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Deaths among the homeless don't usually provoke background probes. But when a transient known as Spook (because "he had ghosts living inside his head") is shot outside the offices of a San Francisco film-industry supplier, employees there want to know why. "He didn't have a mean bone in his body," one staffer assures Bill Pronzini's Nameless Detective in Spook. So was this just the random slaying of a street crazy, or had someone from Spook's unknown past--maybe Dot or Luke, the apparitions he was always jabbering to--finally come gunning for him?
In Nameless' 28th novel-length outing, but his first since the pivotal Bleeders (in which he almost hung up his gumshoes for good), Pronzini's classically wrought sleuth is preparing for semiretirement, turning over responsibilities to his young PI partner, Tamara Corbin. He's also breaking in a new investigator, reserved ex-cop and widower Jake Runyon, to whom he hands off the identity search--little knowing how quickly that case will turn ugly, linking the "gentle, friendly" Spook to the murder of another homeless man and a long-ago triple homicide in the California Sierras. Meanwhile, Nameless finishes up a high-profile dig into questionable practices among city employees. This secondary plot lacks the intrigue of Runyon's task; however, both investigations generate action, including a hostage situation and a not-so-merry chase during a Christmas benefit. More than two decades after this series' initial installment, The Snatch, Nameless's assignments have become less conventional, and he's been mellowed by age, marriage, and too much death. Yet, even at age 61, he's more vital than many newer, less deservedly cynical competitors. --J. Kingston Pierce
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Bill Pronzini
627 books236 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 14, 2017
At Book #28, I was expecting a stale formulaic detective novel, but I enjoyed this entry more than some of the earlier books. It was great to look at San Francisco and Northern California through the eyes of the Nameless Detective again. Things have changed in his life since I last checked in with him around Book #8. He's older, has a wife and daughter, he's trying to semi-retire, has a computer-literate business partner, and he's leaving the field work to a new recruit to the team.
I dropped this series for a couple of years because I didn't have access to the middle chunk 9-27 (and there is just so much good stuff to read). Glad I decided to read the Pronzoni books available to me.
I dropped this series for a couple of years because I didn't have access to the middle chunk 9-27 (and there is just so much good stuff to read). Glad I decided to read the Pronzoni books available to me.
March 15, 2019
The Nameless Detective does change a few things in his life and has taken on Tamara Corbin as his partner and is moving towards semi-retirement. Both hire a new detective for their little agency by the name of Jake Runyon.
In this Christmassy episode we find the little agency hired to find out what the real identity is of this homeless person who was found shot dead on the doorsteps of a company Visuals Inc. This leads them to another part of California where the dead homeless man was involved in something horrible.
Nameless is also involved in Christmas shopping and helping out an old friend with her own Detective agency, whose adventures are written by Pronzini's real wife Marcia Muller.
The story is written from various viewpoints the three detectives and the murderer. It is a well written and strongly characterized novel that does not fail to entertain. As for the nameless part, somewhere in this novel the leading character is mentioned by name.
A very well written book that does not shy away from any moralistic commentary on the subject of homelessness which is both a blight and a painful aspect of our nowadays society. A nice little detective with a rather unexpected ending.
In this Christmassy episode we find the little agency hired to find out what the real identity is of this homeless person who was found shot dead on the doorsteps of a company Visuals Inc. This leads them to another part of California where the dead homeless man was involved in something horrible.
Nameless is also involved in Christmas shopping and helping out an old friend with her own Detective agency, whose adventures are written by Pronzini's real wife Marcia Muller.
The story is written from various viewpoints the three detectives and the murderer. It is a well written and strongly characterized novel that does not fail to entertain. As for the nameless part, somewhere in this novel the leading character is mentioned by name.
A very well written book that does not shy away from any moralistic commentary on the subject of homelessness which is both a blight and a painful aspect of our nowadays society. A nice little detective with a rather unexpected ending.
November 6, 2019
I am a great admirer of Bill Pronzini, the author of the “Nameless Detective” series. He is a workman—as opposed to an artist—among writers, but he is such a superior workman! He is il miglior fabbro as Eliot called Pound, as Dante called Daniel: “the better maker.” I don’t think there’s any better “maker” than Bill Pronzini. And this has become even clearer to me since I began writing novels myself.
