Thinning the Turkey Herd — Robert Campbell

Sleuthing isn't part of the job description, but when it comes to Chicago politics, Irishman Jimmy Flannery, 27th Ward Democratic Precinct Captain and city, sewer inspector, knows where all the bodies are buried. So when an old alderman friend calls on him to check into the disappearance of a drop-dead gorgeous blonde, Flannery walks Chicago's mean streets trying to find her. Tragically, all he finds is her body.

Someone is thinning "the turkey herd" -- that's modeling-racket lingo for the hundreds of gorgeous girls who come to Chicago looking to be "discovered" Most go back home, but this year someone's targeted them for deadly violence. Flannery figures it's up to him to find the killer before more young beauties get sent home in a pine box.