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Nameless Detective #37
Nemesis
Young, newly rich Verity Daniels claims to be receiving threatening demands for money from a mysterious caller. When Jake Runyon agrees to investigate, it seems a relatively simple matter to expose the extortionist by setting a trap for him.
The case, however, is nowhere near as clear-cut as it first appears.
And Verity Daniels is nowhere near the helpless victim she pretends to be.
A series of surprise revelations culminates in Runyon being falsely accused of a crime that never happened, and he and his employers then become the targets of a vicious legal vendetta. A sudden act of violence turns the case upside down, leading to a much more serious charge against Jake.
With the help of partner Tamara Corbin, Nameless (known as Bill to his associates) puts aside the difficult personal issue that has kept him sidelined at home and works to clear both Runyon's and the agency's good names. The task requires untangling Verity Daniels's bizarre past and present relationships, and before Bill succeeds, he must overcome a deadly threat to his own safety.
Nemesis continues author Bill Pronzini's acclaimed Nameless Detective Series.
The case, however, is nowhere near as clear-cut as it first appears.
And Verity Daniels is nowhere near the helpless victim she pretends to be.
A series of surprise revelations culminates in Runyon being falsely accused of a crime that never happened, and he and his employers then become the targets of a vicious legal vendetta. A sudden act of violence turns the case upside down, leading to a much more serious charge against Jake.
With the help of partner Tamara Corbin, Nameless (known as Bill to his associates) puts aside the difficult personal issue that has kept him sidelined at home and works to clear both Runyon's and the agency's good names. The task requires untangling Verity Daniels's bizarre past and present relationships, and before Bill succeeds, he must overcome a deadly threat to his own safety.
Nemesis continues author Bill Pronzini's acclaimed Nameless Detective Series.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2013
About the author
Bill Pronzini
629 books237 followersMystery Writers of America Awards "Grand Master" 2008
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink
Married to author Marcia Muller.
Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink
Married to author Marcia Muller.
Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 30, 2018
#37 in the Nameless Detective series. Finalist 2014 Shamus Award for Best Novel. In this 2013 series entry from author Pronzini, Nameless' wife Kerry has yet to fully recover from the events in Hellbox (2012) and as a result Nameless is taking a leave of absence and letting his associates run the agency. This probably makes this book most suited to series fans, but with some backstory provided, the first time reader will miss some nuances but will be able to appreciate this crime novel.
Young, newly rich Verity Daniels claims to be receiving threatening demands for money from a mysterious caller. When Jake Runyon agrees to investigate, it seems a relatively simple matter to expose the extortionist by setting a trap for him. The case is nowhere near as clear-cut as it first appears. And Verity Daniels is nowhere near the helpless victim she pretends to be, in fact she falsely accuses of a crime that never happened, and he and his employers then become the targets of a vicious legal vendetta. A sudden act of violence turns the case upside down, leading to a much more serious charge against Jake. Nameless puts aside the difficult personal issue that has kept him sidelined at home and works to clear both Runyon’s and the agency’s good names.
Young, newly rich Verity Daniels claims to be receiving threatening demands for money from a mysterious caller. When Jake Runyon agrees to investigate, it seems a relatively simple matter to expose the extortionist by setting a trap for him. The case is nowhere near as clear-cut as it first appears. And Verity Daniels is nowhere near the helpless victim she pretends to be, in fact she falsely accuses of a crime that never happened, and he and his employers then become the targets of a vicious legal vendetta. A sudden act of violence turns the case upside down, leading to a much more serious charge against Jake. Nameless puts aside the difficult personal issue that has kept him sidelined at home and works to clear both Runyon’s and the agency’s good names.
August 30, 2020
I’m surprised I’ve never heard of Bill Pronzini. He writes modern hardboiled PI tales, that are light on the gore and heavy on character development, action, and intricate plots (that aren’t too intricate but are more than just “oh someone got killed gruesomely”). I loved this book! Cannot wait to check out another in this series from the library. Also, let it be noted that I finished this one in less than 24 hours. It effectively dissolved my reading slump!
