of the main character. You don’t get closure on anything currently going on, since it continues in the next books.

In terms of focus, you see the main character’s triggers and why she feels the way she does, and you see the love interest begin to approach that and comfort her a little. He also slightly pushes her while understanding her pretty well. You also get a balanced plot with the suspense mystery, but I’d say it’s pretty character focused. You get minimal flirting and the love interest’s friend teases him about her a little as well.

In terms of BDSM/smut scenes, apart from the reiteration of safety protocols, this specific book mainly has about three kissing scenes with the love interest. It has two scenes with the main character as a domme, including one brief sexual scene ending. The book ends with the main character and the love interest starting the process of approaching her being a sub.
Profile Image for Cathy.
248 reviews5 followers
August 18, 2019
Hooks you from the start!

I was a little apprehensive when I saw this series searching in KU, yes all three books are on KU, but I’m so glad my curiosity told me to try the first one and man I’m so glad I did. This is hands down one of my three favorites in this genre.
Kate is a fierce and take charge detective with a kinky night time secret that caused her into hiding after it blew up everywhere that she is a Mistress at a BDSM club.
She is a PI now and her nemesis that ruined her is asking for her help now. Really! She is much stronger than the average person to even give them a second of her time. That’s why this book intrigued me from the start, the mysterious and dark elements in it will have you up late finishing it and craving the next one.
Now Jake is the Co Owner and Master of Stripes the club where Kate belongs to. He is an arrogant, bossy, alpha. When these two interact is combustible. I can’t wait for the explosive firework show when they really connect. I highly recommended grabbing this series you won’t regret it!
Profile Image for Mollien Fote Osterman.
722 reviews11 followers
September 25, 2019
May be one of my new favorite authors

Signing up for kindle unlimited has brought so many new authors into my expanding reading library. I love a good suspense, murder mystery add in some bdsm and I am reading until the end. Luckily book two is available as well as book 3. I enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Micki_1989.
1,148 reviews4 followers
December 11, 2023
Hmmm

Feels like it goes nowhere if you're not paying actual attention to the story line behind the intensity of everything else. Can't wait to see where this takes her, and I hope she solves her case too.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,161 reviews22 followers
November 20, 2018
Commanded My Attention.

This story was super suspenseful and kept me captivated from the beginning. It was very intense as everyone has secrets they'd rather keep hidden. There's plenty of kinky fuxkery to get your pulse racing. With a fantastic plot to keep you engrossed.

Kate Summers looses her job after her life as a Domme was made public knowledge. She's left that lifestyle behind her.
Now she's a private investigator barely scraping a living.

Then an unexpected case sees her returning back to her alter ego the Mistress of Pain to seek justice.

To solve the case Kate must work with Jake Davenport a Dom at the member's only club.
Sparks fly straight away and personalities clash because Kate needs to be submissive in order to get answers. The one thing she swore never to be again.

Jake relishes the idea of having Kate submit to him, he just needs to persuade her to trust him.

OMG!! These two have pure raw fuxxing chemistry. I just loved the power plays between them. Neither wants to back down. I seriously can not wait to see what happens next, It's sure to be scorching. 🔥
Profile Image for Polly Barreto.
766 reviews10 followers
February 13, 2024
I tried to like this book but it just wasn’t for me. I might’ve enjoyed it more if there was more to the “mystery” of the death Kate was to be investigating over all the pain she can inflict in men as the The Mistress of Pain. I am no prude but there has to be some story – somewhere in the book – and I just felt that there wasn’t. Ended up skimming pages to find that the book ended on a cliffhanger! (and I dislike cliffhangers. Maybe I will have to read this book again to see in my opinion changes but I most likely will not continue with this series.
892 reviews
June 11, 2019
Part 1 of 3 - overall rating 3.5 -4 stars

This review is for all 3 books because it's the same story and should only be 1 book. If you need to buy each book it's not worth the price. They are very short. I read with KU so overall it was a good book. Only 3 stars for part 1 but 4 for the other 2 books. Part 1 could have been streamline as lots of repeated text.
The final part ( book 3) needed an epilogue. Felt unfinished.

tldr: if you like author and with KU = read, but if you have to pay for books = I don't recommend
Profile Image for Melanie.
1,101 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2019
Ugh

I didn’t realize this book was the first in a series. There was a ton of wasted time where the heroine waffles back and forth and back and forth. I’m sure this happens in the other books as well. Cut that stuff out and you’ll have one super awesome novel that doesn’t make readers want to skim pages and pages of internal conflict that all says the same dang thing! Ends in a cliffhanger, too. I’m undecided whether or not I’m going to read the next book. Ugh.
639 reviews8 followers
May 14, 2024
Unexpectedly surprising

Full on kink/BDSM as the center for a murder thriller. Not a standalone story, but it turns out that you want more anyway. Well balanced between the intimate relationship being built between Kate and Jake, and the crime that needs to be investigated.

