Joseph Hansen (1) (1923–2004)

this was both really well written, and really well thought out, plus it was brave and strong in a way i wasn't expecting. i knew the main character was a gay man, and that in 1970 to write him this way was surprising, but i didn't think that homosexuality would end up being such a key part of the story. that it would feature so heavily and matter so much to the mystery. and for hansen to do that in the first of the series, right out of the gate, not save that until his series and character were established and already well-liked, is both surprising and really brave. and that he did it so well that, even though homosexuality was illegal in 49 states at the time, that this became a popular series, is nothing short of game changing. i hope people read this at the time and started to shift their views, and their understanding. i don't see how they could read this (and presumably the rest of the series) and not be changed.

as to the mystery itself, it's really well done. i was reading it most of the time, thinking, 'why don't more writers do this?' it's so smart, have an insurance claims man investigate and instead of find a murderer, find a person who isn't dead at all. it seemed brilliant to me, and the book clipped along really nicely as well. then it did become a regular murder mystery, which i wasn't thinking would happen at that point, and that ended up working well, too. so many twists that i didn't expect. so many people i was sure had done it that didn't. all around i'm very impressed. the only thing i didn't like was that he ended up sleeping with the 17 year old at the end. that was self-indulgent, i think, and there was no need for it, especially as it was pointed out at different points in the book that it was illegal and also that it would be considered rape. so i really wish he hadn't done that. the author and the character, i mean.

for so many reasons this is such an excellent start to a series and to a character study. the universality of grief, the way he writes about community and belonging and the heartbreaking way his characters have either not lived their truth or have tried to be someone else, or have lived for someone else. this is a really sad, but also really beautiful story.

"His face kept the smile the way an old barn keeps a sign."

describing a house: "It tried to be yellow and managed a sick pale brown."… (mehr)

Naples, FL 2023 #2 - Wow! Plowed through this in no time. Very much enjoyed the calm-demeanored manner in which Dave Brandstetter drove this fast-moving bus! I have read all of the Michael Nava detective books, and since he wrote the forward of this, i figured i would give it a try. Luckily it was his first! Written long before a gay leading character would have been considered a wise move in literary circles. Unexpected twists and turns, which are very good in my book. Looks like i have to go find the rest!! Bravo!… (mehr)