June 1, 2016
Bill Pronzini’s 28th Nameless Detective private eye mystery, “Nemesis,” reinvents the series with yet another addictive new case.
Jake Runyon, Nameless Detective’s PI partner, offers his services to a wealthy female client, Verity Daniels, who is receiving hostile demands for money from a mysterious caller.
Runyon agrees to work the case, which he thinks is a simple, routine matter. But soon he discovers that the assignment is not as clear-cut as he thought. Through trial and error, Runyon learns who Daniels really is — not the damsel in distress that she posed as during their initial meeting.
Nameless Detective also makes an appearance, dealing with the aftermath of his wife’s cancer diagnosis from an earlier book (“Hellbox”), and Tamara, the office secretary, labors over her own relationship problems, which she battles in an erudite and interesting way.
A fine, first-rate detective novel, “Nemesis” is another exciting read peppered with a cast of fiercely wrought and emotional characters. This is one of the series’ highlights. Mystery readers looking for a compelling, taut, crime read needn’t look any further.
Jake Runyon, Nameless Detective’s PI partner, offers his services to a wealthy female client, Verity Daniels, who is receiving hostile demands for money from a mysterious caller.
Runyon agrees to work the case, which he thinks is a simple, routine matter. But soon he discovers that the assignment is not as clear-cut as he thought. Through trial and error, Runyon learns who Daniels really is — not the damsel in distress that she posed as during their initial meeting.
Nameless Detective also makes an appearance, dealing with the aftermath of his wife’s cancer diagnosis from an earlier book (“Hellbox”), and Tamara, the office secretary, labors over her own relationship problems, which she battles in an erudite and interesting way.
A fine, first-rate detective novel, “Nemesis” is another exciting read peppered with a cast of fiercely wrought and emotional characters. This is one of the series’ highlights. Mystery readers looking for a compelling, taut, crime read needn’t look any further.
July 18, 2014
Bill Pronzini's "Nameless Detective" and the long-running mystery series featuring him are treasures. The quality has varied over nearly 40 books but even lesser efforts can be appreciated for the plotting and dialogue, the evolution of the main characters, the continual references to the past. In this entry, agency partner Jake Runyon is prominent as he takes on an extortion investigation that goes wrong and then horribly wrong. In contrast to other recent series entries, this one focuses on only the single investigation and, interestingly, "Nameless" can be seen as a secondary character (in the first half of the book he is hardly present).
April 6, 2016
Pronzini never fails to keep you engaged. Strong characters, strong plot and mystery, strong sense of place.
This particular book is told from three different viewpoints. The technique works very well. The part of the book involving Nameless and Kerry is kind of a minor sub-plot, but no matter. It fits into the story.
Pronzini just amazes me. What a long legacy he has--top quality noir fiction all the way. I know he's getting old, (I won't do a spoiler, but Nameless is getting old, too), but I hope Pronzini has a few more stories for us.
This particular book is told from three different viewpoints. The technique works very well. The part of the book involving Nameless and Kerry is kind of a minor sub-plot, but no matter. It fits into the story.
Pronzini just amazes me. What a long legacy he has--top quality noir fiction all the way. I know he's getting old, (I won't do a spoiler, but Nameless is getting old, too), but I hope Pronzini has a few more stories for us.
August 7, 2013
If you like Hard Boiled Private Eyes Like Mike Hammer, this is not the book for you. If you like a good mystery with good character development you may like this series.
It is called Nameless because for years Pronzini never gave the name of his main character. Only in the last few years has he started having people call him '"Bill'. Interesting note: Bill's scenes are always written first person while his assistants are in the third person.
It is called Nameless because for years Pronzini never gave the name of his main character. Only in the last few years has he started having people call him '"Bill'. Interesting note: Bill's scenes are always written first person while his assistants are in the third person.
August 23, 2013
Is there a better living writer of the hard-boiled detective novel than Bill Pronzini? I don't think so. His writing is clear, his characters are fresh, his situations are true and his stories are gripping. I had to stay up last night to finish this up. In this latest installment, we get to follow three of the agencies best workers, Nameless (Bill), Runyon and Tamara. They each have their own style but all are good at what they do. Keep the Nameless series coming Please!
