Loren D. Estleman is a very talented writer. I first stumbled across Mr. Estleman years ago while searching for a good detective novel. I began reading his Amos Walker detective series. Then I found out that he also wrote Western novels. I read a couple of those too. They were very good. Then Loren began writing what he calls his "Detroit" series. These novels follow the birth and growth of the automobile industry along with the city of Detroit. The latest book in the Detroit series is called Thunder City. The book was published by Tom Doherty Associates.

There is a young man named Harlan Crownover. His family makes some of the finest horse drawn carriages in the world. Harlan works at the loading dock area of the Crownover factory in Detroit.He wants to do something different. Harlan wants to team up with Henry Ford and help him make automobiles.

Harlan's family, especially his father Abner, think that the idea is foolish. There is no way that Ford is going to be able to get the public to buy those motorized carriages. Abner does everything he can to discourage Harlan.

Another person interested in Ford's ideas is a man named Big Jim Dolan. The newspaper folks (and a few others) call him the Irish Pope. Big Jim know a lot of people and gets things done. He considers loaning Harlan money to go into business with Ford.

On the darker side of Detroit is Sal Borneo. He is one of those persons of Sicilian heritage who brings a criminal element to Detroit. Rumor has it that Sal is in charge of a lot of Black Hand activity in Detroit. Sal is interested in what Ford may have to offer.

Then there was the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers. This is a group that supposedly hold patents to the automobile. Ford goes to court with them in order not to pay royalties to the Association for each automobile that he manufactures.

The storyline intertwines the lives of Harlan, Big Jim, Sal and Henry Ford. Each man has something that he wants to accomplish. Harlan may get to step out of the shadow of his father and make it on his own. Big Jim Dolan may get the political clout he needs to run the city. And Sal Borneo would be right there with him, taking care of the seamier side of Detroit. And lastly, if things go right, Henry Ford will be able to make the automobiles that the entire world will want to have.

Thunder City is a fine novel about Detroit and the early days of the automobile. Loren D. Estleman once again proves that he is a master at storytelling.

Copyright © 2000 Bruce E. Von Stiers