Book excerpt: K. Cooper Ray's novel, Fancy People is ... A Raucous Ride Through the Underbelly of NYC's Social Scene in the '90's. Brilliantly entertaining read! The Late Nineties in Manhattan was the last belle epoch, especially for those whose social lives existed for one over-the-top party after the next, often as many as three or four a week. For the rising class of junior high society, it was truly a reason to party like it was 1999. Fancy People provides an insider's look at a gilded slice of New York nightlife of that decadent era, capturing in detail the last gasp of excessive consumption that would stall in the Dot.com bust and extinguish altogether with the fall of the Twin Towers. K. Cooper Ray's first novel is presented through the eyes of Jet Set Magazine's social columnist, Judge Mender, as he covers the intoxicating lives of the social elite, particularly the junior socials that ruled the scene. Born in small town Alabama, Judge's good looks, abundant charm, and talent for writing quickly earn notoriety, power, and popularity among the glamorous gadabouts he chronicles. Like the late Nineties most exclusive hot spot, Moomba, entry in Judge's column can quickly launch a climber high on the city's slippery social ladder. From smoke-filled sofas upstairs at Moomba to the most extravagant parties and charity benefits in Manhattan, Palm Beach, Southampton and Saint-Tropez, Judge recklessly blurs the line between observer and participant, befriending and bedding his subjects with abandon until eventually getting ensnared in the high stakes game of character assassination, love and betrayal. K. Cooper Ray is a style icon, designer, and most recently, resident bon vivant on Bravo TV's Southern Charm.