Vegas Girls

Queenpin Chronicles #2

by L.L. Kirchner

Sometimes what happens in Vegas stays with you.

Las Vegas, 1945. To tear down a criminal dynasty, Thelma Miles must mastermind an elaborate ruse. As federal agents circle, rival gangs plot, and her father's empire grows more powerful by the day, she must decide how far she'll go to avenge the past—and whether family loyalty is worth the price of her soul.

To pull off the con, Thelma assembles an unlikely crew: Kathleen Young, a shrewd businesswoman with secrets of her own; Lillian Montgomery, a Hollywood starlet who is more than she appears; and Imogene Fuchs, a relentless reporter on a crusade to root out corruption.

From smoke-filled backrooms to glittering casino floors, L.L. Kirchner’s VEGAS GIRLS is a razor-sharp historical thriller about power, revenge, and the price we pay for reinvention. In a city built on chance, some gambles are worth dying for...and some secrets refuse to stay buried.

Vegas Girls is the suspenseful second book in The Queenpin Chronicles historical fiction series but works as a standalone. If you love the immersive worlds of Beatriz Williams, the complex heroines of Kate Quinn, and crave the intrigue of Hillary Mantel, then you'll love Kirchner's dark exploration of almost-postwar Sin City. Banger ending!

Buy Vegas Girls to gamble on grit today.

Buy Vegas Girls to gamble on grit today!

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

L.L. Kirchner is an award-winning screenwriter and Pushcart-nominated author whose life and work as an expat in Asia became the basis of two memoirs that combine humor with “her discerning eye” (Foreword Reviews)—or, as an NPR interviewer said, her memoir is “like Eat, Pray, Love, but funny.” She lives in Florida with her favorite husband. Drawing on her eclectic background as a religion editor, dating columnist, and bridal editor, Kirchner’s work explores feminist narratives. Read more at her blog, IllBehavedWomen.com or LLKirchner.com. She lives in Florida with her favorite husband.

In 2024, Kirchner will launch her highly anticipated trilogy, the Queenpin Chronicles, with her debut novel, FLORIDA GIRLS. Set in 1940s Florida, this multi-POV suspense story follows an unconventional heroine navigating the criminal underworld and fighting for independence in a male-dominated society. Through vivid prose and richly drawn characters, Kirchner illuminates the patriarchal and self-imposed boundaries women face while celebrating the strength of those who dare to break free.

Get her latest writing as well as craft and publishing tips at https://illbehavedwomen.com.

Reviews

[Bailey Douglass · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

**This book is a sequel! I missed this when I grabbed the ARC and am glad I read Florida Girls, which goes before, first. Otherwise this would not have made sense.**

Vegas Girls picks up right where Florida Girls leaves off. Our heroes are off to Vegas to work on a new casino and uncover some funny business for the feds. Just like in Florida Girls, they get themselves into trouble, allegiances change fast and they bring together a group of performing bathing beauties to help save the day.

It's totally what you think it is going to be, fun, fast and brash. Perfect for the beach, I'm not usually one for series but since these are so closely connected it's practically like they're all just the same book. Ends with a bit of a cliffhanger for the next one. I think this was a little better than the first, but they're very similar and I recommend the series for a sassy low stakes adventure.

Thank you to Dreamscape Select for an advance review copy. My opinions are my own.

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this was a continuation of the first with the main characters. It was faster paced than the first and felt more high stakes which was great with it being set in Vegas. Thelma was just as strong as she was in the first book and more confident in her actions. I liked Kathleen’s growth and connected with her way more in this one than the first. The plotting, revenge, and strong female bonds was fun to read.

Thank you @llkirchner @netgalley for the gifted copy.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book in the fantastic and immersive Queenpin Chronicles historical fiction series, readers travel to 1945 Las Vegas with Thelma Miles, businesswoman Kathleen Young, actress Lillian Montgomery, and reporter Imogene Fuchs who are behind an elaborate plan to tear down Thelma’s father’s criminal empire. All with their own secrets and motivations for revenge against Thelma’s father, the four women are ready to take him down, though they have federal agents and other rival gangs looking to do the same. To do more than just survive, Thelma must get revenge for her husband’s death and reinvent herself once again to fulfil her plans. The characters continue to surprise readers as they grow, develop, and scheme their way through the novel and across the criminal underground of Las Vegas, which is brought to life in absolutely fascinating detail. With perspective changes, secrets, and complications throughout the novel, Kirchner keeps readers alert as the novel unfolds and the revenge plot becomes apparent. With a cliffhanger to prepare readers for the next book in the series, the complex characters, detailed setting, and high-stakes plot really draws readers into the mid-twentieth century criminal underworld in this brilliant and intense new historical fiction novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and LILA Books for the advance copy.

[Rikki Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Vegas Girls* is a thrilling adventure set in mob-ridden Las Vegas during the 1940s, told through the eyes of tough-as-nails women determined to take down the crime bosses. I found myself captivated by Thelma and Kathleen, the flawed yet admirable main characters, along with their group of women who cleverly infiltrate the world of organized crime in pursuit of justice and perhaps a bit of vengeance.

I probably enjoyed this story because at one point, I convinced myself that I wanted to be an international spy (until I realized I have zero poker face and don’t like lying or deceiving people). I also entertained the idea of being a mafia wife, mainly because I appreciated wine and faux fur winter coats.

