Encyclopedia Of Detroit

History buff-turned-author, D.E. Johnson has written several historical mysteries set in early 20th century Detroit. Johnson spent his childhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. He owned a business in Grand Rapids, Michigan for many years, until a self-described midlife crisis pushed him into writing.

In his novels, Johnson weaves in history to present believable street scenes, then-current events, and figures from the era. Will Anderson, the fictional son of Detroit Electric’s real founder William C. Anderson, is the protagonist in his “Detroit Mysteries” series. Johnson’s first book was The Detroit Electric Scheme (2010), a murder mystery surrounding just one of the dozens of actual electric car companies. Motor City Shakedown followed in 2011, featuring the likes of Thomas Edison, Edsel Ford, the Prohibition, morphine addiction, and the notorious Purple Gang. This was followed by Detroit Breakdown in 2012, with Detroit Shuffle released the next year.

His books have appeared on several top crime novel lists, and they have received Michigan Notable book awards. Johnson is married and has three daughters.