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The Ghosts of Eden Park
The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz- Age America | Karen Abbott
31 posts | 21 read | 43 to read
The epic true crime story of bootlegger George Remus and the murder that shocked the nation, from the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City and Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy In the early days of Prohibition, long before Al Capone became a household name, a German immigrant named George Remus quits practicing law and starts trafficking whiskey. Within two years he's a multimillionaire. The press calls him "King of the Bootleggers," writing breathless stories about the Gatsby-esque events he and his glamorous second wife, Imogene, host at their Cincinnati mansion, with party favors ranging from diamond jewelry for the men to brand new Pontiacs for the women. By the summer of 1921, Remus owns 35 percent of all the liquor in the United States. Pioneering prosecutor Mabel Walker Willebrandt is determined to bring him down. Willebrandt's bosses at the U.S. Attorney's office hired her right out of law school, assuming she'd pose no real threat to the cozy relationship they maintain with Remus. Eager to prove them wrong, she dispatches her best investigator, Franklin Dodge, to look into his empire. It's a decision with deadly consequences: With Remus behind bars, Dodge and Imogene begin an affair and plot to ruin him, sparking a bitter feud that soon reaches the highest levels of government--and that can only end in murder. Combining deep historical research with novelistic flair, THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK is the unforgettable, stranger-than-fiction story of a rags-to-riches entrepreneur and a long-forgotten heroine, of the excesses and absurdities of the Jazz Age, and of the infinite human capacity to deceive.
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NatalieR
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Mehso-so

I don‘t recall how The Ghosts of Eden Park by Karen Abbott got on my radar. Probably from a social media outlet or one of the many bookish emails arrive to my inbox daily. I was intrigued by the book as I enjoy true crime stories. While I can identify a lot of strengths for this book, it was just okay for me. Bootlegging is not a crime that interests me very much.

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

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ravenlee
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Mehso-so

An interesting story told in a disjointed way. The interview transcriptions, testimony or whatever they are, didn‘t seem to fit so early in the book and therefore became distracting. Then they disappeared in the latter portions, where they might have fit better. The “women who pursued him” part of the subtitle is misleading, too, as it mostly refers to Mabel Walker Willebrandt, the assistant US attorney general in charge of Prohibition violations.

31 likes1 comment
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ravenlee
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The wording of this reminds me of Colonel Mustard and Wadsworth in Clue arguing about whether or not anyone else was in the house.

TheBookHippie 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙃 11mo
24 likes1 comment
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ravenlee
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Another library #bookhaul to check off some more #52Books23

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AvidReaderandGeekGirl
Mehso-so

3.5 stars, The narrators were amazing! It was interesting at parts but dragged at the beginning. It also was infuriating at parts, but since it's a true story, that couldn't be changed. But I did like the strong woman element a lot.

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bthegood
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Bailedbailed

After 50 pages did not look forward to picking it back up....topic interesting, story not so much. On to other books😊

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bthegood
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#thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94 thx for tag @TheSpineView
1. The Silent Patient
2. Outside on the deck
3. #BFC21 #Booked2021 any readathon hosted by @Andrew65

I know, day late..I generally check and post in the morning 😊

Andrew65 😍😍😍 3y
MoonWitch94 Never too late! I love reading everyone‘s answers whenever they get to it. Thanks for playing 📚🐣💐😊 3y
TheSpineView You're welcome! 👍🤩😊 3y
15 likes4 comments
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mhillis
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December Wrap up! The top picture is from my last walk in 2020. My favorite books read in December -
⭐️ Girl, Woman, Other
⭐️ Tokyo Ueno Station
⭐️ Mediocre

🌟 According to Goodreads, Reconstruction is the shortest book I read this year-32 pages! It is part of Strangers Press Verzet Series of stories translated from Dutch to English.

#DecemberWrapUp #DecemberReads

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Bookishlie
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Book haul from Lark andOwl an indie in Georgetown texas I just found! When you find them you must buy stuff and this shirt.....well now I can come with a warning!!!

