Domina

Domina continues the story of Judith Rashleigh from L.S. Hilton's Maestra. Now operating a Venice art gallery under an assumed name, Judith navigates high society while building her empire through both legal and illegal means. The plot combines elements of psychological thriller, crime fiction, and erotica as Judith encounters threats to her carefully constructed new life. Her past begins to surface, forcing her to protect her position in the competitive art world while staying ahead of those who would expose her. The novel maintains a fast pace through European locations including Venice, Paris, and Serbia, incorporating art history, luxury lifestyle elements, and high-stakes criminal enterprises. This second installment in the trilogy examines themes of identity, power, and the intersection of art and criminality, while questioning what people will do to obtain and maintain wealth and status.

Readers found this sequel less compelling than Maestra, citing repetitive plot elements and a protagonist who becomes harder to empathize with. Many noted the book focuses heavily on luxury brand names and shopping at the expense of character development. Liked: - Fast-paced scenes in art world/auction houses - Vivid European locations - Detailed fashion descriptions (for readers interested in haute couture) Disliked: - Excessive brand name dropping - Lack of character growth - Sexual content feels gratuitous rather than plot-driven - Confusing plot twists - Too similar to first book's formula Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (220+ ratings) Common reader comment: "The shopping lists and brand names became tedious and distracted from the story." Several reviewers noted they didn't finish the book, with one Amazon reviewer stating: "Gave up halfway - too much focus on clothes and not enough on plot."

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn A wife's disappearance reveals dark secrets and psychological manipulation through a narrative of wealth, deception, and revenge.

Maestra by L.S. Hilton An art house assistant rises through Europe's elite circles using seduction and crime to obtain wealth and power.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson A hacker and journalist uncover corruption within Sweden's wealthy families while navigating personal vendettas and dangerous secrets.

You by Caroline Kepnes A bookstore manager's obsession with an aspiring writer leads to stalking and murder in New York City's literary scene.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A woman's refusal to speak after murdering her husband sparks a criminal psychotherapist's investigation into London's art world and privileged society.

🔥 DOMINA is the second book in L.S. Hilton's Maestra trilogy, following art expert and criminal mastermind Judith Rashleigh through the glamorous yet dangerous world of European high society. 💫 Author Lisa Hilton previously wrote historical biographies, including works about Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, and Athénaïs, Madame de Montespan, before turning to psychological thrillers. 🎨 The protagonist's expertise in art forgery reflects real-world issues in the art market, where experts estimate that up to 50% of artwork in circulation could be fake. 🌟 Sony Pictures acquired the film rights to the Maestra trilogy before the first book was even published, with producer Amy Pascal (The Post, Little Women) attached to the project. 🗺️ The novel takes readers through a world of luxury and intrigue across multiple European locations, including Venice, Paris, and Serbia, with many scenes set in real-life exclusive clubs and hotels.