Bones [Hardcover]

The Nameless Detective is referred to that way because Mr. Pronzini never supplies a name until Twospot, several books prior in the series, when police lieutenant Frank Hastings tells what his poker playing friends call Nameless, employing a first name. But it's never acknowledged by Nameless that this is his name . . . so it's probably a nickname. That name is not then used again until much later in the series in Nightshades. In Double, fictional detective Sharon McCone supplies her own nickname for Nameless. You can learn about why Nameless has no name in an author's note in Case File, a collection of short stories that precedes this book in the series.

Mr. Pronzini presents a world in which people take evil actions to further selfish interests, and many innocents struggle because of that selfishness. The police and private investigators suffer along with the victims, for evil-doing has painful consequences for everyone. Mr. Pronzini's plots are complex, yet he provides plenty of clues to help you identify the evil-doer on your own. Despite the transparency of many of the early plots, he successfully uses plot complications to keep the action interesting and fresh. Beginning with Labyrinth, the plots became less simple. In many cases, there are locked room mysteries.

But the reason to read the books is because of the character development for the Nameless Detective. Nameless is a former police officer in San Francisco who collects pulp fiction about tough private detectives. Overcome by the evil he sees as a police officer and drawn to the complex imagery of the strong, silent hero who rights wrongs, Nameless tries to live that role as a private detective. But he has trouble getting clients, and operating as a one-man shop causes him to lead a lonely existence. In his personal life, his career keeps women at a distance. Beginning with Hoodwink, he has a love interest, Kerry Wade, who is the daughter of two ex-pulp authors. Like a medieval knight errant, he sticks to his vows and pursues doing the right thing . . . even when it doesn't pay. At the same time, he's very aware of art, culture and popular trends. And he doesn't like much of what he sees. He's also skeptical about technology, and doesn't want to become a snooper using electronic gadgets. He's a proud Italian in his 50's, could stand to lose some weight, and is really messy. So there's an element of Don Quixote here, too.

The books are also written in a more sophisticated version of the pulp fiction style, employing a better writing style and greater range through language and plot. The whole experience is like looking at an image in a series of mirrors that reflect into infinity.

These books are a must for those who love the noir style and the modern fans of tough detectives with a heart of gold like Spenser . . . and can live without the wise cracks and repartee. Beginning with Scattershot though, the books increasingly contain witty references to early mysteries and their characters.

Nameless is asked to solve an impossible case . . . why a famous pulp author, Harmon Crane, took his own life 35 years earlier. Nameless would normally have passed on such an assignment, but his appreciation for Crane's work makes the difference. In the middle of his research, an earthquake uncovers a skeleton that turns out to be related to the case. There's an eerie sense to the book that makes it chilling. The emotional tension and suspense are very fine.

With very few characters involved, you probably will soon have an idea of who did what to whom and why. But the means will escape you until you hear Nameless's ideas on the subject of how. As usual, Mr. Pronzini shows his mastery for setting up and explaining locked room mysteries.

In the same way that Shakespeare offered comic relief with his fools during tragedies, Mr. Pronzini provides us with his partner, Eberhardt, and his latest flame . . . a sales lady from Macy's named Wanda. Wanda turns out to be owner of a loud and nonstop mouth, an enormous chest and questionable taste in Italian restaurants. After a few drinks, Kerry Wade has enough . . . and the scene plays out to a very satisfactory conclusion. Eb sees the light in the end.

I was reminded of Hamlet as I read this book. "To be or not to be. That is the question." Mr. Pronzini seems to feel instead that "as long as there is life, there's hope" . . . which is a good riposte to Hamlet's famous question.