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Detroit #6
Jitterbug
It is Detroit during World War II, and the U.S. is trying to out-manufacture the Germans and Japanese. Workers have been brought in to replace the men fighting in the war. For the first time Southern whites and blacks are working together. But with the black market, rationing, and the Mafia; Detroit is also a powder-keg. Through this tense world cuts a killer, a self-appointed soldier savaging the defenseless. Lieutenant Zagreb's job is to catch the killer, keep the city from exploding, and save his own troubled soul.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1998
15 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Loren D. Estleman
316 books281 followersLoren D. Estleman is an American writer of detective and Western fiction. He writes with a manual typewriter.
Estleman is most famous for his novels about P.I. Amos Walker. Other series characters include Old West marshal Page Murdock and hitman Peter Macklin. He has also written a series of novels about the history of crime in Detroit (also the setting of his Walker books.) His non-series works include Bloody Season, a fictional recreation of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and several novels and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes.
Series:
* Amos Walker Mystery
* Valentino Mystery
* Detroit Crime Mystery
* Peter Macklin Mystery
* Page Murdock Mystery
Estleman is most famous for his novels about P.I. Amos Walker. Other series characters include Old West marshal Page Murdock and hitman Peter Macklin. He has also written a series of novels about the history of crime in Detroit (also the setting of his Walker books.) His non-series works include Bloody Season, a fictional recreation of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and several novels and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes.
Series:
* Amos Walker Mystery
* Valentino Mystery
* Detroit Crime Mystery
* Peter Macklin Mystery
* Page Murdock Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 25, 2013
I am on an Estleman roll here reading my third book in the Detroit Crime Mystery series back to back to back in the past week. The books are relatively short, in the 250-300 page range, and have been enjoyable reading for me. As the series title suggests, this book is set in Detroit and I lived the first thirty years of my life in southeastern Michigan. This is the sixth book in the series. If this one reads as enjoyably as the others, I may just keep on reading and finish up the seven book series. I think this would be the first time I have actually read an entire series in order. Seven books, seven decades.
Jitterbug is about a group of policemen called the Four Horsemen who work to solve a serial murder case. It is during World War Two and there are shortages of goods and workers; ration coupons are a way of life and someone is willing to murder to get them. Frankie Orr, a mobster, makes an appearance, a character who has a presence in several of the other books in the series. All the auto companies had converted to war production. They built bombers at Willow Run in Ypsilanti and paid a dollar an hour. People came from far off for those jobs.
This book takes us inside the mind of a man who has been diagnosed as mentally ill. He was classified 4F by the draft process, unfit to serve in the military during World War Two. The first paragraph of the book starts with listening to the man
The army psychiatrist who had interviewed him “had diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic with persecutory patterns and delusions of grandeur.” We follow him around has he goes about his daily life, selects his victims and carries out their murders.
The other major focus of Jitterbug is racial tension. This has been an issue in every book in the series.
The serial killer and the civil disturbance come together in a night of violence. We see the destruction caused by mental illness and by racism.
And then it is over.
This is another four star book in the Detroit Crime Mystery series by Loren Estleman.
Jitterbug is about a group of policemen called the Four Horsemen who work to solve a serial murder case. It is during World War Two and there are shortages of goods and workers; ration coupons are a way of life and someone is willing to murder to get them. Frankie Orr, a mobster, makes an appearance, a character who has a presence in several of the other books in the series. All the auto companies had converted to war production. They built bombers at Willow Run in Ypsilanti and paid a dollar an hour. People came from far off for those jobs.
This book takes us inside the mind of a man who has been diagnosed as mentally ill. He was classified 4F by the draft process, unfit to serve in the military during World War Two. The first paragraph of the book starts with listening to the man
When he stood outside himself – as he did most of the time, being an authentic objective – he compared himself to a house cat: ordinary, invisible, the most efficient hunter in civilization.
