Demons

The Nameless Detective investigates the disappearance of a modern-day siren and learns just how destructive illicit affairs can become. By chance, he discovers his own lady love may be stepping out while he's too busy at work to attend to her. Reader Nick Sullivan delivers the detective's narrative in a dry, no-nonsense manner that belies the deep emotion suggested by the text. His tonal choice works, however, due to the novel's first-person point of view. Nameless's personal love troubles stem from his oblivious approach to his own feelings, let alone any anyone else's. Sullivan's pace keeps the plot plowing through the fog of denial, providing a nice contrast that results in a satisfying performance. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

August 2, 1993
The 22nd addition to Pronzini's Nameless Detective library fits securely and gratifyingly into the classic detective story mold. So does the unnamed narrator: a tough, terse, hardworking and honorable PI who isn't very successful. Nameless doesn't like divorce cases, which usually mean chasing down men in the hopes of photographing them in flagrante . Kay Runyon, however, doesn't want her husband caught in bed, but, rather, saved from an obsession. Nameless learns that the object of that obsession, Nedra Merchant, has a string of broken hearts to her credit. As described by her ex-husband and various former lovers, Nedra emerges as manipulative, cold and with a history of dumping men just after they've committed themselves totally to her. But now she has disappeared. Has she fled the ex-con who has been hanging around her house? Has she been abandoned by Kay's feckless husband or become the victim of foul play? And, in a subplot, is Nameless losing his beloved Kerry? Solid detective technique takes Nameless to a gruesome solution that echoes his plight in Shackles . Colorful, gritty characters add depth to this tale from a sure-handed pro.