Machine Guns & Typewriters

by Robert W. Wallace

In 1934, a backyard auto mechanic, his dullard brother, and an M.I.T. graduate fleece the Massachusetts State Police at a Boston auto show when the trio steals a Thompson submachine gun from an exhibit.

Days later, the bandits turn the weapon on hostages used as human shields, while killing two police officers during a bank heist in the sleepy suburb town of Needham.

For the first time in Massachusetts history a machine gun has been used in a crime.

It is yet another job during a ruthless deluge of bloodshed which leaves two more citizens dead and a pair of taxi cab drivers caged in a courtroom surrounded by a legion of vengeful witnesses on the verge of convincing a jury to sentence the friends to death by electrocution.

Mired by political motivation and turmoil within an unorganized police force, tenacious detectives, known as "The Four Aces", find themselves clashing with more than just gangsters.

Now, two rival crime reporters must combine wits to piece together the truth under the weight of competition between the city's mightiest newspapers.

Against them are the tick of time, deficient evidence, and the indifference of cold blooded killers.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery

314 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2023

About the author

Robert W. Wallace is a media broadcast and streaming professional. He has produced content for major events including the Olympics, the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup Finals. For the documentary, "Curt Gowdy: Cowboy at the Mic", Wallace was nominated for a regional Emmy award in the writing category.

"Machine Guns & Typewriters" is his first book.

Reviews

[Olivia Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling

I recently finished "Machine Guns & Typewriters," Robert W. Wallace's debut that intertwines the intense, chilling world of crime with a narrative that's both powerful and well-researched. The story, marked by its engaging flow and vividly developed characters, pulls you into a gritty reality where heroes are everyday people facing extraordinary challenges. A particular excerpt vividly capturing officer McLeod's final moments in a shootout exemplifies the book's ability to convey the brutal realities of violence with a stark intensity. Beyond just a page-turner, the book delves deep into pressing modern issues like gun control and corruption, making it not only relatable but also thought-provoking. Wallace's background as a media executive lends a unique authenticity to the detailed research and storytelling, making this book a compelling read for those interested in the complexities of justice and morality in our society.

[Marcia Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Life of Crime and grief-stricken Families.

As a former Massachusetts resident, this book is a walk down memory lane for me. I grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Fitchburg State College in 2002. A favorite Uncle graduated as a civil engineer from MIT.

I have no love of guns, but I found the history of the Tommy Gun fascinating. The three young men in the story were obsessed with firearms and methodically planned robberies. They had no compunction about murdering anyone who got in their way. These men could have done anything with their lives and instead chose a life of crime. Their legacy, instead, was the overwhelming shock and grief they caused loved ones with their senseless murders.

Marcia Dove, Author of the Maggie McManus Mysteries trilogy - Fatal Field Trip, Campus Casualty, and soon-to-be-published Wedding Woes.

[J. Rose Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic Crime novel

1934 Needham Massachusetts. A violent gang commits armed robbery. Old school police officers track down the men who killed two of their own. Daring investigative reporters follow their own leads to help solve the crime.

Lovingly and painstakingly researched, Wallace’s work of historical crime fiction paints an authentic recreation of a real life crime, the violent thugs who committed it, and the multi-faceted investigation to bring justice to the town.

It also serves as an homage to the lives lost and the aftershocks of change radiating from within a small town, set in motion that day.

[Sbc · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Crime-Historical Fiction- NOIR! Yes please! I LOVED THIS. Rob Wallace captured a time and a place and filled it with a throaty noir voice. Such a great story and a fantastic insight into the rapidly changing American landscape of crime, policing and justice.

What’s next Mr. Wallace?

[Toby Sandblom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thrilling book based on a true story that has been forgotten about but shouldn't be. It is a fast-paced read, while still giving the reader the detailed context they need for deeper understanding of the intricacies of each character's involvement in the events that transpired.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super great! I grew up 30 minutes outside of Worcester, MA and I now live 40 minutes north of Boston. This was well written and an adventure on every page. This book was an absolute blast if you like gangster history. I loved it!

[Ernie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a lot of initial interest in the book because I live in New England and have been to Needham and have driven the neighborhoods in this book. I initially was going to give it 4 stars, but some of the writing style, metaphors, etc, bugged me....so three stars.