Open door and graphic in the details. This felt somewhat like an old-style story. In the best way... solid story, great writing, memorable characters. It was honestly hard to put down.
376 reviews3 followers
May 15, 2024
I want the next book

This book is a bit out of my comfort zone. Explicit enough but not too much. The relationship and trust required is well explained and to be coveted in any kind of relationship. The story is not dragging for me even though it is not an HEA. The characters are great and their interactions bring the story together - the nice, the hot, the horrible and the friends I want for me.
Profile Image for Chrissi.
1,581 reviews11 followers
November 18, 2018
This is so good!! I love a strong female character, and Kate is definitely that. While there is a BDSM theme throughout the book, the addition of murders and who dunnits add to the drama and intrigue. While I am not a fan usually of shorter books in a series, this works for me-otherwise I may never have gone to sleep...
78 reviews10 followers
August 20, 2023
Must read

This is my first book from Jet and Ellie Masters. I have read all of Ellie Masters books and they are amazing and now that I have read this book I will be reading all of them. The book is very hot and it’s emotional, you can feel the internal struggles of Kate and you know Jake will get through to her and it will be explosive. Definitely recommend reading this book!!!
127 reviews
May 26, 2024
Ends in a cliffhanger!

I was disappointed that I need to read 2 additional books to know the end of this story! Book 1 has a lot of repetition of what Kate suffered! Okay we get it she was broken! The book should have concluded the story. I am not sure I will know the end since I am reluctant to read the other books!
Profile Image for Purpleallison Hoffman.
299 reviews
October 20, 2024
I was debating between 2 and 3 stars. The murder plot was interesting. The club scenes were good. The writing was pretty good. BUT. Jake had no respect for Kate. He saw a Domme and just wanted her to submit to him. And it ended not even on a cliffhanger, but more like a "ok, now the mood is changing." with the plot nowhere near resolved.
1,750 reviews9 followers
February 6, 2019
Too dark and violent

I tried to like this book but it was just too much--too dark, too violent, too something. I liked k e to read about kink, but straight up S&M just leaves me cold. Add all if that to this being a serial, not a series, and I was disappointed.
315 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2019
Very interesting !

Loved the flow of the story,going from what happened to Kate,to Elizabeth,the Prince,and Jake...can’t wait to find out how it goes with Kate as a sub ! Very interesting all around !
Profile Image for Anita.
1,129 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2020
Dark but gripping

Very dark read, gripping story you want them to solve the case but you also want to know Kates story. Cannot wait to read the next book to see what happens between Jake and Kate, but also to see who murdered Elizabeth.
Profile Image for Desiree & Rob McClain.
15 reviews
February 11, 2020
Interesting

I’m not sure this book was for me. However, it is written very well and I could not put it down. I had to read the next book in the series. It is a good book, but not something I would normally read. I did finish the series though!
10 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2020
Predictable storyline but I still like it, very entertaining and I love the chemistry of both leads.
Just find in a bit off when the H a seasoned Master mentioned that he finds it “humiliating” for man to be dominated. Other than that the trilogy kept me reading.
1,397 reviews4 followers
August 21, 2023
What a Hot beginning!

This is hot! 🌶🌶🔥🔥 Can’t wait to see how Jake helps Kate through her trauma. Really like that this shows how deep trauma can be and that help is needed to get through it. Don’t know how I missed this series, but sure am glad I found it.
Profile Image for Megan.
66 reviews
September 26, 2023
Loved this first story

Love story that involve bdsm and doesn't treat it as abuse. I'm loving how this relationship is playing out so far and look forward to seeing how it ends in the other books.
Profile Image for Jessica Parnofiello.
Author 3 books6 followers
May 18, 2024
3.75⭐️

Storia molto interessante.
Erotico non necessariamente troppo esplicito con un sottofondo di mystery.
Unica pecca: il cliffhanger finale sia sulla parte erotica sia sul mistero da risolvere.
983 reviews9 followers
June 4, 2024
Great Read

This is a great book and the chemistry between Jake and Kate is over the top even when she can’t tell the difference between Jake and Josh. Can’t wait to read the next book
Profile Image for Sue.
1,214 reviews
July 10, 2018
A commanding start to a new series! I loved it. Sexy, suspenseful, what's not to love?
Profile Image for Ashley Holland.
55 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2018
Great so far

I wish the books were longer so I could be apart of the story for longer! I am so drawn in and can't wait to start the next book in the series!!
Profile Image for Bonnie.
978 reviews
December 23, 2018
DNF at 10%. Pretty unbelievable with BDSM cliché plot lines.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.