The Purples
The Purples by W. K. Berger is a historical thriller published by W. K. Berger on May 6, 2010. This 330-page novel explores the tumultuous life of Joe Bernstein, who, after being shunned by his community and imprisoned for attempting to assist an innocent girl, devises a daring plan to dominate Detroit during the city’s booming 1920s. As he navigates rivalries and personal challenges, Bernstein’s journey is marked by his relationships with his brother Max, his enforcer Grabowski, and the infamous Purple Gang, which earned its name from local merchants.
Readers will find a fast-paced narrative that intertwines action and historical detail, culminating in the significant Collingwood Massacre, an event that reshaped Detroit’s landscape. The story delves into themes of ambition, loyalty, and the darker sides of human nature, all conveyed through the perspective of the clever yet self-deceptive Joe Bernstein. With its vivid portrayal of corruption and the complexities of gang dynamics, The Purples offers an engaging glimpse into a pivotal era in American history.
Official synopsis Publisher
*AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL SEMIFINALIST* Shunned by his community… locked up for trying to help an innocent girl… ambushed by rivals and left for dead in the Detroit River: Joe Bernstein has a few scores to settle, and a bold plan to seize control of the Motor City in its booming 1920s heyday. With his faithful “agent” Abie, his brilliant but fragile brother Max, and an out-of-control enforcer named Grabowski (not to mention a couple of carnivorous creatures known as “the babies”), Bernstein gives rise to the infamous Purple Gang-so named by local merchants because the gang’s members were said to be “tainted, like spoiled meat.” Bernstein’s boys set their sights on taking over the Detroit River, the pipeline connecting dry America to wet Canada. But Joe also must contend with having “a sweetheart in the nut house” and rising tensions within his gang. Worst of all, the D.A.’s office has brought in an amputee war hero named Riley–who seems to be one step ahead of Joe’s big plans. A fast-paced thriller that builds to the climactic Collingwood Massacre (a seminal event that changed Detroit forever), THE PURPLES blends richly-detailed historical fiction with nonstop action, all narrated in the wry voice of the smart, self-deluding, and unforgettable Joe Bernstein. “Corruption in 1920s Detroit is brought to life in vivid detail in this accomplished book.” -Publishers Weekly
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