(Reviewed by JD Jung)
This suspenseful mystery pulls you into the glamorous world of New York’s gay elite. Forty-eight-year-old JB Pulaski, a Columbia professor, has been married to Mike for seventeen years, and together they are raising their adopted son, Emilio.
Mike has philandered throughout their marriage, but once JB is diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer, Mike becomes even more publicly promiscuous. This leaves JB humiliated as well as concerned for Emilio.
Set in the luxurious summer scene of Sag Harbor, Precious Friends perfectly captures a world of lavish parties, whispered gossip, and fragile appearances. The descriptions of the settings are vivid and immersive, making it easy to picture the elegant homes, wealthy social circles, and the grift lying underneath.
The story takes even a darker turn when Mike becomes involved with an Italian pianist, Gianni Cuomo, who is later found drowned in a wealthy host’s swimming pool. JB quickly becomes one of the prime suspects, and the mystery unfolds with plenty of twists.
What makes Precious Friends stand out is that it is far more than a traditional murder mystery. It is also an exploration of marriage, betrayal, illness, friendship, and loyalty. The characters feel authentic and fully developed, each carrying emotional baggage that adds layers to the suspense. This even holds true for the supporting characters.
This was a true page-turner for me. The complicated relationships, and an engaging whodunit kept me hooked until the very end. Fans of literary mysteries filled with emotional complexity and glamorous settings will find this novel difficult to put down.