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"Expired Listings" is, according to Barclay, a "kinky and satiric fictional peek into both the inner workings of the real estate community and the world of BDSM" set against the scenic backdrop of the Hudson Valley and New York City. (BDSM, she explained, stands for bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism.)
Published by Punctuated Publishing of New City, Barclay said her debut story is a cross between "Glengarry Glen Ross" meets "Fifty Shades of Grey" -- but with a body count.
The story revolves around a murder mystery -- someone is "deactivating" the realtors in Rock Canyon and almost no one seems to care. Not the surviving brokers, who consider the serial killings a competitive boon. Not the town’s residents, who see the murders as a public service. In fact, the only person who’s even somewhat alarmed is Dana Black, a kinky, sharp-witted yet emotionally skittish realtor who has no alibi for the crimes because during each, she was using her empty listings for games like Bondage Bingo with her sadistic lover, Dare. And yet, mysteriously, all clues are pointing her way.
The story features satirical jabs at the real estate industry, adding a light touch to the novel’s dark subject matter.
"Nothing in life is ever as it first appears, a constant theme of the novel,” said Barclay, who writes under the pseudonym D.M.Barr. A former magazine writer/editor who received a first prize award from the Society of Professional Journalists for her nonfiction work at a travel trade magazine, as well as accolades from the real estate community for her sales figures, she said her writing style was influenced by other popular psychological thrillers, such as Chevy Stevens’ "Still Missing" and Laura Reese’s "Topping from Below."
Barclay admitted many of her characters come from those she's met along her travels. Dare, for example, is a combination of a few "lifestylers" she's met. "There is definitely someone out there with that evil imagination but he is not a writer, nor is he as self-centered or unfeeling as I've painted Dare to be," she said. "There is only one character in the book who is from real life and that is Davo, who gave me his blessing to include him."
Barclay is quick to remind readers she's nothing like the protagonist of her novel. “As a real estate broker, I've never played Bondage Bingo in one of my empty listings or offed one of my problem clients" she quipped. "But that's not to say I haven't wanted to...”
The mom of two adult children (and two rescue dogs) is already hard at work on her second novel, "Slashing Mona Lisa," another murder mystery. that will touch on issues of concern to women.
In the meantime, check out "Expired Listings'" at Barclay's book launch/signing party, to be held at Nanuet's Growler & Gill (148 Route 59) on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 5 pm. to 8 p.m.
The event,sponsored by Barry J. Dorfman of Liberty Mutual Insurance and Amanda Casey of Residential Home Funding, includes free food and giveaways as well as discounted beer, wine and soft drinks.
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