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The Main Media Inc. 2026

✦ Built By Field Office
    The Main

    Montreal's Cultural Directory

    Help us improve! Share your thoughts on how we can make your experience better.

    Leave feedback

    For partnerships and collaborations:

    partnerships@themain.com

    Explore

    • About us
    • Shop
    • Advertise
    • Pitch us

    Connect

    • Instagram
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    Legal

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    • Membership Terms
    • Privacy Policy

    The Main Media Inc. 2026

    ✦ Built By Field Office
      --°C|Friday, March 6, 2026|
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      --°C|Friday, March 6, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.ROYALMOUNT Wants to Be Your Dining Destination for a Whole MonthGet 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
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      Magazine
      Categories
      • Arts & Culture

        Creativity, heritage, and expression.

      • Beyond Montreal

        Travel, adventure, and global perspectives.

      • Design

        The best of Montreal design.

      • Food & Drink

        La bonne bouffe.

      • History

        Stories, lessons, and context.

      • Newsletter

        Our weekly newsletter.

      • See all original stories
      Explore Montreal
      Popular Guides
      • The Best Restaurants in Montreal
      • Best new Restaurants
      • Best Cafés
      • Unique Boutiques
      • Romantic Restaurants
      • Best Bookstores
      • See all Guides
      Neighbourhood
      • Downtown
      • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
      • Mile End
      • Mile-Ex
      • Saint-Henri
      • See All
      Business Type
      • Restaurant
      • Café
      • Boutique / Store
      • Bar
      • Bakery
      • See All
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      • Peel
      • Mont-Royal
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      1. Articles
      2. Arts & Culture

      Montreal: A Nest of Spies During the American Civil War

      The director of the Crave Original documentary Kings of Coke recently sat down with The Main to talk about the release of his latest book, The North Star.

      By Daniel BrombergApril 22, 2023 - Read time: 6 min
      Montreal: A nest of spies during the American Civil War

      Julian Sher is no stranger to storytelling. The Canadian investigative journalist, author and filmmaker has spent decades researching and recounting accounts of our nation's history, often with a focus on its darker, more sinister aspects. His most recent documentary, Kings of Coke, chronicled the dominance of Montreal's West End Gang, an Irish Mafia that became one of the largest criminal organizations in North America.

      Only six months following its release, Sher, 70, has followed up with another fascinating tale of Canadian history, this time with a book entitled The North Star: Canada and the Civil War Plots Against Lincoln, set to hit shelves on April 25. This latest publication uncovers some of the unexpected ways citizens north of the 49th parallel, particularly Montrealers, were involved in the American Civil War — including the eventual manhunt for Abraham Lincoln's assassin.

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      Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

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      1. Articles
      2. Arts & Culture

      Montreal: A Nest of Spies During the American Civil War

      The director of the Crave Original documentary Kings of Coke recently sat down with The Main to talk about the release of his latest book, The North Star.

      By Daniel BrombergApril 22, 2023 - Read time: 6 min
      Montreal: A nest of spies during the American Civil War

      Julian Sher is no stranger to storytelling. The Canadian investigative journalist, author and filmmaker has spent decades researching and recounting accounts of our nation's history, often with a focus on its darker, more sinister aspects. His most recent documentary, Kings of Coke, chronicled the dominance of Montreal's West End Gang, an Irish Mafia that became one of the largest criminal organizations in North America.

      Only six months following its release, Sher, 70, has followed up with another fascinating tale of Canadian history, this time with a book entitled The North Star: Canada and the Civil War Plots Against Lincoln, set to hit shelves on April 25. This latest publication uncovers some of the unexpected ways citizens north of the 49th parallel, particularly Montrealers, were involved in the American Civil War — including the eventual manhunt for Abraham Lincoln's assassin.

      Free account required

      For readers who care about Montreal

      Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

      Independent. Local. Reader-supported. Join 10,000+ Montrealers today.

      or

      Already a member? Sign in

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      Red Bull Heavy Metal's Final Stop Was Its Best One
      Arts & Culture
      Joe Kanzangu

      Red Bull Heavy Metal's Final Stop Was Its Best One

      The Olympic Stadium hosted the snowboard spectacle's Canadian debut—thousands showing up to prove Montreal is as serious a winter city as ever.

      A (Mostly) Spoken History of Casa del Popolo, the Venue That Launched a Thousand Weird Bands
      Arts & Culture
      Kaitlyn DiBartolo

      A (Mostly) Spoken History of Casa Del Popolo, the Venue That Launched a Thousand Weird Bands

      Godspeed You! Black Emperor bassist Mauro Pezzente on 25 years of cheap rent, weirdo music, and keeping the lights on in Mile End.

      Montreal's St. Patrick's Day Parade: A 2026 Guide to the Oldest in Canada
      Arts & Culture
      The Main

      Montreal's St. Patrick's Day Parade: A 2026 Guide to the Oldest in Canada

      The 201st edition runs Sunday, March 22 along De Maisonneuve. Here's the route, the honourees, and the history behind it.

      Red Bull Heavy Metal Took Us From La Bateau Mouche to Afters in the Mile End
      Arts & Culture
      Joe Kanzangu

      Red Bull Heavy Metal Took Us From La Bateau Mouche to Afters in the Mile End

      A private dinner on the water followed by billiards and natty wine: Montreal doing what Montreal does best.

      What to do this weekend (03.05–03.08)
      Arts & Culture
      The Main

      What to Do This Weekend (03.05–03.08)

      From last-chance Montréal en Lumière dinners to 'Cigarette Mom Karaoke' and a 99-cent thrift sale: March 5 to 8, 2026.

      How to Make a Killing Wants to Eat the Rich. It Just Forgets to Bite.
      Arts & Culture
      Gianni Fiasche

      How to Make a Killing Wants to Eat the Rich. It Just Forgets to Bite.

      A stylish, entertaining dark comedy that flirts with big ideas and opts for the quicker laugh.

      The Bulletin: Orange cones as old as you, a new Leonard Cohen TV series, art fairs and flea markets [Issue #21]

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      The Bulletin: Orange Cones as Old as You, a New Leonard Cohen TV Series, Art Fairs and Flea Markets [Issue #21]

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      Red Bull Heavy Metal's Final Stop Was Its Best One
      Arts & Culture
      Joe Kanzangu

      Red Bull Heavy Metal's Final Stop Was Its Best One

      The Olympic Stadium hosted the snowboard spectacle's Canadian debut—thousands showing up to prove Montreal is as serious a winter city as ever.

      A (Mostly) Spoken History of Casa del Popolo, the Venue That Launched a Thousand Weird Bands
      Arts & Culture
      Kaitlyn DiBartolo

      A (Mostly) Spoken History of Casa Del Popolo, the Venue That Launched a Thousand Weird Bands

      Godspeed You! Black Emperor bassist Mauro Pezzente on 25 years of cheap rent, weirdo music, and keeping the lights on in Mile End.

      Montreal's St. Patrick's Day Parade: A 2026 Guide to the Oldest in Canada
      Arts & Culture
      The Main

      Montreal's St. Patrick's Day Parade: A 2026 Guide to the Oldest in Canada

      The 201st edition runs Sunday, March 22 along De Maisonneuve. Here's the route, the honourees, and the history behind it.

      Red Bull Heavy Metal Took Us From La Bateau Mouche to Afters in the Mile End
      Arts & Culture
      Joe Kanzangu

      Red Bull Heavy Metal Took Us From La Bateau Mouche to Afters in the Mile End

      A private dinner on the water followed by billiards and natty wine: Montreal doing what Montreal does best.

      What to do this weekend (03.05–03.08)
      Arts & Culture
      The Main

      What to Do This Weekend (03.05–03.08)

      From last-chance Montréal en Lumière dinners to 'Cigarette Mom Karaoke' and a 99-cent thrift sale: March 5 to 8, 2026.

      How to Make a Killing Wants to Eat the Rich. It Just Forgets to Bite.
      Arts & Culture
      Gianni Fiasche

      How to Make a Killing Wants to Eat the Rich. It Just Forgets to Bite.

      A stylish, entertaining dark comedy that flirts with big ideas and opts for the quicker laugh.

      The Bulletin: Orange cones as old as you, a new Leonard Cohen TV series, art fairs and flea markets [Issue #21]

      Previous

      The Bulletin: Orange Cones as Old as You, a New Leonard Cohen TV Series, Art Fairs and Flea Markets [Issue #21]

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      Major New Jazz Event to Hit the Lachine Canal This May

      Major New Jazz Event to hit the Lachine Canal this May

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      Le Dépanneur

      Shop The Main's Dépanneur. Open 24/7.

      Beau Type Vol. 1

      Beau Type Vol. 1

      $16.00

      Beau Type Vol. 2

      Beau Type Vol. 2

      $16.00

      The Reeds: A Novel [Stamped by Author]

      The Reeds: A Novel [Stamped by Author]

      $24.95

      Shop our Dép!

      See more