May 16, 2018
When this one started I through it was going to be an obvious set up, when the agency was hired by a distraught women who is being blackmailed. Then it switched to an even more obvious he said/she said. But I should have known better. With Bill mostly out of the first half (it seems like he, Pronzini, might be winding the character down) but when Jake gets in trouble, Nameless is on the case. Kerry is still recovering from the last book and that makes for an interesting side story. Oh, and Tamara has a visitor form the past. Only three more and a novella before I am caught up to the current end. Ugh...
August 23, 2017
This author could have done better. I liked the flavor of the book, rather noir. But the soap-operaish story threads about peripheral characters were annoying, and some seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with this particular narrative. I particularly didn't enjoy the unfinished plot elements. Did she or did she not kill her fiancee? Why on earth did she initially target this particular detective and his agency? Honestly, the whole thing seemed kind of phoned-in. The author seems capable of much better, and the awards he's received seems to bear this out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2018
Another solid entry in a long and wonderful series with the Nameless Detective. He’s been aging as I have and is almost ready to retire. But he’s not finished. Good plotting but well developed characters with their own issues and emotions.
January 12, 2018
This is my second Nameless Detective novel........extremely enjoyable read as the characters continue to jump off the pages.......good stuff !!!
February 12, 2019
I liked this story because it kept me guessing. I hope that the detective will be named at some point.
June 25, 2020
Having one of the other characters being the center of the story was nice.
August 22, 2020
Always like his books. Good reads and usually an interesting plot.
November 5, 2020
Just about the purest PI stories in this series. This one is another winner.
December 12, 2020
Good read.
January 23, 2021
Same as always.
September 29, 2023
A surprisingly eloquent and sensitive detective novel, one of the best in this series. A little cheese, a little fluff, and a lot of heart.
October 6, 2019
Quite a puzzling case, 3-POV (sort of) juggler.
Deep in the book before Bill gets airtime.
In suspense about Jake's future.
Sudden violence rears its head.
Suspenseful conclusion with to-be-seen ramifications.
A solid entry in the series.
Deep in the book before Bill gets airtime.
In suspense about Jake's future.
Sudden violence rears its head.
Suspenseful conclusion with to-be-seen ramifications.
A solid entry in the series.
January 1, 2014
“Nemesis,” the newest in the Nameless Detective series, in which this is number 38, is told from three points of view: that of each of the three private detectives who work together out of their office in the South Park area of San Francisco, Jake Runyon, Tamara Corbin, and the “nameless detective” of the title of this series, in which this is number 38. (He is not “nameless” to his colleagues, btw; to them he is “Bill.”) Their newest client hires them to find out who is trying to blackmail them, the case goes to Jake. (Bill, an ex-cop now 60 years old, is working minimum hours, still trying to help his wife heal after she was held prisoner by a psychotic before being rescued, and Tamara mans the office, aided by a couple of part-time detectives.)
The woman, voluptuous Verity Daniels, who lives in a sumptuous high-rise just off the Embarcadero, turns out to be much more, and much less, than she at first appears. The investigation takes Jake across a wide swath of San Francisco, checking out the family of a man to whom Verity was engaged but who drowned just before he ostensibly was going to break off the engagement; a married ex-employer with whom she appears to have been having an affair; and a former husband. Jake’s instincts, after 14 years with the Seattle police and nearly 8 as a p.i., tell him he should drop the case. When her truthfulness becomes a serious issue and he tries to do just that, the result is not a pretty one. And the volatile Verity soon after charges him with rape. Things get rapidly worse, soon the detective agency is itself sued for serious money, and Jake is thrown in jail. The next portion of the book belongs to Tamara and her end of the investigation, and the final section is Bill’s as he picks up the case.
