Murder, Mobsters, and the Dark Side of Power, with Jeffrey Konvitz

If you remove the rule of law, the dark side of human nature is very powerful—and in this period, there was no law. — Jeffrey Konvitz

In this riveting episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike chats with entertainment attorney, screenwriter, producer, and bestselling author Jeffrey Konvitz—known for The Sentinel and now Circus of Satan. Jeffrey takes us deep into the violent, forgotten history of the Irish mob, the collapse of their political grip, and the rise of organized crime in America. He also reveals the decades-long journey behind writing Circus of Satan, why lawyers make great writers, and what he’s planning next. Fans of Boardwalk Empire, Gangs of New York, or The Godfather—don’t miss this one!

How a Shakespeare essay at Cornell started Jeffrey’s writing journey—despite earning a “D”! The origin story behind his bestselling novel The Sentinel and its surprising success. Why Circus of Satan took 25 years to write and how it bridges a forgotten era of organized crime history. The untold story of how Irish gangs controlled U.S. cities—and how that power ultimately collapsed. The challenges (and rewards) of weaving fictional characters into rigorously researched historical events. The surprising similarities between writing novels and trying complex legal cases. Jeffrey’s advice for anyone pursuing a creative passion—even if it takes decades to complete.

Buy Circus of Satan: Murder, Revenge, and the Rise of Organized Crime