I have had a rather conventional sex life, at least as far as I know without peeping in bedroom windows. I have been curious about BDSM, and when The Mistress and the Mouse became available, I was happy to sign up.

The mistress of the title is Morgan McFey, former corporate prostitute and present sex therapist. The mouse is Brian Abernathy, her long time lover. Brian is estranged from his very wealthy family, and has made himself wealthy through his landscaping business. He very much wants to marry Morgan, but she repeatedly refuses him. Brian leaves Morgan on her birthday as part of a general breakdown after he perceives that his father is beating his mother. He threatens Jerry, his father that he will to go to the police unless Jerry undergoes therapy at Morgan's hands. Jerry does, and is instantly fascinated. Morgan both seems to love Jerry and to love Brian in his absence.

The Mistress and the Mouse is unusually long for an electronic book. The pacing is rapid in the beginning, but lags a bit as we are introduced to more and more members of the Abernathy family, none of whom live what I in my naivety call conventional sex lives. Any would-be reader must be warned that there are strong sado-masochistic scenes, same-sex scenes, and even connotations of incest, although no one who seems to be related by blood actually is. Some of the sexual practices that are not disturbing are surprising. Despite the veritable encyclopedia of sex, the characters of The Mistress and the Mouse seem to feel genuine love for one another, and the prevailing mood is warm and cozy. Giles maintains strong suspense throughout the book for the resolution of the Morgan-Brian-Jerry triangle. As the book progresses, some of the favored tags to dialogue become a bit annoying. I hope that Giles will discontinue using the word "mew" as a synonym for "said".

With all its imperfections, The Mistress and the Mouse has much to recommend it for readers who, like me, are willing to live and let live. Those who are curious about BDSM could not get a better fiction book to learn from, and those who enjoy BDSM already will have a good read. I give the author high marks for an original and entertaining erotic novel.

Reviewed By Catherine
© February 2005