The Princess Of Las Vegas.

 

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 Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an  ARC in exchange for an honest  review

 

 

RELEASE DATE: 03/26/2024.

 

 

THE PRINCESS IS FAKE. THE MURDERS ARE REAL • From the New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant and The Lioness, a Princess Diana impersonator and her estranged sister find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of money and murder in this twisting tale of organized crime, cryptocurrency, and family secrets on the Las Vegas strip. 

 

Crissy Dowling has created a world that suits her perfectly. She passes her days by the pool in a private cabana, she splurges on ice cream but never gains an ounce, and each evening, she transforms into a Princess, performing her musical cabaret inspired by the life of the late Diana Spencer. Some might find her strange or even delusional, an American speaking with a British accent, hair feathered into a style thirty years old, living and working in a casino that has become a dated trash heap. On top of that, Crissy’s daily diet of Adderall and Valium leaves her more than a little tipsy, her Senator boyfriend has gone back to his wife, and her entire career rests on resembling a dead woman. And yet, fans see her for the gifted chameleon she is, showering her with gifts, letters, and standing ovations night after night. 

 

But when Crissy’s sister, Betsy, arrives in town with a new boyfriend and a teenage daughter, and when Richie Morley, the owner of the Buckingham Palace Casino, is savagely murdered, Crissy’s carefully constructed kingdom comes crashing down all around her. A riveting tale of identity, obsession, fintech, and high-tech mobsters, The Princess of Las Vegas is an addictive, wildly original thriller from one of our most extraordinary storytellers. 

 

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 I always find historical fiction with a mystery twist fascinating, so when I came across The Princess of Las Vegas on NetGalley, I couldn't resist checking it out. What made it even more appealing was that the author is someone whose work I admire; I had previously read and loved The Flight Attendant I should have known that I would fall in love with this story. I enjoyed reading the story from both sisters' points of view, which allowed me to understand each character better. I particularly enjoyed reading about Crissy and Betsy's stories, and how they came together once, Betsy came to live in Las Vegas. Crissy's storyline grabbed my attention more than Betsy's, although Betsy's story improved once she moved to Las Vegas. I was completely engrossed in the book and couldn't put it down because I needed to know what would happen next. 

I loved reading the story that was set in Las Vegas. Since I have previously lived in Kingman, Arizona and visited Vegas a few times, I was able to easily visualize everything in my mind. The complicated history between the two sisters, Crissy, and Betsy, made me curious about Crissy's reaction to Betsy's decision to move to Las Vegas. I was also intrigued to know if the sisters could bury the hatchet and reconcile their differences. However, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened with their mother that caused Crissy to hold a grudge against her sister. I wondered if there was more to the story that had led to the conflict between the two sisters. As soon as the mysterious deaths began to occur, I became engrossed in the story and had to force myself to put the book down. 

I enjoyed reading about Betsy's 13-year-old adopted daughter, Marissa, in the book. The background information that was revealed about her between the chapters was very interesting. I also wondered if Marissa would realize what was happening before anyone else did. Though there is much more that I could say about this book, I don't want to reveal too much before it's released. I would highly recommend this book, especially to fans of historical fiction and suspense.