Distinguished Speaker Series | Florida Hustlers, Blue Bloods, and Dreamers: The Rise of the Sunshine State Mafia with L.L. Kirchner
While Meyer Lansky, Lucky Luciano, and Al Capone are often associated with organized crime in Florida, the state's homegrown mafia played an equally significant role in shaping its underworld. Florida's unique criminal landscape even served as the starting point for Joseph Pistone's (aka Donnie Brasco) famous undercover investigation into the Bonanno crime family.
Journalist and author L.L. Kirchner spent years delving into the lives of Florida's larger-than-life figures to write her QUEENPIN CHRONICLES trilogy. Her research reveals a complex tapestry of characters who molded the Sunshine State's identity, from savvy promotional gurus who built the tourism industry to ruthless gangsters who capitalized on Prohibition and seized control of bolita gambling, a Cuban import.
This talk will explore the distinctive historical forces and personalities that defined Florida's criminal underbelly. Kirchner will shed light on how these elements intertwined to create a uniquely Floridian brand of organized crime, distinct from yet connected to the more widely known syndicates.
Whether you're intrigued by true crime, passionate about Florida history, or simply curious about the state's shadowy past, this presentation promises to offer new insights. Join us for an evening that will challenge your perceptions and deepen your understanding of the forces that shaped Florida's colorful and complex history.
About the Presenter:
L.L. Kirchner is an award-winning screenwriter and Pushcart-nominated author whose life and work as an expat in Asia became the basis of two memoirs. Drawing on her eclectic background as a religion editor, dating columnist, and bridal editor, her writing combines humor with 'her discerning eye' (Foreword Reviews)— or, as an NPR interviewer said, her work was 'like Eat, Pray, Love, but funny'—taking on contemporary topics with context. Her work has also appeared in The Washington Post, Salon, and The Rumpus among numerous other outlets.
In 2024, she released her highly anticipated trilogy, the Queenpin Chronicles, starting with her debut novel, Florida Girls. Set in 1940s Florida, this multi-POV suspense story follows an unconventional heroine navigating the criminal underworld and fighting for independence in a male-dominated society. With vivid prose and richly drawn characters, Kirchner shines a light on the patriarchal and self-imposed boundaries women face while celebrating the strength of those who dare to break free.
Funding for this program was sponsored in part by Aloys & Carol Metty and The John & Marilyn Rintamaki Family Charitable Fund.