Ask the Author: Karen Abbott
Answered Questions (7)
Karen Abbott
Hi Barbara!
Thanks so much for reading SIN IN THE SECOND CITY and for taking the time to write to me. My apologies for my belated reply; I’ve been busy working on my next book, a tale of mystery and murder set in the Galapagos Islands in the 1930s (it will be published under my real name, Abbott Kahler). The research is fascinating so far…
As for the Everleigh Club, that’s a great question, and I wish I knew the answer. I researched that book nearly 20 years ago, and sadly I’ve forgotten so many small research details. I checked through a few old boxes and didn’t find anything about Charles Kohl and griffins, but the vast majority of my research is in storage (the perils of living in a tiny NYC apartment!). Since Kohl died in 1910, it does seem unlikely that he purchased statues from the Everleigh Club, but I find the legend equally interesting. The Everleigh sisters were masters of self-mythology and reinvention, and there are so many fascinating apocryphal stories about their retirement and later years. I also wonder what happened to their gold piano. A part of me wonders if it ended up in the mansion of bootlegger George Remus (the protagonist of my most recent book, THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK), as he, too, had a gold piano and a general penchant for sparkly things…
Anyway, thanks again for reading and for taking the time to write. If I ever find a definitive answer, I will certainly let you know!
Abbott
Thanks so much for reading SIN IN THE SECOND CITY and for taking the time to write to me. My apologies for my belated reply; I’ve been busy working on my next book, a tale of mystery and murder set in the Galapagos Islands in the 1930s (it will be published under my real name, Abbott Kahler). The research is fascinating so far…
As for the Everleigh Club, that’s a great question, and I wish I knew the answer. I researched that book nearly 20 years ago, and sadly I’ve forgotten so many small research details. I checked through a few old boxes and didn’t find anything about Charles Kohl and griffins, but the vast majority of my research is in storage (the perils of living in a tiny NYC apartment!). Since Kohl died in 1910, it does seem unlikely that he purchased statues from the Everleigh Club, but I find the legend equally interesting. The Everleigh sisters were masters of self-mythology and reinvention, and there are so many fascinating apocryphal stories about their retirement and later years. I also wonder what happened to their gold piano. A part of me wonders if it ended up in the mansion of bootlegger George Remus (the protagonist of my most recent book, THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK), as he, too, had a gold piano and a general penchant for sparkly things…
Anyway, thanks again for reading and for taking the time to write. If I ever find a definitive answer, I will certainly let you know!
Abbott
Karen Abbott
Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for reading—I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my books! And how lovely that you came to hear me speak; I hope I did not disappoint.
I’ve gotten my ideas in a variety of ways. I’d say the most interesting one is the story behind my first book, Sin in the Second City. My great-grandmother and her sister immigrated to the U.S. from Slovenia in 1905. One weekend, the sister went to Chicago and was never heard from again. I’ve always been intrigued and haunted by this bit of family lore, and I began researching Chicago in 1905. Very quickly, I came upon a sensational news story: Marshall Field Jr., son of the department store scion, was shot in a brothel—the most lavish and exclusive in the world, run by two enigmatic sisters who had dreams of “elevating” their profession. Of course, I forgot all about my missing ancestor and became enthralled by these sisters and how this bizarre story played out during the Progressive Era (a wild ride in and of itself).
As for research materials, I cast the net far and wide. One of the first places I look is WorldCat.org, which is basically an online reference service that lists books, archives, and government files from libraries and archival repositories all over the world. I found the trial transcript for The Ghosts of Eden Park through World Cat.
As for my current book, it will be announced shortly! It’s a story of mystery and intrigue set in the Galapagos Islands at the dawn of World War II. The title: THEN CAME THE DEVIL. I’m very excited to begin working on it. I’m also working on a novel—hopefully, I’ll be able to sell it! Writing fiction requires a different set of skills, so we’ll see.
Thanks again for reading, and be well…
Abbott
Thanks so much for reading—I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my books! And how lovely that you came to hear me speak; I hope I did not disappoint.
I’ve gotten my ideas in a variety of ways. I’d say the most interesting one is the story behind my first book, Sin in the Second City. My great-grandmother and her sister immigrated to the U.S. from Slovenia in 1905. One weekend, the sister went to Chicago and was never heard from again. I’ve always been intrigued and haunted by this bit of family lore, and I began researching Chicago in 1905. Very quickly, I came upon a sensational news story: Marshall Field Jr., son of the department store scion, was shot in a brothel—the most lavish and exclusive in the world, run by two enigmatic sisters who had dreams of “elevating” their profession. Of course, I forgot all about my missing ancestor and became enthralled by these sisters and how this bizarre story played out during the Progressive Era (a wild ride in and of itself).
As for research materials, I cast the net far and wide. One of the first places I look is WorldCat.org, which is basically an online reference service that lists books, archives, and government files from libraries and archival repositories all over the world. I found the trial transcript for The Ghosts of Eden Park through World Cat.
As for my current book, it will be announced shortly! It’s a story of mystery and intrigue set in the Galapagos Islands at the dawn of World War II. The title: THEN CAME THE DEVIL. I’m very excited to begin working on it. I’m also working on a novel—hopefully, I’ll be able to sell it! Writing fiction requires a different set of skills, so we’ll see.
Thanks again for reading, and be well…
Abbott
Karen Abbott
Will you please email your bookplate request to abbottauthor@gmail.com? Thanks so much for your inquiry.
Karen Abbott
History is rife with immorality and seduction, including in the Bible! It’s not my job to whitewash history, but to convey it as it happened, warts and all. Thanks for reading.
Karen Abbott
Hi Stephen!
Thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words about THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK. Boardwalk Empire is what sparked my interest in Remus; I thought he stole every scene he was in, and I was curious to know more about his true history (which of course was much more dramatic than his portrayal on the show). I think he’s the strangest, most fascinating character I’ve ever come across in research, and I have encountered quite a few… 😉 I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my other books, as well.
As for what’s next, it’s a bit too early to say for sure. One possibility is a murder mystery set in an exotic locale, with characters that might prove to be even stranger than Remus. I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks again,
Abbott (actually my legal first name—long story!)
Thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words about THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK. Boardwalk Empire is what sparked my interest in Remus; I thought he stole every scene he was in, and I was curious to know more about his true history (which of course was much more dramatic than his portrayal on the show). I think he’s the strangest, most fascinating character I’ve ever come across in research, and I have encountered quite a few… 😉 I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my other books, as well.
As for what’s next, it’s a bit too early to say for sure. One possibility is a murder mystery set in an exotic locale, with characters that might prove to be even stranger than Remus. I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks again,
Abbott (actually my legal first name—long story!)
Karen Abbott
Kathy, my apologies for the delayed reply—I was having some issues with my Goodreads account. Thank you so much! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed The Ghosts of Eden Park—the story is truly stranger than fiction. And I really appreciate the word of mouth—it’s so important for a book. If you’d like to discuss further, please feel free to email me: abbottauthor@gmail.com.
Karen Abbott
Thanks so much for writing, Edgar! Unfortunately, I don't have anything planned in Salt Lake City at the moment. If you'd like a signed bookplate for your copy, I'd be happy to send one. You can find my email on my website (karenabbott.net) and send me your address. Thanks for reading--I really hope you enjoy THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK.
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