Motor City Shakedown

Motor City Shakedown starts out like many other mystery romance novels with our hero in a tough situation after having lost his girl and almost his life. Starting fresh doesn't seem to be possible for our anti-hero Will Anderson, the spoiled son of a wealthy electric car baron. Then we find the true grit and substance of D.E.Johnson's novel, the underlying seduction of sounds, smells, personalities and shifting realities of Detroit. Johnson gives the reader not only a look at an early 20th century metropolis on its climb towards an epic peak, but a street level view of the building blocks for so much of what we know today as consumers and residents of great cities. Unlike the mythological now late once great depictions of Detroit, this author shows the underbelly, the good and thrilling along side the sad and dirty that built and maintains industry and urban life. Meanwhile, along for the ride is Will and Elizabeth, solving crime and taking readers on the adventure.

This action-packed book, like The Detroit Electric Scheme, is difficult to put down. Johnson is an amazing storyteller and pays off his first book with this gripping follow-up. Even after finishing the book, the characters, scenes, and vivid descriptions have stayed in my mind. As someone who doesn't normally read historical novels or murder mysteries, I can vouch that this is a book everyone should enjoy, and it's certainly one I want to share. From suspense and tragedy to a redeemed romance, it has something for everyone.

I am officially hooked on the adventures (or mis-adventures) of Johnson's main character Will Anderson. This suspenseful, fast paced, gritty follow up to The Detroit Electric Scheme is a wonderful and engaging read. Much like Johnson's debut, this one was nearly impossible for me to put down! Being a Metro-Detroiter I appreciate the fact that Johnson did his research as the details seem to be quite accurate. The details and descriptions of the landmarks and characters paint a very vivid picture of the seedy side of Detroit around the turn of the century. Johnson's clever use of historical Automotive figureheads (Dodge Brothers, Edsel and Henry Ford, etc...) as characters in Motor City Shakedown just add to the authenticity of this book. As both a Detroiter and someone who works in the Auto Industry this series of books are wonderful reads, and I think Johnson has a bright future! I turned my wife on to The Detroit Electric Scheme, and Motor City Shakedown, and she also can't wait for the next book!