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The Prohibited
A family, their liquor store, and the clash of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Amendments in 1920s St. Paul
The Kaner brothers were getting by well enough running Kaner’s Fine Wine and Spirits in St. Paul, Minnesota, until Prohibition took effect in January 1920. With their liquor store shuttered, Red, Isaac, and Lewis are left to forge new livelihoods, their paths taking turns distinct as their personalities. All of the Kaners have secrets—from a clandestine lover to a joyless marriage to an entanglement with the mob—but when it comes down to it, the family will do just about anything for each other, and they’re going to have to prove it.
The Prohibited follows the Kaner family in the wake of the Eighteenth Amendment. Isaac finds unlikely means to stay close to the family trade, becoming a rabbi (or someone the Feds believe is a rabbi) to exploit a loophole that allows men of the cloth to sell sacramental wine. Lewis takes the opportunity to pursue his dream of being a playwright, managing to secure the funds to produce a staged reading of his new play, albeit from an unlikely source. And Red is happy to work in a haberdashery, though he resents his wife’s suffragist allegiance and resulting support of Prohibition. Meanwhile, Red’s children bring challenges of their own: tough, quick-thinking Rose is working odd jobs to send herself to medical school and trying to fix her brother’s mess with the mob, something carefree Willie can’t seem to grasp is deadly serious. Tangled up in the Kaners’ story is Pearl Holgersen. After a tragic event up north, she has finally found community in the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul, but she has a score to settle with Red's son, Willie, who was recently murdered. Or was he?
Based loosely on Matt Goldman’s family history, The Prohibited brings to life 1920s St. Paul, a haven for bootleggers, gangsters, and bank robbers, but also home to many ordinary folks navigating a remarkable new social order. With his signature wry wit, Goldman presents an engrossing character study of a family testing their bonds—and irrevocably changing their lives.
The Kaner brothers were getting by well enough running Kaner’s Fine Wine and Spirits in St. Paul, Minnesota, until Prohibition took effect in January 1920. With their liquor store shuttered, Red, Isaac, and Lewis are left to forge new livelihoods, their paths taking turns distinct as their personalities. All of the Kaners have secrets—from a clandestine lover to a joyless marriage to an entanglement with the mob—but when it comes down to it, the family will do just about anything for each other, and they’re going to have to prove it.
The Prohibited follows the Kaner family in the wake of the Eighteenth Amendment. Isaac finds unlikely means to stay close to the family trade, becoming a rabbi (or someone the Feds believe is a rabbi) to exploit a loophole that allows men of the cloth to sell sacramental wine. Lewis takes the opportunity to pursue his dream of being a playwright, managing to secure the funds to produce a staged reading of his new play, albeit from an unlikely source. And Red is happy to work in a haberdashery, though he resents his wife’s suffragist allegiance and resulting support of Prohibition. Meanwhile, Red’s children bring challenges of their own: tough, quick-thinking Rose is working odd jobs to send herself to medical school and trying to fix her brother’s mess with the mob, something carefree Willie can’t seem to grasp is deadly serious. Tangled up in the Kaners’ story is Pearl Holgersen. After a tragic event up north, she has finally found community in the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul, but she has a score to settle with Red's son, Willie, who was recently murdered. Or was he?
Based loosely on Matt Goldman’s family history, The Prohibited brings to life 1920s St. Paul, a haven for bootleggers, gangsters, and bank robbers, but also home to many ordinary folks navigating a remarkable new social order. With his signature wry wit, Goldman presents an engrossing character study of a family testing their bonds—and irrevocably changing their lives.
- GenresFiction
Audible Audio
Published September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 23, 2026
I have enjoyed all of Matt Goldman’s books but I did not enjoy this one. Way too many characters to keep track of. Many side plots that did not matter at all.
I will still read his mysteries!
I will still read his mysteries!
October 17, 2026
The Prohibited was a slow starter for me. The story follows three brothers that own a liquor store until Prohibition shuts down the sale of alcohol. Added tension comes from Red, the first brother, who watches his wife become involved in the suffrage movement and actively supports Prohibition, putting them at odds with one another.
Meanwhile, Isaac, the second brother, is coping with the loss of his family and finds a loophole in the law that allows him to become a rabbi and continue selling sacramental wine. The third brother, Lewis, pursues his love of theater and builds a career as a playwright. The novel also follows two of Red's children: Willie, who becomes entangled with a local gangster, and Rose, who moves to Michigan to save money for medical school.
There are a lot of characters and Matt Goldman does an excellent job developing each of them. The downside is that it takes a long time for the story to gain momentum. Goldman clearly knows the history of Prohibition and St. Paul, where much of the novel takes place. Drawing on his own family history, as his family owned a liquor store in St. Paul, he creates an authentic and detailed backdrop for the story.
In the end, Goldman does an outstanding job of bringing all of the characters' storylines together in an exciting conclusion. While the payoff was worth it, the slow buildup kept this from being a higher-rated read for me, resulting in a 3.5-star rating.
Meanwhile, Isaac, the second brother, is coping with the loss of his family and finds a loophole in the law that allows him to become a rabbi and continue selling sacramental wine. The third brother, Lewis, pursues his love of theater and builds a career as a playwright. The novel also follows two of Red's children: Willie, who becomes entangled with a local gangster, and Rose, who moves to Michigan to save money for medical school.
There are a lot of characters and Matt Goldman does an excellent job developing each of them. The downside is that it takes a long time for the story to gain momentum. Goldman clearly knows the history of Prohibition and St. Paul, where much of the novel takes place. Drawing on his own family history, as his family owned a liquor store in St. Paul, he creates an authentic and detailed backdrop for the story.
In the end, Goldman does an outstanding job of bringing all of the characters' storylines together in an exciting conclusion. While the payoff was worth it, the slow buildup kept this from being a higher-rated read for me, resulting in a 3.5-star rating.
Review of advance copy
The Prohibited is an intriguing upcoming novel from Matt Goldman, with a title that immediately creates a sense of tension, curiosity, and unanswered questions. The word “prohibited” suggests boundaries, secrets, forbidden territory, or circumstances that characters may be forced to confront, making the book's October 2026 publication an interesting opportunity for readers who enjoy discovering new fiction with a strong central mystery.
One of the most compelling aspects from a reader-discovery perspective is the anticipation surrounding an unpublished work. With The Prohibited scheduled for release in September 2026, there is an opportunity for readers to encounter the novel early and develop interest around its title, author, and forthcoming publication. The relatively concise 256-page format also positions it as an accessible addition to a reader's upcoming list.
The book should have potential among Matt Goldman readers, contemporary fiction audiences, book-club communities, audiobook and digital readers, and readers who are naturally drawn to intriguing titles that promise questions, tension, and discovery. As publication approaches, building awareness among these audiences could help create stronger visibility and encourage readers to add The Prohibited to their upcoming reading lists.
One of the most compelling aspects from a reader-discovery perspective is the anticipation surrounding an unpublished work. With The Prohibited scheduled for release in September 2026, there is an opportunity for readers to encounter the novel early and develop interest around its title, author, and forthcoming publication. The relatively concise 256-page format also positions it as an accessible addition to a reader's upcoming list.
The book should have potential among Matt Goldman readers, contemporary fiction audiences, book-club communities, audiobook and digital readers, and readers who are naturally drawn to intriguing titles that promise questions, tension, and discovery. As publication approaches, building awareness among these audiences could help create stronger visibility and encourage readers to add The Prohibited to their upcoming reading lists.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I got this book from Netgalley, so I can read and review it before it's published. I have already read all of Goldman's Nils Shapiro books, and have read the first Clay Hawkins book, and really enjoyed his style of writing and the fact that he is a MN author. I have started his stand-a-lone novels, but stopped to read this one.
