The Mysterious Montague: Hollywood, Golf & Armed Robbery - Doubleday

Step into a Gilded Era of Glamour and Mystery

In this dynamic narrative by Leigh Montville, John Montague emerges as a larger-than-life figure who teetered between tricksterry and legend. Though never a professional, his golf feats were whispered as if they belonged to a magic trick. Correspondingly, his social calendar read like a who’s who of 1930s Hollywood, with friendships among Oliver Hardy, Bing Crosby, Babe Ruth, Howard Hughes, and W. C. Fields. What sets this story apart is the tension between public adoration and private evasiveness; Montague refused to be photographed, a choice that piqued curiosity and added to his mystique.

Then came the moment that changed everything. A Time magazine photographer captured him at a distance, and authorities soon linked him to a criminal matter in upstate New York. The ensuing indictment and sensational trial — known to the era as the trial of the Mysterious Montague — unfolded as a courtroom drama that captivated a nation and highlighted a glittering, precarious era of entertainment and crime.

Leigh Montville crafts a portrait with color, verve, and precise detail. The author, a veteran storyteller with multiple New York Times bestsellers, blends archival moments with vivid scenes that transport readers to the clubs, courses, and courtroom galleries where Montague moved. The book traverses a spectrum from Adirondack bootlegging networks to the glamour of studio lots, offering a panoramic view of a man who could charm a crowd yet kept a private narrative that eluded the camera.

Key experiences you will glimpse in this book

• Celebrity circles and golf lore from the golden age of Hollywood
• Humorous tricks and surprising demonstrations that illustrate Montague’s skill
• Behind-the-scenes stories of media scrutiny, public image, and legal tension
• Historical textures of Prohibition-era Adirondacks and early film culture

Who will enjoy this title

• Historians and sports fans fascinated by legends who defy standard categories
• Readers who relish biographies that fuse glamour, crime, and personal mystery

The Mysterious Montague stands as a lively, richly told doorway into a past that still sparkles with intrigue. It invites readers to weigh possibility against certainty, to savor vivid scenes, and to consider how a single figure can leave an enduring impression on both sport and film history.