June 13, 2008
Most books about Las Vegas miss the mark, but the new mystery “Vegas Die” serves up an over-the-top cast of characters -- mobsters, strippers, Elvis impersonators, card sharks and politicos -- that will have you shaking your head and turning the pages. And that's not all. Author Stephen Grogan has cooked up a real-life treasure hunt to add to the mystery. Join the quest for a dagger hidden somewhere in Clark County. The clues are buried in the pages of the book, and the prize is $25,000. Continue reading »
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The mystery readers are huddled with the dessert lovers, and everyone's asking, "Whodunit?" Pamela and Lendall Mains – that's who. Together they have launched the Las Vegas valley’s newest independent bookstore, Cheesecake and Crime, a third-place venue that's a sweet retreat for those who love a good read. 
Not surprisingly, several theaters in Las Vegas hosted “sneak previews” of “What Happens in Vegas” tonight. I couldn’t resist, partly because it’s my self-appointed duty to report on movies with “Vegas” in the title, and partly because I was curious to see how many people would turn up to see it in a neighborhood cineplex. 
“It’s difficult to avoid Howard Hughes in Las Vegas.” So writes Geoff Schumacher in his new book, Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia, and Palace Intrigue. Even without reading this fact-packed volume, anybody who spends any time here will begin to notice Hughes’ lasting impact on Las Vegas. You visit Spring Mountain Ranch State Park and find that the eccentric gazillionaire once owned it. You have coffee at a Starbucks on Howard Hughes Center Drive... 
I’d been looking forward to seeing 21, the film based on Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions, Ben Mezrich’s best-selling tale of beating Vegas casinos at blackjack. I make a point of seeing every new film about my favorite city, and my interest increased when I met Mike Aponte the other day at the airport... 
The books I always remember the longest are those in which the author shares a story about a place or event that draws me into the narrative in a personal way. Whether it’s about battling a white whale or taking a road trip with a poodle named Charley, a great story pulls readers in and takes them on a virtual journey that leaves them wanting more at the end. Double or Nothing: How Two Friends Risked It All to Buy One of Las Vegas' Legendary Casinos, a new book by Tom Breitling and Cal Fussman, is one of these marvelous books... 
