This is my first book by Bill Pronzini and I really wasn't impressed. The characters just were not compelling; some were boring. At least Alex Chavez bled; the other detectives just seemed to be going through the moves.
Fortunately, there are two mysteries operating at the same time, requiring the skills of different members of the detective agency. Detective Jake Runion is emotionally involved with a stroke-victim who is divorced and who believes that her son is being abused by her former husband. Bryn didn't do well during the determination of the custodial arrangements for their child, Bobby. This nine year-old lives with his lawyer-father instead of with his mother as he would prefer. The relationship between the parents is antagonistic.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: David Virden comes into Nameless's office with a simple problem: Find his first wife and give her some papers. But Virden's former wife isn't interested in his problem, refuses to help and tells the detective and Virden never to contact her again. When Nameless tells Virden the result of his visit with the former Mrs. Virden, David decides to go see her, to explain the seriousness of his need. After his confrontation, David calls the detective agency in a royal snit. He says that the person he met was NOT his former wife. Then David disappears.
With these two problems, it would seem that there's plenty to do. The characters go through the motions, but I wasn't convinced that anyone cared,. Fortunately, the author kept the action coming so the plot moved at a fast clip.
Fortunately, there are two mysteries operating at the same time, requiring the skills of different members of the detective agency. Detective Jake Runion is emotionally involved with a stroke-victim who is divorced and who believes that her son is being abused by her former husband. Bryn didn't do well during the determination of the custodial arrangements for their child, Bobby. This nine year-old lives with his lawyer-father instead of with his mother as he would prefer. The relationship between the parents is antagonistic.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: David Virden comes into Nameless's office with a simple problem: Find his first wife and give her some papers. But Virden's former wife isn't interested in his problem, refuses to help and tells the detective and Virden never to contact her again. When Nameless tells Virden the result of his visit with the former Mrs. Virden, David decides to go see her, to explain the seriousness of his need. After his confrontation, David calls the detective agency in a royal snit. He says that the person he met was NOT his former wife. Then David disappears.
With these two problems, it would seem that there's plenty to do. The characters go through the motions, but I wasn't convinced that anyone cared,. Fortunately, the author kept the action coming so the plot moved at a fast clip.
