"The reason you don't like me is because i don't wear red pants, I told him, equally candidly. My wife's name isn't Muffy, and I don't have paintings of sailboats on my walls."

Madness Under the Royal Palms: Love and Death Behind the Gates of Palm Beach
by Laurence Leamer

I GUESS one could call this a Guilty Pleasure type book. And every once in awhile it's nice to read a that type of book. This would certainly qualify as a book that will not change your life as it is a peek inside the secret lives of the high society of Palm Beach. I really enjoyed this book.

Madness certainly describes it. I don’t mean to imply this is not a dark book as it really is. It’s focus is on high society and the Palm Beach crowd. Many dark stories abound. I don’t shock easily but I was pretty shocked by some of the content In this book.

What’s really funny is I read this while on vacation in..you guessed it..Palm Beach. I happen to love the whole Bocha/Delray/Palm Beach area but cannot really say I love the people in this book.

There are so many empty almost soulless characters that it is really kind of sad. Maybe it does have more depth then I am giving it credit for. It certainly shows that money is not the way to happiness.

I have spent time in Palm Beach and met some really good people there so if you choose to read this don’t make the mistake of thinking that everybody who lives there are like some of the characters portrayed in this book.

But even though I like Palm Beach I’ve always found it to be almost unreal looking. It is visually stunning but it’s a bubble. I do prefer Delray Beach which is just as lovely but way more down to earth.

Regardless, this is a book one can read at the beach, on vacation etc. The book is packed full of gossip and stories, most of them pretty dark actually about many of the “One Percent”..or at least the one percent in Palm Beach. It is a real eye-opener.

As I said, this is not a book that will change your life but it is interesting reading for a couple of hours. ( )

I do not watch or have any real interest in shows that start with 'The Housewives of..."as I find most celebrities or rich people to be shallow and lead uninteresting lives. Leamer's book confirms that but also documents the many tragedies and scandals often brought on by the rich and greedy themselves. The general theme of the book revolves around money. How to get it? How to spend it? How to keep it? The extent on how rich people will protect their wealth often leads to violence and vulgar behavior.

Donald Trump figures in the book. He upset the staid manners and culture in Palm Springs with his hotels and appearance in Palm Springs. There are a number of stories, mostly sad ones. There also was an anecdote about Wayne Newton, namely about his personal appearance that was amusing.

For those pursuing the lifestyle of the rich and famous, this book is an eye opener and full of cautionary tales. ( )

the overall plot sounded interesting, however the author jumps from person to person and gives quite a lengthy history. Too many facts for my taste. ( )

the overall plot sounded interesting, however the author jumps from person to person and gives quite a lengthy history. Too many facts for my taste. ( )

Detailed look at the lives of the rich and not so rich of Palm Beach. A story on how incredible gluttony and tragedy have occured in those rewarded with an abundance of wealth. ( )