The Abduction of Nelly Don

NOVEL: Based on a true story and actual events: It’s December 17, 1931. Millionaire fashion designer, Nell Donnelly, has just left her factory, accompanied by her driver, George. She is on her way home to care for her sick infant son, David. She’s worked extremely hard to get to where she is today. From sewing dresses in a spare room, to a factory filled with over one-thousand employees, Nelly has achieved success by any measure. But these are desperate times. The Great Depression, the effects of the Dust Bowl, has a chokehold on even decent men. Kidnappings are becoming commonplace, with only the more high-profile making the papers. While pulling into her estate’s driveway, armed men block Nelly’s car and take her by force. There are unexpected casualties. However, Nelly has always had a survival instinct. She uses that instinct to find the right moments to escape her captors. But it is more complicated and dangerous than she could ever imagine. Captain Harrison, a copper who needs to redeem himself, makes this case his priority. Her philandering husband Paul, rallies their employees in an effort to find her. Neither of these efforts, on their own, bring Nelly back. Senator Reed, a powerful ally and friend of the Donnellys’, personally steps in to lead the investigation. He was unable to help a close friend, whose son was kidnapped and murdered. He is not used to failure and decides to take extraordinary steps to rescue Nelly. These steps cross him over to the other side. He elicits the support of two Kansas City crime bosses; both requiring quid pro quo in return. This deal with two devils may very well be Reed’s downfall. Twenty-five car loads of hardened gangsters are unleashed and spread out over Kansas City in search of Nell Donnelly. Will their involvement lead to finding her alive, or lead to her demise?