TOO MUCH MONEY

Dominick Dunne, who died in 2009, offers another indictment of the excesses of self-indulgent, name-dropping socialites. New York society insiders will see through Dunne's thinly disguised characterizations in this sequel to PEOPLE LIKE US (1988). Dunne's fictional alter ego, society reporter Gus Bailey, tells his story. Bailey's battling a lawsuit, and he's been contracted to write a novel based on the suspicious death of Perla Zacharias's billionaire husband. Perla, a vicious, social-climbing villainess, doesn't want the book published. Ann Marie Lee's narration is serviceable, bringing upper-crust charm to her characterizations. However, Dunne's incisive wit and sarcasm get lost in her sweet voice. Not as much fun as earlier books, but worth a listen. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2010]