I’ll admit, Shameless in Stilettos by Ell P isn’t the kind of book I’d typically pick up. Erotica has never been my go-to—my shelves are more likely stacked with mysteries, historical fiction, or the occasional literary deep dive. I’ve always steered clear of self-help, finance, politics, religion, and anything too steamy. When Sonal Singh, a dear friend and book reviewer whose taste I trust, raved about this debut, I decided to step out of my comfort zone. What I found was a gripping, genre-blending ride that surprised me in all the right ways.
The plot kicks off with the death of Ananth Reddy, heir to a real estate empire, found sprawled beneath Green Meadows Condominium. Inspector Meenakshi Rao, a determined cop with a shadowed past, digs into what looks like a suicide but smells like murder. Enter four women—Rachel Kutty, Nisha, Mia, and Sheeba Reddy—whose tangled lives unravel alongside the case. Knowing Ell P’s knack as a master storyteller, I expected complexity, and she delivered. Rachel’s identity struggles, Mia’s mystique, and Nisha’s quiet yearning hit harder than I anticipated.
But Inspector Rao? She was a sticking point. Her roughness grated on me—unwanted swearing, chain-smoking, a brash image I couldn’t warm to. It stopped me from connecting, from empathizing with her pain. I wanted to root for her, but that grit felt like a wall. Yet, by the end, her tenacity, flaws and all, grew on me, and I found myself oddly fond of her, a testament to Elle’s skill for turning prickly characters into compelling ones.
Now, the erotica—sadomasochism, bondage, and all—was a hurdle for me. It’s not my usual fare, and I braced myself for discomfort. Surprisingly, Ell P wields it with purpose, not just shock; it’s a lens into her characters’ raw edges. Not surprisingly, mystery, is the book’s backbone—a tightly coiled whodunit that kept me guessing until a finale that landed with a satisfying thud. (Ell P, do you see what I did here?!)
Her sharp and vivid prose makes Hyderabad’s gritty backdrop come to life. Still, the pacing occasionally stumbled under its own intensity. At times, the erotic focus overshadowed the detective thread for my taste.
For someone who avoids erotica, Shameless in Stilettos won me over with its suspense and Ell P’s signature flair. It’s not my genre, but her talent and craft made it worth the leap. If you’re like me, hesitant but curious, it’s a daring detour that pays off. Ell P’s debut is bold and brilliant.
Grab your copy here