As with all of this author’s books, the latest Nameless Detective novel is a very well-plotted tale with the author’s trademark wonderfully drawn characters. Each section goes into the lives of each of the three detectives, their own past life-threatening episodes, and the ongoing investigation. There are several twists and turns, and at the end a prologue tying up all loose ends in the three detectives’ current lives. All terrifically well done, and the book is highly recommended. Besides, how could one not love a guy called “Nameless” who owns a cat called “Shameless?!”
The woman, voluptuous Verity Daniels, who lives in a sumptuous high-rise just off the Embarcadero, turns out to be much more, and much less, than she at first appears. The investigation takes Jake across a wide swath of San Francisco, checking out the family of a man to whom Verity was engaged but who drowned just before he ostensibly was going to break off the engagement; a married ex-employer with whom she appears to have been having an affair; and a former husband. Jake’s instincts, after 14 years with the Seattle police and nearly 8 as a p.i., tell him he should drop the case. When her truthfulness becomes a serious issue and he tries to do just that, the result is not a pretty one. And the volatile Verity soon after charges him with rape. Things get rapidly worse, soon the detective agency is itself sued for serious money, and Jake is thrown in jail. The next portion of the book belongs to Tamara and her end of the investigation, and the final section is Bill’s as he picks up the case.
As with all of this author’s books, the latest Nameless Detective novel is a very well-plotted tale with the author’s trademark wonderfully drawn characters. Each section goes into the lives of each of the three detectives, their own past life-threatening episodes, and the ongoing investigation. There are several twists and turns, and at the end a prologue tying up all loose ends in the three detectives’ current lives. All terrifically well done, and the book is highly recommended. Besides, how could one not love a guy called “Nameless” who owns a cat called “Shameless?!”
November 10, 2013
Jake Runyon is carrying most of the weight at the San Francisco detective agency these days. Tamara is the office person who does the computer research. Bill, the agency's founder, is only working once in a while. Kerry, his wife, is recuperating and he is taking care of her while she does so.
Verity Daniels comes into the agency with a big problem. Newly wealthy due to an inheritance, she has only lived in San Francisco a few months. She reports that she is being extorted by a man who calls and threatens her harm if she doesn't pay him money. Verity has no idea who it could be, or what they think they have on her. Runyon begins the case, putting traps on her phone and covering her on an attempt to deliver the money. No calls are coming in, or at least none that show up on the recorders and the drop-off is a no-show. Verity seems more interested in Jake than in her danger and things just aren't adding up.
When Jake decides to back off, Verity is incensed. She files an assault case against him and then a civil case against the agency. When she is murdered a few days later, the obvious suspect is Jake, who is arrested. Bill must return to work and try to find out what Verity's game was, and who could have wanted to kill her.
Bill Pronzini has been writing about Bill, better known as 'The Nameless Detective' for many years, and this is the latest in the series. Fans will be quick to obtain and read this novel, as the cast of characters are old friends. Those who have not yet been introduced to Pronzini's detectives have a treat in store. Pronzini has written thirty-five Nameless novels, mostly alone but some in collaboration with his wife, mystery writer Marcia Muller, and other collaborators. He is a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master and no one writes better about the life of a private investigator. This book is recommended for mystery fans.
Verity Daniels comes into the agency with a big problem. Newly wealthy due to an inheritance, she has only lived in San Francisco a few months. She reports that she is being extorted by a man who calls and threatens her harm if she doesn't pay him money. Verity has no idea who it could be, or what they think they have on her. Runyon begins the case, putting traps on her phone and covering her on an attempt to deliver the money. No calls are coming in, or at least none that show up on the recorders and the drop-off is a no-show. Verity seems more interested in Jake than in her danger and things just aren't adding up.
When Jake decides to back off, Verity is incensed. She files an assault case against him and then a civil case against the agency. When she is murdered a few days later, the obvious suspect is Jake, who is arrested. Bill must return to work and try to find out what Verity's game was, and who could have wanted to kill her.
