What can I say but....WOW! Buy this book!

Having lived in Las Vegas for most of my life, Ms. Scott's book brings back vivid memories of the spoiled kids of our town's originating citizens. Susan Berman, may she rest in peace, was one of those kids who was raised in the lap of luxury only experienced by the sons and daughters of the Vegas Mafia. Often times the hoods would use their kids as status symbols, providing the best schools, clothes, cars, etc. to impress their hoodlum friends. Susan is described in Murder of a Mafia Daughter as a perfect example of the heretofore ruling class of Vegas, a group who was cash rich and lacked the class to go with their cash. The book captivates all readers whether they grew up in Sin City, or not. What an inside look into the dark side of our town, and Susan Berman, an unfortunate victim of an unsolved murder. A victim because she wanted to maintain the life style she grew up enjoying, but could no longer afford after the untimely death of her Mob father. What a story! What a book! A great read.

I lived only three houses "up" the street from Susan Berman and her family. I never could figure out why my folks were so hesitant about my going to her house to play (she couldn't ever come to our place), but as I became aware of things, it was obviously because of her "uncles" (read: bodyguards).

This book is Susan's personal catharsis. She (and Gladys, her mother) were so COMPLETELY insulated from Davey Berman's "business life" that when they finally did become aware of it, it led to Gladys' death in a mental institution and quite a bit of psychotherapy for Susan.

Susan was three years younger than I, so her recollections pretty much match mine as far as life in Vegas in the 1950s goes. Of course, her father allowed her to have an inside look at the Flamingo - a look which I wasn't allowed.

I was deeply shocked to learn of "Susie"'s death. As to Davey, this is what I wrote to Susan just after "Easy Street" was published in the 1970s:

Regardless of who your father might have been in his "at-work" persona, when he was home with you and your mother, he was the warmest, nicest, and yes, the sweetest guy in the neighborhood. I never heard him say a cross word to anyone, and hardly ever saw him without a smile. For this, at least, I have good memories of him."