In my latest novel, Big Sleep Blues, I am trying to develop many plot strands in each chapter, and have discovered what a difficult task that can be. Pronzini, though, seems to accomplish such things effortlessly, as he does in Spook. He presents us with the semi-retirement of our hero Nameless, the personal problems of his longtime assistant—now junior partner—Tamara, the hiring of new operative and damaged loner Jake Runyon, the hopeful progress of Nameless’ and Kerry’s psychologically wounded adopted daughter Emily, the major case of who killed homeless guy Spook, the minor case of who stole the computer disk of evidence at the private-eye Christmas party—and finishes everything off with a hostage situation and a heart-warming Christmas celebration at the end.
A lot of balls to juggle in the air at one time, and—guess what?--Pronzini didn't drop even one.
I’m going to go back to my novel now. Hope I learned something from my mentor, il miglior fabbro.
March 30, 2016
RATING: 4.5
Most of the time, the homeless among us are as welcome in our lives as a pack of tax collectors—they are abused, humiliated or ignored. Such is not the case for the man known only as "Spook" who has made his home in a doorway of the Visions, Inc., company. He is clearly mentally unbalanced and delusional, but there is a decent human being underneath the rags and dirt. Some of Visions' employees have taken to Spook and provide him with kindness or a little money. When Spook is found brutally murdered, the president of Visions can't just let it lie, knowing that the police will write off Spook's death like an accountant writes off a bad debt. He decides to hire a private detective to find out who Spook was and hopefully provide him with a name and some dignity in his death, arranging for his burial if necessary. He is not looking to find out who murdered Spook.
Enter Nameless Detective and his partner, the belligerent yet talented Tamara Corbin. (Nameless IS referred to by his first name in this book; however, out of respect for the reader who has not seen this information, I will not reveal it here.) Nameless is now 61 years old and is planning to move into semi-retirement in the next few months. Tamara is 25 years old and will be a partner in the agency. In the book, she's wrestling with some hard decisions of her own relating to her future with Nameless and others. She doesn't seem to be the most logical partner for him, but they really complement each other and work well together.
Given the fact that the work load is expanding and Nameless is moving towards doing less, they decide to hire another operative to do some of the legwork for the agency. The best candidate for the job is a man by the name of Jake Runyon who's got vast experience in law enforcement, both public and private. He's somewhat of a tormented man, doesn't exhibit much personality but gets the job done in spades. He's just recently moved to San Francisco after the emotionally painful death of his wife of 20 years, a loss that he feels every hour of every day. It is his hope that he will be able to reconcile with his son, Joshua, the byproduct of an earlier relationship. That's not such an easy task, as Joshua has a boatload of resentment and anger to work through.
Jake does an excellent job of pursuing all the leads in the investigation and uncovers some surprising background on Spook. In many ways, Jake is a mirror of who Nameless was in his youth. He has the same type of investigative style and doggedness. As the book closes, the reader is left to wonder whether Jake will assume the Nameless mantle. He is certainly equal to the challenge.
The Nameless Detective series is one of the best series being written today. I have been reading the series in order and am actually only on the fifth book. It was very interesting to me to skip the next 20 plus books and come to the character so much later in his life cycle. I would not have predicted that he would end up where he is today, but I was glad to see the direction that his life had taken.
An aside on a personal level: As you may or may not know, Pronzini is married to Marcia Muller, creator of the Sharon McCone series. In this book, McCone is a client of his agency; and there is a back story where they interact. This was an affectionate homage to Muller and her character, I believe.
I don't think Pronzini is capable of writing a bad book. He is truly a crime fiction genius, a writer who has been consistently excellent over the course of more than 40 books. SPOOK is not a perfect book. The ultimate villain behaves somewhat unconvincingly. Pronzini switches points of view in several chapters, from first to third person and between a few different characters, and not always smoothly. But you know what? I didn't care! The man creates great characters, terrific plots and writes beautiful prose. The little details can be a bit awry, and it doesn't matter one iota. Pronzini never relies on formula, and this 28th book in the series is as fresh and interesting as the first, the 10th and the 20th. Why this man has not been anointed the God of Mystery Writers is the real mystery to me!
