Huey Long was a crook whose main interest in politics was lining his own pockets, but in the process he did a lot of good for the people of Louisiana and his constituents loved him. That’s magnitudes better than the scum in office today.
Maybe not what you’re looking for, but Tim Powers takes historical figures and events and puts a supernatural spin on them. His novels run a wide range of genres from science-fiction to golden age of piracy to cold-war spy thriller.
Gina works the street corner all day. Working for her pimp, she brings home her pay for play.