The army psychiatrist who had interviewed him “had diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic with persecutory patterns and delusions of grandeur.” We follow him around has he goes about his daily life, selects his victims and carries out their murders.
The other major focus of Jitterbug is racial tension. This has been an issue in every book in the series.
News reporter: “We’ve got unconfirmed reports of clashes between whites and Negroes throughout the city since early yesterday evening. Shouldn’t the department be keeping some officers in reserve in case of a full-scale disturbance?”
Police spokesman: “Clashes are nothing new. We’ve got a lot of people up from the Jim Crow South working side by side with colored employees in the plants. We’ve been handling the brawls pretty well so far.”
Reporter: “Two weeks ago the KKK launched a full-scale strike at the Packard plant because three Negroes were promoted. The army had to be brought in to investigate. It doesn’t sound like the police handled that one at all.”
Police spokesman: “The police aren’t going anywhere, Ray. We’ll be right here in town if the Civil War breaks out all over again. Meanwhile we’ve got a psycho killer to put behind bars.”
Reporter: “Version I heard was you gave orders to shoot to kill.”
Police spokesman: You said that, I didn’t.”
The serial killer and the civil disturbance come together in a night of violence. We see the destruction caused by mental illness and by racism.
And then it is over.
At Michigan, he was held up through two light changes by a procession of cars headed for Jefferson, part of a publicized memorial service on Belle Isle for the victims of the riots. It included rattletrap touring cars fills with armband-wearing members of Reverend White’s church and officials Otis Saunders Double V Committee, a Negro community group. Cadillacs and Lincolns containing the junior league wives of automobile manufacturers … and a couple in a battered Model A, colored kid with a face that looked like it was still healing from the events of last month, and his pretty light-colored girlfriend, both dressed in black. Zagreb felt vaguely certain he’d met the young man recently.
It bothered him, not that it should have. He came into contact with so many people in the course of an investigation; nobody could expect him to remember them all. They didn’t all look alike to him. He prided himself on that.
This is another four star book in the Detroit Crime Mystery series by Loren Estleman.
July 27, 2012
It took me a long time to read this book. I kept trying and then getting bored and putting it down. It turned out that the reason I couldn't get into it is because I couldn't care less about the racist white cops who were the focus of the first part of the book. Once I got into the part about the black Littlejohns, I was hooked. I wanted the entire book to be about them...I wanted to hear more about their experiences in Alabama and later in Detroit. I wanted to here what Dwight thought of Ypsilanti. I wanted to know what happened after the last scene in the book. But the stupid white cops kept showing up and boring me to tears. Hell, I even like the serial killer better!
As someone who grew up north of Detroit, I really enjoyed learning about the D in WWII. The city was its own character--living and breathing with people and activities. If you want to learn about a particular place at a particular time--Detroit in 1943--then you might like this book. Likewise, if you would like a peek into our racist past, you will find the story of the Littlejohns interesting (and rather embarrassing...what the fuck was wrong with people?!?!). Or, if you are just a huge Estleman fan (like me!), you will probably enjoy it. Just don't go looking for an indepth mystery with likeable "hero" cops or a deep serial killer plot because you will likely be disappointed.
As someone who grew up north of Detroit, I really enjoyed learning about the D in WWII. The city was its own character--living and breathing with people and activities. If you want to learn about a particular place at a particular time--Detroit in 1943--then you might like this book. Likewise, if you would like a peek into our racist past, you will find the story of the Littlejohns interesting (and rather embarrassing...what the fuck was wrong with people?!?!). Or, if you are just a huge Estleman fan (like me!), you will probably enjoy it. Just don't go looking for an indepth mystery with likeable "hero" cops or a deep serial killer plot because you will likely be disappointed.
May 24, 2020
All of the Detroit series are great books, filled with history, drama, humor, fascinating characters (both real and invented), brilliant dialog, and more. This one in particular deals with early WW2 homeland in Detroit, where the city has been retooled to make weapons of war to fight the Axis instead of automobiles. Rationing and the war are on everyone's minds.