I must admit that I hadn't read the first book in this series, *Florida Girls*, so I felt a bit lost at the beginning. However, the author did her best to bring readers up to speed. At times, the first half of the book felt a bit slow and too focused on set-up, but the second half picked up the pace significantly. The ending had me on the edge of my seat! *Vegas Girls* delivered a combination of femme fatale and film noir vibes in novel form, and it was a joy to read.

[Kerry Kriseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vegas Girls by L.L. Kirchner is an immersive, fast-paced historical thriller that brilliantly captures the dark, glamorous underworld of 1945 Las Vegas. What I loved most about this novel was the compelling and complex cast of characters—Thelma Miles, in particular, is a fierce, multifaceted protagonist who walks a razor-thin line between loyalty to her family and her thirst for revenge. The dynamic relationships between Thelma and the women she assembles for her con—each with their own secrets and motivations—add rich layers to the plot, keeping the reader hooked as the tension builds.

Kirchner excels at blending historical detail with suspense. The intricate plot is full of twists and turns. I especially enjoyed how the novel explores themes of power, reinvention, and the cost of ambition in a way that feels both timely and timeless. If you love smart, character-driven historical fiction, Vegas Girls is a must-read.

[Kim Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Vegas Girls from the author and was delighted read it since I had just finished Florida Girls, Book One of the Queenpin Chronicles. I love historical fiction and along with Florida Girls, Vegas Girls really delivered on this wel researched post WWII era. Vegas Girls takes place between the beginning of the Las Vegas strip and its connections with mob bosses and a troupe of swimsuit models from the Tampa Bay Area of Florida and extends to the mobs Cuban haven during prohibition. I live in Florida so it was fun to revisit the history of this era and also learn the depth of the Florida and Vegas underbelly. I had no idea Bolita was king then and that the Germans almost invaded Florida. The author has brought out a huge list of well developed characters, but none matched those of the clever and tough as nails swimsuit models who take on the crime syndicate of gritty Vegas. Sit back and enjoy the ride in this complicated and intriguing novel.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. The year is 1945, and Thelma is mourning the death of her husband, so to get revenge, she sets her sight on the Mafia in Vegas, as she feels they are behind the "accident". Thelmas enlists more of her network undercover spies to help her out. I listened to the audio of this novel, and overall I enjoyed it. To be honest, I think this one would have been better read - at least for me. There were a lot of characters to keep up with, which is more difficult for me in audio format. The author shared a copy of this novel with our book club, but. I wanted to move the book along, so I downloaded from NetGalley. . At some point, I may try rereading a physical copy, as I think I would enjoy it more. Rating it 3.5, but rounding up to 4.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting where the Florida Girls ended we find Thelma and Katherine in Las Vegas still under the orders of Agent Nelson to take down crimes bosses. We found ourselves in a fledgling beginning of the Las Vegas strip where mob bosses rule and you never know who to trust.
I love Thelma's character and her witty personality, her resourcefulness, and her ability to get out of tricky situations. She's one of my favorite characters of this series.
The author gives us a very well researched book about this time period and the relationship between the development of Sin City and the mafia bosses that made it possible. Along with very well developed characters this book is an excellent read.
Can't wait to read book 3 of the series where we will find out what happens in Cuba.

[Teresa Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vegas Girls is a romp! Florida Girls introduced us to the main characters of this second book, but the adventure stands on its own for excitement and flair. Our trip takes us from Florida to a fledgling Las Vegas and then on to Cuba. I particularly enjoyed how author LL Kirchner captures the seediness and potential glamour of a dusty and hot Las Vegas, as well as the schemes of infamous members of the mob. The female characters are strong and resilient as they define their place in the world of a powerhouse city. And the con they run at the end is amazing. Hold onto your hats for a fabulous ending — I finished it and thought, this should be a movie!

[Amy Rupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow-up to Florida Girls takes the reader to the seedy underbelly of Vegas in the early days, where we catch up with favorite characters from book 1. It is well researched and full of twists that kept me guessing. This series would be great as movies. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book! Perhaps Cuba girls?

[Star Gater · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Dreamscape Select | LILA Books for allowing me to read and review Vegas Girls on NetGalley.

Published: 02/21/25

Stars: DNF

DNF. At 21% I knew there was a lot of swearing and nothing made sense. I tried twice over several days to get through this to no avail.

I hope your experience will be different.

[Nadia Meriouli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

I couldn’t get into this book, the only thing that was good about it was the research that you could see was clearly put into this book. The plot, atmosphere and writing was okay. But the rest of the book put it down. I didn’t care for the characters, and it just wasn’t intriguing or entertaining.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was engaging and mysterious. It left you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to read more.
I cannot wait to read the third book.

Kelly Y.

[Meg Staggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 32%.

[Nicole Fincher · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this follow-up to Florida Girls, we are back with Thelma and Kathleen as they head to Vegas working undercover for Agent Nelson. They hope to get the dirt on the organized crime bosses that are quickly setting up a strong foundation in the growing city.
With some familiar faces and a host of new characters, things quickly heat up for Thelma and a pregnant Kathleen as they pose as investors coming to make their mark in Vegas. Their plans go off the rails and we are taken on a fast-paced ride around Sin City where you never know quite who to trust. Full of surprises and twists this is one book you'll want to take a gamble on.
While this is the second in the series it can be read as a stand alone, but I'm betting you'll want to read them both!

[Jessica Kimbel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vegas Girls is the second book in the Queenpin Chronicles and I wish I’d read the first one before attempting this listen. I felt quite lost and was definitely missing a lot of backstory. I didn’t enjoy this story because it was hard to follow, kept losing my interest and I could never figure out which character was narrating as it rotated through several points of view.