Hard Case (Hardcover)

I have been reading Bill Pronzini for over 20 years but somehow never read this one. Pronzini's protagonist titled "The nameless detective" is an endearing staple of modern detective fiction because while we are never told the character's name, he is one of the better developed characters I have ever experienced.

Hardcase begins with a wedding and ends with a honeymoon and in between deals with adoption, rape, racial prejudice, technophobia and the risks involved in knowing too much about your past.

Pronzini's prose blends great character driven drama with excellent descriptions of Nameless's San Francisco and other California locales.

Hardcase marks a new beginning for Nameless in the series, and those who want to understand and appreciate the following Nameless novels must read this one!

The book opens with a delightfully funny description of Nameless's wedding to Kerry Wade. You'll be delighted by this sequence.

Nameless also begins to replace his former partner, Eberhardt, with someone who can help him with computer work. You will find his two interviews with Tamara Corbin to be a great introduction into a great new character for the series.

The case itself is an unusual one for Nameless. He's asked by Melanie Ann Aldrich to find her birth parents. She's just lost her adopted parents, and also just found out that she has been adopted. The laws in California make it hard for her to find out her origins, so she calls on Nameless. Quickly tracking down those who should know, he finds that everyone tells him that some things are best left unsaid. What is the dark secret they are hiding?

In the midst of the case, Nameless finds himself wondering how much of what he learns should be revealed to his client. After finding out that the birth father has no interest in meeting Melanie Ann, Nameless decides to pretend that the father cannot be found. That decision lays the seeds of a terrible tragedy. Before the story's end, even Nameless's new marriage is at risk. This is a gripping story in the best tradition of noir detective fiction.

The threat and action in this story are compelling. I read quite quickly . . . but not as quickly as I wanted to in this case. My heart was pounding rapidly as I raced to the end.

I don't recall reading a story this gut wrenching in a long time. As I finished the story, I was reminded of how fragile all of our lives are.

His case is easy, simple and won't take long. Uh, oh. Forget about long. A case of him trying to find the birth parents of an adopted woman becomes more complex than you would think. No one wants to talk about it and Nameless finds himself up a wall that will lead to more trouble and impact on this newlywed's bride.

Pronzini spins a tale in which some things are best left alone. Nameless is also challenged to come into the 20th century with computers and an assistant who can stand toe to toe with our aging investigator. This was a delightful story in seeing a man set in his ways coming to terms with the needed changes in his life. It is also a story that makes you wonder if there are some information in one's life that should be kept secret. Find out as you read this enjoyable Nameless thriller.