This is a well written book that takes place at the end of prohibition and tells the story of Eld and Doc who want to capitalize on the last chance to make a few big easy bucks and of the family they leave behind when it all goes wrong. I liked Maggie who made difficult decisions to support her daughter Bea. Georgia, her feisty friend, always kept things exciting. Unfortunately for me the story, even with good characters, tried to do too much and was a bit disjointed. Prohibition, gangsters, a potential murder and a religious cult felt like too much. I will watch for other books by this author and always appreciate Netgalley's ARCs.

Review for While the Getting Is Good by Matt Riordan

While the Getting Is Good by Matt Riordan is a rich and character-driven novel that delves into the complexities of personal choices, morality, and corruption. The story follows Eldridge, a World War I veteran turned rum-runner, and his son Doc, whose mysterious disappearance sets the stage for the emotional and psychological unraveling of the characters left behind.

Maggie, Eldridge’s wife, is forced to reckon with the aftermath of her husband’s disappearance, including the consequences of their past actions. Though she initially ceases her involvement in bootlegging, the shadow of her previous choices continues to haunt her. As Maggie navigates the challenges of her changing life, she becomes increasingly entangled in the corrupting influence of the city’s power structure, aided by Georgia, Eldridge’s mistress. Their complex relationship raises questions about vulnerability and corruption, forcing readers to consider whether Maggie’s moral descent was a result of her own choices or the world around her.

As Eldridge reappears, seeking to reconnect with his son, the story moves toward its resolution. However, the third part of the novel feels noticeably faster-paced and somewhat rushed compared to the more carefully developed earlier sections. While the conclusion ties together the major narrative threads, it might leave readers wishing for a little more time spent on the emotional fallout and final character developments.

At its heart, this novel is more about Maggie’s journey than about Eldridge. Her transformation from a woman struggling with her past to one grappling with power and corruption is a central theme, making her a fascinating and dynamic character. The book explores how individuals are shaped by their environment and decisions, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of While the Getting Is Good by Matt Riordan from NetGalley and High Period Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While the Getting is Good (2025 )
By Matt Riordan

Hyperion Avenue, 326 pages.

★★★★



While the Getting is Good is a new novel about the Depression era that builds off the now-common knowledge that Prohibition created more crime than it prevented. To its defenders a booze-free nation was supposed to reduce everything from domestic violence to drunk driving and impulse crime. Instead, it created bootleggers, peddlers of poisonous beverages, and illegal speakeasies. Organized crime syndicates arose, each seeking to control the rising demand for contraband alcohol. Even the murder rate went up, as mobs rubbed out rival gangs, cops, and whoever else got in the way.



Prohibition proved nearly impossible to enforce, especially in places like Michigan where Canadian booze was just a short boat ride away. The Mitten State is the setting of Matt Riordan's new novel. It's a tale with more anti-heroes and heroines than virtuous characters.



Eld(ridge) is a Detroit-based fishermen who plucks herring from Lake Huron. He is married to Maggie, an Irish American lass who is both practical and feisty. They have two children, “Doc” and Bea. Eld, a World War One vet, works hard and makes about $1400 a year, decent money back then until the Great Depression hits. Like all fishermen, what he makes isn't what he clears. Fuel costs, repairs, boat payments, groceries, and rent chew away at his income and dropping fish prices make it harder to stay afloat, as do Bea’s school uniforms and donations to the Catholic Church. It's a good year if Eld can pay off his debts and have a little left over.



What would you do if some guy named Leon presented you with a plan that lets you fish to fish and make big money at the same time? All Eld has to do is briefly dock his boat on Sanilac Island, eight miles offshore but on the Canadian side of the watery border with the United states, load cases of whiskey, cover them with his catch, drop off the whiskey at a warehouse, and sell the fish as he normally would.



The usual preference to “while the getting it's good,” is “get out....” It’s another way of saying “if it sounds too good to be true it's not.” Eld realizes this too late., but how do you say no to the high life? Eld gets drawn into dreams beyond his imagination: lobster dinners, Leon's flashy boss Mickey Solomon, rolls of cash, and his sister Georgia. Before you know it, Eld is recruiting his friends, bedding Georgia who is as exotic as Maggie is pragmatic, as is often the case with women who in the parlance of the day would be called “floozies.” Even Doc is attracted to the smuggling business, despite his father's warnings to stay away. Eld and his family are rubes in a (literally) deadly game. What do they know of the Purple Gang, Detroit's big-time crime syndicate that doesn't take kindly to encroachment on what it sees as its turf?



Both Eld and Doc “disappear,” seldom a good thing when dealing with organized crime. In Part II of the novel, the women take over. Maggie initially despises Georgia, but they bond when word reaches them that thugs have made inquiries, a veiled threat the experienced Georgia knows way better than Maggie. Besides, Georgia gets on really well with Bea. Violence stalks them and people die, but Maggie and Georgia pull their own disappearing act by vamoosing to Indiana, then Ohio. The ultimate plan is to head to California.



One of the delights of Riordan’s tale is that it continues to toss unexpected curves. We learn a lot of unexpected things about Maggie, including why she finds it easy to be malleable. She does whatever she thinks is necessary to support Bea; including joining a cult-like religious group, becoming an industrial inspector, and getting sucked into a scheme of her own.



