Another Chance to Die is a historical crime novel set in Detroit’s Prohibition-fueled Roaring Twenties. It’s a time of sweeping change, flappers, hot jazz, fast boats, violent gangsters, and corrupt officials. Well-organized criminal gangs are at war with each other. So are the newspapers, spilling ink instead of blood.
A young, crackerjack crime reporter for The Detroit News chases his great ambition—front-page scoops under his byline. He’s already deputized by the county sheriff’s department when he finagles an association with Detroit’s most notorious and murderous criminals: the Purple Gang and their sometime partner, Al Capone. His new insider status brings him career glory, adventure, love, loss, and danger. He’s seen a lot of blood on his beat. Will the next blood on the sidewalk be his?
Another Chance to Die was inspired by the author’s grandfather, Allen J. Nieber, and his exploits as an investigative crime reporter for The Detroit News during Prohibition. In that period Detroit was a lawless epicenter for criminal activity. 75% of Canadian alcohol was smuggled to America across the narrow Detroit River. It was big business in Detroit: estimated at between $215 and $300 Million per year (more than $4 Billion today).Gangland murders, hijackings, kidnappings, extortion, and racketeering rivaled those made legend in books and movies set in1920’s Chicago and New York.
The book is currently in final editing with publication expected in 2024.
Author Claudia Oltean was interviewed by Ed Newman of the blog Ennyman's Territory regarding her book and her connection to the main character.
Thanks for stopping by, be sure to read Chapter One of Book One and Chapter One of Book Two which are available on this website.