Bill Pronzini has been writing about Bill, better known as 'The Nameless Detective' for many years, and this is the latest in the series. Fans will be quick to obtain and read this novel, as the cast of characters are old friends. Those who have not yet been introduced to Pronzini's detectives have a treat in store. Pronzini has written thirty-five Nameless novels, mostly alone but some in collaboration with his wife, mystery writer Marcia Muller, and other collaborators. He is a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master and no one writes better about the life of a private investigator. This book is recommended for mystery fans.
April 2, 2013
Here is a list of all the books (in order) Happy Reading.
1971 The Snatch Random House
1973 The Vanished Random House
1973 Undercurrents Random House
1977 Blowback Ramdom House
1978 Twospot Putman
1980 Laybrinth St. Martin's Press
1980 A Killing In Xanadu Waves Press
1981 Hoodwinked St. Martin's Press
1982 Scattershot St. Martin's Press
1982 Dragonfire St. Martin's Press
1983 Bindlestiff St. Martin's Press
1983 Casefile St. Martin's Press
1984 Quicksilver St. Martin's Press
1984 Nightshades St. Martin's Press
1984 Double St. Martin's Press
1985 Bones St. Martin's Press
1985 Grave Yard Plots St. Martin's Press
1886 Dreadfall St. Martin's Press
1988 Shackles St. Martin's Press
1988 Small Fellonies St. Martin's Press
1990 Jackpot Delacorte
1991 Breakdown Delacorte
1992 Quarry Delacorte
1992 Epitaths Delacorte
1993 Demons Delacorte
1995 Hardcase Delacorte
1996 Spadework Crippen & Landru
1996 Sentinels Carroll & Graf
1997 Illusions Carroll & Graf
1998 Boobytrap Carroll & Graf
1999 Sluths Five Star
1999 Duo Five Star
2000 Crazybones Carroll & Graf
2002 Bleeders Carroll & Graf
2003 Spook Carroll & Graf
2003 Scenarios Five Star
2005 Nightcrawlers Forge
2006 Mourners Forge
2007 Savages Forge
2008 Feaver Forge
2009 Schemers Forge
2010 Betrayers Forge
2011 Camouflage Forge
2012 Hellbox Forge
2012 Kinsmen Cemetery Dance
2012 Femme Cemetery Dance
2013 Nemesis Forge
1971 The Snatch Random House
1973 The Vanished Random House
1973 Undercurrents Random House
1977 Blowback Ramdom House
1978 Twospot Putman
1980 Laybrinth St. Martin's Press
1980 A Killing In Xanadu Waves Press
1981 Hoodwinked St. Martin's Press
1982 Scattershot St. Martin's Press
1982 Dragonfire St. Martin's Press
1983 Bindlestiff St. Martin's Press
1983 Casefile St. Martin's Press
1984 Quicksilver St. Martin's Press
1984 Nightshades St. Martin's Press
1984 Double St. Martin's Press
1985 Bones St. Martin's Press
1985 Grave Yard Plots St. Martin's Press
1886 Dreadfall St. Martin's Press
1988 Shackles St. Martin's Press
1988 Small Fellonies St. Martin's Press
1990 Jackpot Delacorte
1991 Breakdown Delacorte
1992 Quarry Delacorte
1992 Epitaths Delacorte
1993 Demons Delacorte
1995 Hardcase Delacorte
1996 Spadework Crippen & Landru
1996 Sentinels Carroll & Graf
1997 Illusions Carroll & Graf
1998 Boobytrap Carroll & Graf
1999 Sluths Five Star
1999 Duo Five Star
2000 Crazybones Carroll & Graf
2002 Bleeders Carroll & Graf
2003 Spook Carroll & Graf
2003 Scenarios Five Star
2005 Nightcrawlers Forge
2006 Mourners Forge
2007 Savages Forge
2008 Feaver Forge
2009 Schemers Forge
2010 Betrayers Forge
2011 Camouflage Forge
2012 Hellbox Forge
2012 Kinsmen Cemetery Dance
2012 Femme Cemetery Dance
2013 Nemesis Forge
September 27, 2013
This book is the latest in a series called The Nameless Detective, stories set in San Francisco, about a private detective agency. It is apparently a very popular series and a long running series. This book is the 42nd in the series. I wish I could say I liked it but it just did nothing for me. I could not get myself to like any of the main characters or find a way to get interested in the plot. I think it was because of one gross error the author made. It shocked me to think no one, either his editor or a proof-reader, would point it out. The error dealt with proving a phone call was received. That seems like an easy thing to prove but he, the detective, made no attempt. Makes no sense. So, from there, the story just didn't hold together for me. It was all avoidable.
