Centralight

36 centralight winter '10 36 Alumni News centralight summer '14 Author explores Detroit through historical mystery series Sometimes life can off er more plot twists than the typical mystery novel. That was true for D.E. Johnson, '80, who graduated from CMU with his bachelor's degree in special education, but had a dream to become a writer. "I always wanted to write. It was the thing I wanted to do (at CMU), but I became convinced it wasn't practical; I needed to do the practical thing that would pay the bills, so I decided not to pursue it at the time," confesses Johnson, of Kalamazoo. "I love good historical fi ction that takes me to a place I've never been before and helps me learn. I also love smart mysteries that will really pull the story along and keep me entertained and keep me guessing," he says. He created Will Anderson, the fi ctional son of the actual William C. Anderson, the owner of Detroit Electric, an automotive company defunct since 1939. Will has been the hero in all of Johnson's novels – "The Detroit Electric Scheme," "Motor City Shakedown," "Detroit Breakdown" and "Detroit Shuffl e." The novels occur in Detroit circa 1911. Johnson has thrust Will into many historical events of that era: the infancy of the automotive industry, the Detroit mob's rise to power, the infamous Eloise psychiatric hospital and women's suff rage. "I look for topics in Detroit history that interest me. Political corruption is nothing new for Detroit," explained Johnson. "In 1912, almost the entire city council was arrested in a sting operation, which is featured in "Detroit Shuffl e," along with the suff rage issue. The reason suff rage became the topic of this book is that it was a huge topic at the time." He continues: "In 1912, Michigan was a battleground state for universal suff rage and got a great deal of national attention. Women like Jane Addams of Hull House in Chicago – maybe the most infl uential American woman of the day – and Sylvia Pankhurst, famous British suff ragette, came to the Detroit area to speak. The city was split, generally on religious lines – Catholics as no-voters, Protestants as supporters. It was a lively debate, which ended with voter fraud, an unsuccessful recount and a lot of bad feelings." Johnson researched his novels at the Benson Ford Research Center at the Henry Ford Museum and the National Automotive History Collection at the Detroit Public Library. "During my entire life, the city has been in a decline. As I started to do research, I saw what an incredible, vibrant, confi dent city it was. The enthusiasm that leaders had for Detroit at the time – there was such a diff erent feel," he says. "I wanted to communicate the Detroit that was and maybe could be again one day. I thought this might be a good way to do it." "To me, writing is fulfi llment of who I am; it's made just a gigantic change in my life. I'm happier than I've ever been, I feel much more accomplished than I ever did," says Johnson. "I love to write and regardless of whether my publishing career takes off or doesn't, I'll probably be doing it for the rest of my life." • BY KURT ANTHONY KRUG CMU alumna, P.I. "I would say that attending CMU was one of my greatest experiences," Kimberly Downey, '96, says. "My favorite memories would be my wonderful roommates and neighbors from Carey Hall. We all still keep in touch to this day." The private investigator studied criminal justice and social work at CMU and is now the owner of a private investigation fi rm in Grand Rapids. "I initially got into the private investigation industry in the mid-1990s," Downey says. "After eight years, I decided it was time to take the risk and start my own business." Throughout her career as a private investigator, Downey has investigated auto theft, automobile accidents, home invasions, witness interviews, wrongful deaths, sexual harassment and internal business investigations. She also is trained in interrogations, interviewing and Internet investigations as well as being considered an expert in cellular phone forensics. • Chippewas Everywhere invites all alumni to submit their news about employment, educational achievements and family updates at go.cmualum.com/ ChipsEverywhere. You can also upload a photo with your news. For information on alumni chapters and clubs in your area or to see how to host alumni events in your geographic region, check out the Chapter and Club pages under the Engage tab on cmich.edu/alumni. • Check out Chippewas Everywhere

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