Before Gatsby Became Great — there was a
rival.
In Gatsby’s Rival, socialite Jay Gatsby enters Rhode Island’s illicit rum trade, clashing with the scrappy, fearless fisherman-turned-rumrunner Joseph “Foggy Joe” Bucolo.
About Me
Author of Gatsby’s Rival
Richard Guimond is an award-winning screenwriter and novelist whose work is deeply shaped by a life at sea. Beginning his fishing and writing careers at just thirteen, he went from a small skiff to commanding a fleet of 100-foot vessels trapping offshore lobsters on the virgin Continental Shelf. His decades of experience as a deep-sea fisherman and offshore captain have given him a wealth of knowledge, lending authenticity and vivid detail to his adventurous stories.
"Stories have the power to bridge
hearts and inspire change."
About The Book
Step into the roaring twenties with Gatsby’s Rival by Richard Guimond. Jay Gatsby is just beginning his rise, entering Rhode Island’s illicit rum trade, and he’s about to clash with Joseph “Foggy Joe” Bucolo, a scrappy fisherman-turned-rumrunner who won’t give up his waters without a fight.
A tale of ambition, love, and loyalty on the high seas, inspired by decades of real-life seafaring adventure. Discover the story that set the stage for the legend and the man who dared to challenge him.
Read the adventure. Feel the rivalry. Experience Gatsby before he became great.
See What Our Readers
Have to Say
Guimond takes us behind the glamour of Gatsby and into the grit of the sea. The novel’s rich characterizations, clever plotting, and period detail create an immersive world. Seeing Gatsby’s vulnerabilities alongside Foggy Joe’s cunning made for a dynamic, compelling rivalry that adds depth to one of literature’s most iconic figures.
Alexander Pall
As a lifelong fan of maritime stories, I was captivated by the seafaring authenticity in Gatsby’s Rival. Richard Guimond knows the ocean, the thrill of danger, and the camaraderie of men at sea and he brings it all vividly to life. Foggy Joe and his Swamp Yankee gang leap off the page, making this a rare novel where adventure, danger, and human emotion are perfectly balanced.
Diane R.
If you love The Great Gatsby but crave more action, intrigue, and high-stakes adventure, this is the book for you. Guimond’s storytelling is cinematic, his characters unforgettable, and the Prohibition-era setting richly detailed.
Maeve Keiran
Richard Guimond masterfully blends the roaring twenties, Prohibition-era rum-running, and unforgettable characters into a story that feels both authentic and cinematic. Gatsby’s Rival is a prequel that gives us a fresh, bold look at Jay Gatsby while introducing the fearless Foggy Joe Bucolo. I couldn’t put it down!
Austin K.
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