Title: Veneno
Author: Sarah Pinborough
First published January 1, 2013
224 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9788567028002 (ISBN10: 8567028000)
Rating: 3.11
Overview
Anna can’t stop thinking about Cole. Every time she closes her eyes, she sees his face, feels his touch, and yearns for his embrace.
But their attraction is forbidden, and Anna tries to convince herself that it’s just harmless flirting. Until one night, when everything changes.
Cole reveals a side of himself that Anna never expected, and she realizes that he’s not just some hot guy she can toy with. He’s the one she’s been waiting for.
As their relationship heats up, Anna must navigate the challenges of falling for someone she’s not supposed to be with. But when it comes to Cole, she’s willing to risk everything.
*Warning: This novel contains mature themes and explicit content* Follow Anna and Cole’s journey in Secrets Vol. 2, the second installment of Ella Steele’s addictive series.
About the Author
Sarah Pinborough is a highly successful author who has achieved a great deal of recognition both nationally and internationally. Her work has been published in more than 30 territories across the globe, and she has written over 25 novels that span a variety of genres.
Some of her most recent books have achieved great success, such as Behind Her Eyes, which has been adapted into a popular Netflix series, and Dead To Her, which is currently being developed by Amazon Studios. Additionally, 13 Minutes and The Death House are currently being developed by Compelling Pictures.
Sarah resides in the charming town of Stony Stratford, which is renowned for its famous Cock and Bull story. She shares her home with her furry friend Ted, and her next novel, Insomnia, is due to be released in 2022.
To keep up with Sarah’s latest news and updates, you can follow her on Twitter at @sarahpinborough.
Editoral Review
Veneno is a captivating thriller by Sarah Pinborough that explores the scandalous death of one of Spains most iconic figures, singer and television personality, Cristina Ortiz Rodriguez, known as “La Veneno.” Published in 2013, the book provides a unique blend of fiction and true crime that delves into the complexities of gender identity, acceptance, and discrimination. Pinborough, a critically acclaimed British author, has written multiple bestsellers, including Behind Her Eyes and Cross Her Heart.
Known for her ability to weave suspenseful plots with complex characters, she has become a favorite among thriller fans. In Veneno, Pinborough masterfully intertwines the fictional perspectives of different characters with the real-life events surrounding La Venenos death, creating a layered and intriguing narrative.
The book is set in Spain in the 1990s, during a period of societal upheaval and intolerance towards the transgender community. The story centers around two main characters, Juan and Antonio, who are in love and struggling to come to terms with their respective identities.
Juan is a flamboyant teenager who idolizes La Veneno, while Antonio is a married man secretly exploring his homosexuality. When La Veneno dies under mysterious circumstances, Juan and Antonio are unwittingly thrown into a web of corruption and deceit that forces them to confront their deepest fears.
Pinborough’s writing is evocative and immersive, transporting readers to the gritty streets of Madrid and the glitzy world of Spanish television. Her characters are flawed and relatable, with their own internal struggles and desires.
Throughout the book, Pinborough raises thought-provoking questions about gender, sexuality, and societal norms, offering piercing insights into the human experience. One of the books strengths lies in Pinboroughs ability to balance the fictional elements with the factual details of La Venenos life, making the story feel both authentic and engaging.
Moreover, the author skillfully handles sensitive topics such as discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community, creating a sense of urgency and relevancy that resonates even today. If there were any criticisms to be made about the book, it would be that the plot occasionally meanders, and some of the supporting characters could have been more developed.
Nonetheless, these minor flaws do not detract from the overall quality of the story. Veneno is a compelling, poignant, and timely novel that would appeal to fans of crime, thriller, and LGBTQ+ literature.
It is a beautifully written and insightful book that sheds light on an important and often overlooked topic, while simultaneously delivering an engaging and suspenseful plot. For these reasons, we highly recommend Veneno to those looking for a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
