Title: The tick of the clock
First published: 1928
Description: The is a police procedural mystery. It is the rare work of pure fiction written by Herbert Asbury, a early 20th century newsman. The work evokes late 1920s Manhattan, and other environs like Chinatown.

 If you like old fashioned mystery stories this may hit the spot. I would class it with Latimore's work. Same sort of grittiness. 

Be advised that like much work of this time, the book dabbles in racism. In this instance, it is the Chinese getting the treatment. Also, to some extent, Italians.
Subjects: Murder mystery, opium, Chinatown, police procedural
Places: Manhattan, NY's Chinatown
Time periods: 1928
LC classification: PZ3.A796 Ti