From Publishers Weekly
Before there was Di, there was GraceApersonable, stylish and the casualty of an unusual car crash. Those readers enchanted by the fairy tale of Grace Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier should find this latest examination of the Grimaldi family intriguing. English journalist Glatt describes Monaco as part police state and part Disneyland because of its glamorous facade and its squeaky-clean environment. He makes a strong argument that Princess Grace was far more valuable to the principality of Monaco than anyone could have imagined, andthat when she died in September 1982, Monaco's tourism and fortunes declined dramatically into "a spiral of scandal, betrayal, and divorce." Within five years of Grace's death, reports Glatt, the Grimaldi family was awash in scandal and disgrace; the round of paternity suits, out-of-wedlock children and divorces shows no sign of ending. In 23 concise chapters, the author covers everything from the 700-year history of the Grimaldi family to its financial underpinnings, Grace's pre-Rainier sexual escapades (including becoming pregnant with and aborting Oleg Cassini's child), Caroline's and Stephanie's scandals and how the Central Park-sized Monaco has managed to rebound despite the scandals. The author does an excellent job of positioning Monaco as a business that relies on crucial publicity to maintain its glamorous imageAa state of affairs with unforeseen repercussions on every member of the royal family. Most books on Monaco's royals tend to focus on Grace's life and the fairy tale publicity; Glatt looks at her death and the cost of that publicity. 16-page b&w photo insert. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The inside story on Princess Grace's last hours, her long-ago abortion, her wayward children, and more. From a longtime investigative journalist compared by the publicist to Kitty Kelley.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Much has already been said about Princess Grace, but Glatt's journalistic treatment does well in placing her within the context of Monaco's dynastic history. The Grimaldi family has ruled that tiny principality for 700 years. Prince Rainier III, the present sovereign prince, married the actress Grace Kelly in 1956 in what was termed the wedding of the century (a label subsequently affixed to the Prince and Princess of Wales's 1981 marriage). Small country but big job; Grace in her princess role never had a second to herself from that point on. Three children eventually arrived on the scene, and with the exception of the middle child, heir Prince Albert, they presented Grace with a parental handful. The principality, as we see here, is an absolute monarchy; the prince is the government. But Grace put the place on the map; she imprinted it with her own style. After her untimely death, her family went downhill into "scandal and disgrace." But "the haunting presence of Princess Grace still permeates every corner of Monaco." Brad Hooper


From Kirkus Reviews
Hard on the heels of the death of one princess, Glatt gathers info and gossip about the worlds other favorite princess, Grace Kelly of Monaco, and her three rebellious children, Prince Albert and Princesses Caroline and Stephanie. Its difficult to judge the merits of an expos such as this one without looking at it in the context of current times. True, the seemingly fairy tale fate of glamorous Hollywood movie star Grace Kelly becoming Princess Grace of Monaco in 1956 offers the perfect fodder for an escapist read, but one still has to question Glatts (Lost in Hollywood: The Fast Times and Short Life of River Phoenix, 1995, etc.) timing. Short paragraphs and out-of-place comments seem inserted after-the-fact to connect the Monaco royals to Diana and capitalize on the current hot topic of paparazzi invasion. Whereas a biography of a deceased public figure doesnt necessarily have to become tabloid material, Glatt focuses his on the remarkably irresponsible behavior and embarrassingly ill-informed choices made by Monacos ruling family after the death of Princess Grace. This direction taints Glatts intentions (whatever they may really be) with a gossipy cast. The author did obtain the cooperation of Prince Albert and others close to the family, but that doesnt necessarily transform his book from a gratuitous ogling into an enlightening explanation of their tragic misfortune. As for the writing, Glatt repeats himself: several anecdotes and quotes show up again and again in only slightly different form. However, for what its worth, Glatt understands how to string together a ton of minute, only momentarily intriguing details into an action-packed, larger-than-life TV movie of the week. For those interested in glimpsing how royalty live, this is probably, and perhaps regrettably, a winner. -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"Royalty watchers will find Glatt's findings intriguing."--Tampa Tribune

"Bottom line: How do you say 'juicy' in French?"--People



Review
"Royalty watchers will find Glatt's findings intriguing."--Tampa Tribune

"Bottom line: How do you say 'juicy' in French?"--People



Book Description
In all its glittering splendor and decadence, here is the uncensored story of a family bred for glory, and destined for tragedy.

