Blog Archives
Then Came Four
Then Came Four, by Edward Izzi, is a compelling and gritty portrayal of Detroit in 1964, a time marked by racial tensions, police brutality, and societal upheaval. The novel masterfully interweaves the lives of diverse characters, each representing a facet of Detroit’s complex social landscape. Central to the narrative is the infamous “Big Four” – a group of police officers notorious for their violent tactics, particularly against African Americans. Through their actions, the novel exposes the deep-rooted systemic racism and corruption within the Detroit Police Department, The Big Four’s aggressive enforcement methods, and their eventual trial.
Cynthia Young is a 23-year-old African American prostitute. Cynthia’s harrowing existence on the streets of Detroit, fighting poverty and marginalization, offers a stark contrast to the power wielded by the Big Four. Her character is a heartbreaking representation of those who bore the brunt of the city’s racial and economic disparities.
Author Edward Izzi delves into the community’s response to police brutality, encapsulated in the figure of Moses Abbott, a vocal activist leading the anti-police brutality movement. His efforts to mobilize the community against the Big Four underscore the novel’s theme of resistance and the fight for civil rights. What makes Then Came Four particularly impactful is its vivid depiction of the city’s atmosphere. From the sweltering summer heat to the tense encounters in Detroit’s bars and streets, the setting becomes a character in itself, reflecting the city’s volatility during this period. The story culminates in a dramatic courtroom showdown, bringing a sense of closure to the narrative. However, the novel doesn’t shy away from highlighting the systemic issues that persisted beyond this legal battle, suggesting a continual struggle for justice and equality.
Then Came Four is not just a historical novel; it’s a resonant piece that speaks to ongoing issues in contemporary society. Its raw, unfiltered portrayal of Detroit’s darkest days serves as a powerful reminder of the past and a call to acknowledge and address the underlying issues that still affect many communities today.
Pages: 326 | ASIN : B0CRW11X8F
Dinner At Tony Napoli’s
Edward Izzi’s gripping novel, Dinner at Tony Napoli’s, is an intricate murder mystery set amidst the shadowy backdrop of Chicago’s underworld. The narrative thrusts readers into a labyrinthine plot involving a mob known as the Chicago Outfit, a beloved eatery, and a detective entwined in a conflict of duty and personal ties.
The story revolves around Anthony Sorrentino, the proprietor of Tony Napoli’s, a dining establishment favored by the notorious Chicago Outfit. Sorrentino, a passionate devotee of food and music, is forced to confront a terrifying reality when his restaurant becomes a crime scene. Subsequently arrested, the case lands in the hands of Detective Dennis Romanowski, a figure who shares an almost familial bond with Sorrentino. Romanowski finds himself navigating the murky waters of mob politics in a desperate bid to solve the crime while preserving Sorrentino’s safety.
Dinner at Tony Napoli’s carries readers along at a rapid pace with its engaging narrative and evokes echoes of the cinematic storytelling style reminiscent of The Godfather. The book is teeming with complex elements that may be intriguing to avid readers. Its rich tapestry of interconnected subplots and the continuous introduction of new characters provide an immersive experience, adding layers to the narrative. Furthermore, the shifts between first and third-person perspectives offer a unique storytelling technique that contributes to the distinct feel of the narrative.
Izzi’s novel offers an undoubtedly captivating read. The story delves deep into the world of crime and violence, growing progressively darker as the plot unravels. Dinner at Tony Napoli’s comes as a recommendation for those who appreciate episodic storytelling and are unperturbed by explicit violence. This novel is an enthralling journey into the heart of Chicago’s underworld, showcasing a compelling blend of intricate subplots and dynamic characters.
Pages: 339 | ASIN : B0C8LRKLNQ
Who Could Benefit From Such A Crime
Contracts for Sale follows a reporter and colleagues who investigate a series of murders with no evidence to work off of but a lot of questions. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I have often fantasized while writing about the perfect murder, the perfect crime, where there are no witnesses, no DNA evidence, no surveillance records, and no fingerprints. I’ve often wondered about how such a crime could be committed, and who could benefit from such a crime. It was this line of thinking that led me to believe that if this were possible, it would need to be handled by a group of professionals who would profit from committing such a crime. Thus, the Eradication Inc. corporation was conceived, and CONTRACTS FOR SALE was written.
With so many interesting characters, both good, evil, and those in between, who was your favorite character to write for and why?
I am still attracted to my protagonist characters, especially my reporters like Paul Crawford and Larry McKay. In several books, my favorite egotistical, narcissistic news reporter, Chaz Rizzo will always be a cherished character. Little Tony DiMatteo is my beloved mob guy. He has been inspired by Actor Joe Pesci from GOODFELLAS & CASINO. Criminal Attorney Michael Prescott constantly reappears in my storylines. CPD Detective Phil Dorian is another go-to favorite.
With my books, I have created a ‘CHICAGO STYLE’ community of characters that interact with one another in various storylines, but still create stand-alone novels. With my DETROIT THEMED NOVELS, Johnny Valentino and Mikie Palazzola will always be my favorite DPD detectives.
A reader can pick up any one of my books and jump in, without having to engage in reading a series of novels in any specific order.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As I have said, many readers have often fantasized about performing the perfect murder, the perfect eradication of one’s most evil enemy. It is always nice to create that fantasy and incorporate it into a new story line. Thriller fiction is a means of creating and envisioning your most perfect, most personal acts of retribution and revenge, and CONTRACTS FOR SALE explores those evil intentions.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on several, hopefully will be available soon:
Dinner at Tony Napoli’s, Evil Acts of Contrition and Never Catch a Firefly – these storylines are evolving and changing, so stay tuned!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
How would you like to hire the services of an elite group of professional assassins who will accept the assignment of deleting your most horrific adversary, performing the perfect murder without a trace?
Chicago Sun-Times Reporter Paul Crawford is asked to investigate a series of recent murders he eventually calls the ‘Houdini Victims.’ He begins with the investigation of a corporate executive who vanishes from a parking garage in the Chicago Loop without a trace. The most unusual fact about this crime is that there is no body, no DNA evidence, no surveillance cameras, and no fingerprints. This murder was done by a professional, and neither Crawford nor his Channel Eight reporter buddy, Chaz Rizzo, can figure out who it is.
Mark Stelter, CEO of Eradication, Inc., has found a niche and a marketable demand for those who wish to eliminate their worst enemies. For the price of $99,900, he has a stable of professional killers who can abduct any victim and make them disappear. With the help of his affiliate company, Eco-Green Environmental Consultants, he has the chemicals, the facilities, and the personnel to make any murder victim vanish without a trace. He conducts his covert corporation like any other corporate entity, with a board of directors meeting monthly and dividend declarations to his shareholders.
But when one of the directors attempts to resign, things get complicated. Stelter sends his killers to track down and assassinate the former shareholder. They use a unique apparatus called a ‘bolito,’ instantaneously killing their victims. With a section in the director’s contracts barring them from resigning and signing their death warrants, the shareholders of Eradication Inc. are now getting nervous. Although they are making millions, the shareholders now realize they are risking their lives and can only escape with their deaths.
As the victims vanish, Paul Crawford continues to investigate the environmental company and how they are connected to the recent Chicago murders. With the shareholders of Eradication Inc. wishing to resign and make a deal with the Chicago P.D., Mark Stelter struggles to keep his Board of Directors unified with an iron fist.
It is now only a question of time before either the reporters or the shareholders become the next vanishing victims of Eradication, Inc.
Contracts For Sale
The disappearance of a wealthy CEO, corporate murder, and a ‘stealth’ company Eradication Inc. that operates below the radar providing a sophisticated hitman service: all of this forms the crux of Edward Izzi’s latest crime novel Contracts for Sale. This story begins with a chillingly efficient disposal of a well-dressed corpse in a vat of hydrofluoric acid—the perfect crime that leaves no body, no witnesses, no DNA. Paul Crawford, a journalist, along with the Chicago P.D and a news anchor Chaz Rizzo, work in a friends-and-enemies dynamic to solve the cases of Eradication Inc.’s ‘Houdini Victims’ with no discernible links to each other disappearing throughout the city of Chicago.
The irresistible lure that power and money has, coupled with the desire for revenge and control, is made very clear and is brought out well in this gritty story. Despite the millions that each of the seven shareholders of Eradication Inc. receive every year from the company’s nefarious activities, personal motives compel some of them to put out contracts against their personal enemies—something that the company strictly forbids.
The author does a good job of holding the reader’s attention with his account of the company’s workings, proven in the fact that the reader knows Eradication Inc. to be responsible for the murders within the first few chapters and is still engrossed in the story. The worlds of reporting and policing are de-glamorized in this book, with Crawford and Detective Dorian working to deadlines, reporting to superiors, and playing by the rules, something that is rarely shown in most police thrillers.
Contracts for Sale by Edwrad Izzi expertly combines strong characters, knowledgeable descriptions of Chicago’s geography and its environment, with the various fields of journalism, detectives, the mob underworld, and upscale society to tell a grounded and realistic police procedural story that is thrilling and compelling.
Pages: 334 | ASIN: B0BK4VQ21V
LITERARY TITAN 