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The Arsenal of Deceit
Detroit, 1941. With the nation on the brink of war, four people unite against the subversive forces that threaten America’s “arsenal of democracy.”
Eva Szabo, a young Hungarian immigrant, goes undercover at the Ford Rouge Assembly plant to expose the company’s illegal campaign of anti-union violence. Her boss, private investigator Elizabeth Waters, infiltrates the city’s pro-Nazi, Christian nationalist groups to root out fifth column treason. Detroit police detective Clarence Brown, part of a segregated squad of Black officers, exposes cynical and deadly schemes to ignite racial violence across the city. And Detective Denny Rankin seeks the links between them all to atone for his part in Detroit’s widespread graft and corruption scandals.
The Arsenal of Deceit recreates a rich historical period with chilling parallels to our own time.
Eva Szabo, a young Hungarian immigrant, goes undercover at the Ford Rouge Assembly plant to expose the company’s illegal campaign of anti-union violence. Her boss, private investigator Elizabeth Waters, infiltrates the city’s pro-Nazi, Christian nationalist groups to root out fifth column treason. Detroit police detective Clarence Brown, part of a segregated squad of Black officers, exposes cynical and deadly schemes to ignite racial violence across the city. And Detective Denny Rankin seeks the links between them all to atone for his part in Detroit’s widespread graft and corruption scandals.
The Arsenal of Deceit recreates a rich historical period with chilling parallels to our own time.
446 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2023
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 25, 2023
“The Arsenal of Deceit” by Donald Levin is a compelling novel set in Detroit, USA. It’s the year 1941 and America is within a blink of entering World War II by declaring war on the Empire of Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Eva Szabó is a Hungarian immigrant, who fled along with her father, Lazlo, and stepbrother to America after her mother was killed during the White Terror in Hungary. Eva, who worked as a clerk at Ford Assembly Plant Hospital was an undercover spy for Elizabeth Waters, a private investigator. Her job was to unearth the company’s illegal anti-union activities and instigated violence against union organizers. The report would eventually be handed to the National Labor Relations Board.
Elsewhere, Detroit police detective, Clarence Brown, is on the path to uncovering a cruel scheme of lies and pretense intended to ignite racially based violence across the city. Another police detective, Denny Rankin, who was earlier involved in the illegal collection of protection money, seeks to make amends for his past criminal record. He’s doing so by trying to join the links of all those involved, exposing the town’s criminal underbelly and saving it from purging the country’s democratic ideals.
Donald Levin masterfully weaves a tapestry with a variety of plots that collectively sum up into one rich storyline. “The Arsenal of Deceit” is certainly a master class of crime writing. It does not come across as a text for simply escapist entertainment as the author also manages to address complex topics rarely discussed through a thickly plotted procedural, thus managing to elevate it above its genre. Absorbing and at times affecting, this is a climactic re-imagining of an uncertain era.
Set against the impending entrance of the United States into the Second World War, the distress and sense of impending calamity underpin the story while managing to captivate a wide range of fans. If you have a penchant for historical whodunits, then this triumphant five-star read from an accomplished writer will have you in your element from the first page to the last.
Elsewhere, Detroit police detective, Clarence Brown, is on the path to uncovering a cruel scheme of lies and pretense intended to ignite racially based violence across the city. Another police detective, Denny Rankin, who was earlier involved in the illegal collection of protection money, seeks to make amends for his past criminal record. He’s doing so by trying to join the links of all those involved, exposing the town’s criminal underbelly and saving it from purging the country’s democratic ideals.
Donald Levin masterfully weaves a tapestry with a variety of plots that collectively sum up into one rich storyline. “The Arsenal of Deceit” is certainly a master class of crime writing. It does not come across as a text for simply escapist entertainment as the author also manages to address complex topics rarely discussed through a thickly plotted procedural, thus managing to elevate it above its genre. Absorbing and at times affecting, this is a climactic re-imagining of an uncertain era.
Set against the impending entrance of the United States into the Second World War, the distress and sense of impending calamity underpin the story while managing to captivate a wide range of fans. If you have a penchant for historical whodunits, then this triumphant five-star read from an accomplished writer will have you in your element from the first page to the last.
