Reviews

It's clear why this is a landmark of the mystery/detective noir genre. I don't usually buy into introductions which tout the author as one of the genre greats (or as a Great American Author) but in this case it was absolutely true.

Prose is blunt, hard-edged. Harsh in places, deeply emotional in others.

It is from 1970, and it shows. Terminology is dated. This is not a negative for me--it's authentic, and history, especially queer history, shouldn't always be made palatable for modern audiences.

I am looking forward to reading the next book ASAP.

Content Warnings

walkie_check's review

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Content Warnings

ominousjorts's review against another edition

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5.0

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did in the end, mostly because of when it was originally published (1970!) and because of horror stories I had heard about perpetually morose LGBT fiction featuring impossibly unfortunate situations designed seemingly to punish the characters.

In comparison this book was an absolute delight. Despite serious themes, it never let itself get lost in the depressive reveries that plague more recent works in the genre. It was fun and silly, a real romp, but it was equally touching, and the problems the characters faced genuinely inspired my sympathy.

I don't want to misrepresent this book. At its heart it is a faintly ridiculous private investigator mystery set in small town California, with a gay principal character. However, it is in my opinion an excellent mystery, and I think I might genuinely be in love with Dave Brandstetter.