Fadeout

The Dave Brandstetter Mysteries, Book 1

By: Joseph Hansen

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

Fadeout is the first of Joseph Hansen’s twelve classic mysteries featuring rugged Dave Brandstetter, an insurance investigator who is contentedly gay.

When entertainer Fox Olson’s car plunges off a bridge in a storm, a death claim is filed, but where is Olson’s body? As Brandstetter questions family, fans, and detractors, he grows certain Olson is still alive and must find him before the would-be killer does.

Suspenseful and wry, shrewd and deeply felt, Fadeout remains as fresh today as when it startled readers more than thirty years ago.

©1970, 2019 Joseph Hansen (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ehhhh

I thought the book was okay. I got to chapter 5 and quit the book. It might have been better with a different reader or if I was reading the book but I honestly couldn't get into it and I also couldn't tell you what happened up to chapter 5 either.

Thoroughly enjoyable

This was a fun listen. Quality whodunit wrapped around a slice of historic queerness. It's refreshing to have an essentially well-adjusted, incidentally gay hard-boiled detective, and it's especially noteworthy in a story that's decades old.

Most everything about the writing was very solid: three-dimensional characters with their own lives and motivations, evocative descriptions of the seedy side of Southern California, clear exposition, appropriately subtle hints that made plot points seem natural instead of arbitrary. My only complaints were that it was pretty short and it overused some gay tropes. But it was a solid intro for Dave Brandstetter, and I plan to continue the series.

The narration was perfectly fine. I had no problem following along. I don't know what some of the other reviews are talking about when they say they had trouble keeping up while listening. There are only around a dozen characters, the exposition around them is clear, and the narrator does a decent job with using multiple voices. I prefer some other narrators (e.g. James Marsters), and this one was a touch fast in places, but I have no complaints of substance.

Rediscover a Great Series

Note: This is a series that is best read in order.

Joseph Hansen was a groundbreaking figure in the gay community of the '60s and '70s; he was a poet, a radio show host, and a damn good crime writer. His prose is crisp and his characterizations are compassionately drawn. This series has been out of print for a long while, and I am thrilled to see Blackstone is recording them (the first four are available as of this writing).

Keith Szarabajka's narration is outstanding...he perfectly captures Brandstetter's tone, while also clearly defining the voices of all the other characters. Distinction of character is especially important in a mystery series, where each book comes with a relatively new cast. Szarabajka distinguishes each voice without tipping into caricature or stereotype, which is an impressive balance.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in (and augmented respect for) crime fiction, and I hope Hansen's work gets the attention it deserves. In my view, Brandstetter belongs in the company of Lew Archer and Travis McGee. Now here's hoping this series reappears in print sometime soon....

Love all Joseph Hansen’s books

Characters become old friends, lovely to read about altruistic, loving, kind men doing good with integrity, and a smashing good crime solving story as well

I am thrilled to have found this series...

I often search by narrator and discover some hidden gems. This is one of them. Keith Szarabajka is one of the best narrators out there with pitch-perfect vocal talents. Add this to the intricate and enthralling talents of author Joseph Hanson and we have a complex book. Set in the 1970s, insurance investigator Brandsetter sets out to unravel a suspicious insurance claim. Surprises, twists and turns ensue. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced and interesting book and I look forward to more in this this series. Thank you to Audible for adding this one to its Audible Plus catalogue at no cost. Highly recommended.

Looking forward to hanging out in this world

I’m surprised I have never come across this series or author before. So happy I found it. I enjoy the main character, Dave. It’s written and set in 1970 and it is authentically that time period. I also appreciate gay characters who are not over sexualized. It’s there when it needs to be, but does not define who Dave is. He’s good at his job and interesting, so that’s the real focus.

Where were these books hidden?

This entire series is fabulous, each book a gem. They’re hard-boiled and believable, the same old LA—as cliched as it actually is—with a striking cast of characters, people I grew to know and care about (if not all like) throughout the series. In era, tone, and social awareness, they are most like the Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo books featuring Martin Beck, though Brandstetter operates mainly alone, unlike Beck. I am a big fan of LA noir, and somehow didn’t hear of this series until a random mention on Fresh Air. To my amazement, most were free to me on Audible Plus. Usually I am annoyed by short listens, but these all seem complete, not skimpy. I want to run away with Madge.

Amazing

Cannot believe this was written in 1970! It’s timeless thanks to the narrator’s performance. Keith S is the best storyteller.

Lots to enjoy in this classic queer mystery

Dave Brandstetter is matter of fact and competent without being a hardboiled cliche. A nice twisty plot. Nuanced characters, complicated lives, and a well-written disabled minor character.

Loved this series.

I really, really, really enjoyed this book. Enjoyed the whole series. I honestly got a bit nostalgic listening to the first 3 or so and to those that complained about all the "smoking" in other reviews, you clearly didn't experience the era when literally everyone smoked. All the time. I did not have any trouble keeping track of what was happening. I loved the characters, the narrator, the storyline. I grew up watching Perry Mason on TV and I had Raymond Burr in my head the whole time I listened to these books. I wish there had been more of them written in the 60's. A posthumous thank you to Joseph Hansen for a great book series.