VC01 - Privileged Lives

Read VC01 - Privileged Lives Storyline:

In this classic thriller, bestselling author Edward Stewart weaves a complex tale of sex, money, and murderIn a private suite at a New York hospital, Beatrice “Babe” Vanderwalk Devens awakens from a seven-year coma. The socialite and fashion designer is stunned to learn that her husband, Scottie, was brought to trial twice—and acquitted—for her attempted murder.Across town, the naked, mutilated body of a young man wearing a black leather bondage mask is found in an empty apartment in the Beaux Arts Tower, high atop the Museum of Modern Art. Seven miles away, off-duty NYPD lieutenant Vince Cardozo is relaxing on a Brooklyn beach with his twelve-year-old daughter when he gets the call.Cardozo’s investigation into the savage murder of the Beaux Arts John Doe takes him into the exclusive lairs of Manhattan’s elite. Babe Devens is part of that world. When Cardozo uncovers a shocking connection between the two cases, it could topple more than just high society.A Book-of-the-Month-Club featured selection.From Publishers WeeklyHeiress Beatrice "Babe" Vanderwalk Devens wakes one morning to find herself, not in her own bed at home with her pillow from Altman's, but in a hospital room. More confusing, it is not the next morning, but seven years and seven months later: Babe has been in a coma. Meanwhile, in an exclusive new building high atop the Museum of Modern Art, the real-estate agent showing an apartment to a prospective buyer discovers the bound and mutilated body of a handsome young man. Attractive widower Vince Cardozo, the detective investigating the grisly murder, also pays a hospital visit to Babe. Since her ex-husband had admitted attempting to kill her with an insulin overdose, the police have an interest in whether she regains consciousnessor dies. Cardozo is taken by Babe, a charming woman quite unspoiled by her wealth and social position. But more terrible events are in store for her, as the two separate strands of Cardozo's investigations eventually become unpleasantly entangled. What might seem farfetched to some will be familiar territory to readers of New York tabloids. Deftly using notorious scandals and murders, Stewart creates an immensely readable portrait of the privileged lives of his cafe-society cast of characters, most of whom are riddled with greed and corruption. His spellbinding, witty thriller does a first-rate job of showing that truth is stranger than fiction. 150,000 first printing; BOMC main selection. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal$18.95. f Babe Vanderwalk Devens, beautiful blonde heiress, awakens from a seven-year coma to learn that her adored husband was twice tried and finally acquitted of attempting to murder her by administering insulin. (Known parallels to the Von Bulow case end here.) Across town, in a luxury condo, the mutilated corpse of a young man wearing only a black leather mask with slits for eyes and zipper for mouth is discovered. What is the link between these two events? Parts of this book are completely compelling. Unfortunately, what promises to be a thrilling denouement turns out to be a mishmash of perversion for kicks. BOMC featured selection. Patricia Y. Morton, State Lib. of Pennsylvania, HarrisburgCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.