Synopsis: Camille Di Maio’s fifth novel THE FIRST EMMA is inspired by the true story of Emma Koehler, whose tycoon husband Otto was killed in a crime-of-the-century murder by one of his two mistresses–both also named Emma–and her unlikely rise as CEO of a brewing empire during Prohibition. When a chance to tell her story to a young teetotaler arises, a tale unfolds of love, war, beer, and the power of women.

Review: Bravo! I just finished reading The First Emma by Camille De Maio and boy, what an amazing book it was. If you like historical fiction, you just have to pick up a copy of this book. I read everything cover to cover. I find it sad that personal documents and history about Emma Koehler are not in existence today. In spite of that Camille De Maio was able to craft a believable story of her life.

This book was so rich with with background. The description of Emma’s home, the Perle brewery, the little theater, San Antonio and even Baltimore. They were almost like characters in themselves. It brought an all around appeal to the story.

This story took place in a time in our history when women were delegated to the home and not the boardroom. It took a special woman indeed to bring the brewery through prohibition and the great depression. I believe Emma Koehler would’ve been a force all her own in that time period. She had to have been a woman to look up to.

Thank you Camille de Maio for bringing us such a beautiful and inspiring story of a magnificent woman.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review.