Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, Straight to the Top follows Hazel, a showgirl whose life is upended after a breakup with gangster Charlie. Taken in by wealthy shipping magnate Ray as his mistress, Hazel finds friendship with the magnate’s chauffeur, Wes. Jealousy, abuse, and old loyalties collide as Hazel rekindles ties with Charlie, and the three devise a high-stakes plan to frame Ray for drug smuggling. As schemes unravel, Hazel discovers that trusting a gangster again may have deadly consequences.
In 1930s Chicago, where gangs and bootleggers control the streets, Hazel—the Queen of Sheba nightclub dancer—struggles to survive after being abandoned by gangster Charlie. Rescued by Ray, a wealthy magnate, she becomes his mistress but soon faces jealousy and abuse when she forms a bond with Wes, Ray’s loyal chauffeur. Reuniting with Charlie brings danger back into her life as the trio plots to frame Ray for drug smuggling. The plan spirals out of control, revealing the painful truth that some people never change—and Hazel must face the cost of trusting the wrong man.
The characters feel alive, the dialogue crackles with authenticity, and the stakes rise beautifully with every chapter. Hazel’s desperate choices and the looming danger around her create an unforgettable reading experience.
Rich in period detail and driven by complex relationships, Straight to the Top delivers suspense, emotion, and a sharp look at loyalty in a world ruled by power. Hazel’s evolution is captivating from the very first page.
A thrilling dive into Chicago’s criminal underworld, written with style and sharp cinematic clarity. Hazel’s entanglement with Ray, Charlie, and Wes is portrayed with compelling tension that keeps the reader fully invested.
