"A story filled with dark secrets"

A high-class escort Chloe, asks her roommate, lingerie model Kelly to help entertain her elderly lover, a seedy lawyer named Anthony Paradiso. That this involves some topless cheerleading causes Kelly some qualms, but the money offered is too tempting and she capitulates. During the course of the evening, a couple of hired guns walk in, shoot dead Chloe and Mr. Paradiso. Using threats and the lure of stocks left in Chloe's name, Montez Taylor, Paradiso's right-hand man, convinces Kelly to take on Chloe's identity. Kelly plays along, unsure but determined to come out ahead.

Meanwhile, Frank Delsa, the investigating officer, smells a gigantic rat and slowly but surely works on Kelly to make her reveal the truth. During the process, he continues to investigate various other cases and battles a huge attack of lust where Kelly is concerned. With all the varied killings and drug deaths seemingly inter-connected, a showdown is inevitable. Who will win, remains the tantalizing question.

Elmore Leonard's latest story is a bit clever and intriguingly developed, although a bit abstract in manner. The myriad seemingly unconnected cases which are dealt with during the course of the entire story, keep the reader befuddled but as the story rushes to a close, they all come together almost too convincingly. Sex, lust, greed and violence are brought out in all their glory and while the mystery is revealed too soon in the story, the suspense lasts till the end. The street language used in the story conveys authenticity but is sure to leave most readers in the dark, while the cunning police work is trademark Leonard. Although not very in-depth or breathtaking, MR. PARADISE can overall be called entertaining.

Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
Posted June 3, 2004