Douglas Charles Peake

Arbutus Halethorpe and the Elevator Murders Douglas Charles Peake

Elevator doors open revealing the butchered bodies of Abramo Moretti, a mob hit man, and his porn movie actress girlfriend lying on the floor in pools of blood. They are murdered in the most public of places at the most crowded of events, a New Year's Eve party ringing in 1941. Found in Abramo's wallet is a calling card for private investigator Arbutus Halethorpe. Arby is drawn into the case. He uncovers a new breed of criminal in organized crime: allies of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and participants in the spreading of American fascism. Enter Arby's nemesis, private investigator Sue Sweeney, the cynical, hardboiled widow of a dead copper and every inch Arby's equal. They have an unhealthy past. But Sue has a lead in the case. Adding further complexity is Arby's falling for Fortunata, Moretti's young widow. She fears for her life and has good reason to. A terrifyingly violent killer named Joey Bats is out to silence her and anyone who gets in his way. Add a New Jersey town with a fascist underbelly. Stir in mobsters at war with each other and with American fascists. Put Arby in the middle of it all, with a pinch of him loving a woman with a past of her own, and he is in over his head. He has no choice but to reach out to Sue for help in keeping Fortunata alive while he uncovers the truth behind the mob-fascist war and Abramo's death. Provided Joey Bats doesn't get to him first. The third book of the Arbutus Halethorpe Mysteries.