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Curse of the Blumenthals
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26Over three generations of whispered secrets, crime, and lies in a Jewish-American family.
The Blumenthals are one of millions of Eastern European Jewish families who immigrated to the United States at the end of the nineteenth century. Settling in Providence, Rhode Island, they grow and prosper. During Prohibition, the Blumenthals become bootleggers—starting their fraught history with alcohol and crime. Once Prohibition is repealed, Barney Blumenthal opens a liquor store in Boston. Life is good—until fate intervenes.
In May 1935, a drunk driver takes the lives of six Blumenthals, including three children. Horrific photos run in newspapers across the country. Six months later, Ronnie Blumenthal is a phoenix rising from the ashes of devastation, a golden child upon whose blond head the family’s hopes and dreams are placed. He grows into a handsome and spoiled teenager, driving a fast convertible and surrounded by beautiful girls. The Blumenthal legacy is resurrected—until one July night in 1954, when he is arrested for murder.
The victim is his mother’s seamstress, who was allegedly having an affair with his father. Newspaper and TV coverage is relentless. Ronnie pleads guilty, yet dark questions remain unanswered. Upon Ronnie’s release from prison, his drunken behavior causes the family—who faithfully visited him behind bars—to finally wash their hands of him. At the end of his life, not one family member will contribute to his funeral. The once golden child is buried in a pauper’s grave, etching the Blumenthal curse in stone.
A decade later, New York Times bestselling author Phyllis Karas, a Blumenthal cousin, uses her well-honed instincts as a journalist to peel back layers of long-hidden family secrets. Karas sensitively chronicles the generational trauma affecting Phillip and Rose Blumenthal’s six children and their children—the fifteen Blumenthal cousins—who were left to build their lives in the fallout. The Blumenthals’ story proves that, by learning from the past with care and love, curses can be broken.
The Blumenthals are one of millions of Eastern European Jewish families who immigrated to the United States at the end of the nineteenth century. Settling in Providence, Rhode Island, they grow and prosper. During Prohibition, the Blumenthals become bootleggers—starting their fraught history with alcohol and crime. Once Prohibition is repealed, Barney Blumenthal opens a liquor store in Boston. Life is good—until fate intervenes.
In May 1935, a drunk driver takes the lives of six Blumenthals, including three children. Horrific photos run in newspapers across the country. Six months later, Ronnie Blumenthal is a phoenix rising from the ashes of devastation, a golden child upon whose blond head the family’s hopes and dreams are placed. He grows into a handsome and spoiled teenager, driving a fast convertible and surrounded by beautiful girls. The Blumenthal legacy is resurrected—until one July night in 1954, when he is arrested for murder.
The victim is his mother’s seamstress, who was allegedly having an affair with his father. Newspaper and TV coverage is relentless. Ronnie pleads guilty, yet dark questions remain unanswered. Upon Ronnie’s release from prison, his drunken behavior causes the family—who faithfully visited him behind bars—to finally wash their hands of him. At the end of his life, not one family member will contribute to his funeral. The once golden child is buried in a pauper’s grave, etching the Blumenthal curse in stone.
A decade later, New York Times bestselling author Phyllis Karas, a Blumenthal cousin, uses her well-honed instincts as a journalist to peel back layers of long-hidden family secrets. Karas sensitively chronicles the generational trauma affecting Phillip and Rose Blumenthal’s six children and their children—the fifteen Blumenthal cousins—who were left to build their lives in the fallout. The Blumenthals’ story proves that, by learning from the past with care and love, curses can be broken.
371 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 19, 2026
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About the author
Phyllis Karas
16 books6 followersPhyllis Karas is a contributor to People magazine and an adjunct professor at the Boston University School of Journalism. She lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fascinating story this was. It was a page-turner for me, staying up late to read it. This family was struck by a huge tragedy back in 1935 when a drunk driver hit them, killing 6 family members. It had many repercussions throughout this large family for the remainder of their lives, sadly. There was a new baby in the family some months later, a boy named Ronnie that everyone seemingly pinned all their hopes on for a new beginning. But tragedy struck again in 1954 when Ronnie is arrested for murder.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is a harrowing true story about the Blumenthal family. I found it fascinating and very hard to put down. It will suit true crime fans, but certainly not short of twist and turns as the family legacy progresses through the book. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews