Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel by Linda Bennett Pennell – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel by Linda Bennett Pennell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel was not what I expected, but I loved it anyway. I was hoping for some intense mobster story, but instead what I got was much deeper. Linda Bennett Pennell wrote with such feeling, there were some scenes I was nearly tearing up. While the story is linked to Al Capone, it is not a story about him. It focuses more around complicated relationships in the 1930’s. Those between black and white friends, made complicated by the times. Lovers who are being torn apart due to mixed races. And people finding out who they truly are, deep down. I highly recommend this book, but I give caution, there is a graphic lynching scene, that had my stomach turning. The characters in this book are simple on the surface, but the more we dive in, the more we become in tune with their daily struggles. I look forward to reading more by this author.

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Review by @way2gosmartguy