<i>“Don’t prance around things like an antelope, dear.
Are you or aren’t you?
You must speak up.
Women don’t speak up enough.”</i>

In 1914, we meet Emma Koehler, a young, optimistic bride, eager to keep the attention of her workaholic husband. A succession of unfortunate events lead to a tragic accident that changes everything and reveals who Emma has been all along.
In 1943, we meet Mabel Hartley, a young women heartbroken and left alone by the war. Answering a job advertisement to take dictation for a dying woman’s memoir, Mabel leaves all she’s known in Baltimore for a fresh start in San Antonio.
Seamlessly jumping back and forth between the past and 1943-present, Camille Di Maio does a beautiful job of telling the inspired-by-true-events story of Emma Koehler.

The title (The First Emma, alluding to a second, if not more), the multi-timeline storytelling, and the murder mystery aspect are what drew me to this book— and what kept me reading. However, I found many other elements of this book quite lacking.

As a work of historical fiction, I found the writing often needlessly reminded the reader of what time in history we’re in, in a way that kept taking me out of the story. Sentences like “<i>She shook her head, and looked down at her fingernails. They needed polishing, though such frivolities were scarce during wartime.</I>“ would jolt me out of the fictional world that was already built and working for me. I also found some of the prose in their romantic scene a bit cringey, though I found the romance between Erik and Mabel cute enough.

Nevertheless, I found the female characters intriguing— Emma, Ernestina, and even the two other Emmas. Emma Koehler’s character was particularly robust. Mabel’s character paled in comparison, with less tenacity and development. But I enjoyed reading her be challenged by Emma K and their relationship grow.

It was, overall, an enjoyable read— and sent me down a rabbit hole, looking at old photos of the real Emma and Otto Koehler, as well as the former brewhouse that is now the Hotel Emma, which was a fun treat! I recommend this to fans of «The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo» who will appreciate the structure of the book, as well as the historical exploration of a formidable woman’s life (albeit sans queer representation and Hollywood glamour aspect).

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All views and opinions are my own.

I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. It was beautifully written and highly entertaining and I will absolutely be recommending it to all of my friends.

The introduction to this book was remarkably confusing. I couldnt keep the Emma's straight. Then we jumped to someone named Mable, who was in a bad mood and left on a train. This is all that happens in the first seven chapters - grumpy people and a dull train ride. I gave up after that. The reading level of this book is YA, and the action is non-existent, at least through the first seven chapters.

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I knew nothing about this author or about Emma Koehler when I first saw this title on Netgalley. I was intrigued by the lovely cover (always a fan of judging a book) and the title. I wanted to know about this Emma and what was the significance of her being the first. What a powerful woman she was to do so much as a woman in business and for her employees at a time when women were not supposed to be in the workplace, especially as a leader. Emma had as many dreams and even more ideas then her entrepreneur husband who was more committed to his businesses then to their marriage. He eventually has affairs with the two women, both named Emma, hired to care for his wife after a bad car accident One of the nurse Emmas shoots him after trying to end the affair which is where the story begins. I love the way we hear the backstory as the now older Emma Koehler hires a young inexperienced girl to come write her story before her passing. We get Emma's narrative, the story of Mabel the young writer, and actual newspaper clippings about the murder and trial all woven together in a well crafted and captivating story that was so enjoyable to read. Historical fiction at its best.

I really enjoyed this book! It is based on a true story of a rich tycoon. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It is a story of 3 Emma's - Otto's wife Emma and his 2 mistresses Emma. The very beginning of the book, Mistress 2 Emma shoots Otto and kills him. Fast Forward, Wife Emma wants to hire a biographer to write her life story and start from the beginning. Wife Emma is a fascinating person and I love how she finds out about the affair and earns her place on the board of the San Antonio Brewing Company = the same company she helped her husband start. Then to find out it is a true story is even more exciting! Great read!

Once again, Camille DiMaio has taken a piece of history and brought it to life with her enthralling characters and storyline.
Focusing on the story of Emma and Otto Koehler, She relates the prohibition – era tale of a young brewery and its growth to one of the largest breweries in San Antonio...largely due to Emma’s relentless mission and business savvy. But behind the scenes, all was not well with Otto and Emma’s marriage, culminating in Otto’s murder, though not by his wife. His philandering with two other women - also named Emma - leads to his demise.
Emma’s story is chronicled by a young woman, Mabel, who is hired by Emma to write her story as she nears the end of her days. Mabel moves into Emma’s mansion and meet Emma’s large extended family, while dealing with the dissolution of her own: her fiancé calling off their engagement, her father an alcoholic, losing one brother to war at her other missing in action. Will Emma ever find her own happiness?
There is much more than I shall relate here, but the story is rich, enjoyable, and well written. Please don’t pass this one up: it is well worth the read.

A fascinating story based on true crime will hook me every time. The coincidence with three women involved having the same name proves truth is stranger than fiction. Mabel's character had some pretty trite dialogue--and it seemed to wrap too quickly in the third act.

This is a great book written by a fantastic author and is based on true events. I was instantly hooked and I highly recommend!

This is a great piece of historical fiction!! I loved the fact that it is based on true events, as that added another layer to the enjoyment of this. The author was able to navigate between the past and.1043 without any issues or momentum lost for the reader. Overall, this was an amazing read! I am definitely going to read more from this author!!

