The Second Sex

A Paul Rook Thriller

By: Steve Attridge

Narrated by: Michael Fenton Stevens

Dr. Paul Rook, cynical philosopher, loving father, and private detective has just taken on an investigation which threatens to consume him.

It is his most perverse and personal case yet. Mercedes, Rook's childhood friend turned supermodel, is being hounded by the press and the law after deeply disturbing child pornography, featuring the much-loved star, is leaked all over the Internet. The video goes viral and her reputation is shot. The model's brother enlists Rook's help to crack the case, as Mercedes denies all involvement. Cass, Rook's brilliantly clever daughter, insists on helping him get to the heart of the matter - after all, this case is taking them to the Costa del Sol. But as more sex tapes appear and the death toll mounts, Rook gets dragged further into a dark world of kinks, pimps, incest, and the morally depraved. The philosopher is led on by an enigmatic character with a penchant for warped religious symbolism, known only as Legion. Rook must play the Legion's sickening games, descending through Dante's seven layers of hell, in order to solve the mystery of the fake and indecent films. Will his insightful understanding of the human mind and arsenal of philosophic quotations be enough to not only crack the case, but protect his own humanity from the depravity to which he will be exposed?

The Second Sex is the fourth detective novella featuring Paul Rook. It follows Philosophical Investigations, The Natural Law, and Beyond Good and Evil.

©2015 Steve Attridge (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Second Sex

I am only to Chap 16 and would like to return. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his first novel start to finish but haven’t found this one to have the same movement or fun that I found in #1
No I probably wouldn’t recommend this one but did recommend his earlier novel.

Smashing Super!

Just as great as the one before, Rook is dasterlously clever and funny. Pyscho villains and bigger than life new friend in the different setting of Spain.

Disappointing after Book 1

Dark for sure, but in an ickier and less satisfying way... not funny enough to offset the disturbing storyline. And the villain is dispatched too easily. Also, what's the significance of Giovanni? He comes in like an avenging angel, but we get no backstory on him. All the Inferno references are left at loose ends.

Brilliant! A slow start but so glad I finished it.

Narration is expertly executed by Michael Fenton Stevens. I almost gave up on this one but went back to it later... and was happy I did. Author Steve Attridge weaves a sometimes disturbing, mysterious, and humorous tale with an investigation into a model's past indiscretions and mistakes. Along the way, we meet some colourful and exceedingly interesting characters. The ending I never did see coming. Surprise! Highly recommended.

A dark story very well told

Very well written and very well narrated. Dark, but not unbearably so. Actually, after some reflection, perhaps not as dark as it seems to be, either. The darkness inside the protagonist is mostly postulated and on the surface. Not in his actions. The man has deep down a strange, but good heart. This book is (regretfully) not as sarcastic, bizarre, impolite, full of controversial opinions and paradoxicly entertaining as his other Audible: Philosophical Investigation. Hence, only 4 out of 5 stars, compared to his own best. Even so, very good and very much worth my time and my one credit this month.