Banquets & Bootleg Bounty

by Lily Barrish Levner

A Cozy Mystery with a Dash of Mobster Gold. She's from the Bronx. He's from Brooklyn. They meet at the Concord Hotel.

It’s the summer of 1944 as Dotty and Abe arrive at the bustling Concord Hotel in the heart of the Catskill Mountains’ famous Borscht Belt. They are eager to start their new jobs as waitress and busboy but soon discover that serving demanding diners and dealing with unruly guests—including Abe’s impossible-to-please mother—is the least of their worries.

Rumors swirl that a notorious Murder, Inc. gangster has hidden a fortune in cash somewhere in the area. As Dotty and Abe are swept into the race to discover the whereabouts of the legendary loot, they find themselves dodging more than just grumpy guests. With dangerous characters lurking around every corner, the duo must stay one step ahead if they want to keep their future in the mountains from crumbling.

Will Dotty and Abe hit the jackpot, or will they become the next victims of a deadly game?

Fans of Dirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will love Banquets & Bootleg Bounty, the first in the Catskills Capers series by Lily Barrish Levner.

“This book is such a treat. Banquets & Bootleg Bounty is a fantastically fun romp through the height of the Catskills with spot-on historical accuracy. Author Lily Barrish Levner gives readers a bird’s eye view of the dining rooms at the Concord, with a pinch of romance and a side of danger. Grab a bowl of matzo ball soup and enjoy the ride!"
Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2024

Reviews

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a romp of a read! So many stories wrapped into this novel. I used to work at a summer resort so I could relate to the underlying drama of working in the service industry and the character interactions. Great read!

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Barrish Levner, the Author of “Banquets & Bootleg Bounty” (Catskill Capers) has written a captivating, intriguing, memorable and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are History Fiction, Historical Mystery, Suspense, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Suspense and Romance. Thank you to Lily Barrish Levner for bringing such wonderful memories back to me of The Concord Hotel. I went to visit with my parents, then when I was single, looking for a husband, with my husband, then with my family, (husband, son) and friends. I can remember the copious amounts and selections of food, the entertainment, the pool, tennis courts, and gorgeous landscape, all which provide such a perfect background and begging for a book to be written. The author vividly describes all the Lucious amenities, and entertainment of the times, and also describes her colorful and dramatic characters.

The timeline for this story is set in 1944 in the Catskill Mountains and Borscht Belt. This describes the young characters striving to be busboys, waiters, and waitresses, who are working hard for tips and also having summer fun. The diners feel entitled and demand that they get what they want, and the owners make sure that everyone is happy. The author also describes that Murder, Inc . has a gangster who has hidden a treasure of money in the area. There is talk of a union, and there are different types of gambling. Some of the characters are drawn into danger with gangsters wanting their money, kidnapping, and adventures. I highly recommend this book filled with intrigue, suspense, mystery and nostalgia, I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be published.

[Sapphyria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banquets & Bootleg Bounty is the first book in the Catskills Capers series. The setting is 1940's Catskills in New York. Dotty is excited to get to the Catskills for her new job as a waitress and Abe is set to begin as a busboy. Told from alternative points-of-view, the story is a perfect walk down memory lane for those familiar with the area, Concord, and Catskill Mountains. Rich in history, Banquets & Bootleg Bounty is a wonderful historical cozy mystery.

I enjoyed Banquets & Bootleg Bounty. I loved learning about a bygone era. There was a little bit of everything in the book, giving it a well-rounded appeal to lovers of historical cozies. There is mystery, suspense, a little bit of danger, some romance, and lots of food. The character are well-written and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know Dotty and Abe. I can't wait for their next adventure.

[Judy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut fiction novel provides a sweet mini-education of the Borscht Belt heyday alongside familial characters and a cozy mystery. Vivid descriptions allow the reader to visualize this historical place and time. The reader is invited to witness a sampling of the dining and entertainment experiences of the Catskill Mountains summer resort destinations while wrapped up in a mystery. The author’s words show the care she has for her family and family history. Banquets and Bootleg Bounty is an enjoyable, entertaining read which includes family, food, romance, history, danger, and suspense. I’m looking forward to Dotty and Abe’s continued capers in book 2.

[Joyce Wadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to escape to the Catskills Borscht Belt resorts in their heyday, in the 1940's, when you were as likely to see a gangster with Murder Inc. ties as Danny Kaye in the nightclub? When ambitious waiters and waitresses from the city dealt with demanding guests all day and danced at after-hours hangouts at night? Lily Barrish Levner, who grew up in the Catskills and whose grandparents worked in the Catskills resorts, knows this scene, down to the guests who demanded to taste every dessert on the menu -- and found something wrong with every one of them. If "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" ended too soon for you, you'll find comfort here.

[Cassandra A Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel, Banquets and Bootleg Bounty, by Lily Barrish Levner is an absolute pleasure to read! Infused with the iconic history of the Catskills and clever characters borrowed from her family history, this cozy mystery will not only put you in suspense, but it will also make you smile and laugh. Such a fun read and page turner! Can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.

[Meredith Schorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a treat. Banquets & Bootleg Bounty is a fantastically fun romp through the height of the Catskills with spot-on historical accuracy. Author Lily Barrish Levner gives readers a bird’s eye view of the dining rooms at the Concord, with a cozy mystery, a pinch of romance and a side of danger. Grab a bowl of matzo ball soup and enjoy the ride!

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe people who grew up in the Borscht Belt back in the day would find this book a little nostalgic, but I hated it from the start to the very end. The "mystery" plot is thin at best, the characters were not well developed and are forgettable, the voice changes far too frequently and the author uses WAAAAAAY too many simple adjectives.

[lola Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

so excited to be reading my friend Lily's book.

Lily did a great job of bringing to life the Catskills of the 40s. I so enjoyed reading her book, and hearing more about her beloved grandparents.

[Jen Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this quick and fun read! It was light hearted and made me want to see the movie version:) ❤️