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Fadeout
Fadeout | Joseph Hansen
4 posts | 7 read | 5 to read
Published fifty years ago, a time when being gay was illegal in 49 out of 50 states, Joseph Hansens first Dave Brandstetter novel shattered stereotypes and redefined the Private Eye novel as we know it. Five decades after its original landmark publication, Joseph Hansens Fadeout is as fresh and important as ever. Preceded only by a handful of gay protagonists in crime fiction, Hansens Dave Brandstetter, a ruggedly handsome World War II vet with a quick wit, faultless moral compass, and endless confidence, shattered stereotypes and won over a large reading audience, a feat previously considered impossible for queer fiction. Set in the mid-1960s, Fadeout centers on the disappearance of a southern California radio personalitynamed Fox Olson. A failed writer, Olson finally found success as a beloved folksinger and wholesome country raconteur with a growing national audience. The community is therefore shocked when Olsons car is found wrecked, having been driven off a bridge and swept away in a fast-moving arroyo on a rainy night. A life insurance claim is filed by Olsons widow and the company holding the policy sends their best man to investigate. The problem is that Olsons body was never found. Not in the car. Not further down the river. As Dave Brandstetter begins his investigation he quickly finds that none of it adds up.
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Michael_Gee
Fadeout | Joseph Hansen
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Mehso-so

Continuing my streak of detective fiction, I read this re-issued novel featuring an openly homosexual investigator. I really liked this. I could see this as a Ryan Murphy show. It has a good sense of atmosphere, a cast of colorful characters, and a solid (if uncomplicated) plot w/ a tug of war between earnest optimism and defeat. It is a vivid snapshot of its time (book was 1st published in 1970). I will read the next one.

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Michael_Gee
Fadeout | Joseph Hansen

I‘m sitting here going through the motions of feeling sorry for myself & lonely and forsaken. Repeating a ritual I began too many years ago to count, & perfected through a number of farewell performances. But actors wear out roles. I‘ve worn out this one. I can‘t do it anymore. The sketch wasn‘t hard when I understood it was 50% fake. When I was young enough to know ⬇️

Michael_Gee at the back of my mind there‘d be another girl soon and, if that one left, another…I don‘t know that anymore. So the fun‘s gone out of mourning. 3y
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Michael_Gee
Fadeout | Joseph Hansen
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Her mouth sagged open. She looked the way people her age, his age, wish they didn‘t when they see themselves in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning.

Cathythoughts Great picture 👍 3y
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Bookzombie
Fadeout | Joseph Hansen
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Pickpick

#reviewcatchup

This is the first book in the David Brandstetter series, which is set in the 1960s. Brandstetter, a private detective, is investigating a life insurance claim on Fox Olsen, whose car is found after being swept down an an arroyo during a heavy rainstorm and no body has been found. David quickly finds that things aren‘t adding up and is determined to find out what‘s going on. Originally published in 1970, Hanson‘s detective ⬇️

Bookzombie is considered to be a groundbreaking character as he is openly gay. I‘m not sure how I found this series, but I‘m definitely going to read the rest. 3y
Michael_Gee I read about it on NPR awhile ago and finally got the book from the library today! Just started it. 3y
Bookzombie @Michael_Gee I hope you like it! 🙂 3y
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