I like historical novels, and enjoyed While the Getting is Good quite a lot. It does have weaknesses though. Riordan runs out of steam and leaves us with an ending that comes off as clichéd and contrived. Some might also find the book’s parallel structures too convenient to be believable. Maggie's transformation also stretches the imagination, as does a Return of the Native-like reappearance. That said, While the Getting is Good is a fine thriller and a goes-down-easy portrait of American working-class life in the early 1930s.



Rob Weir



PS: The Purple Gang was a real crime syndicate.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
While the Getting is Good
Matt Riordan
*Publishes 25 Aug 2025*

I grew up hearing my mom shout for us to “Get while the gettin’s good” as a summons to come eat dinner, so the title of this book struck me from the start.

It’s the 1930’s in cold Michigan, where Eld lives as a fisherman who bites off more than he can chew trying to hustle whiskey across the Canadian border. All he wants is security for his family- a wife and two kids. When the lines between what’s right and what’s easy get a little too muddled, Eld and his wife Maggie lose the family they had and evolve into people they hardly recognize.

This book has a CAPTIVATING premise. Gangs? Prohibition? A family on the run? Morally grey, well, Everyone??? Let’s just say that it didn’t disappoint. The story is told in 3 major sections, by both Eld and his wife. It has vital cliffhangers in the middle of the book that leave you digging through chapters for the answers. It is well written, raw, and full of gripping crime. The characters are relatable and likable (shoutout Georgia). While there are one or two areas that trod a little slower, this book is the perfect fit for anyone interested in historical fiction, complex families, and truly questionable decisions. And the ending- HOW to even explain the ending. Climatic, infuriating, concerning, makes-you-want-to-jump-in-and-interfere.

5 stars! A gritty, emotional rollercoaster set in the Prohibition era. Eld’s decision to turn to rumrunning for a better life spirals into disaster — and the fallout is devastating. This one will stick with you long after you turn the last page. a masterfully written story that explores the high cost of ambition, especially when it’s fueled by desperation. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era gangland wars, this novel follows Eld, a fisherman who, lured by the chance of a better life, steps into the dangerous world of rumrunning. What starts as a fleeting decision for a temporary gain spirals into a nightmare that affects not just him, but his entire family.

Matt Riordan’s writing is rich with atmosphere, pulling you into the cold, unforgiving world of Lake Huron, the tension of gang wars, and the harsh realities of the Depression. The characters are complex and deeply human, especially Eld, whose internal struggles and failures resonate long after the book ends. Maggie, his wife, is a quietly fierce character who navigates unimaginable challenges with strength and grace, even as the world crumbles around her.

The story itself is a heartbreaking journey of loss, survival, and the consequences of seeking a life beyond one’s means. Riordan’s pacing keeps the tension tight, while his emotional depth makes you care about each character's fate. The ending is devastating but profoundly real, showing how the pursuit of a better life can sometimes tear us apart.

Fans of historical fiction with a sharp focus on character and consequences will find While the Getting Is Good a compelling, unforgettable read.

I loved this book. It was right up my alley. I love reading historical fiction that takes place during prohibition and The Great Depression. This was so well written with characters that just came off the page and sat with you a while, to tell you their story.

A story about one family’s journey through a time in history when people were trying to find their way
Through one of the most difficult times America faced. The Depression. We feel the family trying to find their way as they are split by gangsters and a religious cult
The character development is superb. I felt a part of the kitchen table conversations that took place
Gripping and yet poignant

I have discovered a new favorite author. I loved his 1st and now his 2nd! Something about his style of writing is so down home. Weird way to describe it but it's how I feel. Also the subject is not just one person but several. I like the time period of the story. Plus both books are about boats and water. The women had it rough but that's what makes the story great. Struggling with life, work and men.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I love the title! The idiom suggests that there’s a window of opportunity that won’t last forever and readers set off on a mission to discover the nature of this time-sensitive chance.

I knew going in that I needed to expect a risk, and Riordan delivered. I read about a man who pivoted from fisherman to rumrunner to secure his family’s future. The imminent expiration of prohibition, the idea of the risk being temporary, and the dream of a big payout had the main character take a chance on time and opportunity. We all know that the important thing about a risk is knowing when to get out - ideally before ‘the getting is good’ turns bad. This is where Riordan’s storytelling shines. It isn’t pulse-pounding tension. That’s not needed. Readers already know what’s at stake. What Riordan does well is bridge the gap and show us ‘why’. Readers have all had the experience of something sounding too good to be true; Riordan keeps us reading to find out if this is one of those times.

Riordan’s character had an understandable motive and relatable flaws, encouraging me to follow his quest to see if the payout was worth it. If you enjoy Riordan’s style, you’ll want to read this one, too. There’s a great balance between historical fiction and suspense.

I was gifted this copy by Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I really enjoyed this one. I chose it because I enjoyed Riordans debut novel The North Line. This one takes place during Prohibition when Eld a world war 1 veteran tries to make some money to help his family by running whiskey illegally from Canada to the US. He gets in over his head with some local gangsters and then disappears. The second part focuses on his wife’s story as she works to support herself and her daughter after Eld’s disappearance. The third part sees them reunited and there are some big plot points all along the way. There are gangsters, cults, deception and murder. It depicts strong women characters especially Elds wife Maggie and his mistress Georgia and everyone has to get while the getting is good to try and survive a very hard economic time for Americans amidst the Great Depression. This story is about survival, grit, courage and deception. In a fan of this writer and I will continue to read what he writes. My only criticism is the third part could have been fleshed out more. But it had a banger of an ending.