Detroit Breakdown

Will Anderson and Elizabeth Hume are called to the vast Eloise Insane Asylum, where Elizabeth's cousin Paul is suspected of murder. The victim, like three others before him, was killed with the "Punjab lasso," the murder weapon of the Phantom of the Opera. Certain of Paul's innocence, they begin an investigation with the help of Detective Riordan. Will has himself committed to the asylum to investigate from the inside, and Elizabeth volunteers at Eloise and questions people outside the asylum. While Will endures horrific conditions in his search for the killer, Elizabeth and Riordan follow the trail of a murder suspect all the way to Kalamazoo, where they realize the killer might still be at Eloise, putting Will in extreme danger. They race back to Detroit, but will they arrive in time to save Will and bring the killer to justice?

About the Author :
D. E. Johnson, a graduate of Central Michigan University, is a history buff who has been writing fiction since childhood. He comes by his interest in automotive history through his grandfather, who was the vice president of Checker Motors. Johnson is also the author of The Detroit Electric Scheme and Motor City Shakedown and lives with his family near Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Review :
"Johnson's excellent third mystery effectively employs parallel first-person narratives to advance an investigation into a creepy murder. Johnson makes the most of the spooky setting." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Johnson's third chronicle of early-1900s Detroit provides a mystery with suspects aplenty and a scary portrait of life in an insane asylum." --Kirkus Reviews "While exposing his characters to sadistic doctors, violent orderlies, and chaotic, frightening madness, Johnson ratchets up the tension as the killer repeatedly eludes capture. The Phantom's unmasking is such a shock that readers will wonder if Elizabeth and Will can ever recover. As suspenseful and twisted as Lehane's Shutter Island (2003) and Lavalle's The Devil in Silver (2012), this taut historical thriller is a definite winner." --Booklist "Johnson's spooky third series entry ensures its place among hot new historicals. His unique take on Detroit in the early 20th century and its burgeoning automotive culture make this entry a perfect crossover selection for historical fiction buffs. The lead characters--chapters alternate between the two narrators--have a checkered and violent past that Johnson fills in nicely for new readers. Recommend for Stefanie Pintoff and Caleb Carr devotees." --Library Journal "Detroit Breakdown is a powerful dark historical noir. Fast-paced from the moment Will enters the asylum, readers will be shocked by the treatment he receives. The serial killer inquiry is superb, but it is the conditions at the Eloise Insane Asylum that grips the audience as D.E. Johnson provides another superb Anderson Motor City Shakedown." --Genre Go Round Reviews "The scenes of Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid." --The New York Times Book Review on Motor City Shakedown "Johnson's vibrant follow-up to The Detroit Electric Scheme delivers razor-sharp depictions of the Motor City. Johnson brings the turbulence and rampant corruption of the era to life through his flawed yet tenacious lead in this worthy successor to his debut." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Motor City Shakedown "If Dennis Lehane was from Detroit, this is the book he'd write. The Motor City was once the most important city in the world, and D. E. Johnson does a masterful job at making that time and place come alive on the page. Motor City Shakedown is as hard and tough and downright noir as anything I've read in recent memory, but it's got a beating heart, too." --Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of The Lock Artist, on Motor City Shakedown "Superb." --National Review on Motor City Shakedown "Johnson's . . . clever weaving of history with intriguing characters makes for an exciting read." --Kirkus Reviews on Motor City Shakedown "The surprise ending leaves you gasping and shaking your head at Johnson's masterful plotting and the menacing tension that forces otherwise good characters to behave despicably. Every bit as powerful as Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series, this gem of a debut showcases an author to watch very closely." --Booklist (starred review) on The Detroit Electric Scheme "An empathetic hero and an abundance of interesting historical detail should keep readers engaged." --Kirkus Reviews on The Detroit Electric Scheme "Full of nonstop action, plot twists and turns, and great insight into the early history of the U.S. car industry, this debut is part coming-of-age tale and part historical mystery. Essential for historical fans." --Library Journal on The Detroit Electric Scheme "Absorbing." --The Seattle Times on The Detroit Electric Scheme Johnson's excellent third mystery effectively employs parallel first-person narratives to advance an investigation into a creepy murder. Johnson makes the most of the spooky setting. Publishers Weekly (starred review) Johnson's third chronicle of early-1900s Detroit provides a mystery with suspects aplenty and a scary portrait of life in an insane asylum. Kirkus Reviews While exposing his characters to sadistic doctors, violent orderlies, and chaotic, frightening madness, Johnson ratchets up the tension as the killer repeatedly eludes capture. The Phantom's unmasking is such a shock that readers will wonder if Elizabeth and Will can ever recover. As suspenseful and twisted as Lehane's Shutter Island (2003) and Lavalle's The Devil in Silver (2012), this taut historical thriller is a definite winner. Booklist Johnson's spooky third series entry ensures its place among hot new historicals. His unique take on Detroit in the early 20th century and its burgeoning automotive culture make this entry a perfect crossover selection for historical fiction buffs. The lead characters--chapters alternate between the two narrators--have a checkered and violent past that Johnson fills in nicely for new readers. Recommend for Stefanie Pintoff and Caleb Carr devotees. Library Journal Detroit Breakdown is a powerful dark historical noir. Fast-paced from the moment Will enters the asylum, readers will be shocked by the treatment he receives. The serial killer inquiry is superb, but it is the conditions at the Eloise Insane Asylum that grips the audience as D.E. Johnson provides another superb Anderson Motor City Shakedown. Genre Go Round Reviews The scenes of Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid. The New York Times Book Review on Motor City Shakedown Johnson's vibrant follow-up to The Detroit Electric Scheme delivers razor-sharp depictions of the Motor City. Johnson brings the turbulence and rampant corruption of the era to life through his flawed yet tenacious lead in this worthy successor to his debut. Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Motor City Shakedown If Dennis Lehane was from Detroit, this is the book he'd write. The Motor City was once the most important city in the world, and D. E. Johnson does a masterful job at making that time and place come alive on the page. Motor City Shakedown is as hard and tough and downright noir as anything I've read in recent memory, but it's got a beating heart, too. Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award winning author of The Lock Artist, on Motor City Shakedown Superb. National Review on Motor City Shakedown Johnson's . . . clever weaving of history with intriguing characters makes for an exciting read. Kirkus Reviews on Motor City Shakedown The surprise ending leaves you gasping and shaking your head at Johnson's masterful plotting and the menacing tension that forces otherwise good characters to behave despicably. Every bit as powerful as Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series, this gem of a debut showcases an author to watch very closely. Booklist (starred review) on The Detroit Electric Scheme An empathetic hero and an abundance of interesting historical detail should keep readers engaged. Kirkus Reviews on The Detroit Electric Scheme Full of nonstop action, plot twists and turns, and great insight into the early history of the U.S. car industry, this debut is part coming-of-age tale and part historical mystery. Essential for historical fans. Library Journal on The Detroit Electric Scheme Absorbing. The Seattle Times on The Detroit Electric Scheme " Johnson's excellent third mystery effectively employs parallel first-person narratives to advance an investigation into a creepy murder. Johnson makes the most of the spooky setting. "Publishers Weekly (starred review)" Johnson's third chronicle of early-1900s Detroit provides a mystery with suspects aplenty and a scary portrait of life in an insane asylum. "Kirkus Reviews" While exposing his characters to sadistic doctors, violent orderlies, and chaotic, frightening madness, Johnson ratchets up the tension as the killer repeatedly eludes capture. The Phantom's unmasking is such a shock that readers will wonder if Elizabeth and Will can ever recover. As suspenseful and twisted as Lehane's "Shutter Island" (2003) and Lavalle's "The Devil in Silver" (2012), this taut historical thriller is a definite winner. "Booklist" Johnson's spooky third series entry ensures its place among hot new historicals. His unique take on Detroit in the early 20th century and its burgeoning automotive culture make this entry a perfect crossover selection for historical fiction buffs. The lead characters--chapters alternate between the two narrators--have a checkered and violent past that Johnson fills in nicely for new readers. Recommend for Stefanie Pintoff and Caleb Carr devotees. "Library Journal" Detroit Breakdown is a powerful dark historical noir. Fast-paced from the moment Will enters the asylum, readers will be shocked by the treatment he receives. The serial killer inquiry is superb, but it is the conditions at the Eloise Insane Asylum that grips the audience as D.E. Johnson provides another superb Anderson Motor City Shakedown. "Genre Go Round Reviews" The scenes of Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid. "The New York Times Book Review on Motor City Shakedown" Johnson's vibrant follow-up to "The Detroit Electric" "Scheme" delivers razor-sharp depictions of the Motor City. Johnson brings the turbulence and rampant corruption of the era to life through his flawed yet tenacious lead in this worthy successor to his debut. "Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Motor City Shakedown" If Dennis Lehane was from Detroit, this is the book he'd write. The Motor City was once the most important city in the world, and D. E. Johnson does a masterful job at making that time and place come alive on the page. "Motor City Shakedown" is as hard and tough and downright "noir" as anything I've read in recent memory, but it's got a beating heart, too. "Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award winning author of The Lock Artist, on Motor City Shakedown" Superb. "National Review on Motor City Shakedown" Johnson's . . . clever weaving of history with intriguing characters makes for an exciting read. "Kirkus Reviews on Motor City Shakedown" The surprise ending leaves you gasping and shaking your head at Johnson's masterful plotting and the menacing tension that forces otherwise good characters to behave despicably. Every bit as powerful as Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series, this gem of a debut showcases an author to watch very closely. "Booklist (starred review) on The Detroit Electric Scheme" An empathetic hero and an abundance of interesting historical detail should keep readers engaged. "Kirkus Reviews on The Detroit Electric Scheme" Full of nonstop action, plot twists and turns, and great insight into the early history of the U.S. car industry, this debut is part coming-of-age tale and part historical mystery. Essential for historical fans. "Library Journal on The Detroit Electric Scheme" Absorbing. "The Seattle Times on The Detroit Electric Scheme"" Praise for D. E. Johnson: "Detroit Breakdown" "Johnson's excellent third mystery effectively employs parallel first-person narratives to advance an investigation into a creepy murder. Johnson makes the most of the spooky setting." --"Publishers Weekly" (starred review) "Johnson's third chronicle of early-1900s Detroit provides a mystery with suspects aplenty and a scary portrait of life in an insane asylum."--"Kirkus Reviews""" "While exposing his characters to sadistic doctors, violent orderlies, and chaotic, frightening madness, Johnson ratchets up the tension as the killer repeatedly eludes capture. The Phantom's unmasking is such a shock that readers will wonder if Elizabeth and Will can ever recover. As suspenseful and twisted as Lehane's "Shutter Island" (2003) and Lavalle's "The Devil in Silver" (2012), this taut historical thriller is a definite winner."--"Booklist""" "Johnson's spooky third series entry ensures its place among hot new historicals. His unique take on Detroit in the early 20th century and its burgeoning automotive culture make this entry a perfect crossover selection for historical fiction buffs. The lead characters--chapters alternate between the two narrators--have a checkered and violent past that Johnson fills in nicely for new readers. Recommend for Stefanie Pintoff and Caleb Carr devotees."--"Library Journal" "Detroit Breakdown is a powerful dark historical noir. Fast-paced from the moment Will enters the asylum, readers will be shocked by the treatment he receives. The serial killer inquiry is superb, but it is the conditions at the Eloise Insane Asylum that grips the audience as D.E. Johnson provides another superb Anderson Motor City Shakedown."--Genre Go Round Reviews "Motor City Shakedown" "The scenes of Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid.""--The New York Times Book Review" """Johnson's vibrant follow-up to "The Detroit Electric""Scheme" delivers razor-sharp depictions of the Motor Praise for D. E. Johnson: "Motor City Shakedown" "The scenes of Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid." "---The New York Times Book Review" """Johnson's vibrant follow-up to "The Detroit Electric""Scheme" delivers razor-sharp depictions of the Motor City. Johnson brings the turbulence and rampant corruption of the era to life through his flawed yet tenacious lead in this worthy successor to his debut." "---Publishers Weekly" (starred review) "If Dennis Lehane was from Detroit, this is the book he'd write. The Motor City was once the most important city in the world, and D. E. Johnson does a masterful job at making that time and place come alive on the page. "Motor City Shakedown" is as hard and tough and downright "noir" as anything I've read in recent memory, but it's got a beating heart, too." ---Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of "The Lock Artist" "Superb." "---National Review" "Johnson's . . . clever weaving of history with intriguing characters makes for an exciting read." "---Kirkus Reviews" "The Detroit Electric Scheme" "The surprise ending leaves you gasping and shaking your head at Johnson's masterful plotting and the menacing tension that forces otherwise good characters to behave despicably. Every bit as powerful as Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series, this gem of a debut showcases an author to watch very closely." "---Booklist" (starred review) "An empathetic hero and an abundance of interesting historical detail should keep readers engaged." "---Kirkus Reviews" "Full of nonstop action, plot twists and turns, and great insight into the early history of the U.S. car industry, this debut is part coming-of-age tale and part historical mystery. Essential for historical fans." "---Library Journal" "Absorbing." "---The Seattle Times" Praise for D. E. Johnson: "Motor City Shakedown" "The scenes of Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid." "---The New York Times Book Review" " " """Johnson's vibrant follow-up to "The Detroit Electric""Scheme" delivers razor-sharp depictions of the Motor City. Johnson brings the turbulence and rampant corruption of the era to life through his flawed yet tenacious lead in this worthy successor to his debut." "---Publishers Weekly" (starred review) "If Dennis Lehane was from Detroit, this is the book he'd write. The Motor City was once the most important city in the world, and D. E. Johnson does a masterful job at making that time and place come alive on the page. "Motor City Shakedown" is as hard and tough and downright "noir" as anything I've read in recent memory, but it's got a beating heart, too." ---Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of "The Lock Artist" "Superb." "---National Review" "Johnson's . . . clever weaving of history with intriguing characters makes for an exciting read." "---Kirkus Reviews" "The Detroit Electric Scheme" "The surprise ending leaves you gasping and shaking your head at Johnson's masterful plotting and the menacing tension that forces otherwise good characters to behave despicably. Every bit as powerful as Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series, this gem of a debut showcases an author to watch very closely." "---Booklist" (starred review) "An empathetic hero and an abundance of interesting historical detail should keep readers engaged." "---Kirkus Reviews" "Full of nonstop action, plot twists and turns, and great insight into the early history of the U.S. car industry, this debut is part coming-of-age tale and part historical mystery. Essential for historical fans." "---Library Journal" "Absorbing." "---The Seattle Times"