Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness

William Bernhardt’s NEMESIS: THE LAST CASE OF ELIOT NESS is the latest book to deal with the crimes of the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run. This book has more of a historical feel than Max Allan Collins’ BUTCHER’S DOZEN, at least until it reaches its climax.

Bernhardt uses the real names of the individuals involved and goes more into detail on Ness’ role as Safety Director as well as his family life. The book splits time between the investigation and Ness’s efforts in his new position. It seems to compress the storyline a little more – the case played out over a period of three years and his time in Cleveland went for four more after that.

Bernhardt’s conclusion to the case is even more action-packed than Collins’ (His killer was caught in a closed-room cat-and-mouse interrogation), but it is no less fictional.

The book was a little slow going at first, but it picked up over time. All in all it was a good read – different from Collins, but still true to the spirit of the time. Most importantly, Bernhardt pays tribute to Collins’ discovery of the notes as a key aspect of his novel – this is more than most would do and raises my esteem of this author. I will read more of his books as time permits.