August 29, 2023
My father was a member of a tank crew during WWII. He rarely spoke of the war. But he did talk about his hometown’s role in the war effort. On the way home from visiting my grandparents in Detroit, we would pass The Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant on Van Dyke. He said the factory was built by Chrysler and the Army to manufacture tanks like his. Detroit, he said, was “The Arsenal of Democracy.”
Now Donald Levin comes along to provide some fascinating background. “The Arsenal of Deceit” is an absorbing (maybe riveting is a better word given the Detroit locale) novel set in 1941, prior to Pearl Harbor. Before entering the war, patriotism meant different things to different people. Eva Szabó goes undercover at the Ford Rouge Plant to ferret out anti-union violence. Elizabeth Waters, who Eva works for, is a private investigator on the trail of pro-Nazi groups. Clarence Brown is a Black Detroit Police Detective who discovers a dead baby meant to spark a race war. Police Detective Denny Rankin fills in for a fellow detective on a robbery that leads him to Clarence, Elizabeth, Eva, and the web of fifth column, Christian Nationalist, White Supremacist conspirators bent on racial violence, fascism, and keeping America out of the war.
Not only is this an intricately plotted, beautifully written novel, it’s a rich historical document of a time that bears a somewhat chilling resemblance to our own. Levin is calling this part two of his Detroit Quartet. Part one, “Savage City,” is equally compelling, set in Detroit during 1932. As was the case with James Ellroy’s L.A. Quartet, I eagerly await the next installments. The 1950s and 1960s were the time of my youth in Detroit. I can’t wait to see what Levin has to say about it.
Now Donald Levin comes along to provide some fascinating background. “The Arsenal of Deceit” is an absorbing (maybe riveting is a better word given the Detroit locale) novel set in 1941, prior to Pearl Harbor. Before entering the war, patriotism meant different things to different people. Eva Szabó goes undercover at the Ford Rouge Plant to ferret out anti-union violence. Elizabeth Waters, who Eva works for, is a private investigator on the trail of pro-Nazi groups. Clarence Brown is a Black Detroit Police Detective who discovers a dead baby meant to spark a race war. Police Detective Denny Rankin fills in for a fellow detective on a robbery that leads him to Clarence, Elizabeth, Eva, and the web of fifth column, Christian Nationalist, White Supremacist conspirators bent on racial violence, fascism, and keeping America out of the war.
Not only is this an intricately plotted, beautifully written novel, it’s a rich historical document of a time that bears a somewhat chilling resemblance to our own. Levin is calling this part two of his Detroit Quartet. Part one, “Savage City,” is equally compelling, set in Detroit during 1932. As was the case with James Ellroy’s L.A. Quartet, I eagerly await the next installments. The 1950s and 1960s were the time of my youth in Detroit. I can’t wait to see what Levin has to say about it.
July 8, 2023
Donald Levin’s gripping novel, The Arsenal of Deceit, weaves an intricate narrative set in the tumultuous backdrop of Detroit in 1941. The novel is a convergence of audacious characters, each battling the rising tide of Nazi-inspired fifth-column groups determined to shake the foundations of American democracy. A pivotal character is Eva Szabó, an employee of private investigator Elizabeth Waters, whose duties extend to shedding light on anti-union activities led by Harry Bennett, Ford’s Service Department kingpin.
Police investigator Clarence Brown asserts that peace in Detroit, and by extension, the United States, hinges on delivering justice to the marginalized Black community. Though burdened by the weight of his profession, advancing age, and declining health, Brown’s quest for justice remains undeterred.
Is this the harbinger of a collapse of freedom and democracy in America?
One of the aspects that greatly appealed to me is the juxtaposition of fictitious characters within an accurately depicted historical era. The protagonists, with their diverse backgrounds, dreams, and dilemmas, are meticulously intertwined with the pivotal events and societal circumstances of 1941. For instance, Eva’s father, horrified by the persecution of Jews in Europe and the prevalent anti-Semitism in the US, completely renounces his Jewish faith and enrolls Eva in a Catholic school.