The Prohibited takes place in 1922, and just the like the title, it's about prohibition. It's also about family, relationships, deception, and loyalty. The main characters are a Jewish family and the three brothers (Red, Lewis, and Isaac) owned a liquor store. That store dissolved during the prohibition time. Red then worked at a clothing store, Lewis worked as an actor, and Isaac worked as a fake Rabbi who distributed alcohol! Red and his wife, Emma, had four kids (two of them twins of Rose and Willie). A lot of other characters appear, and it's interesting to see how they all appear and how they are related to what is going on.
Since this is an ARC, I won't spoil the plot, but it was an enjoyable read for me. It was cool that the ending had a quick blurb of what happened years down the road to the characters. Also, the author, mentioned, that some of what happened in the book was from his own family.
The Prohibited takes place in 1922, and just the like the title, it's about prohibition. It's also about family, relationships, deception, and loyalty. The main characters are a Jewish family and the three brothers (Red, Lewis, and Isaac) owned a liquor store. That store dissolved during the prohibition time. Red then worked at a clothing store, Lewis worked as an actor, and Isaac worked as a fake Rabbi who distributed alcohol! Red and his wife, Emma, had four kids (two of them twins of Rose and Willie). A lot of other characters appear, and it's interesting to see how they all appear and how they are related to what is going on.
Since this is an ARC, I won't spoil the plot, but it was an enjoyable read for me. It was cool that the ending had a quick blurb of what happened years down the road to the characters. Also, the author, mentioned, that some of what happened in the book was from his own family.
October 3, 2026
Since this book is loosely based on Matt Goldman’s colorful family from the 1920’s forward, it’s no surprise that he takes a more serious tone than he does in the Nils Shapiro PI adventures. He still delivers a strong sense of place with themes around family love and support in spite of hard times. Because it is set in the early 1920’s, the impact of the Women’s Right to Vote amendment and the prohibition of alcohol are crucial influences on the various characters’ actions. His women characters are smart,compassionate and strong, serving as the moral core of the action. The men are resourceful, although willing to break the law to accomplish their needs.And it wouldn’t be one of Goldman’s books without his wry sense of humor. Overall, it is both heartfelt and entertaining.
September 29, 2026
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. This is not the usual type of book that Matt Goldman writes. It takes place during prohibition in St Paul Minnesota. I was very excited to read this. It is about the Kaner family. Before prohibition the brothers owned Kaners Fine Wines and Spirits in St Paul. When the eighteenth amendment passes, outlawing the sale of liquor, the brothers are forced to find other jobs. This book follows them and their families as they learn secrets about one another. I highly recommend this book. It is a good story about what happened during this period to many families.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to University of Minnesota Press and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
I tried several times to get into this book but I just couldn’t get into it. I DNF AT 8%. I was excited to learn a bit about the prohibition and thought this story sounded good. The writing did not flow and it was confusing to read at times. Then when only 8% in there’s a graphic sex scene between two teenagers? What does that have to do with the prohibition? There is also some strong language earlier as well so be warned.
I tried several times to get into this book but I just couldn’t get into it. I DNF AT 8%. I was excited to learn a bit about the prohibition and thought this story sounded good. The writing did not flow and it was confusing to read at times. Then when only 8% in there’s a graphic sex scene between two teenagers? What does that have to do with the prohibition? There is also some strong language earlier as well so be warned.
September 25, 2026
A fascinating time in history. Thanks to NetGalley for a early look at this novel. A fascinating look at a time in history I knew very little about. My great grandmother, however, ran on the temperance ticket prior to women having a right to vote. I was amazed to find so many Jews lived in Minnesota in the early 20s. Being Jewish myself. However, the book is more about family and what makes up a family. What would you do for your family? And who is part of your family? I really liked the book and will look for more from Matt Goldman.
October 16, 2026
Good historical fiction, all based in St Paul.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews