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Title details for The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian - Available

The Princess of Las Vegas

A Novel

by Chris Bohjalian
Saskia Maarleveld
Audiobook
7 of 8 copies available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
7 of 8 copies available
One of Elle’s Best and Most Anticipated Mysteries of 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.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    March 19, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593821220
      • File size: 332478 KB
      • Duration: 11:32:39

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      January 22, 2024
      Bestseller Bohjalian (The Lioness) mismatches plot and tone in this unwieldy thriller about lowlifes chasing high stakes in Las Vegas. The action centers on estranged sisters Crissy and Betsy Dowling, who are dead ringers for one another and for Princess Diana—a circumstance that launches Crissy’s career as the star of a musical about the late Lady Di at the tatty, off-the-strip Buckingham Palace Casino. Despite Crissy’s troubles—including bulimia, romantic turmoil, and pill popping—she feels fairly sanguine about her situation until a co-owner of the casino dies under suspicious circumstances. Then Betsy moves to town with her slimy new cryptocurrency exec boyfriend, Frankie, and a precocious 12-year-old foster daughter. Things spiral quickly as Frankie’s associates fast-track a scheme to turn the Buckingham into an all-crypto casino/money-laundering operation that hinges on the clueless Betsy’s resemblance to her sister. Before long, the plan goes from madcap to murderous, and Bohjalian slips in some well-calibrated satire of cryptocurrency culture. He’s less sure-footed, however, when it comes to the novel’s tone, which is curiously buttoned-up for a subject so conducive to bold treatment. Despite a blazing, Tarantino-esque climax, Bohjalian’s fans are likely to be disappointed. Agent: Deborah Schneider, Gelfman Schneider.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Sounding similar and yet unique--as sisters often do--Saskia Maarleveld and Grace Experience use a tag-team approach to tell this wild tale of showbiz, double-dealing, cryptocurrency, family secrets, murder, and big dreams gone wrong. Maarleveld brings an urbane resilience to older sister Crissy, who impersonates the iconic "Lady Di" Spencer in an off-the-Strip Las Vegas cabaret. Experience creates a natural tone for younger sister Betsy, who's asked by her boyfriend to impersonate her sister impersonating Princess Di. The connecting narrative and some of the audiobook's best lines are spoken by Betsy's adopted daughter, Marisa. Experience perfectly captures the snark and vulnerability of the 13-year-old teen, who senses danger and craziness around every corner. A fun pop-culture thriller. B.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      May 31, 2024

      Bohjalian's (The Lioness) latest follows two sisters living completely different lives. First there's Crissy, a Princess Diana impersonator in Las Vegas. Crissy so identifies with Diana that she has developed an eating disorder and doesn't ever drop the English accent. Crissy's look-alike younger sister Betsy has a history of making unfortunate choices. She impulsively adopts a teenager named Marisa and moves to Las Vegas with her sleazy boyfriend, Frankie. Betsy is oblivious to Frankie's obviously nefarious plans involving his mob-affiliated firm. Then people at Crissy's casino start to die, and Crissy, Betsy, and Marisa must use their skills to survive. The novel's action is shown from the points of view of the three women. Saskia Maarleveld narrates Crissy's chapters, and Grace Experience performs both Betsy's and Marisa's. Maarleveld neatly captures Crissy's faux British accent, portrayed with a weary cynicism. Experience expertly captures Betsy's difficult character, depicting her as someone who wanders life in a bewildered, reactive way and doesn't think things through. As Marisa, Experience skillfully embodies a teen who has seen too much and is still hoping for a family. VERDICT While the mystery is somewhat underdeveloped, excellent characterizations and skillful narration will satisfy Bohjalian's many fans.--B. Allison Gray

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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