The Palm Beach Story [Mass Market Paperback]

Roxanne Pulitzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

Beautiful and talented photographer Meg McDermott becomes caught up in the glitter and decadence of Palm Beach after shooting a compromising photograph that transforms her into the most sought-after woman in Florida's ultra-exclusive retreat. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Life in Palm Beach is no stroll on the sand as local society veteran Pulitzer (Twins) spins with an insider's authority her third juicy tale of the fables and foibles of the chronically (and sometimes thinly disguised) rich. Meg MacDermott's boss, publishing mogul Hank Shaw, declines to be photographed for Meg's latest assignment?a photo-essay about Palm Beach?for his own glossy mag GL, but he does clue her in on how things work in his hometown and offers her access to his wealthy, publicity-shy neighbors and friends. Though warned that "in Palm Beach no one cares what people do, so long as they do it quietly," Meg slaves through charity balls, benefits and board meetings collecting candids of her less than candid quarry. As she does, she accidentally captures Shaw's neighbor Ashton Kendall?the Countess Monteverdi?coupling with an employee in her husband's speedboat. A little passive blackmail gives Meg entree to Ashton's circle, leading to romance with the countess's cousin, boozy hunk Spencer Kendall, and evasive jousts with the reptilian Count Monteverdi. Meanwhile, Shaw pines for the countess, the countess hates the count, the count loves anybody rich and the countess's brother, Merritt Kendall, pulls dangerous strings to infuse the family fortune with enough cash to maintain their opulent lifestyle. A chance meeting between Merritt and a Colombian drug lord gives Meg leverage to avenge a childhood grudge and to nod toward her aspirations as a journalist, with catastrophic results for the Kendall clan. Pulitzer illuminates the downside of privilege as she sharpens her talented pen on a morally impoverished enclave?and that's a brief sure to delight her fans. Doubleday Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Once again, Pulitzer highlights high-society hijinks in her hometown. Here, photographer Meg MacDermott uses a compromising snapshot to blackmail her way to the top.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Books (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575661675
• ISBN-13: 978-1575661674
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,416,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read for Lounging on a the Beach on a Hot Day, April 5, 2000

By 

S. Tucker (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Palm Beach Story (Hardcover)

Roxanne Pulitzer's novel, The Palm Beach Story, is sizzling to say the least. Amid the world of jet-setting socialites who drop money like one drops a napkin and fast men who like fast women, fast cars, and fast boats equally, enters Megan "Meg" MacDermott. Sent from New York to Palm Beach, Florida to photograph these people who live "in a world [where they have] two pools, one to catch the morning sun, another the afternoon," Meg is a definite outsider. She also comes to find out that the man for whom she'll be working (she will be a photographer) is just as much of an outsider despite being a successful billionaire (Hank Shaw is the publisher for GL -- Good Life -- magazine).

Once inside their world all bets are off: A wager is made in regards to Meg, and who will bed her first -- will it be Spence Kendall or the Italian playboy, Count Monteverdi?; the Count's wife, Ashton, has ulterior motives as to why she invites Meg into her circle of friends; and all the while, danger looms over one of the characters, which proves to effect all in the private and decadent enclave of Palm Beach forever.

The Palm Beach Story is definitely a mindlessly entertaining novel. It has the three Ss necessary for light enjoyment: steam, sex, and suspense.

4.0 out of 5 stars Money or nothing, January 3, 2005

By 

Albert van der Zwart "Librarian - www.reading... (IJsselstein, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Palm Beach Story (Mass Market Paperback)

A very realistic written novel about the life of the very rich in Palm Beach. It is entertaining to read how they live a life without working. If you're dreaming of such a life first read this book, it is possible that you won't be happy in the end. Next to the money and detail about how to spend your life in wealth you will find two intriguing love stories in it with a lot of sexual detail. The story keeps you reading and is entertaining until the last line on the last page. Enjoy it.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some people will do anything for money except work., November 9, 2000

By 

Rosemary Brunschwyler (Homewood, Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Palm Beach Story (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the author's third work of fiction after her bestselling autobiography, THE PRIZE PULITZER. The book will undoubtedly make enjoyable reading for those who like Harold Robbins.