The Red Widow: The Scandal that Shook Paris and the Woman Behind it All
- Downloads：8508
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-10-03 17:21:41
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Sarah Horowitz
- ISBN：B0B6Q7LW8J
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Gail
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If you want to learn about a small piece of history that played out in La Bella Epoque France， then read the Red Widow。 Based on a true tale of a women who learns to make the best of her unfortunate marriage， Margeurite Steinhal married the wrong man。 As a result， she had to figure out how to elevate her standard of living and join a society that wasn’t welcoming。 The book gives us her story with its many twists and turns。 Margeurite was a beauty， and a great charmer， and she knew how to get men If you want to learn about a small piece of history that played out in La Bella Epoque France， then read the Red Widow。 Based on a true tale of a women who learns to make the best of her unfortunate marriage， Margeurite Steinhal married the wrong man。 As a result， she had to figure out how to elevate her standard of living and join a society that wasn’t welcoming。 The book gives us her story with its many twists and turns。 Margeurite was a beauty， and a great charmer， and she knew how to get men to give her things she wanted。 She craved attention and wanted someone to take care of her and treat her as her father did。 Unfortunately for her， her father died sudden when she was away leaving her family in disarray and in not a good financial position。 After his death， she marries a man twenty years her senior and moves to Paris。 Once she realizes that her husband can’t really provide for her in the way she wanted， she befriends a friend of her husband who is much more successful and starts to meet the right people in society。Without giving the story away， the time frame is an interesting one in French history。 It covers the Dreyfus affair， attitudes towards Jews， how antisemitism played into the life of Margeurite and how she used its power to her advantage。 In addition ， we get to see French attitudes towards sex， virility and women in general。 Our heroine does have a stint in jail， and a trail。 She works the press to rally her cause and she was way ahead of her time in attitude and manipulation。 A fun read for sure。 。。。more
Holly
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To quote the author in her note， "This is a book about a woman who lied her entire life。" it's an interesting book about Meg Steinheil who I had never heard of before but apparently was quite the focus in Paris in the Belle Epoque。 Having come from a family situation that was out a tad off kilter， she entered a marriage that was contentious。 Throughout her marriage， she wielded her sexuality to climb the social ladder of the day in many interesting ways。 Eventually she became a celebrity though To quote the author in her note， "This is a book about a woman who lied her entire life。" it's an interesting book about Meg Steinheil who I had never heard of before but apparently was quite the focus in Paris in the Belle Epoque。 Having come from a family situation that was out a tad off kilter， she entered a marriage that was contentious。 Throughout her marriage， she wielded her sexuality to climb the social ladder of the day in many interesting ways。 Eventually she became a celebrity though her goal in life was to be a lady in the higher echelons of society。 It's an interesting book about a fascinating woman though it shows show distinctly different social classes were， how people were marginalized， and how the inequalities of that era aren't vastly different from those of today。 The writing was a bit dry in places but I'll grant 4 stars because I think overall this book demonstrated a lot of research and effort to bring Meg to life。 。。。more
Zoe
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Interesting， informative， and memorable！The Red Widow is the compelling story detailing the life， actions， and scandals of Margeurite Steinheil， a woman whose desire， determination， and sexual prowess had her carousing with and engaging in some intimate relationships with some of the most influential people in Paris at the turn of the twentieth century but whose ultimate inability to tell the truth also led to her becoming the prime suspect in the unsolved double murder of her husband and mother Interesting， informative， and memorable！The Red Widow is the compelling story detailing the life， actions， and scandals of Margeurite Steinheil， a woman whose desire， determination， and sexual prowess had her carousing with and engaging in some intimate relationships with some of the most influential people in Paris at the turn of the twentieth century but whose ultimate inability to tell the truth also led to her becoming the prime suspect in the unsolved double murder of her husband and mother。The writing is crisp and precise。 And the novel is a fascinating， well-researched tale of a crime with no quick， straightforward conclusion and a woman whose incredible ability to effortlessly lie and manipulate men， the system， and society may have even allowed her to get away with murder。Overall， The Red Widow is a true crime novel that includes valuable， insightful data into a time and place plagued by elitist mentalities， inequality， prejudices， overindulgence， and a murder investigation riddled with inconsistent behaviours， retracted statements， and little to no concrete evidence。Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Kari
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This was a harrowing read based on a true story of a woman who was called THE RED WIDOW OF PARIS。It was an intense read with how a life that can begin so normally but can go awry and become morally bankrupt after the loss of a beloved father; leaving Meg Steinhall to become a caretaker for her mother， in her young years。When her father died， she lost her biggest enabler and fan that led her to become the woman she was; with confidence， ambition and a drive to not stop until she got what she want This was a harrowing read based on a true story of a woman who was called THE RED WIDOW OF PARIS。It was an intense read with how a life that can begin so normally but can go awry and become morally bankrupt after the loss of a beloved father; leaving Meg Steinhall to become a caretaker for her mother， in her young years。When her father died， she lost her biggest enabler and fan that led her to become the woman she was; with confidence， ambition and a drive to not stop until she got what she wanted。 Her losing her first true love due to her dad’s non-approval was devastating and the two losses combined， taught her to love men for only what they could provide。 She wanted to be a socialite and live the life of the elite。 So despite marrying an artist with neither prestige or money， she used her charms along with her body to climb the ladders to achieve French High Society Status。She uses her influence to blackmail and corrupt anyone in her path and even murder if needed。 She becomes the talk of the people and builds a notoriety that goes from respected to scorned。 Her downfall to disgrace comes when she is accused of killing her husband and mother and arrested for their murder。 But the Red Widow always has a way to manipulate those who surround her and trying to deflect the suspicion onto someone else may just be the come back she needs to rise again。 。。。more
