Camille Di Maio

Camille Di Maio's fifth novel THE FIRST EMMA is 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.

The First Emma

Heather Wood

I really enjoyed this captivating book; it kept me up past my bedtime until I finished, so that alone gives it four stars. 
I thought it would be more about how Emma Koehler led her brewery through prohibition and the Great Depression but most of the book was about her work and marriage leading up to that time. I like characters that make you want to spend time with them in real life, and I love historical fiction when I can learn things I didn't know before. And even though the book is about a brewery, I, like the main character, am a teetotaler and yet found myself fascinated by the Koehlers and their work. With very few sentence exceptions, the book was beautifully written and I'll be picking up more by Camille DiMaio in the future.
For some reason I thought this book would be more faith-based (I personally prefer books that are) but it isn't.

Shawna Gavas

The First Emma was an incredibly enjoyable read! 

Camille Di Maio has managed to write a book that completely stands out in the historical fiction genre. Based on true events, Di Maio has introduced us to Emma Koehler and woven a semi-fictional story around her. Emma was a truly inspirational woman who not only survived the murder of her husband but went on to continue his legacy. She became the head of a brewery and kept it running through the years of prohibition and war. Emma was determined that no employee would lose their jobs during these unstable years and she succeeded with this goal.

Emma’s story is dictated to Mabel, a young girl who finds herself in unfortunate circumstances, as she is coming to the end of her life. Through their new-found friendship, Mabel begins to piece her life back together and realize there is always room for hope and love.

Personally, I like to learn something when I read historical fiction based on a true character/event. This book totally hit the mark. If you are looking for an untapped topic, this is definitely one you are going to want to pick up!

The First Emma

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