Just at a time when the Detroit Police Department is critically understaffed, a serial killer arises, and things begin to heat up between southern blacks moving to the city for work and southern whites who moved for the same reason. And the "Four Horsemen" of Detroit, the Detroit Racket Squad whose job was to take the most difficult criminal cases and end them, using whatever it takes.
Over time these men became infamous, but their early days depicted here are like warriors in a desperate land facing impossible odds.
A great story told well, and an incredible chapter in the six-part (so far!) saga of Detroit as told by Loren Estleman.
Just at a time when the Detroit Police Department is critically understaffed, a serial killer arises, and things begin to heat up between southern blacks moving to the city for work and southern whites who moved for the same reason. And the "Four Horsemen" of Detroit, the Detroit Racket Squad whose job was to take the most difficult criminal cases and end them, using whatever it takes.
Over time these men became infamous, but their early days depicted here are like warriors in a desperate land facing impossible odds.
A great story told well, and an incredible chapter in the six-part (so far!) saga of Detroit as told by Loren Estleman.
November 25, 2014
Interestingly plotted WWII-era mystery / thriller (killer loose in Detroit home of the term "serial killer"). Accurately depicted history of race relations, police procedures, war facts and figures (heart hurts to remember but things ARE better now). Audio done by Garrick Hagon, is expertly performed in the "newsreel-narration" style of the day increasing the readers sense of the times. Casting includes 3 families (police, a young black family, and the killer's) which the writer brought together surprisingly well. Sexual references and harsh language are not constant, which some (who lived with the WWII generation) may think a "realtime" reference. ©2004(?) Recommended for mystery, thriller, and history buffs.
Like visiting my mom and dad by remembering their time's. Miss them both.
Like visiting my mom and dad by remembering their time's. Miss them both.
May 17, 2009
I enjoyed reading this book for all the Detroit references, of which there were plenty, both historic and geographic. But I'm not crazy about Estleman's writing style, and his main protagonists are the infamous racist ultra-cops of the Detroit Racket Squad. My favorite line from this book: "Detroit was a pretty good old place, ugly as a ticky old hound dog but just as friendly, if you knew just where to scratch it."
May 18, 2018
*** 3.5 ***
Another nice, fun and entertaining book about the old era of Detroit city in the times of World War II and the racial tensions that were affecting those times.
As expected from this author, we'll have a nice plot unfolding, nice characters, well constructed, fun dialogue and narration and more, in all a nice pleasant book.
Will definitely worth some time if you like this style.
Another nice, fun and entertaining book about the old era of Detroit city in the times of World War II and the racial tensions that were affecting those times.
As expected from this author, we'll have a nice plot unfolding, nice characters, well constructed, fun dialogue and narration and more, in all a nice pleasant book.
Will definitely worth some time if you like this style.
May 1, 2020
If I lived in Detroit this novel might have made more of an impression on me, but having never been there, it was basically just another book. Realizing that it is part of a series that is designed to highlight Detroit settings, it still had far too little of the mystery that was supposed to be its centerpiece. Good writing and research, but just average overall.
January 5, 2025
Disclaimer. I love Estleman's historic novels.
They create a wonderful image and scene of Detroit at different times.
I also enjoy his use of different characters to provide different perspectives of the time and events.
The plot is frequently not the best part of the book.
They create a wonderful image and scene of Detroit at different times.
I also enjoy his use of different characters to provide different perspectives of the time and events.
The plot is frequently not the best part of the book.
August 10, 2021
mostly of interest to a Detroiter who graduated from an eastside public high school himself; the throwback language is a bit disturbing even if it is in character for the times
March 25, 2025
I'm liking this history of a particular place in this series of novels.
November 9, 2009
When I announced on a mystery listserv that I'd be reading Estleman's "Novel of Detroit" as my Michigan book, I got an email with some excellent suggestions of books set in other parts of the state with the opinion "Detroit isn't Michigan" or words to that effect. I do intend to read one or two of the suggestions, and with a more contemporary setting, since Detroit in 1943 probably bears even less resemblance to Michigan today.
I'd characterize Jitterbug as a "serial killer thriller," which is far from my favorite type of book; but it's also historical and that went some way to redeeming it for me. The killer is introduced immediately, and in periodic visits to his thoughts and actions we get some insight into the roots of his psychological deviance, but he is in no way made sympathetic. On his trail are Lt. Max Zagreb and his squad, known as the Four Horsemen. They are the Racket Squad of the Detroit PD, and they're involved because the killer seems to be targeting hoarders of ration stamps. The police department is understaffed and filled with 4-Fs and retirees, and Zagreb himself sometimes talks of joining the Navy. Lacking the manpower for a thorough search, Zagreb enlists the help of a local gangster, but the gangster's scenes seem to be put in more as atmosphere and character study that as a way to move the plot along.
In fact, although I enjoyed this book, one could lose sight of the plot in all the atmosphere and historical detail. There must be about a dozen brand names or store names per page; no one ever just checks his watch, it's always a Wittnauer, Timex, Bulova or whatever. There are scenes and even whole subplots that appear to be in the book to give a complete picture of Detroit, 1943. I ended up with a very ambivalent feeling about Jitterbug. Because I enjoy social history, I could appreciate the excellent description of the Great Migration of southern blacks to the northern industrial cities (another subplot with relatively little relevance to the main story, but which has some of the most engaging characters in the book). But the connection (stolen ration stamps) of the gangsters and the African-Americans to the main mystery is rather contrived and in the end leads to nothing. I'd give this book A- for atmosphere and setting, B for characters and C for plot.
I do have to mention one mistake so unnecessary that it took both me and my husband right out of the story. Lt. Zagreb realizes a key element of the killer's m.o. when he walks by a newsstand and sees "the July issue of the Saturday Evening Post" with a Rockwell cover depicting half-dressed boys leaving a forbidden swimming hole. In fact, the Saturday Evening Post, true to its name, continued weekly publication during WWII (as did Life, Time, etc.); and the Norman Rockwell cover cited appeared on the Post in 1921. In most books I'd have been more forgiving of an error like this, but when I was being constantly hammered with brand names of watches, exhaustive descriptions of car models, and the like, it was a little much to take.
I'd characterize Jitterbug as a "serial killer thriller," which is far from my favorite type of book; but it's also historical and that went some way to redeeming it for me. The killer is introduced immediately, and in periodic visits to his thoughts and actions we get some insight into the roots of his psychological deviance, but he is in no way made sympathetic. On his trail are Lt. Max Zagreb and his squad, known as the Four Horsemen. They are the Racket Squad of the Detroit PD, and they're involved because the killer seems to be targeting hoarders of ration stamps. The police department is understaffed and filled with 4-Fs and retirees, and Zagreb himself sometimes talks of joining the Navy. Lacking the manpower for a thorough search, Zagreb enlists the help of a local gangster, but the gangster's scenes seem to be put in more as atmosphere and character study that as a way to move the plot along.
In fact, although I enjoyed this book, one could lose sight of the plot in all the atmosphere and historical detail. There must be about a dozen brand names or store names per page; no one ever just checks his watch, it's always a Wittnauer, Timex, Bulova or whatever. There are scenes and even whole subplots that appear to be in the book to give a complete picture of Detroit, 1943. I ended up with a very ambivalent feeling about Jitterbug. Because I enjoy social history, I could appreciate the excellent description of the Great Migration of southern blacks to the northern industrial cities (another subplot with relatively little relevance to the main story, but which has some of the most engaging characters in the book). But the connection (stolen ration stamps) of the gangsters and the African-Americans to the main mystery is rather contrived and in the end leads to nothing. I'd give this book A- for atmosphere and setting, B for characters and C for plot.
I do have to mention one mistake so unnecessary that it took both me and my husband right out of the story. Lt. Zagreb realizes a key element of the killer's m.o. when he walks by a newsstand and sees "the July issue of the Saturday Evening Post" with a Rockwell cover depicting half-dressed boys leaving a forbidden swimming hole. In fact, the Saturday Evening Post, true to its name, continued weekly publication during WWII (as did Life, Time, etc.); and the Norman Rockwell cover cited appeared on the Post in 1921. In most books I'd have been more forgiving of an error like this, but when I was being constantly hammered with brand names of watches, exhaustive descriptions of car models, and the like, it was a little much to take.
September 21, 2008
This is one of those crime novels where you know "who done it" all along and the question is whether and how he will be caught. Not my favorite plot structure but what I did like very much was Estleman's treatment of race and, especially, his evocation of the feeling of WWII-era Detroit in the days leading up to one of the worst race riots of the time. As some who has studied such riots and that riot in particular, I can say that Estleman captures the feeling of an impending storm that seems to always presage such outbursts of civic violence as well as the confusion felt by people caught up in such events, who have to make decisions about what to do in the context of incomplete and often inaccurate information.
March 31, 2012
Detroit, as prime representative of "the Arsenal of Democracy" in the late spring of 1943, is moving at a fevered pitch in meeting the needs of the war effort. Crime doesn't take a holiday, however, as the local police force, with limited resources, is on a trail of a schizophrenic serial killer masquerading in a U.S. Army Air Forces uniform. At the same time, racial tensions are simmering just below the surface.
Estleman, as in his previous "Detroit Crime Mystery Series" novels, provides a variety of rich, well-defined characters who give the reader a palpable sense of what Detroit was like during the Second World War. The city offers itself here as both stage and narrative.
Estleman, as in his previous "Detroit Crime Mystery Series" novels, provides a variety of rich, well-defined characters who give the reader a palpable sense of what Detroit was like during the Second World War. The city offers itself here as both stage and narrative.
July 1, 2015
Four cops, led by Max Zagreb, are after a serial killer they call Kilroy in WWII era Detroit. Dwight Littlejohn and hs wild brother Earl are up from the Jim Crow South, trying to get by, having landed decent jobs at a Ford factory. Dwight tries to toe the line in the racist city while keeping an eye Earl and Earl’s cute wife. Their murder/racial stories intersect, kinda. But it’s really 2 separate stories, both of which are quite interesting and full of 1940’s social issues like wartime rationing, racial bigotry, police brutality, etc. I generally stick with Estleman's westerns, but this novel is "Very Good Estleman."
August 11, 2014
Gene Krupa, Anita O'Day, WW2, mystery...what's not to like here? Some of my favorite things...My dad was little in Detroit during the riots, but they had a profound impact upon him. Loren Estleman did some great research to write this story, I can't wait to read the others in the series!
June 9, 2015
Good, but not Estleman's best, story of WWII Detroit, a world of violence and race riots. All of the Detroit novels have more description, which slow down the action. I still think the Amos Walker series are the best modern hard-boiled fiction.
April 19, 2016
#6 in the Detroit series.
Detroit novel - 1943, Lt. Zagreb's squad searches for a killer of elderly people suspected of hoarding ration tickets. The background has blacks and rednecks moving north to work in defense plants amid race riots.
Detroit novel - 1943, Lt. Zagreb's squad searches for a killer of elderly people suspected of hoarding ration tickets. The background has blacks and rednecks moving north to work in defense plants amid race riots.
December 10, 2011
Terrific sense of place (Detroit) and time (WWII). I felt I was right there with the Four Horsemen of the Racket Squad trying to catch a serial killer as racial tensions reach the boiling point.
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November 7, 2012A very fun book especially if you are from or live in Detroit. Very entertaining with lots of Detroit history and landmarks.
July 24, 2015
Not bad. I enjoy the historical aspects of Detroit since I live so close. I will have to check out more of these books!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews