Raves for Motor City Shakedown!
"Set in Detroit in 1911, 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)
“The scenes of the Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid—and best viewed from the front seat of one of those very snazzy cars.” --Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review
"Violent, suspenseful, and complex, Johnson’s shakedown in Detroit sucks the breath out of readers rushing to the cliff’s edge with Will and Elizabeth. This gritty new series is a good match for James Ellroy and George Pelecanos fans...." --Booklist
"This is a superb violent historical noir that brings to life the Motor City one century ago. The meet-me-in-Detroit story line is fast-paced but it is the cast who makes for a terrific action-packed tale, especially Will. With tidbits of history interwoven to anchor time and place, readers will enjoy riding the Anderson Electric Car driven by D. E. Johnson." --Midwest Book Review
"This is an historical novel immersed in history . . . and Johnson deftly captures the excitement, energy and violence that goes along with the birth of a new era. Because he’s also wonderful at characterization, his novels stay in your mind after you finish them. This is a new author well worth seeking out." --Ann Arbor.com
"(Johnson's) clever weaving of history with intriguing characters makes for an exciting read." –Kirkus Reviews
"Please find "Motor City Shakedown" and read it. You'll enjoy it so much, as will your family. D. E. Johnson writes every bit as well as Michael Connolly...only I think I like his work better. Find out what I mean! 5 electrical, not gaslight stars!" --The Bookish Dame
"The author creates a grounded setting with historical detail that provides a compelling backdrop for all the urban mob warfare. Within, he gives us human drama, loss and even a little romance among the characters that guide the reader through the tumultuous period. Readers looking for an unflinching story, where the harsh realities of people and their times are on display should give this novel a read." --Crime Fiction Lover
"I very highly recommend this book! The writing is excellent with vivid descriptions that will take you back in time and make you feel as if you’re there. The author creates a brilliant, complex, and layered story line that is full of mystery and suspense, with lots of twists. The characters drew me in and really had me rooting for them! I was glued to the pages and couldn’t put the book down. I will definitely be looking for more books from Mr. Johnson in the future!" --Life in Review
"Fans of historical crime fiction will enjoy this series . . . I'm looking forward to Will's further adventures." --Unabridged Chick
"The plot of “Motor City Shakedown” contains many twists and even more shady characters. You'll also meet some historical personages like Edsel Ford, Thomas Edison, and others. The city of Detroit comes alive through its streets, its people and some historical landmarks. But mostly, you believe it all and get immersed in it through the lives of its characters; proofs that D. E. Johnson knows how tell a good story. You will enjoy every page of it. And if you liked Dennis Lehane’s Kenzie & Gennaro series in 1990’s Boston, you’ll love Will & Lizzie in 1910’s Detroit. This is historical crime at its best." --The House of Crime and Mystery
"I assumed that I would not care for the Noir crime fiction genre but this author's writing skills has proven me wrong. I loved this story from the very beginning and thought it was a great walk on the wild side of Detroit. Recommend? Hands down....YES! This was a winning read for me in all ways. Being a Michigan native, the story really came to life because I've seen a lot of the buildings that the author referenced and I know of the streets that he used in this book. He put a lot of time into this story and his research is meticulous. This series is a must-read for those that love Noir crime fiction and would be a great addition to your reading plans!" --Life in the Thumb
"Motor City Shakedown was a fun, wild ride. I loved it for its place as well as for its characters, including Edsel Ford. The novel was based around a fight between two actual gangs and painted a picture for me of the Detroit in which my Grandfather grew up. Once again, I’m glad I leaped before I looked at another Michigan author’s book. My only regret was not reading The Detroit Electric Scheme first, but I can easily rectify that. Excellent Michigan-based reading adventures are the next best thing to being back home again." --The Literate Housewife Review
"MOTOR CITY SHAKEDOWN is the type of book I really enjoy: history and mystery blended so well that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. MOTOR CITY SHAKEDOWN upended all my views about life at the turn of the century. The Detroit of 1911 is the Detroit of Prohibition and, in its worst aspects, the Detroit of 2011. The motor city has been taken down by the disappearance of the auto industry and the poverty continues. This book is a must read for anyone interested in cars or American history." --Murder by Type
"If Dennis Lehane was from Detroit, this is the book he’d write.” -- Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of TheLock Artist
“The scenes of the Motor City, riding high on the industrial wave, are extraordinarily vivid—and best viewed from the front seat of one of those very snazzy cars.” --Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review
"Violent, suspenseful, and complex, Johnson’s shakedown in Detroit sucks the breath out of readers rushing to the cliff’s edge with Will and Elizabeth. This gritty new series is a good match for James Ellroy and George Pelecanos fans...." --Booklist
"This is a superb violent historical noir that brings to life the Motor City one century ago. The meet-me-in-Detroit story line is fast-paced but it is the cast who makes for a terrific action-packed tale, especially Will. With tidbits of history interwoven to anchor time and place, readers will enjoy riding the Anderson Electric Car driven by D. E. Johnson." --Midwest Book Review
"This is an historical novel immersed in history . . . and Johnson deftly captures the excitement, energy and violence that goes along with the birth of a new era. Because he’s also wonderful at characterization, his novels stay in your mind after you finish them. This is a new author well worth seeking out." --Ann Arbor.com
"(Johnson's) clever weaving of history with intriguing characters makes for an exciting read." –Kirkus Reviews
"Please find "Motor City Shakedown" and read it. You'll enjoy it so much, as will your family. D. E. Johnson writes every bit as well as Michael Connolly...only I think I like his work better. Find out what I mean! 5 electrical, not gaslight stars!" --The Bookish Dame
"The author creates a grounded setting with historical detail that provides a compelling backdrop for all the urban mob warfare. Within, he gives us human drama, loss and even a little romance among the characters that guide the reader through the tumultuous period. Readers looking for an unflinching story, where the harsh realities of people and their times are on display should give this novel a read." --Crime Fiction Lover
"I very highly recommend this book! The writing is excellent with vivid descriptions that will take you back in time and make you feel as if you’re there. The author creates a brilliant, complex, and layered story line that is full of mystery and suspense, with lots of twists. The characters drew me in and really had me rooting for them! I was glued to the pages and couldn’t put the book down. I will definitely be looking for more books from Mr. Johnson in the future!" --Life in Review
"Fans of historical crime fiction will enjoy this series . . . I'm looking forward to Will's further adventures." --Unabridged Chick
"The plot of “Motor City Shakedown” contains many twists and even more shady characters. You'll also meet some historical personages like Edsel Ford, Thomas Edison, and others. The city of Detroit comes alive through its streets, its people and some historical landmarks. But mostly, you believe it all and get immersed in it through the lives of its characters; proofs that D. E. Johnson knows how tell a good story. You will enjoy every page of it. And if you liked Dennis Lehane’s Kenzie & Gennaro series in 1990’s Boston, you’ll love Will & Lizzie in 1910’s Detroit. This is historical crime at its best." --The House of Crime and Mystery
"I assumed that I would not care for the Noir crime fiction genre but this author's writing skills has proven me wrong. I loved this story from the very beginning and thought it was a great walk on the wild side of Detroit. Recommend? Hands down....YES! This was a winning read for me in all ways. Being a Michigan native, the story really came to life because I've seen a lot of the buildings that the author referenced and I know of the streets that he used in this book. He put a lot of time into this story and his research is meticulous. This series is a must-read for those that love Noir crime fiction and would be a great addition to your reading plans!" --Life in the Thumb
"Motor City Shakedown was a fun, wild ride. I loved it for its place as well as for its characters, including Edsel Ford. The novel was based around a fight between two actual gangs and painted a picture for me of the Detroit in which my Grandfather grew up. Once again, I’m glad I leaped before I looked at another Michigan author’s book. My only regret was not reading The Detroit Electric Scheme first, but I can easily rectify that. Excellent Michigan-based reading adventures are the next best thing to being back home again." --The Literate Housewife Review
"MOTOR CITY SHAKEDOWN is the type of book I really enjoy: history and mystery blended so well that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. MOTOR CITY SHAKEDOWN upended all my views about life at the turn of the century. The Detroit of 1911 is the Detroit of Prohibition and, in its worst aspects, the Detroit of 2011. The motor city has been taken down by the disappearance of the auto industry and the poverty continues. This book is a must read for anyone interested in cars or American history." --Murder by Type
"If Dennis Lehane was from Detroit, this is the book he’d write.” -- Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of TheLock Artist