Janilyn Kocher
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A colorful book about a woman who was tawdry， tenacious， and fabricator。A double murder in 1908 would tarnish her reputation for life。 However， she already was notoriously taking lovers before her husband’s and mother’s murders。It’s an interesting examination of a woman’s life， social conventions， and the high price for a girl having fun。Thanks to Sourcebook， Edelweiss， and NetGalley for the early copy。
Rose
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The Red Widow is the story of Meg Steinheil during the early 1900's in Paris。 Meg wanted to be part of upper society。 She did this by having affairs with rich men in high society。 She had them buy her husband's painting so she did not accept the money。 When her husband and mother were found murdered， this upset her world。 Did she murder them or have them murdered or was she innocent？ This was the trial of the century in Paris。I had never heard of Meg and found the story compelling。 Women did not The Red Widow is the story of Meg Steinheil during the early 1900's in Paris。 Meg wanted to be part of upper society。 She did this by having affairs with rich men in high society。 She had them buy her husband's painting so she did not accept the money。 When her husband and mother were found murdered， this upset her world。 Did she murder them or have them murdered or was she innocent？ This was the trial of the century in Paris。I had never heard of Meg and found the story compelling。 Women did not have many choices in this time period and had to find ways to make money without having a job。 This could prove very difficult。Also， if you were in the upper echelons of society life was much easier for you; even in the court system。 You wonder how much after all these years has changed。 It is a very interesting book and I would recommend it。Thank you to #earlyreads， #SarahHorowitz， and #Sourcebooks for a copy of this book。 。。。more
Jean
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Many try to elevate their station in life and Meg is no different。 Coming from a middle-class French family who so wants to be part of Parisian society。 She uses the only tool available to her， her body。 I was looking forward to not only the story but learning more about the Belle Époque。 The story follows Meg's life chronologically， which is fine and good。 About a third of the way through the book， it became extremely redundant and repetitive。 One chapter （17， I believe） was so bad that I sped Many try to elevate their station in life and Meg is no different。 Coming from a middle-class French family who so wants to be part of Parisian society。 She uses the only tool available to her， her body。 I was looking forward to not only the story but learning more about the Belle Époque。 The story follows Meg's life chronologically， which is fine and good。 About a third of the way through the book， it became extremely redundant and repetitive。 One chapter （17， I believe） was so bad that I sped read it。 This would have been a better New Yorker story/article than a full book。 It needs quite a bit of editing。 I have rounded up my 2。5。 Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy。 。。。more
Stacy Moll
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It was very interesting and insightful。 I never realized it was tied into so many other things from this time。
Laura
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Historical true crime in France？ Ok， I'm interested。 That there are photos because this took place just over 100 years ago adds to the story - we can judge for ourselves if Meg was as alluring as rumored and see the scene of the murders。 I also loved that the author doesn't attempt to solve the unsolved， simply pointing out holes in this or that testimony and identifying the rumors as possibly being based in something truthful but still rumors。 The biggest problem was that there were times when Historical true crime in France？ Ok， I'm interested。 That there are photos because this took place just over 100 years ago adds to the story - we can judge for ourselves if Meg was as alluring as rumored and see the scene of the murders。 I also loved that the author doesn't attempt to solve the unsolved， simply pointing out holes in this or that testimony and identifying the rumors as possibly being based in something truthful but still rumors。 The biggest problem was that there were times when there was too much repetition， adding nothing to the story。ARC provided by publisher。 。。。more
Kim McGee
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1889 Belle Epoque ParisThere lived a woman who wanted to be the queen of Parisian society， loved by all especially the powerful and rich men。 She had learned how to use her sex appeal early in life taking lessons from her father who she had more than a close relationship with。 Marguerite Steinheil would marry out of necessity and flaunt her charms to live the life she really craved。 Meg had a range of lovers from the president of France to the richest and most powerful men in government but that 1889 Belle Epoque ParisThere lived a woman who wanted to be the queen of Parisian society， loved by all especially the powerful and rich men。 She had learned how to use her sex appeal early in life taking lessons from her father who she had more than a close relationship with。 Marguerite Steinheil would marry out of necessity and flaunt her charms to live the life she really craved。 Meg had a range of lovers from the president of France to the richest and most powerful men in government but that almost didn't save her from a double murder scandal。 After her mother and husband are found murdered and Meg tied up but unharmed， her accounts of what happened became more absurd and the police failed to turn up any suspects。 Eventually Meg was tried for the murders。 A fascinating and strange story of sex， politics and ambition in a time of great abandon in the city of light awash in sin。 True crime lovers will be all in as will those who appreciate the lengths that women had to go to in order to enjoy the same freedom as men。 My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy。 。。。more
Janalyn Prude
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Meg is 38 and she is looking for her next husband the only problem is her current husband is still alive。 They live in the higher asked alarms of society but they have no money。 She sees rich men to help pay their bills that sometimes her husband even accompanies her but must sit up front with the coachman to give her and her“Date “privacy。 She isn’t a lady of the night she doesn’t charge men to sleep with her， but she does charge them for the food， her rent and anything else she can grift from Meg is 38 and she is looking for her next husband the only problem is her current husband is still alive。 They live in the higher asked alarms of society but they have no money。 She sees rich men to help pay their bills that sometimes her husband even accompanies her but must sit up front with the coachman to give her and her“Date “privacy。 She isn’t a lady of the night she doesn’t charge men to sleep with her， but she does charge them for the food， her rent and anything else she can grift from her generous benefactors。 Now that she’s older and her daughter is a grown she wants a more permanent seat with the upper class and while waiting for her knight in shining armor to show himself her husband and mother get murdered they are found with ropes around their neck and both are dead。 She also has a rope around her neck but is totally alive without a bruise on her body。 She is taken to trial accuse of their murder， but did she do it？ That is the million dollar question。 This book was so good I love historical True Crime and gossip and this one has both。 There isn’t a dull moment in this book I totally loved it and read it all the way through in two days it was so freaking good！ There is nothing better than a scandal amongst the rich and that is exactly what this book is。 Everything was so documented that I don’t believe a detail was left out from her affairs to her marriage it seems like they head commentary on everything and I loved it this is a total five story it was amazing and if you love historical True Crime in scandal you love the red widow it is truly amazing！ I received this book from netGally and the publisher but I am leaving this review totally voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind to dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own。 。。。more
Janet
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It was really fun to meet and talk with the author。 It's an interesting book--it slowed down for me in the middle a bit--but I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot of history。 It was really fun to meet and talk with the author。 It's an interesting book--it slowed down for me in the middle a bit--but I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot of history。 。。。more
Kmulliki
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This is a true story of a "femme fatale" who lead quite a life at the turn of the century in France。 While her story is widely known in France， I had never heard of Meg but will now never forget this story。 It was told chronologically， which worked well for me。 The author also has a depth of knowledge around French history which helped her tell about Meg's life in the context of French cultural norms from the time period。 While I wouldn't go so far as to say the book read like fiction， I do thin This is a true story of a "femme fatale" who lead quite a life at the turn of the century in France。 While her story is widely known in France， I had never heard of Meg but will now never forget this story。 It was told chronologically， which worked well for me。 The author also has a depth of knowledge around French history which helped her tell about Meg's life in the context of French cultural norms from the time period。 While I wouldn't go so far as to say the book read like fiction， I do think it's a very accessible， narrative non-fiction book。 I would recommend this book to those who like true crime and historical fiction。 I read it alongside watching "The Staircase" on Netflix and they worked well together， in a morbid way。 。。。more
Brendan Dowd
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Full review coming soon
Allie
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Told chronologically beginning with Meg’s childhood， this story details the fascinating events of a woman who took Parisian society by storm。 Upending bourgeois traditions and becoming a tabloid sensation， this book covers it all。 Clearly a much researched book， the author tells Meg’s story with limited tangents or personal beliefs slipping through。 The author does a great job at walking the reader through the confusion Meg caused while trying to maintain her image in the press at the height of Told chronologically beginning with Meg’s childhood， this story details the fascinating events of a woman who took Parisian society by storm。 Upending bourgeois traditions and becoming a tabloid sensation， this book covers it all。 Clearly a much researched book， the author tells Meg’s story with limited tangents or personal beliefs slipping through。 The author does a great job at walking the reader through the confusion Meg caused while trying to maintain her image in the press at the height of her popularity。 。。。more
Allie
，
Told chronologically beginning with Meg’s childhood， this story details the fascinating events of a woman who took Parisian society by storm。 Upending bourgeois traditions and becoming a tabloid sensation， this book covers it all。 Clearly a much researched book， the author tells Meg’s story with limited tangents or personal beliefs slipping through。 The author does a great job at walking the reader through the confusion Meg caused while trying to maintain her image in the press at the height of Told chronologically beginning with Meg’s childhood， this story details the fascinating events of a woman who took Parisian society by storm。 Upending bourgeois traditions and becoming a tabloid sensation， this book covers it all。 Clearly a much researched book， the author tells Meg’s story with limited tangents or personal beliefs slipping through。 The author does a great job at walking the reader through the confusion Meg caused while trying to maintain her image in the press at the height of her popularity。 。。。more
Zachary Diehl
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