Fun and fast-paced read. I found this to be a great thriller that kept me turning pages! I will be looking for more books from this author.

Description
Time is running out. With the pending implosion of the grand old Las Vegas hotel/casino, the Desert Palace, an eleven-year-old mystery of stolen money remains unsolved. Newspaper reporter Nedra Dean feels the pressure to use every means she can to make this dramatic moment in Las Vegas history her biggest scoop, one she hopes will catapult her to big-time journalism at CNN. Celebrity maitre d’ Eduardo only wants to reconcile his estranged family before his forced retirement. Hotel/casino manager John Cusamano schemes to find the money and run away with the love of his life, his boss’s wife. Elvis impersonator Hector Deatle and star showgirl Candy Bybee are also hot on the trail of the stolen millions. No one seems to care that the money is rumored to be cursed—everyone who has touched it has died a horrible death. Now cocktail waitress Linda Mayo’s nine-year-old daughter—after secretly finding the money—suffers from a terminal, flesh-eating disease. And somewhere within the walls of the Desert Palace is hidden that six million dollars, which owner “Crazy” Foxy Craig will do anything to find before the walls come tumbling down.

My Review
Implosion is one of those books that when you start reading you cannot put down until you have read the very last page. This ARC was provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion. So, here goes. BUY it.

The characters are well written and quirky. The book is fast-paced and a must read. Will they find the 6 million hidden somewhere in the hotel? You have to read it to find out, but you will not be disappointed.

Well written.

I give this a 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 🌟 🌟

Six million embezzled dollars! It's the stuff of Legend! Missing for eleven years: three "white-collar" professional thieves, executives and managers at a famous classy Vegas Casino Hotel opened in 1955. One dead; one missing, presumably in a Mexican prison; one serving his 10th year in a Nevada medium-security prison. So where's the $$? Rumors say: hidden in the Desert Palace. The problem: everybody wants it, but the building is scheduled for demolition by Implosion. Result: a mad scramble! Tension, suspense, lots of Action! In the end, who's gonna win?

Really good fun, loved this story and had plenty of laughs. A right good romp through Las Vegas with some great characters.

Implosion is about the pending closure of an iconic Las Vegas hotel in order to make way for new condos. Eleven years ago six million dollars were stolen from the casino and has never been recovered. Rumor has it that the money was hidden somewhere in the hotel and a variety of people are determined to find it before the implosion. The hotel owner, an Elvis impersonator and his girlfriend, and the maître d’ of the hotel’s restaurant are only a few who refuse to give up. It doesn’t seem to matter to them that the money is rumored to be cursed, after the original thieves suffered misfortune or death.

Implosion is filled with quirky characters, including showgirls, a standup comedian, a persistent journalist, and even a madam. The story plays out against the backdrop of a glittery Las Vegas – truly one of the stars of the story.

Implosion reminds me of the books by Arthur Hailey (Hotel, Airport, etc). There are lots of characters and each have a story but, in the end, they are all linked together. For a fun romp with a colorful mystery, Implosion might be the book you’re looking for.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Implosion is an ensemble story taking place in the final weeks of the fictional Desert Palace hotel in Las Vegas. Most of the interweaving stories revolve around six million dollars that went missing after a botched robbery of the casino. Rumor has it the money is still in the building and everyone wants to find it before the hotel is leveled.

Much of the story revolves around hotel/casino owner Foxy Craig, Elvis impersonator Hector Deatle, Hotel/casino manager John Cusamano, cocktail waitress Linda Mayo and reporter Nedra Dean. Some of the characters are actively after the money, others are just dreaming about it.


Like many workplaces, the employees of the Desert Palace are like a second family to each other. Author Carolyn Hamilton was able to link all the character’s storylines together in a believable way. Between work and home, they each crisscrossed to create a cohesive and flowing story.

This was a fun book to read. The closing of the Desert Palace along with the pending destruction of the building gave real ticking clock to beat. If the six million can’t be found it will be lost to the explosion that brings down the building.

If you are looking for a fun story with a good mix of twists and more than a few “did not see that coming” moments, you will want to download Implosion.

A free advance copy was given by the publisher via NetGalley for this unbiased review.

Funny with quirky characters. The antics keep you entertained and flipping pages. Fast paced read that delivers and will have you shaking your head.

Well done. A fun plot with interesting characters. Just what I was looking for. Recommended.

I really appreciate the copy for review!!