Most of the time, the homeless among us are as welcome in our lives as a pack of tax collectors—they are abused, humiliated or ignored. Such is not the case for the man known only as "Spook" who has made his home in a doorway of the Visions, Inc., company. He is clearly mentally unbalanced and delusional, but there is a decent human being underneath the rags and dirt. Some of Visions' employees have taken to Spook and provide him with kindness or a little money. When Spook is found brutally murdered, the president of Visions can't just let it lie, knowing that the police will write off Spook's death like an accountant writes off a bad debt. He decides to hire a private detective to find out who Spook was and hopefully provide him with a name and some dignity in his death, arranging for his burial if necessary. He is not looking to find out who murdered Spook.
Enter Nameless Detective and his partner, the belligerent yet talented Tamara Corbin. (Nameless IS referred to by his first name in this book; however, out of respect for the reader who has not seen this information, I will not reveal it here.) Nameless is now 61 years old and is planning to move into semi-retirement in the next few months. Tamara is 25 years old and will be a partner in the agency. In the book, she's wrestling with some hard decisions of her own relating to her future with Nameless and others. She doesn't seem to be the most logical partner for him, but they really complement each other and work well together.
Given the fact that the work load is expanding and Nameless is moving towards doing less, they decide to hire another operative to do some of the legwork for the agency. The best candidate for the job is a man by the name of Jake Runyon who's got vast experience in law enforcement, both public and private. He's somewhat of a tormented man, doesn't exhibit much personality but gets the job done in spades. He's just recently moved to San Francisco after the emotionally painful death of his wife of 20 years, a loss that he feels every hour of every day. It is his hope that he will be able to reconcile with his son, Joshua, the byproduct of an earlier relationship. That's not such an easy task, as Joshua has a boatload of resentment and anger to work through.
Jake does an excellent job of pursuing all the leads in the investigation and uncovers some surprising background on Spook. In many ways, Jake is a mirror of who Nameless was in his youth. He has the same type of investigative style and doggedness. As the book closes, the reader is left to wonder whether Jake will assume the Nameless mantle. He is certainly equal to the challenge.
The Nameless Detective series is one of the best series being written today. I have been reading the series in order and am actually only on the fifth book. It was very interesting to me to skip the next 20 plus books and come to the character so much later in his life cycle. I would not have predicted that he would end up where he is today, but I was glad to see the direction that his life had taken.
An aside on a personal level: As you may or may not know, Pronzini is married to Marcia Muller, creator of the Sharon McCone series. In this book, McCone is a client of his agency; and there is a back story where they interact. This was an affectionate homage to Muller and her character, I believe.
I don't think Pronzini is capable of writing a bad book. He is truly a crime fiction genius, a writer who has been consistently excellent over the course of more than 40 books. SPOOK is not a perfect book. The ultimate villain behaves somewhat unconvincingly. Pronzini switches points of view in several chapters, from first to third person and between a few different characters, and not always smoothly. But you know what? I didn't care! The man creates great characters, terrific plots and writes beautiful prose. The little details can be a bit awry, and it doesn't matter one iota. Pronzini never relies on formula, and this 28th book in the series is as fresh and interesting as the first, the 10th and the 20th. Why this man has not been anointed the God of Mystery Writers is the real mystery to me!
December 23, 2017
What a good story! Nameless takes on a new hire to be a field agent. Tamara is now a full partner. And, it'a Christmas time.
When a homeless man is brutally shot and killed behind a small time studio, the studio owner hires Nameless to at least identify the homeless man known as Spook. Spook is/was battling his own demons. And along the way the investigation turns up some of those demons.
The one problem I have is that Nameless now has a name. Readers know that Nameless is really the author Bill, but it was never put down in a story. I think it slipped once that I caught in "Booby Trap". But now it's Bill this and Bill that. Ugh...
When a homeless man is brutally shot and killed behind a small time studio, the studio owner hires Nameless to at least identify the homeless man known as Spook. Spook is/was battling his own demons. And along the way the investigation turns up some of those demons.
The one problem I have is that Nameless now has a name. Readers know that Nameless is really the author Bill, but it was never put down in a story. I think it slipped once that I caught in "Booby Trap". But now it's Bill this and Bill that. Ugh...
July 14, 2016
Ah! Back to a land that I know and can even look up places in the novel. This is quite a departure in format for the Nameless Detective. The story is told in different voices: Nameless, Tamara, and an additional member of the detective agency. If I remember right, former books were only told in the voice of Nameless. Oh yes, and three different places Nameless is referred to by first name. I won't say in case someone is making their way through the series as I am. Sharon McCone even makes an appearance in this book. These are quick reads, but alway told well in my opinion.
November 13, 2021
I am having to read these Nameless Detective books out of order, but that's ok. This is the third one that I have read and it was a solid hit for me. There are three POV's at play here; Nameless, his partner Tamara, and his new hire Jake. Since I am reading out of order I know Jake's story but it is good to read the this first book that features this quiet tragic character.
A gentle homeless man called Spook has been hanging out at a local business and has been shot. The business owner had felt sorry for him and had helped him. Now no one knows why Spook had been shot and Nameless is hired by the businessman to find out Spook's real identity. Also, it is Christmas and it is a sad juxtaposition here between the have's and the have nots.
A gentle homeless man called Spook has been hanging out at a local business and has been shot. The business owner had felt sorry for him and had helped him. Now no one knows why Spook had been shot and Nameless is hired by the businessman to find out Spook's real identity. Also, it is Christmas and it is a sad juxtaposition here between the have's and the have nots.
January 16, 2018
Another top notch episode of the Nameless Detective !!!
August 18, 2018
Always good basic gumshoe stories
November 13, 2019
I've been reading the Nameless Detective books out of order and I still find that they flow together and make sense perfectly. I always enjoy these books.
November 22, 2020
A different structure?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2021
Another excellent Nameless tale, branching out a bit by giving some side characters POV chapters as well. Love the addition, love the series.
September 12, 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
October 7, 2015
#28 in the Nameless Detective series.
Nameless Detective has taken on a sharp-tongued black partner, 25-year-old Tamara, and together they have hired taciturn Jake Runyon, newly widowed and estranged from his grown son. Their first case as a three-person unit is the execution-style murder of a homeless man known as Spook. Although initially only interested in determining the man's name, they find themselves following a twisted trail that leads to an earlier murder.
Nameless Detective has taken on a sharp-tongued black partner, 25-year-old Tamara, and together they have hired taciturn Jake Runyon, newly widowed and estranged from his grown son. Their first case as a three-person unit is the execution-style murder of a homeless man known as Spook. Although initially only interested in determining the man's name, they find themselves following a twisted trail that leads to an earlier murder.
February 19, 2012
Another quick read in which we witness the hiring of Jake Runyon and the beginning of the collapse of Tamara's relationship with Horace. A simple request from a company to find the identity of a murdered homeless man who used to sleep on their property unleashes demons from the past who come after the agency.
April 30, 2016
Nameless, now known as Bill, continues to grow as a character and the series remains relevant. I love the characters' journeys to some of the more obscure parts of California. Bill Pronzini is one of my favorite authors and my husband is now hooked on the series too.
September 6, 2009
Excellent; Continuing character: "Nameless" detective; a homeless person is murdered and the agency is hired to identify him and end up running into the killer
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April 6, 2014Old style detective series with excellent writing, plots and characters throughout
June 24, 2014
Not sure why this is so popular. Maybe if I knew the characters from the series? Felt like it was written for simpletons. Tamera's voice was especially weak and 2-D.
September 18, 2015
Couldn't put it down. Great plot, beautifully told. Interesting characters.
April 26, 2012
Fast little read that was entertaining.
December 3, 2012
Just having started reading Pronzini this November, I am very happy with his writings.
April 3, 2013
I love this author and the book is good so far I am barely on chapter 2
March 12, 2014
I did enjoy listening to this book and wish my library made the whole series available
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews