New historical thriller set in 1937 Akron

Historium Press announced the release of a new historical thriller, “Working the Angles,” by Max Willi Fischer. The book was released April 7.

Set in 1937 Akron, the novel follows 18-year-old Dietrich “Deet” Jenkins as he navigates life in the noisy, soot-filled milling department of the Consolidated Rubber Company amid rising labor tensions. During his first night on the job, Deet intervenes in a misunderstanding involving his black trainer and a racist foreman, later helping rescue a co-worker’s mangled hand from a milling machine.

After Deet’s father falls into a mysterious coma, the same foreman offers him a higher-paying opportunity selling the company’s household rubber products door to door. While the role allows him to double his wages, Deet soon learns he is expected to undermine the rubber workers’ union. After confiding in his girlfriend, he quits the position and is unjustly fired, prompting a sit-down strike by plant workers that ultimately restores his job.

As challenges mount, Deet faces turmoil on multiple fronts. His parents are assaulted in their home, his uncle’s drinking problem threatens his business, Parkinson’s disease weakens his father, his brother becomes entangled in criminal activity, and his cousin in Cleveland is involved with the fascist German American Bund. Amid the threat of a major factory strike, Deet becomes involved with a union activist from New York, straining his relationship with his girlfriend.

The FBI later questions Deet regarding suspected communist activity within the plant and offers assistance for his jailed brother in exchange for cooperation. While working with a local council member who is assisting in his brother’s legal defense, Deet discovers he is unknowingly transporting Army-issued Springfield rifles. He learns the council member is leading a local group of white nationalists plotting to overthrow the government. After being knocked unconscious in a warehouse, Deet is rescued when the FBI intervenes and arrests those involved.

Following these events, Deet begins to rebuild his life, reconciling with his girlfriend and pursuing a new career as a draftsman after his drawing skills are recognized by plant supervisors.

“Working the Angles” is available in ebook, hardcover and paperback formats.

Fischer, who grew up in a bilingual household with German immigrant parents, spent nearly 40 years as a classroom teacher at the elementary and middle school levels, teaching subjects including world and American history. His previous works include the historical fiction novel “The Corkscrew App,” published in 2016, and “American Brush-Off,” released in 2020.

Now retired, Fischer enjoys home projects, travel and movies with his wife. More information about the author and his books is available at www.maxwilli.com.