Soubhiville Isn‘t it a cute little shop? I‘m glad they‘ve made it through the pandemic, I wasn‘t sure if they would. 3y
Bookishlie Me too! I didn‘t know they were here so it‘s nice. I was having to go to either Austin got book people or Waco to fabled. Now there‘s another shop! And once the bar is open it‘ll be awesome!! 3y
24 likes2 comments
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rambiepaige
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Super excited to finally get my hands on this one! As a Cincinnati native, it was so cool to see him portrayed on Boardwalk Empire. Cheers! 🥃

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SharonGoforth
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Mehso-so

This should have been a fascinating story about bootleggers, prohibition, corruption, and murder during the 1920‘s. Instead, it was drawn out and dry, almost to the point of being tedious, in spite of a few interesting guest appearances such as Clarence Darrow. Fortunately, this was an audiobook - if I had tried to read a physical book, I might have given up on it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

RamsFan1963 I started this audiobook, but couldn't get into it. I ended up bailing. 4y
SharonGoforth @RamsFan1963 I can understand why. 4y
34 likes2 comments
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wen4blu
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Libby shows I spent 15 hours listening to this audiobook, but it‘s only 11 hours long. Could I have used the back 15 seconds button over 700 times???

Smrloomis I guess you don‘t fall asleep like I do 😅 4y
xicanti I‘ve noticed the time gauges are kind of wonky since the last update. 4y
wen4blu @Smrloomis That happens to me with physical books! 4y
32 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Mehso-so

True crime, 20s, Cincinnati, prohibition, rum runners and flappers. Great in theory but I found it too long. There were parts that were interesting -- the description of New Year's Eve party was fascinating. I found other parts to drag on when it could have been presented quicker. I admire the research and primary sources used by the author, and it was probably more my issue than the book itself. 🤷🏼‍♀️
As always, #readandeat
#bookandbreakfast

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Chelsea.Poole
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1920s prohibition -- the "book leg king" is George Remus and the women who perused him are his second wife Imogen Remus and the assistant district attorney for the U.S., Mabel Walker Willebrandt. Reading this with lunch today -- basil cherry tomato and zucchini risotto. #readandeat #truecrime #nonfiction

72 likes2 stack adds
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Lauram
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This morning, I‘m continuing with my annual President‘s Day tradition of a morning latte, orange scone, and a new book.

Aims42 I love that kind of tradition 🥰 Loved this book! Enjoy your day ❤️ 4y
Lauram @Aims42 Thanks! I hope you enjoy your day too. I‘m pretty sure I had a giveaway, too. I‘ll have to get on that one 🤔 4y
Joanne1 What a fabulous tradition. I need more like this. 4y
59 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Aims42
Pickpick

A great read! A solid 4 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Aims42
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Snow‘s coming down, but I did all my errands yesterday so all I have to do today is some laundry and reading 🥳 This is a very interesting book, definitely recommend for any Erik Larson fans 👍🏻

RamsFan1963 Comparing it to Erik Larson is enough of a recommendation for me. Stacked! 4y
Aims42 @RamsFan1963 🤗 I‘ll be looking into her other books for sure! 4y
Lauram One of the author‘s other books Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy is great! 4y
Aims42 @Lauram awesome!! I‘ll check that one out, thanks! 🙌🏻 4y
Aims42 @Lauram awesome!! I‘ll check that one out 🙌🏻 Thanks! 4y
35 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Aims42
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My #superbowl plans tonight 🍷📚👍🏻 I know I‘m in good company with all my fellow litens ❤️

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Amie
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Pickpick

Interesting nonfiction about liquor trafficker George Remus of Cincinnati and Assistant Attorney General Mabel Walker Willebrandt who tried to put him behind bars in the 1920s.

Only complaint: The audiobook narrator pronounces the name of the town of Lima, Ohio incorrectly. (It's Lie-ma, not Lee-ma)

48 likes3 stack adds
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Rebesta
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Mehso-so

Being from the Midwest, I‘m always intrigued with its criminal history, especially stories about prohibition and bootleggers. Abbot‘s retelling of The Bootleg King, George Remus, was a well-researched work taken directly from court and legal documents along with news stories of the time. It starts off a little slow and dry but picks up in the middle. All in all, an interesting read.

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Abby2
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Pickpick

Great true crime. Fascinating characters

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RealBooks4ever
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Pickpick

This audiobook was way better than I expected! Most of the characters are well defined and I loved the fact that what happened to them after the murder and trial was illustrated. Highly recommend! 💜

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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Pickpick

Non fiction about a bootlegger, his wife, corruption, and murder. I didn‘t already know the facts of this very old case, so I enjoyed being surprised by what happened.

Mdargusch I tried to start this the other day and I couldn't get into it. Did you find it dry? 5y
Nitpickyabouttrains @Mdargusch it did take me a while to get into. Mostly because there is so much scene setting and background. I did it as an audiobook and I think that helped. 5y
17 likes1 stack add2 comments
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SmartBookaholicsIncBookstore
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Pickpick

First, I've never read anything from Karen Abbott but I can't wait to after reading this! Coming into this I knew nothing of George Remus, now I know his whole life story! I'm always leary of reading true stuff! The writing kept me engaged and this book was a great adventure! Here's the link to buy it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MYL9T8N/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=... @Crownpublishing #RIFWinner

52 likes1 stack add
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Mdargusch
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It‘s become this kind of Saturday.

MicheleinPhilly A perfect Saturday! 5y
LeahBergen Yaaass! Martini! 👏🏻👏🏻 5y
Reviewsbylola It‘s always cocktail time! 5y
75 likes3 comments
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Mdargusch
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Costco run for essentials-
Vodka freezer pops, wine, dip, cookies, and a book.
I had not heard of this book but I‘m a sucker for non fiction.

MicheleinPhilly Be right over! 😋 5y
That-Bookish-Hiker Ummm can I join? Lol. Looks like a great night! And vodka freezer pops?! I need to know more about these. 😝 5y
Kris10 I have some serious shopping cart envy!! 5y
See All 8 Comments
eanderson I love Costco! You picked some good stuff! 5y
Mdargusch I haven‘t tried the pops yet but I‘m hoping to share with @Reviewsbylola @emilyhaldi @AnnieD @Meredith3 tomorrow night at our family dinner. @MicheleinPhilly @That-Bookish-Hiker @Kris10 @eanderson 👍🏼 5y
Reviewsbylola For sure borrowing that! (edited) 5y
emilyhaldi Hahahaha love this!! 🙌🏻 5y
LeahBergen I‘m so jealous! ❤️❤️ 5y
77 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Rhondareads
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True Crime at its best and a heart wrenching novel Cilka‘s Journey,

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cathysaid
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I love being the first to check out a new book from the library ❤️ #litsyloveslibraries

Chelsea.Poole Can't wait to see what you think. I've been debating this one myself! 5y
cathysaid @Chelsea.Poole Starting today! I'll let you know. 5y
cathysaid 😂 😂@Trashcanman 😂 5y
Mdargusch I just bought this at Costco - I hadn‘t heard of it. 5y
55 likes1 stack add4 comments
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SmartBookaholicsIncBookstore
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52 likes1 stack add
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Well-ReadNeck
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Bailedbailed

I have enjoyed Abbott‘s other books, but this one just didn‘t make the grade. The story was basically told in the first 20% of the book. And, at that, the details were about Remus‘s abusive personality not in the chase and investigation of him by Willebrandt. Disappointing.
#netgalley

Reviewsbylola I‘ve read at least one of her books. This one sounds like a bummer though. 5y
91 likes1 comment
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Liberty
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I bonded with Karen Abbott over our mutual love of Civil War history, but I am always excited to read ANYTHING she writes. I can‘t wait to dig into this one! 🖤🧡🖤

96 likes12 stack adds