Dead Man's Blues

In the summer of 1928, three disturbing events take place in Chicago: a clique of city leaders is poisoned, a white gangster is found mutilated, and a famous heiress vanishes. Pinkerton detectives Michael Talbot and Ida Davis are hired to find the missing heiress, but it proves difficult. Crime scene photographer Jacob Russo embarks on his own investigation, and Dante Sanfelippo is back in Chicago on the orders of Al Capone. As the three parties edge closer to the truth, their lives are threatened.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2021
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

In the scorching summer of 1928, Chicago experienced a series of unsettling events that left the city in turmoil. A group of influential city leaders were poisoned in a luxurious hotel, a white gangster was found brutally mutilated in an alleyway in the Black Belt, and a renowned heiress mysteriously disappeared without a trace. The mother of the missing heiress, desperate to find her daughter, hired Pinkerton detectives Michael Talbot and Ida Davis to assist in the search. However, locating a face that was known throughout the city proved to be a daunting task, and Ida sought the help of her friend Louis Armstrong.

While the police showed minimal interest in the Black Belt murder, crime scene photographer Jacob Russo couldn't shake the image of the dead man from his mind. Determined to uncover the truth, he embarked on his own investigation. Meanwhile, Dante Sanfelippo, a rum-runner and fixer, returned to Chicago on the orders of Al Capone, who suspected a traitor within his ranks and tasked Dante with investigating. However, Dante was dealing with his own personal struggles as he was forced to return to the city he had believed he'd never see again.

As the three parties continued to search for answers, their paths intertwined, and their lives were put in danger. But will any of them be able to find the truth they seek in the heart of Chicago, a city known for its blues, booze, and corruption?

Dead Man's Blues is the captivating second installment in Ray Celestin's award-winning City Blues quartet. It follows the thrilling first book, The Mobster's Lament, and sets the stage for the thrilling conclusion in the third and final book of the series.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 130 x 196 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529065626