Joseph Hansen’s first Dave Brandstetter mystery, Fadeout, was published fifty years ago in 1970. Because Soho’s Syndicate Books is republishing the books, I recommend that you read this edition. If you haven’t already discovered the series, you’ll want to read Michael Nava’s new introduction to these books.
Although Hansen himself hated the term “gay”, and preferred homosexual, for the sake of the review, I’ll use the current language. Dave Brandstetter was one of the first openly gay lead characters in a mystery novel. The book is set in the mid-60s. Dave is in his mid-forties, a World War II vet. Nava says he has a quick wit and a “faultless moral compass”. According to Nava, Brandstetter is smart, masculine, competent, an unapologetic homosexual, and an ace private investigator. The character was “groundbreaking” for the 1970s.
After his partner of twenty years died, Dave considered suicide. He has just returned to work at the family insurance company, Medallion Insurance, when a family files a claim. Brandstetter’s father sends his best investigator, Dave, to question witnesses and survivors. On a rainy night, Fox Olson hit a guardrail on a bridge, and the car went into the water. However, no body has been found, and Dave tells the widow that the insurance company isn’t sure the man is dead.
Pima, California is Thorne Olson’s hometown, and she insists Fox has to be dead. For the first time in his life, he’s successful as a radio star with a number of prospects. He wouldn’t just disappear when they now have everything they ever wanted. But, as Dave investigates, he’s not sure that Fox Olson has everything he ever wanted.
Michael Nava says Fadeout is about loss and opportunities missed. It’s a beautifully written novel introducing a compassionate PI who has experienced loss himself. Dave’s heart is so obvious with his immediate connection to a boy with a disability, and his anger at the poor treatment of the young man. He tries to give advice to a friend who is hurting, but his own behavior isn’t a good example for her, and he understands her reaction. Because of his own loss and life, he empathizes with Fox Olson, a man who struggled to achieve a dream for his wife when he couldn’t find his own.
There is writing that just jumped out at me in this book, a turn of phrase here and there. “Some marriages,” Dave said, “should be called on account of darkness.” I savored the writing in this book. Hansen did receive the Eye Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, but none of his novels received awards. In his introduction, Nava reminds us that when Fadeout was published in 1970, being gay was illegal in 49 out of 50 states. There are unspoken reasons the books never received the attention they undoubtedly deserved.
I have copies of the next two books in the series. I have other books to read at the moment, but I’ll certainly pick up the next books when I have a chance. I liked Dave Brandstetter. And, I really liked Joseph Hansen’s writing.
Fadeout by Joseph Hansen. Soho Syndicate, 2022. ISBN 9781681990460 (paperback), 177p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley.
I read a couple of these books many years ago – and it was not easy to find them at the time – no Amazon and my library only had what they had – no getting books from other libraries. They are excellent and I would recommend them to anyone. Happy you brought this to the blog for everyone to read.
Thank you, Jeannette. I’ll definitely be reading the next ones. This one was excellent, as you said.
Insomia tonight!! I am very excited about this author. Amazon has all 12 and listened to the audible samples. The reader sounds like he could be on Dragnet. There are MP3-Cd versions. Really like his style. Thank you for the inttroduction!
You’re welcome, Carolee. That reader sounds perfect for these books!
Lesa! I am so glad you are featuring Hansen’s work. I have loved him for years and revisited the series multiple times. In addition to everything else about his writing, he captures so much about Southern California. Thrilled there are new editions for everyone.
Thank you, Wendall! Isn’t that great? And, Michael Nava’s introduction is terrific. I like introductions that provide background.
I read all of his books when they came out years ago. Can’t believe it is 50 years since the first one. And the review reminds me to recommend Michael Nava’s Henry Rios series too, sort of the next generation. Rios is a lawyer. In checking Wikipedia, I see he has two new books in the series published in the last few years for me to catch up on.
Thanks for reviewing this one
I thought of you, Jeff, when I read it because I knew you would have read them. Definitely, my pleasure!
OK, bought the Nava ($3.99 on Kindle). The newer one is available at my library.
Oh, good. I’m always happy, Jeff, when someone says they’re able to get a specific title from the library.
I’ll go against the grain here. I read the first in the series in its original paperback edition, and thought it was “just okay”. I thought at the time his homo-gender was more of a gimmick than a necessary to the character in plot element. But with LGBTQ+ so prevalent now, it’s a timely republishing, I suppose.
I think it is a timely republishing, Rick. And, I thought those elements were essential in this opening book so as to get to know Brandstetter and understand him. However, I haven’t read any other books in the series yet, so I don’t know how that plays out.
I have had several of Hansen’s books, including this one, on my shelves for several years but haven’t tried them yet. Sometime soon I will. I would love to get this edition to start reading the series, for the introduction and because I bet the print would be easier to read than my paperback editions.