A really good historical novel narrated by two women, Emma and Mabel. Emma the wife of Otto Koehler, a brewery mogul during the late 19th and early 20th centuries follows Otto to San Antonio, Texas where Otto works for Anheuser-Busch. Soon Otto leaves A-B to start his own brewery. Mabel is a young woman from Baltimore whose mother is dead, her father is an alcoholic living on the streets, one brother is dead (WW2) and her other brother is missing in action. She leaves her employment after her boss becomes amorous. She answers an ad she comes across by chance in the newspaper for a writer and is chosen by Emma. Emma wants someone to write down her memories. Soon Emma and Mabel form a relationship which is beneficial to both, Emma looks upon Mabel as the daughter she never had and Mabel feels as though she has gained a mother figure. Emma has an extended family, nieces, nephews and cousins who she has sponsored coming to America who gather for Sunday dinners. At Mabel’s first dinner she meets Bernard (Eric) who she had previously met on one of her walks (as Eric). There is a instant attraction but they do not let on that they had previously met. The novel relates Emma’s past life (through Mabel taking notes) and Mabel’s life in the present. Throughout the novel you are anxiously awaiting Emma’s telling her life story while watching Mabel and Eric’s relationship develop. The details about the brewery business are fascinating. Mabel’s contributions and her eventual taking over the business are amazing for her time. Mabel takes the business through prohibition and the depression without laying off one employee. The novel has the requisite love story but it is seamlessly woven into the story. A very good historical novel which tells you about a fascinating woman.

Thank you to Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. This was a very interesting, attention-getting story. It is based on the real murder of a rich tycoon named Otto Koehler. He was murdered by one of his mistresses. Ironically, his wife and both of his mistresses are all named Emma. His wife has decided to share the events of her life and his murder before she dies. She engages a young lady named Mabel to come and be her companion and record the story. I really liked how the author used this technique to tell the story. I also liked the newspaper clippings at the beginning of each chapter to give information about this crime. I liked it! Highly recommend!.

I was hooked from the start of this book! The author's style flows smoothly and the characters are memorable. The true story it was loosely based on was intriguing. It's definitely one I will be recommending to everyone!

This is the first book I have read by Camile DiMaio and now I plan to read more. The story is about strong women , love , betrayal ,and gumption. The time is during the prohibition. Camile DiMaio does a great job with her characters, bringing them to life. The way she portrays them in telling their stories in two different time periods is excellent. This book was hard to put down and I highly recommend it.

The First Emma by Camille Di Maio is an excellent historical fiction piece that is centered on a real life amazing woman, Emma Koehler.

I have been a huge fan of Ms Di Maio and have loved reading all of her works, and this one did not disappoint.

I knew nothing of this strong, feisty, fiery, imaginative, innovative, and amazing woman that was unappreciated during her time. After reading, I was inspired to learn more about Emma online. I am so glad I was able to read about a strong, passionate woman that held her own, especially at a time that was plagued by so many problems at home, and across the globe at war. It is also remarkable considering that this was still “ a man’s world” at this time. Keeping all of these factors in mind, it just awes me at just how impressive Emma had been.

I also learned a great deal about the history of breweries in America, as well as some of the information on how it is made and produced. I a absolutely love reading books were, not only do I enjoy myself, but I also learn something new.

I enjoyed the author’s spin on creating Mabel, and telling Emma’s story through this character. I thought Mabel was a great addition, and a like able and strong character that I most certainly was able to identify with. I also enjoyed the dash of romance.

I loved the ending and the Author’s note giving us fact vs fiction and adding more information to the history of Emma Koehler.

Only the amazing Ms Camille Di Maio could do it all, and do it all so well. Another treasure from an excellent author.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Wyatt- MacKenzie Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.


Only

Going into this novel, I'd never heard of any of the people involved, nor even heard of the crime itself.
So, I went into this with a completely open mind and relied solely on the author's ability to tell a good story in order for it to engage me, and keep me suitably entertained.
The author definitely did not fail in any way. Giving the characters solid and believable personalities (how much of it was a true reflection on their actual personality and how much was artistic licence I don't know). But what I do know is this was a thumping good book!
Definitely will be one I'll be recommending and should be held up as a prime example of what I hope and pray the quality will be, this coming year.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and netgalley for my arc. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

What a fascinating tell of a true story. DeMaio has written another winner. It did takes me a few chapters to figure out which of the 3 Emma's was which. Today she kept me guessing until Stevens of the book is an understatement. Loved this book and the history it brought to life. Bootleg liquor, murder and betrayal are only a few things this book hits you with. Throw in a love story and you have a five star winner

Another winner from Camille De Maio
A story of an extraordinary woman who saved her company and herself. Based upon the life of a woman and a murder trial I'd never heard of, I enjoyed this book. Well-researched, well-written, and fast moving. The older main character became someone I wish I had known. Like other books by Camille De Maio, this one is sure to be a hit. Thanks, netgalley for the ARC

True story of Emma Koehler, whose husband Otto was killed by one of his two mistresses. Tells of her rise as CEO of a brewing empire in San Antonio during Prohibition.
Retold to a young lady, Mabel Hartley in 1943 who was hired by Mrs. Koehler to write the memoir at the end of Mrs. Koehler's life. An amazing story of love, loss and the women who were the backbone of businesses during the Great Depression. This was the first novel I've read of Ms. Di Maio and certainly won't be the last.

Thank you to Wyatt Mackenzie publishing and NetGalley for the eARC

No one writes strong women characters in a historical setting better than Camille!

Emma Kohler, the mother of home brew, is the first "real" historical figure that Camille has based a full novel on (a real ghost and a compilation of women appear in her other novels) I feel she did a great job. The amount of research that went into this novel is outstanding. From the clothing to the setting to the cars, Di Maio did not miss anything

I enjoyed the characters that Camille created to round out the story. I loved the side story of the romance of these characters and the lurid scandal that surrounded the historical figures

one of my most anticipated books of 2020 and is sure to be one of the best