Fans of detective fiction will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of investigative proceedings and the relentless pursuit of evidence. The detectives encounter layers of deceptions and complexities, with the truth often obscured behind veils of illusion. The novel touches on an array of themes from different perspectives, including terrorism, discrimination, abuse, murder, kidnapping, racism, romance, unionism, and historical context.
One area where I think the novel could benefit from further development is in its presentation of the momentous dangers unfolding. The narrative occasionally depicts day-to-day activities such as door-knocking and report filing. While these aspects certainly lend authenticity to the investigative process, I think the balance might be adjusted to ensure that these routine tasks do not overshadow the overall sense of tension and suspense integral to the plot.
The Arsenal of Deceit is a compelling study of empathizing with characters spun from the threads of fiction. The novel’s stark portrayal of racial discrimination and the harsh treatment meted out to people of color elicited a potent response from me. Further, Levin’s historically rich narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the potential for improvement in addressing racism and prejudice within the United States. It serves as an inspiring testament: things have improved and can still improve further.
This book, rich in historical detail and brimming with themes of freedom and tolerance, is a must-read for history enthusiasts and advocates for social justice.
Police investigator Clarence Brown asserts that peace in Detroit, and by extension, the United States, hinges on delivering justice to the marginalized Black community. Though burdened by the weight of his profession, advancing age, and declining health, Brown’s quest for justice remains undeterred.
Is this the harbinger of a collapse of freedom and democracy in America?
One of the aspects that greatly appealed to me is the juxtaposition of fictitious characters within an accurately depicted historical era. The protagonists, with their diverse backgrounds, dreams, and dilemmas, are meticulously intertwined with the pivotal events and societal circumstances of 1941. For instance, Eva’s father, horrified by the persecution of Jews in Europe and the prevalent anti-Semitism in the US, completely renounces his Jewish faith and enrolls Eva in a Catholic school.
Fans of detective fiction will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of investigative proceedings and the relentless pursuit of evidence. The detectives encounter layers of deceptions and complexities, with the truth often obscured behind veils of illusion. The novel touches on an array of themes from different perspectives, including terrorism, discrimination, abuse, murder, kidnapping, racism, romance, unionism, and historical context.
One area where I think the novel could benefit from further development is in its presentation of the momentous dangers unfolding. The narrative occasionally depicts day-to-day activities such as door-knocking and report filing. While these aspects certainly lend authenticity to the investigative process, I think the balance might be adjusted to ensure that these routine tasks do not overshadow the overall sense of tension and suspense integral to the plot.
The Arsenal of Deceit is a compelling study of empathizing with characters spun from the threads of fiction. The novel’s stark portrayal of racial discrimination and the harsh treatment meted out to people of color elicited a potent response from me. Further, Levin’s historically rich narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the potential for improvement in addressing racism and prejudice within the United States. It serves as an inspiring testament: things have improved and can still improve further.
This book, rich in historical detail and brimming with themes of freedom and tolerance, is a must-read for history enthusiasts and advocates for social justice.
August 25, 2023
Donald Levin is a master storyteller. His latest novel draws you in from page one as you step through the portal and arrive in Detroit on the cusp of Spring in 1941.
Told through the eyes of three protagonists, I was quickly caught up in the various tensions and conflicts. There were scenes of anti-union violence at Ford Motor, the surge of pro-Nazi influence and the building racial tensions.
Levin went to great lengths researching this project. The mixture of real individuals, especially those pushing their own agendas at this period, along with his fictional cast make this such an intriguing, believable read. The pacing is fast, with excellent dialogue. Levin’s characters are realistic. Even with the threat of entering the world war hanging over their heads, they can still focus on the issues happening in Detroit.
A fantastic job.
Highly recommended.
Told through the eyes of three protagonists, I was quickly caught up in the various tensions and conflicts. There were scenes of anti-union violence at Ford Motor, the surge of pro-Nazi influence and the building racial tensions.
Levin went to great lengths researching this project. The mixture of real individuals, especially those pushing their own agendas at this period, along with his fictional cast make this such an intriguing, believable read. The pacing is fast, with excellent dialogue. Levin’s characters are realistic. Even with the threat of entering the world war hanging over their heads, they can still focus on the issues happening in Detroit.
A fantastic job.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews