The second book in my Brooklyn 8 Ballo series, City Gone Askew, is pubbing on Wednesday, July 31st. It is the book that my editor publisher calls my best yet in crime fiction. I believe that means her favorite book of mine is still Love in a Time of Hate.
It is set in 1924 Brooklyn, Bushwick to be exact, and focuses on private investigator 8 Ballo. He ended up with this name due to his mother being certain he was going to be a girl to even her brood at four and four, so when he was born a boy, the name Margrit didn’t work. She wrote down the number 8 on the birth form, meaning to change it when her husband returned from being out to sea, but never did.
When Theda Lazar Vogel hires Brooklyn PI 8 Ballo to prove her husband was murdered, he has no idea the can of worms that is about to opened. His investigation leads him into the heart of the Eugenics movement, twists in with the Ku Klux Klan, and finally melds together with the Nazi Party.
8 guessed that she was about thirty, a very attractive thirty in a mysterious, sultry, sort of way. She wore a cloche hat with a brim that allowed her straight black hair to escape down one side of her face. Her lips were a dark red and her eyes brown.
Theda Vogel hires 8 to investigate the mysterious death of her husband. A priceless ancient Aquila—the eagle Roman standard carried into battle 2,000 years ago, was stolen from Karl Vogel when he was killed. This heirloom had been protected by a secret German society through the years and had recently been displaced by the Great War.
Vogel had also been on the board of directors at the Department of Genetics at the Carnegie Institute on Long Island. “The Capital? No, my good man, the offices of the Department of Genetics are just out Long Island in Cold Spring Harbor.
“What is it that Herman Wall is an expert in?” 8 asked.
“Some sort of notion that certain races of people are superior to others, just due to their genes,” Luciano said. “What was it that you called it, Meyer?”
Lansky crossed one leg over another and cleared his throat. “Eugenics,” he said.
How is Herman Wall connected to the death of Karl Vogel? “Thoroughbreds breeding with zebras has only one outcome,” Wall said. “The end of the civilized world.”
And what is the Department of Genetics up to in Cold Harbor? Bettie Young didn’t want to go down to the free clinic and stand in line with a whole bunch of sick people, but the pain in her stomach wasn’t going away. She is a mother, a prostitute, and a singer.
Can Bettie realize her dreams and overcome her poverty? “My name is Fletcher Henderson. My friends call me Smack. I hope you’ll do the same.”
The case of the mysterious accident that claimed Vogel’s life leads 8 to a startling realization.
“You think they’re still performing illegal sterilizations in the city?” 8 asked.
Marty shrugged. Finished his sandwich. Stood up. “If they are, it’d be out to Damnation Island.” He turned and walked off.
Was it all connected, 8 wondered?
The death of Karl Vogel. The theft of the Aquila. Jack Johnson. The Reed-Johnson Immigration Act. The stalking of Asta. The sterilization of Bettie Young. His mind whirled, each of these things leaping forth to be replaced by another, as if underlined in bold on the page. Murder. The secret order of the Batavi. A Roman Legion Standard. Lucky Luciano. Herman Wall. Ronald Dankworth.
Careening down the streets of 1924 Brooklyn, 8 Ballo and his trusted associates race to prevent the unification of three incredibly powerful hate groups that would change the course of history if not stopped.
Bio for Matt Cost
Over the years, Cost has owned a video store, a mystery bookstore, and a gym. He has also taught history and coached just about every sport imaginable.
During those years, since age eight actually, the true passion has been writing. “I Am Cuba: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution” (Encircle Publications, March, 2020) was his first traditionally published novel.
Cost has also written five books in the Mainely Mystery series starting with “Mainely Power” and five books in the Clay Wolfe Trap series starting with “Wolfe Trap”.
Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.
Great teasers.
Thanks!
Loved VELMA GONE AWRY. Looking forward to book 2 in the series!
Fantastic! Thanks much for sharing the love.
Congratulations on the new book, Matt! Great preview!
Thanks, Brenda. Write on!
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