The Ghosts of Detroit

The hunt for Communists intent on subverting the American Government ensnared Jacob Lieberman in 1952 and Malone Coleman in 1955. Both men found themselves unemployed and scrambling to make ends meet in 1950s Detroit. The intolerance the men experienced due to race and religion was now compounded in the Motor City. Anna Miller is an amateur photographer who cares for a mentally challenged man, while Bridget McManus is a police officer investigating a string of child murders. Fate will bring them into each other’s world as Malone assists a family moving into a segregated neighborhood while Annie attempts to keep her charge away from hateful influences. The discrimination shown toward Jacob leads to a co-worker implicating him in the unsolved murders Officer McManus is looking into. The city is beginning to resemble a powder keg. 

The 1950s were a time of Cold War paranoia and lingering prejudices, and The Ghosts of Detroit deftly captures both in this riveting historical fiction drama. Each character maintains a steady resolve despite various tribulations. Jacob must fight off bigoted co-workers, while Malone defends the right of integration. Anna and Bridget each face down sexism and unwanted advances from prurient men. Each character ponders their place in a rapidly changing city and country. The plot’s pacing is steady throughout the book, and the coda is gratifying.  Author Donald Levin has written a fantastic sequel to his previous exploration of Motown (“The Arsenal of Deceit”). Levin’s fine novel evokes images of the period piece historical drama/mysteries of James Ellroy(Perfidia). This is an A+ book from beginning to end.