Jill B. (jillmgtexas) reviewed The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress: A Novel on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I received this book as a Goodreads first-reads winner. I didn't realize when I began reading this book that it was based on a true story but I would have enjoyed it either way. The story takes place in the 1930s and the author does a great job of taking you back to another time when the majority of readers probably weren't even born yet. It's got all the elements of another era - mobsters, showgirls, speakeasies and corrupt cops and politicans. This is a book that I would definitely recommend to a friend!
Stella, Maria and Ritzi - all smart women. All associated with Judge Crater. Judge Crater is missing.
Stella, the proper Judges wife, cool, calm and collected. Maria, the Crater's maid, is married to the Detective investigating the judges disappearance. Ritzi, the showgirl moll works the wrong side of the law with the judge.
Disappeared, missing, set up? Where is the judge? Who knows? Who is to blame?
The author admits to taking a factual historical event and manipulating it to fit his will. Some fact, some imagination, but all of it great reading! New York in the 1930's at its best. Reminiscent of Dennis Lehane's "Live by Night".
Stella, the proper Judges wife, cool, calm and collected. Maria, the Crater's maid, is married to the Detective investigating the judges disappearance. Ritzi, the showgirl moll works the wrong side of the law with the judge.
Disappeared, missing, set up? Where is the judge? Who knows? Who is to blame?
The author admits to taking a factual historical event and manipulating it to fit his will. Some fact, some imagination, but all of it great reading! New York in the 1930's at its best. Reminiscent of Dennis Lehane's "Live by Night".
" ...novel reimagines the 1930 disappearance of justice Joseph Crater, an unsolved crime that fixates armchair detectives to this day. Set among the speakeasies and society soirees of Jazz Age Manhattan, the story also winds its way through the cramped tenements of the Lower East Side and goes behind the scenes of Broadway spectaculars. One August night, Joseph Crater leaves Club Abbey, a speakeasy owned by notorious gangster Owney Madden, and is never seen again. There are rumors of political corruption and shady connections with the criminal underworld, but the story centers on three women in his lifehis wife, Stella; his mistress, showgirl Ritzi; and his maid, Maria. The three of them, all severely affected by his disappearance, must deal with the unexpected consequences, while trying to decide if there is a chance that he might still be alive. Stella hides in her Maine vacation home to avoid being harassed by police detectives and journalists. Ritzi shoulders a grueling life that is nothing like the glamorous starlet's existence that she dreamed of. Maria, whose husband is a detective assigned to the Crater case, works on starting a family while managing two jobs. These women do everything they can to protect themselves and their families from the malevolent men who let nothing stand in the way of them and their money."
Once I started this novel, I couldn't put it down --- and do wish I had read the author's notes at the end before I had started it! I never realized that this book was based on a true story --- and that the New York Supreme Judge's case has not been solved even as of today's date. The characters were unique, the plot entertaining and enjoyed how the author went from the 1930's to the 1960's so well -- and I couldn't keep from my mind what would have happened in today's world and kept thinking of Jimmy Hoffa disappearance case. I just found it mesmerizing, interesting and fun --- and wonder where he is! GREAT read ---- and really believe anyone would enjoy it!
Once I started this novel, I couldn't put it down --- and do wish I had read the author's notes at the end before I had started it! I never realized that this book was based on a true story --- and that the New York Supreme Judge's case has not been solved even as of today's date. The characters were unique, the plot entertaining and enjoyed how the author went from the 1930's to the 1960's so well -- and I couldn't keep from my mind what would have happened in today's world and kept thinking of Jimmy Hoffa disappearance case. I just found it mesmerizing, interesting and fun --- and wonder where he is! GREAT read ---- and really believe anyone would enjoy it!
This book is a fictional account based on the true story of NY Supreme Court Judge Joseph Crater, a real prick, He deserved anything that happened to him since he went missing in the 1930's. He was indebted to most Tammany Hall leaders and the infamous mobster Owney "The Killer" Madden.
I felt sorry for the three women: Maria,the maid, Stella the wife and Ritzi the mistress. They had terrible lives and I was pulling for them all the way.
The only thing missing for me was there was nothing thrilling nor too exciting about the story, I guess I'm too used to my favorite mystery/thriller genres. However, I push myself to read all interesting literature whatever the genre.
I felt sorry for the three women: Maria,the maid, Stella the wife and Ritzi the mistress. They had terrible lives and I was pulling for them all the way.
The only thing missing for me was there was nothing thrilling nor too exciting about the story, I guess I'm too used to my favorite mystery/thriller genres. However, I push myself to read all interesting literature whatever the genre.
Well written, and good throughout from beginning to end. Author notes were appreciated and thought provoking.
