THE STORY BEHIND ‘CHICAGO’

“He Had It Coming: Four Murderous Women and the Reporter Who Immortalized Their Stories”

“Chicago The Musical” has played on Broadway for more than 9,600 performances since it premiered on Nov. 14, 1996, yet not many people know the characters of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and others are inspired by real women. Their stories were captured by Tribune reporters including Maurine Watkins, who worked at the newspaper for just eight months in 1924. Watkins drew on her access to women accused of murder inside Cook County Jail to write a three-act play that later became “Chicago.” For the first time in almost a century, see photos of these real women that were discovered by Tribune photo department. This new book also includes original newspaper clippings, Watkins’ stories and new analysis written by Tribune reporter Kori Rumore, film critic Michael Phillips, theater critic Chris Jones and columnists Heidi Stevens and Rick Kogan.

“Summer Cooking: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for Picnics, Patios, Grilling and More.”

Some things just scream summer. A bean salad with sun gold tomatoes. A refreshing backyard lemonade. Caribbean-style garlic shrimp on the grill. “Summer Cooking” is a guide for preparing delicious food that perfectly complements warm summer days. Curated from the Tribune’s extensive database of kitchen-tested recipes, this collection is ideal for anywhere the summer season takes you.