I doubt I'll try any of the other books in the series.
I doubt I'll try any of the other books in the series.
August 18, 2016
This is the type of competent, engaging PI story that made the Nameless Detective series so successful. There is routine detective drudgery and a blessed lack of cartoonish police department adversaries. The epilogue was saccharine and unnecessary but otherwise this was solid. Pronzini is still able to turn out a good mystery. The expansion of the agency to allow other detectives to shine has kept this series from becoming stale. Now if the author will only make Bill, Kerry and Emily behave remotely like a normal couple with a teenage daugthter instead of the poster family for the Stepford people I will be very pleased. Creating credible mysteries seems to be Pronzini's forte. Honest domestic situations seems to elude him.
May 18, 2014
This book was OK. Set in San Francisco, it's the 41st book in a series of "noir" detective stories. It is quite contemporary in setting and plot, while adhering to the succinct conversational style and straightforward plot line of its genre.
The story was good; I didn't guess the villain before the author named him. My biggest complaint is that, while I know characters in long-running detective series have back stories that build from book to book, there was too much reference to previous events in their lives, without telling enough to clarify what happened. I don't plan to read all 40 previous books, so this was a bit much. Oh well, it was a good quick weekend read.
The story was good; I didn't guess the villain before the author named him. My biggest complaint is that, while I know characters in long-running detective series have back stories that build from book to book, there was too much reference to previous events in their lives, without telling enough to clarify what happened. I don't plan to read all 40 previous books, so this was a bit much. Oh well, it was a good quick weekend read.
August 30, 2016
Great story by Mr. Pronzini in the "Nameless Detective" series! When one of their own- Jake Runyon, long time detective in Nameless' Agency is twice accused of assault, rape and murder of a difficult client, it's up to Nameless' team: Tamara, the street-smart receptionist/dispatcher/computer whiz, Alex Chavez and Nameless himself to bring the RIGHT killer to justice and clear Jakes' name (if they can)! Good pacing, but has a "chopped up" type division in the books, as the story is told by three different characters. Enjoyable in spite of that...you'll be hooked from beginning to end :)
November 25, 2014
Another enjoyable book in this great and long-running series. Nameless is not featured until later in the book as the book is presented from the perspective of Jake Runyon for the first third of the book or so. Nameless is at home taking care of Kerry and Jake is hired to investigate some threats received by their client Verity Daniels. Things turn bad for Jake and Nameless must start investigating to get Jake out of trouble. The style of this book follows most of the prior books (which is a good thing) while Pronzini continues to grow the back story of Nameless, Jake and Tamara.
August 7, 2013
It looks like Bill might be more in the background now that's he older. The action starts with Jake taking a case in which a nouveaux riche woman is being threatened. She's not a nice person either. She is a piece of work and ends up causing unbelievable events. She's the client from hell but gets everything she deserves. These are always quick reads as Pronzini just moves it along. He can probably write these in his sleep. This series needs to be on TV.
August 15, 2013
I've read every Nameless Detective story since they were first published, but I'm going to have to give up on them. I started having problems when the author introduced Tamara. Pronzini's characterization of a young black woman doesn't ring true for me, either in her dialogue or her inner thoughts. The main characters all seemed bland to me in this book. Also, I can't see what the title has to do with the story.
August 21, 2013
I am a Japanese fan of Nameless series, considering every book a treat once a year. Enjoyed this one, too. Mr. Pronzini is really good at developing characters. Jake is good addition, because we can see Bill's different aspect through the other professional's eyes and mind. Hope more Nameless books would be translated in Japanese.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews