[Borrowed from my Public Library]Another of Pronzini's nameless detective novels--a series that has been ongoing for several decades. Has he kept up the intensity with this character? Yes he has! This time he presents three parallel stories that deal with the very dark side of human depravity (hence the title) given through Nameless (he is referred to as Bill), his office exec Tamara, and investigator Jake. Nameless finds mystery in giving his wife's mother a package from a dying acquaintance, which has its dark side. Jake, after a call from his estranged son, investigates a series of gay bashings; while on a routine surveillance, Tamara stumbles into a child kidnapping and is in eminent danger. Her welfare becomes immediate priority for Jake and Bill. Pronzini presents Nameless in the first person (of course), with third person writing for Jake and Tamara; he also gives the POV of the perps.(I'm never too crazy about that). I appreciated the way the tone changed for each different point of view. Even if there hadn't been breaks and the character named (chapter heading) I would have known which character I was with by the language, energy, tone, etc. Each story line shows the different strengths of its character; and even knowing they'll all be okay, the tension in Nightcrawlers was good.
NIGHTCRAWLERS (Private Investigators-San Francisco-Cont) – G+Pronzini, Bill – 32nd in "Nameless" seriesForge, 2005-HardcoverNameless, who is now referred to by his name of Bill, is now the semi-retired partner of the agency. Bill has been called to the deathbed of an acquaintance, Russ Dancer, who gives Bill a package to be given to his mother-in-law after Russ dies. Jake Runyon is tracking down the men who is severely beating gay men, including the partner of Jake's estranged son. Tamara, the third person in the agency, while looking for a deadbeat dad, is kidnapped and taken to a trailer in the woods along with a young girl. It's up to Bill and Jake to find her.*** Interesting characters, and excellent dialogue and sense of place hallmark Pronzini's writing. It is understandable, as "Nameless" gets older, that he can't do as he once did and that Pronzini bring other characters into the agency, but it does dilute the focus. But by taking away the mystique of "Nameless" and telling the various stories of each of the partners, this latest entry doesn't have the same introspection or tension of previous books. That's not to say it's not a good book. It's fast paced and each sub-story is interesting in it's own right. It's not Pronzini at his best, but it's still better than good.
Do You like book Nightcrawlers (2005)?
I think this is my first Nameless detective read. Really enjoyed the book and the characters. Two main plots going on this one: homophobes are running amok and beating gay men in the Castro district – putting them in the hospital. One of the men beaten is Jake Runyon’s son’s partner. Jake decides to unofficially investigate. The other plot starts as a simple collection of child support from a deadbeat by junior partner Tamara Corbin. Tamara goes to a stakeout and disappears! There is a sideline about Bill’s (Nameless) personal life: his wife and mother-in-law that made me yawn, but not too much of it. There was a surprise guest appearance from characters of another of my favorites series: Sharon McCone’s Detective Agency. Fun! I will certainly read more of this series. Kudos to Nick Sullivan who performed the audio version.
—Marca
It’s another day at the office for the nameless detective until his young associate Tamara Corbin disappears while helping him locate a deadbeat dad. His partner, Jake Runyon, also hands his hands full when his estranged son contacts Jake with a request to find the thugs who beat his partner nearly to death. Neither plot is complicated, which is fine because there’s also an interesting subplot involving Nameless’ mother-in-law, plus enough back story to give this novel a lot of depth.Nightcrawlers is one in a long line of Bill Pronzini’s popular Nameless detective series, and now I understand why it’s so successful. As usual, I’m late to the party when it comes to reading well known authors, but I absolutely love Pronzini’s style. He builds story, character, and suspense by using all P.I.s’ points of view (only Nameless is told in first person), and it works terrifically well.Even if I hadn’t heard about Pronzini’s many books and accolades, the first few pages reveal a gifted writer who knows what he’s doing. Now I’ll have to go back to the beginning and find out how the series began. It should be great fun.
—Debra
I'm reading these in reverse order so I know the outcomes in some situations but Pronzini still makes the plot go fast and furious and I was defenseless to the page turning. Tamara is kidnapped by a pedophile along with a child and it's a race against time to save her by Nameless and Jake-this was the best plotline and it just consumes the reader. Jake investigates gay bashing assaults involving his son's companion and Nameless deals with ghosts from the past involving his wife's family. I need to slow down and savor all of these gems.
—Chris
