If you’re looking for a good way to explore the Northwoods this summer, the new Chad Lewis book, “Wisconsin Road Guide to Gangster Hot Spots” may be good guide.

Lewis will be touring the Northwoods during the next few weeks, visiting public libraries with his presentation. He will be speaking at the Sayner, Eagle River and Manitowish Waters libraries, transporting audiences back to the days when gangsters roamed freely in Wisconsin.

Born and raised in Eau Claire, Lewis didn’t know of Wisconsin’s gangster past when a tire went flat outside Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters. He was in the Northwoods researching another book, “Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations.”

“I popped a tire outside Little Bohemia,” said Lewis. “I went to the lodge after I had the tire changed and the folks asked me if I wanted to see the John Dillinger display. I hadn’t heard of Wisconsin’s gangster history. Mine is a visual presentation, a visual romp through gangster Wisconsin.”

Here’s what Lewis’ press release says, “Put on your zoot suit and follow in the footsteps of America’s most infamous gangsters as they turned the Badger State into the crime state. Filled with deadly bank robberies, explosive shoot-outs, brutal murders and daring kidnappings, this presentation lets the audience discover the grisly locations where gangster history will never die.

“See where Dillinger had his bloody shoot-out with the authorities, where Baby Face Nelson crashed his car, stayed the night and mowed down anyone in his way. See the gangster’s favorite hangouts, where they danced the night away, and where the Barker-Karpis gang disposed of their enemies.”

Chad Lewis is an author, researcher and lecturer on topics of the strange and unusual. Lewis holds a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Lewis has trekked across the world in search of unique and bizarre stories and history.

Lewis has been featured on the Discovery Channel’s “A Haunting,” and ABC’s “World’s Scariest Places.” He is the author of the “Hidden Headlines” series and also co-author of the “Haunted Locations” book series.

“I’m looking for residents to come and share their personal and family gangster stories as well,” said Lewis. He will be at the Plum Lake Public Library at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29. Lewis will visit the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library in Eagle River on Wednesday, June 30 at 2 p.m. July 1st will see Lewis at the Mercer Public Library at 7 p.m. All presentations are free to the public.