- Dollface: A Novel of the Roaring Twenties

This is neither a gangster crime or an historical novel.Nor is it a dreary mainstream literary novel,but definitely has literary qualities without any stylistic blathering.It is told in a straightforward but detailed manner,that is engaging,accurate and unflinching in recounting the era it is supposed to be about.Renee Rosen has written an excellent but unpretentious,modern novel.The account of Vera's spiraling into the glamourous but dangerous world of Chicago's nightlife,sparkling champagne,bootlegging and brutal gang warfare,is both harrowing and exciting.It will have you wanting to jump out of your seat just as much as it will wanting to stay till the bitter end.This is no simple generic thriller though,and is told from an impressive,realistic and human perspective,with well crafted prose.Vera's memories of her early life,in which her father was killed by Black Hand extortionists,and her need to escape the dreariness of her existence with her mother,a manageress of the meat packing Chicago stockyards,is contrasted to both the allure of riches her new life will bring,and her dubiousness of the seedy underworld she will enter into,due to her marriage to softly spoken gangster nightclub owner,Shep' Green.Vera becomes involved with two gangsters,with whom she feels torn.Despite her eventual marriage to Shep',she also courts Tony Lolloli,a Capone gangster and opponent to the rival North Side Gang her husband belongs to,and continues to see him even after she is wed,and to whom he still shows affection and assistance when she finds herself in trouble.This is no simple tale of moral character however,and Vera's descent into immorality as she becomes more involved in the gangsters'world,often has you feeling just as sorry for the mobsters,as you do contempt for Vera.The author's brilliance in portraying the era in which the novel is set,is painstakingly researched and revealed,and conjures perfectly the atmosphere of a terrible but exciting age.Historical fact and plain fiction is blended perfectly for an intellectual but entertaining and readable novel.Some of the characters,including Al Capone of course,and Johnny Torrio,Dion O'Banion,Earl Hymie Weiss,Vincent Drucci and George Bugs Moran,were real gangsters,as were many of the events of this tumultuous time,such as the St. Valentine Day Massacre.I think this will be a lasting novel of true depth and vividness,that will cross borderlines.

I enjoyed the story one. Not quite historical fiction but enough to make it fun as the story wove itself through the neighborhood of Chicago. Thinking it painted a pretty clear picture of the gangs women. The hard times made them compromise their principles, they loved trying enjoy tough times. Kept me turning pages.

I have to say, this book is the best book I have read in a very long time. First of all, I love the 20's. There are a couple of books that I saw that take place in this era. The book cover looked interesting on those other books, so I bought them. They were a look boring. I tried so hard to get through them and just couldn't do it. So when I found this book in a book store in Evanston Illinois, I thought it was going to be another one of those books that I would have to try so hard to get through. BOY WAS I WRONG!! First of all the chapters are not real long. A plus for me since I tend to get bored easily. I never got bored once. In fact each chapter made you want to read the next. I couldn't put it down. I even neglected my b.f. and didn't want to get off the couch to make him dinner lol! It's a great book. You won't regret buying it. She writes so well that I could picture each person. I could picture the places they went, the clothes they wore. She was able to capture the era so well as well as what the gangsters were like. She did an exceptional job at capturing the women of that era, how the gangsters wives and girlfriends thought, and how they probably behaved and felt.If you want that book that keeps you on your toes, this book is it. Only be warned.....you won't want to put it down and you will miss the characters once you finish the book. You will feel like you just lost contact with your best friends! Can't wait to read her next book!!!!

The style of writing is rather poor; much of the dialogue is cheesy, predictable, and unbelievable. This story follows the real life events that took place in Chicago in the 1920s, but much of it reads like a Wikipedia entry. All in all, it was entertaining, but nothing terribly memorable.

Vera a young lady out on the town one night with her Girl Friends. She mets Shep Green . She falls for him but then realize while out on a couples date that he was part of the mob. She decided that was not she wants to be involved with.She then runs into another man Tony that at first was random date but quickly becomes more. She gave her all to him. But he just never seems to want anything more. She confused by him.Shep fines her and explains away he mob connection as just needed for his bar. So before you know it she is involved with both man. But that ok because neither have asked her to be just theirs.But on another night out the bomb is drop“It’s true.The Meridian was a front for Shep, just like Schofield’s Flower Shop was a front for Dion. But that’s not where they get their money from—not their serious money, anyway.”“Schofield’s is the North Siders’ headquarters,” said Dora. “And the Four Deuces is the South Siders’ headquarters.”Suddenly Vera realize she is right in the middle of two different mobs. Both who suddenly let her know they love her.I enjoyed the book . I felt very much apart of all the crazy things that happen.

Interesting to learn more about the Capone era

Read this in two goes - what a story! Renee Rosen always draws readers in with a fast paced plots and very credible characters. She never fails. I absolutely Loved the 1920/30s setting, the gangster aspect and the women she created. Elements of fact but mostly historical fiction. It's a gem of a read - as are ALL of her books.

This is an ‘unputdownable’ novel set in the world of Chicago Gangsters in the 1920’s. A a real rollercoaster of a read. Well written, well paced, with great female characters and an original plot. If you enjoyed TV shows like ‘Boardwalk Empire’ or ‘The Sopranos’ then you’ll love this book!

I really enjoyed this book, each page kept one turning to the nect page. She has intersting characters which hold your interest from start to finishI can hardly wait to read another book by her