Las Vegas Books

I was completely stressed out about my trip to vegas. this book gave me so much information, I am ready to go! I have used this brand of book with other trips and would recommend anyone who needs to research destinations to read them.

This book gives a great overview of Vegas. It rates places to stay, shows to see, restaurant price ranges, tips for gambling, etc. Great book!

This book is full of information, for the beginning Vegas tourist, or the experienced traveler. The ratings and recommendations of the hotels, restaurants, casinos and places to visit are excellent. Highly recommended.

If you are looking for a hotel, nightclub, show, and dining options, this is a fantastic book. But, I had already made my hotel arrangements, and really am not a big show person. I don't gamble and am with my family, so nightclubs are not of interest. I just wanted to let you know why my rating is not 4 or 5 stars.

So, the dining section was the only part I found interesting - perfect for me, as there are so many dining options in Vegas. There was a very small section towards the back of the book that devoted attention to attractions for families. I probably should have bought a book titled "Las Vegas for Families" instead.

Like one of the previous reviewers, I bought this book after previously buying their guide to Walt Disney World. The WDW guide was superb, stuffed full of information about everything you could possibly need to know in the planning stages and also during your trip. In fact there is nearly too much info in the WDW book, with the author going as far as giving exact measurements of some of the hotel rooms! As a result, I expected the same high standard from the Las Vegas book and I have to say I was left a little disappointed.

First of all I have to say that I love the way the authors write these books. They have a very amusing turn of phrase and they have an irreverence toward their destinations that I find a refreshing change from a lot of the overly serious travel guides. I have really enjoyed reading this book, I find that their mix of amusing background stories, reader reviews and helpful advice, entertaining as well as informative.

The area where I found this book a little disappointing was the descriptions of the hotels. When I bought this book, I hadn't yet booked my hotel and was hoping for a little guidance. Like the previous reviewer pointed out, there might be two or three pages devoted to a particular hotel, but little or no mention of the actual room quality size or amenities. After all, when you book a hotel, you're paying for a room, so this is surely the main area of interest rather than what the `feel' of the lobby is like. If I were feeling sceptical, I'd nearly think that the authors had not actually been in the rooms of the hotels they were critiquing but merely the public areas and gardens. I'm sure that isn't the case, but that is an impression one might get when faced with the complete lack of mention of rooms in some of the hotel descriptions!

Other than that, I really loved this book. The sections on shopping, restaurants and shows are outstanding and as a first time visitor to Vegas and a non-gambler, I really appreciated the `how to' section on gambling. There is also a comprehensive section on tours outside of Vegas, for those who want to escape the bright lights for a day or two.

Overall, I highly recommend this book, it is way more in depth than a lot of other travel guides that I have looked at. I would especially recommend it to visitors who are staying more than a couple of nights and who want to see more than the usual sights as this book is choc full of info on some of the more `hidden gems'. In fact, one other slight disadvantage to this book, is that it is quite thick and heavy and so may be better for pre trip planning than actually carrying round with you.

This was good. i picked it up i started it and i forgot it was erotic because it was written really well. a couple parts were chessy but i loved the twist on modern Greek gods and goddess chracters. my fav story has to be the first the Accountant and the virgin. it was sweet. i expect more from cupids inc.

I really enjoy it if your not a fan of EROTIC NOVELS then this is soooooooo not for you..

All 4 stories were great i really liked the first and the second tho. but they were all great for me. If i had to describe this book in one word for you to buy it and read it that word would be ..WOW..or better yet ..WOW x5...

Be WARN its hardcore so if your not into that i repeat this book is not for you.....

This book was great! I loved it. Every book I have read by this author has been great. She is now on my autobuy list.

Even Greek deities must progress with the times to discharge their divine duties, as Eros and his wife Psyche discover in Las Vegas ala Sin City. Hence, the birth of Cupid, Inc, an agency that ostensibly matches clients to their sex fantasies but in reality tries to help them find true love. Throw in a meddling Aphrodite who thinks she knows better how love matches should be arranged, a sharp-tongued nymph and a couple other idiosyncratic Greek gods and goddesses and you know this story is going to be a delightful light-hearted romp.

Revolving around the agency, the 4 short erotic love stories in this collection feature lots of comic relief, barbed banters, likeable characters and hot, steamy sex. It's a sheer pleasure to read, like a piece of lemon cake you can still taste on your tongue long after you've devoured it. Suspend your disbelief and let the games begin...

The Accountant and the Virgin - Sara knows she couldn't have the boss she's had a crush on so she settled for the next best thing -- purchase an office fantasy to lose her virginity. A wrong address leads to her meeting Nic the accountant and a very satisfying encounter in his office...

The Stars in Her Eyes - Jamie is thrilled to have won Cupid, Inc's contest for a date with movie star Kevan Rune. Kevan agreed to be the prize of the contest as a personal favor and expects his date to be a simpering, starry-eyed female. Will the night end at just wine and dine or turn into something more?

One Mile Up...A Little to the Left - Life has never been better. Karee, associate editor for Love Magazine, gets to act out her fantasy of hot sex with a handsome man on a luxury airliner all in the name of her job. What she doesn't know is her assigned fantasy partner, Bret, is the managing editor of rival Max-Out Magazine, who also plans to write an article about the experience...

The Spy Who Rubbed Me - Badgered by his mother, retired jewel thief Paul agrees to participate in a spy fantasy arranged by Cupid, Inc. His partner in the mission to `steal' Aphrodite's golden apple is Helen, a waitress who's bored with her life. It was all supposed to be just an exciting game. They didn't expect to have to contend for the apple with a very real Greek goddess...

Cupid Inc

It's the 21st century and Cupid doesn't go around shooting people with arrows anymore. No, today he is an enlighted god, and with help from his wife Pysche, caters to the various fantasies of those willing to take a chance and explore the sexual side of themselves. Along with Aphrodite, who tends to interfere with her own good intentions, Eros and Pysche have made it their earthly mission to bring people together in love. And if the couples get to live out a fantasy or two, well, that's icing on the cake.

"The Accountant and the Virgin"
Who knew accountants could be so sexy? Certainly not virginal Sara Beaumont, who was in for a surprise when the "sex in the office" fantasy she's been harboring turns in to a reality. In love with her boss Zeth, who doesn't take notice of her, Sara can't stop fantasizing about having sex on an office desk. Deciding to make her fantasy come true and get rid of her virginity, Sara contacts "Cupid, Inc" to make it happen. Only instead of sending her to a man with a similar fantasy, Sara is accidentally sent to the office of Nic Anderson, the new accountant for "Cupid, Inc". Nic is immediately attracted to Sara, and more than willing to make her fantasy come true. But what happens when Sara's boss Zeth is pointed in Sara's direction? Will the magic she feels with Nic pale in comparison to the attention of her boss?

"The Stars in her Eyes"
Vegas wedding planner Janie Brown is trying to keep her business afloat in the wedding capital of the U.S. She doesn't have time to date. But thanks to her well-meaning sister, Janie has won a date with hot movie star Kevan Rune, who has reluctantly agreed to the date as a favor to Eros. Hounded by a sleazy tabloid reporter, Kevan is immensely grateful when a woman in a silver dress comes to his rescue, only to find out it's his date. They have a wonderful time together, and the attraction is instant and intense. But both have been burned before - Janie by a philandering spouse and Kevan by a publicity-hungry girlfriend. Will a stalking tabloid reporter ruin their chance for happiness? Not if love has anything to do with it....

"One Mile Up...A Little to the Left"
Karee Lomen is a journalist for "Love", a magazine for women and all things about, well, love and romance. The thing is, she has had this recurring fantasy about the mile-high club ever since she had a bit of an adventure on a plane as a teenager. Her friend and boss Veronica gives Karee the ticket, er, chance to make that fantasy come true with a little help from Cupid Inc. The only catch is she has to write an article about the experience for the magazine, which she will gladly do for "Love". The night before her pleasure trip, she attends a party for the arts at the Bellagio hotel, and meets a man who sparks her interest, only he disappears before she can get to know him better. It isn't until later that she finds out he's Bret Jernigan, is a fellow journalist for Max-Out, a men's magazine who laughs at all that "Love" stands for. But by now she's already fulfilled her fantasy, with Bret, and is falling for him. Now Karee and Bret have to decide which is more important: their relationship or their careers..... Readers will get a kick out of the antics of Bret's boss Max, who's attention-getting schemes seem to be geared towards getting a reaction out of Karee's boss Veronica. I'm interested in finding out where that may lead....

"The Spy that Rubbed Me"
Helen Manzana is a waitress bored with the repetiveness of her life. She dreams about an adventure from one of her favorite James Bond movies. One day a regular customer leaves Helen a very generous tip, and a gift certificate for a spy fantasy from Cupid, Inc. Days later, Helen's normal day is interrupted when a dishy man in a tuxedo and an English accent begs for her help. And so starts the beginning of Helen's fantasy.... Paul Aris is a reformed thief and current do-gooder determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But even he can't refuse his mother when she asks him to steal a valuable item from the Troy Casino - all in the name of love and adventure. Determined to make his mother happy, he plays along with the spy fantasy, and in the process meets a woman who gets his blood pumping just by being in the same room.

"Cupid, Inc" is a lot about fantasies, but mostly the journey is about love, and matching two people who belong together. I like the whole mythology premise, and the way Michele Bardsley has set it up for the possibility of future stories. I hope she's planning a follow-up book - I think there are a lot of fantasies left to be fulfilled. This collection of stories was quick and delightful - perfect for a lazy afternoon to ward off the winter chill and warm your heart.

MOSTLY HISTORY ABOUT ROULETTE HISTORY,BUT THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT STATISTICS THAT WILL HELP.THIS BOOK PUT TOGETHER WITH THE STATISTICS IN IT AND FRANK SCOBLETE SPIN ROULETTE GOLD AND HIS ACTUAL WHEEL SPINS AND GAME PLANS WILL GIVE THE READER A EDGE UP ON THE HOUSE.

If you are a serious roulette player than there are two books that i have found to be must read books. This one and Frank Scoblete's Spin Roulette Gold. Barnharts' book concentrates on bias wheels but also contains some very lively stories. Definitely a book to have!

If you are a serious roulette player than there are two books that i have found to be must read books. This one and Frank Scoblete's Spin Roulette Gold. Barnharts' book concentrates on bias wheels but also contains some very lively stories. Definitely a book to have!

This book is a must read to the people who want to know facts that happened worldwide. If you are looking a book just for relax and patience you can buy it... but if you are looking a book to learn to play and beating the Roulette search another book.

This book is good just for the people who loves to play Roulette as a hobby and not as a bussiness.

In fact, the book related tables from a page to other, this is boring and it take out emotion of the book, besides the tables are confusing and misunderstable.

The book is divided in sections about fact that happened worldwide, and it takes almost all the book just to tell a strategy that is just write in one chapter.

This is to roulette what "Beat the dealer" was to blackjack, the first book to use science to devise practical winning systems for this game of chance. The book is very well-written and readable, with accounts of million-dollar biased-wheel coups through the ages. By the way, don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't find biased wheels these days. With persistence they certainly can be, and the % returns can be staggering. John May, author of "Baccarat for the clueless"

I really enjoyed Martha Chainey in her role as mob courier and ex-Vegas showgirl. This is a great new character and series.

How have I lived this long w/o knowing about Gary Phillips?!? These books rock. It's an exploding video happening before your eyes. Only gave this one 4 stars because the second one in this series is even better.

Readers who, like myself, have heard good things about Gary Phillips but don't want to commit themselves to reading the four Ivan Monk books should find this a good starting place to sample his work. Former Vegas showgirl Martha Chainey makes an interesting protagonist. She's not a cop, a private eye, or any of the typical mystery heroine professions. Although a courier for the Vegas mob (such as it is in the 21st century), she's also not a crook. She's just a woman doing her job, until events force her to track down thieves and murderers, if only to clear her own name.

Mr. Phillips does a great job creating distinctive characters. While some characters are more likeable than others, almost everybody makes an impression. He also evokes a real sense of place in his descriptions. Best of all, he keeps the story moving and the tension high, rarely slowing down, never letting the reader forget that Chainey is working against the clock to save her own life.

The book isn't perfect; there are one or two too many coincidences, and sometimes characters' sexual quirks were played so broadly they almost felt gratuitious. And while the main plot is resolved by the end of the book, Phillips does tease his readers with a cliffhanger about future threats to Chainey's life. On the other hand, the main story ends with a stark simplicity that I found refreshing, and I didn't mind the dangling plot threads. Real life never ends neatly, and now I have an excuse to pick up the next book in the series.

This story of a long-legged ex-showgirl, currently making a living as sub-contracted courier for Las Vegas casino bosses is ...okay.

It is fast-paced with a moderate degree of action as the self-reliant protagonist, Martha Chainey, finds herself suspected of having personally engineered the heist of a multi-million dollar package. She has 72 hours to recover the intercepted delivery or suffer the usual and customary consequences for anyone in her line of employment who comes up short. The story has a screenplay feel as Martha scrambles around California locations, Indian Reservations, and the less glamorous sides of Las Vegas in search of the perpetrators while attempting to stay a few steps ahead of the lunatic casino muscle shadowing her every move.

In essence, there is not one sympathetic character in the mix of bad guys and "less" bad guys. The sidelight of the competitiveness between traditional casino owners and the Native Americans is an interesting plot line although the Indigenous were a bit too stereotypically stoic for my taste.

HIGH HAND is an all right read. There just are not any surprises.

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In High Hand, Gary Phillips gives us an action-packed portrayal of a Las Vegas casino money courier, Martha Chainey is a beautiful vixen, skilled in martial arts,and is very capable of defending herself. For the most part, she could handle the most formidable foe and is always ready for action. Unfortunately, Martha skills were not enough when she was robbed of money that Frankie and Veronica Degaults entrusted her to deliver. The robbery left her with a debt that could eventually lead to her demise. As a result, the Degaults gave Martha a redemption pass of seventy-two hours to recover the stolen money or else, it is curtains for her.


In her pursuit to recover the stolen funds, Martha discovers that blood thirsty Molly Zevonian is involved in the plot and is pulling out all stops to destroy her. As the story unfolds, Martha learns that she must find the mastermind that sent Molly to kill her to recover the stolen money. To find the mastermind, she joins forces with Six-Pack who is investigating the murder of two Indians that were found dead in the desert. His investigation might be the key in finding out who set her up.


This book is packed with non-stop action and the reader will be shocked by who masterminded the robbery. Lovers of mysteries and action will love this book. In a sense, Martha Chainey's character is parallel to that of Cleopatra Jones, a glamorous woman with the moxie and ability to protect herself against all odds. I became so involved with this story that it felt as if I was Martha, stopping bad guys. In the future, I will be looking forward to reading more of Martha's next escapades.

Reviewed by Margaret Ball
APOOO BookClub

I have been to Vegas numerous times and had a friend going for the first time in 20 years. Purchased the book for her and gave it to her prior to her trip. She LOVED it and I found it quite accurate from my experiences there. It's a great book for someone new to Vegas and it's very user friendly.

This book was very informative. It changed my mind about some restaurants that I wanted to go to and helped me plan my trip without a travel agent.

Dummies books in general are nicely laid out, with easy to read text, informative highlights, and simple symbols to keep you in check. That all being said, this just isn't my favorite travel book about Vegas. The Dummies style works great for figuring out how your software works, but it doesn't seem to key in properly to what Las Vegas is all about.

I think the main issue here is that the Dummies book tries to cover a number of different topics in a very shallow manner. Let's start at the beginning. It dedicates the first two chapters on how to get to Vegas. It lists things like "surf the web" to find cheap airline rates. I really didn't need a book to tell me that. It tells you to bring a cell phone. Really, if I get a book on Vegas, I want to know what to do and see in Vegas, and where to stay. The rest of this intro stuff is just fluff.

OK, so we get to the actual "arrival" part of the book. Once again you have a ton of fluff about "look on the web to find hotel prices" and "avoiding hidden costs". They could almost have a cookie cutter travel book at this point, with no actual content about the city you are visiting. When we finally get to the actual hotel descriptions, there is a brief paragraph (or maybe 2) on each one. I would really have liked some sort of easy to use table listing them all and their features, rather than having to scan the paragraphs hoping they mentioned the items I was interested in.

The restaurant area is the same way, a paragraph on each, no real organization to help you out on making your choices. But don't blink - quickly you are into "gambling tips and tricks". Really, if I wanted to learn how to gamble, there are ample books on the topic. I need to know the details in Vegas to choose where to stay and eat, and I still really haven't gotten enough of that information.

You get some information on shows and nightclubs, but then you get lists of top 10 things that aren't in Vegas any more. This might be historically informative, and I might not have minded its inclusion if otherwise the book was chock-full of specific, useful information. But given how much of the rest of the book was already generic, it sort of rubbed that in my face. So now I know even more about things that aren't around any more :)

I do love Dummies books. I own many of them and think they're great. For some reason, the Vegas Dummies book is the worst book in my Vegas collection. I guess it just goes to show that no one system can fit every need.

The price of this book is very reasonable considering all of the information one can learn about Las Vegas. However, I felt as though it could have included more information such as a list of houses of worship and public transportation for those who don't feel comfortable driving around in strange cities. It really is a book for those who plan on renting a car and seeing the city by car. Nonetheless, I think everyone who plans to visit Las Vegas should read this book as it is well-written and the layout is great. It's a fun book to read and it's well worth the price. If I ever get out to Las Vegas, I will absolutely take this book with me as it has a lot of information about hotels and restaurants. It's definitely not stuffy or boring. Even young people would find it easy reading compared to some of the more lengthy, wordy travel guides.

This is the second for Dummies book on travel I have purchased. I did not find it as helpful as the first book (on Hawaii), but it has some great basic information to start your research on if this is your first time to Las Vegas. The rest of my research was on the internet- mostly looking at pictures to get a feel of what I would like to see in person. You can narrow down quite a bit of your searching by reading this easy to read first half of this book, which is devoted to accomodations and attractions. It quickly gives you a summary of all you need to know.

The book was particurlarly helpful in summarizing what all the casinos on the strip offer to do besides gamble- shows, museums, etc. and there are a lot to sort through, and several are free! My family accused me of being to Las Vegas before because I had such a clear idea of where to go and what to see attraction-wise in what seems a chaotic city of entertainment, something this book is invaluable for.

Also helpful were tips on which casinos were connected to what if you want to beat the heat or not walk as far. This book needs to get updated though in that respect. The other half of the book gives tips and instructions on gambling for those going to do less looking and more gambling.

Okay, I'm a native Las Vegan so I'm obviously biased, but I really enjoyed this book. It's from a local who has lived here for quite some time and he feels the need to touch on everything from great hidden thrift shops, free music venues and good grub. His style is light and breezy and he has a knack for funny sketches about all the strange people he's encountered along the way. It's true that the book is a bit narrow in scope, concentrating on those with a love for the odd and/or peculiar and the youthful tone of the book is geared more toward the hostel/backpacker set; yet this should not be a point of criticism for the author, nor should he be docked a star for it. There's nothing wrong with target marketing. Writing a sharp, hip guide that is at the same time very open-minded to all sorts of trends is clearly Mr. Toole's goal - and he pulls it off in spades.

Yeah! I didn't expect to have as much fun as I did, but this book led me to a great hostel (they offered shuttle service to the airport!), some good food (Vegas doesn't lack in eateries) and some fun, inexpensive bits on the strip & downtown. I also liked the author's writing style - hip & fresh, but never snide. Why four stars and not five? Because I'd love for this author to come out with a new edition. Not that the info inside is outdated, but that Vegas changes every week from what I've been told, and there could be some hot new stuff in the city that I'd like THIS AUTHOR'S OPINION ON! Maybe it's not fair to dock a star for that reason, but I hope it'll encourage him or the publisher to get a new one out. Also, Mr. Toole, if you had a website for your Vegas tips, I'd sure like to check that out!

At 22 years of age, I was ripe for my first "adult" trip to Vegas a few weeks ago. I purchased this book and man did it help. I stayed at a great hostel, had the trill of playing some cheap tables, swallowed some good grub, shopped at some offbeat places and experienced some wickedly cool bands at venues that I don't beleive is covered in any other travel guide. I also dug the author's writing style - light with fresh, funny tales about the people in his town. I even have more respect for him when I found an online interview of the author and he encouraged people to write to the publisher to drop the list price by a few dollars because he felt his book was too expensive. Now that's honesty! Seriously folks, you should buy the book, it's not a budget guide really, but more of an off-the-beaten path type guide that will have you touching on several places to make your trip to Vegas a treat.

I'm sending this book to my pals back in the UK. Ever since Virgin Atlantic started a non-stop flight from Las Vegas to London the stream of Brits in Las Vegas hasn't stopped. This is right up their alley. Off-Strip eating places that won't break the bank and excursions that will appeal to those who will quickly tire of the corporate "experiences" offered on the Strip. Having this book has made this recent transplant feel like a local. I only hope there's a second edition in the works to keep things fresh and up to date. The back cover photo says it all!

Las Vega$ on the Dime is the best guide to the valley of sin. If you're a traveler with a smaller wallet than the billionaire high roller then this book is for you. Toole's book does a comprehensive overview of the best places to eat, sleep and be entertained without straining your funds to depletion.
This book is one of the few on the market that explores not just one type of dining, but ALL of the dining genres including (but not limited to)- sushi, American, French, and Polynesian.
Las Vegas on a Dime is a must have for pocket-pinchers and the casual traveler alike; it gives visitors a rare locals look to one of the most diverse cities in the country.
The writing is concise and conversational, with attention paid to details about each of the establishments reviewed. Inside you can find more than just a guide to saving money, but great reviews of the places explored as well. Toole has taken the time and painstaking effort to make sure that the reader is well informed about the city, so that on arrival you're ready to spend, without getting ripped off.

It's a nice big book with plenty of contrasting photos of various locales in Las Vegas.

Each photo, old and new, comes with a brief description and/or historical fact of the structure or location. The info is informative and interesting.

While I enjoyed the photos that were presented, the format makes it too "black and white". So basically you get the very beginning photo and then the most current photo(usually in the 21st century).

Would've been nice if they could've included some transition photos, as a lot of casinos went thru various changes throughout the years.

Overall though, I enjoyed the book as it managed to evoke my deep memories of Sin City.

I purchased the book for my son-in-law who enjoyed it VERY MUCH. Great Book.
Shirley Nordby

this is a nice book with very beautiful photos ,a must for people who like
to learn about other cities evolution.

I was finally able to visit Las Vegas last year and bought several Vegas books as souvenirs. Unfortunately, most of the books only provided information on present-day Las Vegas. Also wanted were pictures of the Las Vegas I had seen on TV as a kid. After all, that is what gave it its magic & attraction to me.

This book provides that. Pictures of the old & new are featured on opposite pages for easy comparison. The pictures are large, sharp, & clear, & are of excellent quality to this layman's eye. They are also accompanied by short paragraphs of essential facts such as build dates & owners, along with information peculiar to the specific buildings.

I highly recommend this book to the nostalgist.

I drove through Las Vegas in 1975 and was so unimpressed I didn't even stop and get out of the car. I wanted to see if this book had any photos from that era and was pleased to find out my memory wasn't faulty. I was also there in the mid '60s and the late '90s and the book didn't let me down on those memories, either.

This book bills itself as a history of law enforcement in Southern Nevada and is very comprehensive, but ultimately feels more like a collection of anecdotes, facts, and personalities than a cohesive narrative. Griffin is also a mystery writer, and his forte is serving his readers a nice, meaty story. That's where Policing Las Vegas is the strongest--particularly in the chapters on the Mob and the 1992 race riots, where Griffin reads almost like an eyewitness account.

The early material, however, is paper-thin. While Griffin has my sympathies--there's probably a lack of documentary evidence of the region's police departments' early years--there's not much excuse for the scatter-shot presentation of the first six decades of this history. Chiefs are raised to honor and toppled from grace (usually with no explanation of why), Las Vegas sees milestones like its first patrol car and first female officer, and statistics about the city's growth occasionally march in, but with little sense of flow or progress. And there's certainly nothing to put what we're reading into context: as Western towns go, was Las Vegas progressive or slow-to-change in its policing? It has the feel of an author with limited sources writing a chronology rather than a true history.

In its later years, as newspaper accounts grow less telegraphic and living interviewees emerge, though, the book is quite good. As it happens, this uptick in quality coincides with the establishment of the unified Las Vegas/Clark County Metro Police Department in 1973. From here on in, Policing Las Vegas is rock-solid and far more readable. The reader almost forgets that the first 68 years of Las Vegas policing were covered in a perfunctory 42 pages. You don't get the answer to life, the universe, and everything, but you do learn the basic history of Metro.

And what a history it is. Political squabbles over consolidation give way to a struggle with various organized crime figures. There's some solid police work discussed here. And the long chapter on the 1992 riots reads almost like a primary source document. There are also stirring testimonials to Metro officers who have fallen in the line of duty and helpful appendices with various landmark dates and Metro initiatives.

The richness of the the material from 1973 onwards, though, only makes the books initial skeletal treatment stand out more starkly.

If you consider this a history of Metro with a longish preface about the pre-Metro years, you won't be disappointed.

Synopsis
After being established as a railroad town, most of Las Vegas' population was made up of tough railroaders, and miners who worked, drank and fought hard. Sam Gay, the first police chief, as well as the first elected county sheriff, broke up the numerous scuffles by grabbing the combatants by the scruff of the neck and banging their heads together-- it was the beginning of a long legacy of law and order in America's most explosive boomtown.
Over the years Las Vegas left behind its rough and tumble beginnings to become the gambling and entertainment capital of the world. Naturally, the influx of residents and visitors-- and their money--brought crime. From Prostitutes to street gangs, mobsters to drug dealers, robbers to cheats, Sin City has seen it all. And law enforcement efforts have had to adapt accordingly.
ISBN:0-929712-23-4

Category: Non-Fiction, History - Law Enforcement

Our New Book Review
Huntington Press
A well written history is among my favorite books, Policing Las Vegas by Dennis N Griffin certainly exceeds my standards for this category. Well researched and presented, the City of Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County Nevada's history of law enforcement is filled with colorful crooks and cops. From "Mob Enforcers" to gangbangers, and the men and women that worked to bring them to justice, this work is filled with the reasons why Metro Las Vegas Police Department is one of the leading Police Departments in existence.
Mr. Griffin has avoided the sometimes dry facts and figures rote, by using the "real" colorful characters that brought about the changes and growth to LVMVPD and the reasons why they did so. His use of recent interviews of people that were there, in person, shows the many faces of law enforcement and the determination most had to do the job well. He shows events and people, both good and bad, as they were recorded.
My highest recommendation is given to anyone that enjoys history or law enforcement subjects.
Ray Ward (...)

There's a great book that just hit the market - Policing Las Vegas, by Dennis Griffin. As Las Vegas, NV reaches its Centennial in May 2005, the book, that is a complete and unvarnished history of law enforcement in this wild and unique city, is there to introduce the reader to the crime fighters that made Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department what it is today.

Take the time to visit with Hiram Powell, the rough and tough street cop, who tangled in the 1940s with Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel on numerous occasions. Hi always came out the winner, even with Bugsy having friends in the business, if you know what I mean. If you think Hi's story in the book is fascinating, you should take the time to meet him in person. Yes, he still lives here in town.

Meet Herman Moody, one of the first African-American police officers in the city of Las Vegas. Find out what it was like to work the rough west side of the small but growing city. Herman gave the city of Las Vegas more than thirty years of service. He too is still in town and shares his experiences with his friends.

Visit the modern age of law enforcement as a very busy department serves the ever-expanding community of Las Vegas and Clark County. Come and meet today's heroes of the department like Enrique Hernandez, who after an anything but routine traffic stop, was shot numerous times by the criminal her pursued. Although severely wounded, Enrique has fought hard to recover and has returned to limited duty. Also meet Dennis Devitte, who while off duty was confronted by armed robbers, and even though he faced superior firepower, took the robbers on, was shot eight times, but was still able to return fire and kill one of the robbers.

Mr. Griffin was able to write Policing Las Vegas with the cooperation of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. This fantastic book was three years in the making. When the project was undertaken, Mr. Griffin told the department he would cover the history of the department, not just the good stories, but all the stories. He has covered both the good and the bad, and how it has affected this well respected police department. In fact, at a recent book signing and reception, Sheriff Bill Young, honored Mr. Griffin by attending the event and praised Mr. Griffin for his outstanding book, Policing Las Vegas.

I must be totally frank. I have been a fan of Dennis N Griffin's writing since his first book,THE MORGUE. Even though THE MORGUE was Dennis' first attempt at writing, the technical material was presented in a clear, easy to read and easy to understand, style. The following books: RED GOLD, BLOOD MONEY, ONE-ARMED BANDIT, PAIR-A-DICE and PENSION came in quick succession.

POLICING LAS VEGAS is an historical account of the beginning of law enforcement in Las Vegas to the present day. There are many wonderful stories of the dedicated, competent men and women,some of whom, have given their lives to make this a safe town for us and our many visitors. Great selection of pictures, one-of-a-kind.

I have read several accounts of Las Vegas relating to its history and characters from The Green Felt Jungle and the Players, to Of Rats and Men. But until Policing Las Vegas by Dennis Griffin I never found much in the way of how Las Vegas law enforcment evolved over the years. I always thought it was a story worth telling.

I resided in Las Vegas from 1956 thru 1988 and was personally acquainted with a large number of local characters both in and out of law enforcement. I was very impressed with Policing Las Vegas as I discovered several things that I had long forgotten or never knew. I applaud author Dennis Griffin for his thoroughness and meticulous research. The description of the "Rodney King" riots were especially riviting. I would strongly recommend this work for anyone interested in law enforcement or Las Vegas in general.

Oh! Did I mention that I am a former Clark County (Las Vegas) sheriff?

Despite the title, there is not much info on Wicca and the only moment when all things Wiccan were mentioned, is also when Piper not-so-subtly ridiculed and mocked the somewhat odd things practicing Wiccans believe. If Wicca is what you're looking for, this is not for you.

However, this book is average, nothing special or different, but at least they focused the attention on innocents as fellow Wiccans. The plot is intriguing and edgy enough to make you want to turn the page to find out whats next. Also, there are plenty of twists and turns that is certainly unexpected, as one thing leads to the other NOT. But what I find a great disappointment was after all that they went through, the "bad guys" were vanquished by Piper's molecular combustion power??? Thats it?!?!?!?!?! On the other hand, the evil enitity may not be as powerful as it seems, but its just not satisfying. Other than the ending, this book is worth a good read to whet your Charmed appetite. Enjoy.

this book is okay it's title mimics that of the very first pilot episode. other than that there are no major flaws in it otherthan the more recent books seem to be more frequently set out of san fransico, which is okay but makes the books less connected to the tv series. the story itself is good with some excellent twists.

How gratifying to find an author who is obviously quite familiar with the world of "Charmed"; the powers & personalities of the Halliwells (& their friends & lovers) are depicted perfectly. While this should be mandatory for any author entrusted with a "Charmed" novel, it is, sadly (& infuriatingly), the exception in recent novels (the worst example being "Shadow of the Sphinx"; see my review of that book). "Something Wiccan..." has two main failings: one (I'll get to the other later) is that there is a paucity of humor--either situationally or in the witty dialogue that makes the TV episodes sparkle. However, the plot is complex and multi-layered, and filled with surprises; the ending features not just one, but two, surprise twists, neither of which I saw coming.
The biggest disappointment of the book (and what I consider the 2nd major failing), is the lack of insight into Wicca as a religion, and the differences between Witchcraft and Wicca (no, they are not synonomous terms or practices). The plot centers around a Wiccan retreat, which Paige is eager to attend in order to learn more about Wicca, while Piper & Phoebe reluctantly accompany her in the hope of catching whoever is kidnapping members of covens. While the book presents a reasonably good picture of a typical Gathering, and the diverse types of people who practice Wicca, it fails to give any real information as to just what Wiccans actually believe, their religious beliefs, holidays, rituals, etc. This plot presented a golden opportunity to enlighten readers who are understandably confused about Wiccans vs Witches, and a skilled writer (which I think this author is) could have slipped at least some basic info in among the action without sounding preachy.
A more general complaint (not aimed at this book exclusively) is that ever since Paige became a Charmed One, every subsequent novel has focused on her as the main character, with the main plot centering around her & told primarily from her viewpoint. In the earliest novels, the sisters seemed to take turns at center stage (e.g., Phoebe gets sent to the past, to old Salem; Prue's photo assignments have unexpected--and magical--ramifications; Piper volunteers her time with troubled, homeless teens, little knowing that the shelter is run by a warlock who brainwashes the teens to do his bidding) but they still functioned as a team, each of equal importance (i.e., The Power of Three, not Paige and her back-up group the Charmettes). Another stereotype the writers seem to be clinging to is Grouchy Piper and her Reluctance to Accept Paige as either a sister or a responsible adult (despite the fact that Paige, at approximately the age Phoebe was when they became the Charmed Ones, is obviously more responsible & goal-oriented than Phoebe was at that age). Granted, Piper is perhaps too anxious and even obsessed in her new role as the eldest sister, but since Piper & Paige now seem to be close on the TV series, showing mutual affection and respect, it's time that the books also reflected their current relationship. But ever since Paige's arrival, the writers seem mostly interested in her, content to sketch the other sisters as shadowy two-dimensional background figures. Phoebe has been the one most relegated to the background (though to be fair, this DOES reflect the trend on the TV show); it's natural that her divorce & new job have made her more serious, but the books haven't yet caught up with the tragedies in her life (e.g., in this book, she's still happily with Cole). Yet it's as if her role as the carefree, optimistic, effervescent free spirit has been arbitrarily re-assigned to Paige, while Phoebe has become a workaholic in her newspaper job.
But despite these flaws, the book does do a good job of portraying the Charmed Ones' powers and methods, without any embarrassing errors (at least, none that I caught). The dialogue rings true. And the plot is sophisticated and absorbing, a magical who-dunit, and I defy you to not to be surprised at the surprise double twist ending. (On thinking it over, I think that the ending was actually a little improbable--and more than a little confusing--but when I first read it, it had the wonderful quality of being both a total surprise and yet seeming perfectly logical in retrospect. Maybe any confusion I feel in looking back over it will be cleared up on a more careful second reading--which I definitely look forward to.

This is one of my favourite Charmed book. The dialogue is funny and the story is interesting. If you're a Charmed fans, this book is a must.

Anything about charmed is a must!! Charmed is the best series in the whole world! noone can beat it not smallville, not the ex-vampire slyer,buffy! No one!!! Charmed is the best!! this book is a must for all charmed lovers and also for magic lovers......
This is such a great book!! Its funny and cute and....exciting!

CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED CHARMED
THE B.....E.....S.....T SHOW ON EARTH!!!

I am a Las Vegas native familiar with Kim Thomas' capacity with the Metropolitan Police Dept. While crime genre is of particular interest to me, I admit I read this book because I felt akin to it. I imagine it is a safe and overall general and accurate account of his tenure with the LVMPD. In the absence of specifics indicative to "Sin City", one can conclude crime is crime, regardless the venue. It moves quickly,easily and is a well-narrated first endeavor. I did however, find it spackled with editing errors.

One Cop's Journey takes you to the real world of law enforcement and the life of one special dedicated cop with the right values and work ethics.
I do own the book and have met Kim Thomas on two occasions. He is energetic and has the right outlook on law enforcement. I found the book one that could be read more than once and look forward to his second book.
He is an excellent speaker, witty and very very interesting. I highly recommend One Cop's Journey for both genders.

If you've never gone on a ride-along--I have twice--this book is the next best thing. It's one cop's journey, but even better, it's a journey for the reader. Ride along and learn of the tedium and the excitement police officers experience in their day-to-day grind. Learn of the perseverance involved, and how heroic efforts lead to exhilarating conclusions--or crushing disappointment. You've seen the tv show "Cops," but that's just the busting part of an officer's job. This book takes you from the squad car to the locker room to the captain's office, where politics and red tape and personal grievances sometimes make it almost impossible to do the job a good cop wants to do.

Cam, the likeable leading man in this book, takes you through police academy, police romance, police boozing, and police commiserating, from novice cop to detective. You may not agree with everything he does, but you'll understand his motivation and you can't help rooting for him.

Cam escorts you through the back streets of one of America's most intriguing cities. He speeds you up and down the Las Vegas Strip on his bicycle, through the back doors of casinos, and into Vegas's famous video surveillance control centers. In his squad car, he drives you through gangland, hookerville, and drug city. Yes, Las Vegas has much more than 24-hour neon and 32-ounce margaritas in souvenir glasses. The city has its share of miscreants, not to mention visitors-behaving-badly.

My ride-alongs many years ago gave me a life-long appreciation for law enforcement officers and the jobs they do. I watched the cops I rode with pat down drunks soaked in vomit and urine. I watched them politely take abuse at the front doors of strangers in the midst of domestic disturbances. I saw them chase down vandals and robbers with twenty or more pounds of equipment strapped on them. This book is a ride-along with a back story. An easy read, a page-turner, and an eye-opener. I highly recommend it.

This book is so amazing. My boyfriend is going to be a law enforcement officer in Las Vegas, and it's so awesome to read about a police officers day-to-day. After being a skeptical girlfriend, worrying about this profession, I am very excited for him and look foward to hearing his stories.

This is a GREAT book! One of the best I've read.

I am a former law enforcement officer from Las Vegas, NV , although I do not know Kim Thomas personally, I could certainly relate to the places, the smells, the heat and the situations that his charcter endures throughout the book.

I felt like I was riding in the passenger seat as I read the book.

Thanks for a good read and I hope to see more.