The jewel in the crown of Europe's lush Cote D'Azur, the fiercely independent principality of Monaco gleams like a diamond above the Mediterranean. This playground of the rich and beautiful reached its zenith with Prince Rainier, Princess Grace, and their three children-- until Grace's tragic death in 1982. As the myth began to crumble, scandal rocked Monaco in every way, from its institutions to its image to the royal family itself. Now, through searching interviews with family members, personal friends, and long-time courtiers, the intimate, shocking truths about Monaco are explored in vivid detail, including:

* The ancient Curse of the Grimaldis and its legacy of misfortune
* The never-before-told story of Princess Grace's abortion before she married Prince Rainier
* New details about Princess Grace on the night before she died, and her death in a Monaco hospital
* The alleged secret plot to destroy Princess Stephanie's marriage
* The appalling rumors about the death of Stefano Casiraghi, Princess Caroline's second husband
* The wild love life of Prince Albert and the rumors that haunt him

With eight pages of dramatic photos!



From the Publisher
The Grimaldi family of Monaco was once synonymous with glamour, glitter, wealth, and pleasure. But since the death of Princess Grace in 1982, the tiny fairy-tale principality has spun out of control as one scandal follows another. Prince Rainier, Prince Albert, and Princesses Stephanie and Caroline are constantly in the headlines. Here are the extraordinary stories behind the bereavements, sexual betrayals, and hasty divorces that have plunged The Royal House of Monaco into decline and uncertainty.


About the Author
John Glatt is the author of four books and has more than twenty-five years' experience as an investigative journalist in England and America. He divides his time between New York and London.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Grimaldi family of Monaco was once synonymous with glamour, glitter, wealth, and pleasure. But since the death of Princess Grace in 1982, the tiny fairy-tale principality has spun out of control as one scandal follows another. Prince Rainier, Prince Albert, and Princesses Stephanie and Caroline are constantly in the headlines. Here are the extraordinary stories behind the bereavements, sexual betrayals, and hasty divorces that have plunged The Royal House of Monaco into decline and uncertainty.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

The inside story on Princess Grace's last hours, her long-ago abortion, her wayward children, and more. From a longtime investigative journalist compared by the publicist to Kitty Kelley.

Library Journal

The inside story on Princess Grace's last hours, her long-ago abortion, her wayward children, and more. From a longtime investigative journalist compared by the publicist to Kitty Kelley.

Clarissa Cruz

A real guilty pleasure. -- Entertainment Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

Hard on the heels of the death of one princess, Glatt gathers info and gossip about the world's other favorite princess, Grace Kelly of Monaco, and her three rebellious children, Prince Albert and Princesses Caroline and Stephanie. It's difficult to judge the merits of an exposé such as this one without looking at it in the context of current times. True, the seemingly fairy tale fate of glamorous Hollywood movie star Grace Kelly becoming Princess Grace of Monaco in 1956 offers the perfect fodder for an escapist read, but one still has to question Glatt's timing. Short paragraphs and out-of-place comments seem inserted after-the-fact to connect the Monaco royals to Diana and capitalize on the current hot topic of paparazzi invasion. Whereas a biography of a deceased public figure doesn't necessarily have to become tabloid material, Glatt focuses his on the remarkably irresponsible behavior and embarrassingly ill-informed choices made by Monaco's ruling family after the death of Princess Grace. This direction taints Glatt's intentions (whatever they may really be) with a gossipy cast. The author did obtain the cooperation of Prince Albert and others close to the family, but that doesn't necessarily transform his book from a gratuitous ogling into an enlightening explanation of their tragic misfortune. As for the writing, Glatt repeats himself: several anecdotes and quotes show up again and again in only slightly different form. However, for what it's worth, Glatt understands how to string together a ton of minute, only momentarily intriguing details into an action-packed, larger-than-life TV movie of the week. For those interested in glimpsing how royalty live, this isprobably, and perhaps regrettably, a winner.