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Betty Brandt Passick
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Gangster in our Midst: Bookkeeper, lieutenant and sometimes hitman to Al Capone. Kindle Edition

by Betty Brandt Passick (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
Marshal Sweeney Delaney was just a rookie in his small Iowa town when Congress ratified the 18th Amendment. Prohibition threw the whole nation into a tailspin. Even teetotaling Christians jumped on the bandwagon and began making panther piss in a still behind the barn. Then—a Chicago gangster came to town. His name: Louie La Cava. Sweeney followed the adage: Keep your friends close; your enemies closer. Two old friends are part of his inner circle: Walter Bierkoff, a farmer and man of keen curiosity, and the perspicacious Father John Halpin, priest at the I. C. Catholic Church. BETTY BRANDT PASSICK is married and a grandmother, retired from a Fortune 500 Company, and spends her days with their bichon “Butters” at her side, while writing books renowned for their infusions of earthy soul, faith-isms, and Midwestern values. In early 2016, she decided to research the “mystery man” who first came to her Iowa hometown around 1920. Locals believed he had links to Al Capone, but no one knew for sure. Through FBI and police reports, newspaper accounts–and the embellished tales of those who knew the gangster best, she weaves this unique and sometimes wacky story. Gangster in our Midst is her third book.
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  1. Print length
    243 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    February 16, 2019
  5. Reading age
    16 - 18 years
  6. Grade level
    6 - 12
  7. File size
    4.3 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Passick delves into her small Iowa town's history to write her compelling historical fiction novel, "Gangster in our Midst." What happens when a curious mind, such as Betty possesses, decides to dig deeper into the town's rumored history of having one of Al Capone's chief gang members living in their small Iowa community? Betty spins a fun story.

John Busbee, The [Iowa] Culture Buzz on KFMG 98.9 FM http: //kfmg.org/

Such interesting characters inhabit this small town of Oxbow, Iowa where Marshall Sweeney Delaney was the "lawman." The businesses catered to town and farm folks, as well as the growing Amish community outside of town. Then rumor has it that Louie, a gangster who is part of Al Capone's "family," comes to town to visit his wife's family. The locals' reactions to having Louie visit vary. What did he do now? Is he in hiding? Are we safe? Lawman Sweeney has to decide what to do, what to see and hear as the Chicago police call him for reports. Through Louie's visits, we learn firsthand about the 1920-1936 timeline when Capone went to prison for tax evasion, because the law could not find any evidence of his other dealings in bootlegging, etc. etc. We can "see" the cars, people and settings because of the author's excellent writing. Gangster is our Midst is a historical and entertaining, made more interesting by the fact Oxbow is the author's family's real hometown.

Connie Anderson, Words & Deeds, Inc., St. Paul, MN

From the Author

My first novel, Gangster in our Midst, received an Indie Book Award (2019). Two significant historical works preceded this historical crime novel. I like to find and re-tell old stories--which makes me an old soul, I guess. I was just a young girl when my family moved into the small Midwestern town that became the setting for this book, when I first heard about the town's 'gangster'. Sixty years later I decided to find out whether the stories I had heard locals tell were fact or folklore. I wouldn't have predicted my first novel to be about a gangster. Still, I had a good time writing it. I am married, a grandmother and great-grandmother. Along the way, I got a BA in Public Relations with studies in radio, television and newspaper. A decade ago I retired from a Fortune 500 company. Now, I largely spend my days seated at my computer writing, with our bichon friese, Butters, at my side.
 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NNVDQHG
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 16, 2019
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 243 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0999263525
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 6 - 12
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 16 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

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Betty Brandt Passick

Betty Brandt Passick

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BETTY BRANDT PASSICK is an independent author, inspirational speaker, and teacher who has written four books. The first two were significant memoriams. Her debut novel, Gangster in Our Midst: Bookkeeper, lieutenant and sometimes hitman for Al Capone (2017), won a 2019 Notable 100 Indie Book Award. The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse, Murder on the Prairie (2021)—book two in the Gangster Series—also won a book award (to be announced soon). A third novel in the series will be available in summer 2023. The historical crime fiction novels are loosely based on the author’s hometown. Annually she travels to dozens of venues for author talks and writing workshops. Additionally, she writes a “Gangster Blog” plus a personal column for an Iowa newspaper. She is a member of several mystery crime writer's organizations in the region.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
29 global ratings

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Very "Road to Perdition" in style and period.
5 out of 5 stars
Very "Road to Perdition" in style and period.
I only had a moment of hesitation with her careful background work on the vision of those times and the characters. I am of the first generation of these "depression era's" children, midwestern (as is her) and it all rang so true! The world wars, I & II, stories of speakeasies and of stout people who were survivors! Humor, drama and good anecdotes paint a vivid picture of it all and then in the midst of it is this ominous, thugish person to cast his shadow over all. Don't miss this!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Luv to read
    5.0 out of 5 stars Passick brings a turbulent time in history forward
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Historical fiction is, I feel, the most difficult genre to write. An author has to be "spot on" with historical facts while stitching a plot that both entertains and teaches. Passick has done an excellent job on both counts, breathing life into complicated characters and taking the reader back in time when libation was not only big business, but lucrative enough to die for. Highly recommend this book, even if you're not a history buff.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Even gangsters are Human
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    An interesting well written tale of mysteries, humanity and spirituality, all set in a
    small Iowa town.
    Blends small town values, depression era woes, and big time gangsters in a mix
    that is thoughtfully entertaining.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Patti Kelly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Oelwein born
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    So many things were so familiar. I remember going to the island many times. Mom and I would take nuns from oelwein to the island. So long ago
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  • Sarah D
    5.0 out of 5 stars For a first-time author, this is a pretty good read...slow paced at times, but worth the wait.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this true story about a real gangster who comes to a small town in the Midwest. Chilling.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reader Man
    3.0 out of 5 stars Historical mystery set in small town Iowa
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting read. Gangster comes to small town from the Capone Outfit and is embraced by the locals.
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  • JANICE A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great book about gangsters in a small Iowa town and no one seemed to know about them
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Heike Dodge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well-researched
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024
    Betty spends alot of time researching her topics. It was a very interesting read about east Iowa history that I didn't previously know much about.
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  • Mary Jo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Entertaining Read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2023
    “A Gangster in our Midst” by Betty Brandt Passick is an historical novel set in Oxbow, Iowa, a small-town Midwest-American city during the Great Depression and Prohibition eras, and weaves together a story of the courageous men, woman and children who lived and worked in the area and their encounters with a shadowy mystery man rumored to have ties to organized crime boss Al Capone which makes it a fun, entertaining read with characters the author brings to life through local dialogue and history that fits the time and place. You get a real sense of community, loyalty, caring and compassion as the story develops. You feel their pride, their emotions, their morality through the author’s story and her words.
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