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A review by sloreads_ca
Death Claims by Joseph Hansen
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Full review on blog
Death Claims is Dave Brandstetter's investigation into another tricky case, with unreliable witnesses, personal upheavals, and miles of pavement pounded. Set in the 1950s, Dave has to show up on doorsteps, spend a nickel at payphones, and chase people down to advance his case. So many of the characters are unlikeable but not criminal, and Dave is definitely up to figuring out who the bad guy is.
Keith Szarabajka does an amazing job of narrating the audiobook. Dave's voice is husky and wry, and the inflections match the character. Hansen wrote Death Claims in the 70s, and it leans hard on racial and gender stereotypes. The narration follows suit. Doug sounds effeminate and high-maintenance, April sounds young and naive, and Dave sounds like a hard-boiled noir detective.
Death Claims is a great noir mystery. Dave's wry humour, black-and-white outlook and knack for ferreting out information really pleased me. I hope to continue the series on audio, but I'll still hear Dave's raspy voice in my head if I'm reading with my eyes.
Death Claims is Dave Brandstetter's investigation into another tricky case, with unreliable witnesses, personal upheavals, and miles of pavement pounded. Set in the 1950s, Dave has to show up on doorsteps, spend a nickel at payphones, and chase people down to advance his case. So many of the characters are unlikeable but not criminal, and Dave is definitely up to figuring out who the bad guy is.
Keith Szarabajka does an amazing job of narrating the audiobook. Dave's voice is husky and wry, and the inflections match the character. Hansen wrote Death Claims in the 70s, and it leans hard on racial and gender stereotypes. The narration follows suit. Doug sounds effeminate and high-maintenance, April sounds young and naive, and Dave sounds like a hard-boiled noir detective.
Death Claims is a great noir mystery. Dave's wry humour, black-and-white outlook and knack for ferreting out information really pleased me. I hope to continue the series on audio, but I'll still hear Dave's raspy voice in my head if I'm reading with my eyes.