The Prince of Paradise

If you want to learn about a place, read a salacious non-fiction book about a high-profile murder there! Sure, you could always read a guidebook, but the local knowledge gleaned from a high-quality piece of non-fiction is epic. It does an effective job of highlighting the history with a healthy dose of drama compared to your typical guidebook. This is the story of Ben Novack, Jr. the Scion of the founder of the famous Fountainbleau. It is interesting to note that this hotel was built in the 1950s during an earlier Miami Renaissance --- a time when Hollywood mixed with politicians mixed with reputed mobsters and drug dealers. These were exciting days for Miami when Frank Sinatra would take up residence and regularly perform in the nightclub. But soon, the scene moved on, the family lost their beloved hotel, and Ben Novack Jr. would find himself on the wrong side of a sadistic wife. It is a riveting story and parallels the rise, fall, and rise again of Miami. Thanks, fellow Louper Rodney P. for the recommendation!