A Magical Return to Philadelphia: Walking Through the Pages of My Novel

Midnight & The Wicked, The Vault: The Gilded Secrets of a 1920s Jazz Lounge & Speakeasy

There is something extraordinary about returning to Philadelphia—the city that cradled The Philadelphia Matriarch and continues to whisper inspiration for its sequel, The Matriarch’s Legacy (expected 2026). This trip was a magical blend of nostalgia, research, and rediscovery, as if Florence and William were guiding us through their old haunts and urging us to look a little deeper.

We began with an uneventful direct flight into the city and immediately taxied to The Bellevue Hotel on Broad Street—our beloved Grand Dame. Expecting only to drop our bags, we were met instead with the warmest welcome. A gracious hotelier, Genesis, rolled out the red carpet and offered us an early check-in. It set the tone instantly: this visit was going to be special. Genesis truly was “the beginning” of a beautiful stay, going above and beyond each time we crossed her path.

After settling in, we toured the iconic Bellevue, soaking in the familiar details I had researched so thoroughly while writing the first book. Then we stepped outside to walk through history.

Passing the Union League (“The Club”), we made our way toward City Hall, William Penn keeping watch above the city he shaped. A detour led us into Wanamaker’s, where the world’s largest pipe organ filled the air with Christmas music. The famous light show glittered above us. Nearby was the legendary eagle, and saying “Meet me at the eagle” felt like stepping straight into Philly lore. On our exit we paused to take in the mosaics by Carfagno which shimmered like a cathedral of color, standing proudly in the lobby

A mandatory lunch at Reading Terminal Market refueled us for the journey ahead.

Next stop: Rittenhouse Square, exactly as Florence and William would have experienced it. We even sat on a bench like they once did, watching as workers decorated the Christmas tree for its upcoming lighting.

The day grew more emotional as we continued to The Aldine, now a CVS, yet still holding powerful echoes of the past. Standing across from the old theater where my grandparents first met brought tears to our eyes—proof of how stories, both lived and written, continue to breathe.

Before returning to the hotel, we paused at The Academy of Music, another landmark lifted directly from the pages of The Philadelphia Matriarch.

After a short rest, we set out for an evening at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Though the museum does not appear in the first book, it will come alive in the sequel. And yes—running up the famous steps à la Rocky while humming “Gonna Fly Now” was absolutely required.

Inside, the most poignant moment was standing before Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, radiant and alive.

Outside, the back terrace offered a panoramic masterpiece of its own: Boathouse Row, the Lemon Hill Mansion, Fairmount Park, and the elegant Water Works—a painter’s dream.

The next morning brought swirling snowflakes as we headed toward Independence Hall. With no crowds, we easily visited the Liberty Bell, snapping photos before continuing our whirlwind tour.

We wandered through historic Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the nation, then made our way to Franklin Square—where characters Frances and Jeffrey meet in my novel. We stood where Benjamin Franklin is said to have flown his famous kite, now honored by Isamu Noguchi’s bold, stainless-steel sculpture.

From there we dashed through Chinatown, photographing the vibrant Friendship Archway, and continued toward Chestnut Street in search of the old Horn & Hardart Automat—and found it; thoughtfully imaging Florence and William enjoying a moment together along with coffee and a slice of pie.

But perhaps one of the most joyful moments of the trip was reuniting with childhood friends at Reading Terminal Market. What began as lunch turned into five+ hours of nonstop conversation, laughter echoing through the decades. We picked up right where we left off—over forty years ago. Time is a remarkable thing.

And Then… the Speakeasy

After exploring the Christmas Markets near City Hall, we followed a curiosity that had been tugging at me throughout my research: Midnight & The Wicked, a speakeasy I had only read about but somehow knew would matter to the sequel.

Just steps from our hotel, this subterranean 1920s-inspired world awaited.

At the door, we asked whether a tour might be possible. The kind gatekeeper contacted the owner—and that is how we met Artem, who welcomed us into one of the most unforgettable experiences of our trip.

Down a spiraling marble staircase we went, entering the depths of history. We were greeted at an open vault door—now a coat check—where the past felt startlingly present.

Artem shared the story of the four-year restoration that brought this hidden gem to life. Each room—Midnight, The Vault, The Crimson Theater, and The Wicked—was meticulously crafted to capture the glamour, intrigue, and electricity of Prohibition-era Philadelphia. The original vault was preserved and fully restored, unlike so many others removed throughout the city. Every detail sang with authenticity.

Staff were dressed in period clothing. The lighting, the music, the atmosphere—it all felt like stepping through a time machine. A piano and saxophone duo set the mood, their melodies drifting through the rooms like whispers from 1923.

Artem’s enthusiasm was contagious. His vision was not simply to recreate a bygone era, but to create a place where people of all ages could gather, connect, and share in something extraordinary.

As our tour concluded, he guided us to a VIP area beside the musicians, where we enjoyed exceptional cocktails appropriate to the era. It was unforgettable—generous, immersive, and deeply inspiring.

It will surprise no one that character names, settings, and scenes for The Matriarch’s Legacy were already forming in my mind before we left.

The next morning—our final hours before returning to the airport—we dashed out the door of the hotel determined to find one more location destined to shape the sequel. Just a short walk from our hotel, at 1321 Locust Street, we discovered the legendary haunt of Max “Boo Boo” Hoff, known in his day as the King of the Philadelphia Bootleggers.

This turreted building once housed his infamous Club 21, a speakeasy pulsing with underworld business, high society indulgence, and whispered alliances that shaped an entire era.

Directly across the street stood Hoff’s Sylvania Hotel—now the Arts Condominium—where thirsty guests and notorious figures once crossed paths. It’s said that Al Capone himself spent time there, along with prominent athletes, entertainers, and underworld personalities who moved effortlessly between glamour and danger.

Standing on that corner, looking from the old club to the former hotel, I felt that familiar tingle:

This is it. This is where the past will step onto the page. Philadelphia still had one more secret to share before we said goodbye.

This visit was more than research. It was a return to the roots of a story that has become part of my family legacy. Philadelphia opened its doors—sometimes quite literally—and invited us deeper into the world Florence and William will inhabit in the sequel.

From the Grand Dame to the snowflakes over Independence Hall, from old friendships renewed to a Speakeasy steeped in secrets, this journey filled the creative well in every possible way.

I cannot wait to share what comes next!