A Country of Old Men (Plume) [Mass Market Paperback]

Joseph Hansen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995 | Series: Plume

Hansen offers the final novel of his epic mystery series--an intricately-plotted story of action, irony, and twists. Dave Brandstetter comes to the aid of an old friend and ends up investigating a case that involves child abuse, drugs, AIDS, and victimization of the elderly.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Hansen concludes his long-running Dave Brandstetter series with a well-worked, compact scenario that begins with an abused child's eyewitness account of murder and kidnap. Despite his retirement and a noticeable sense of fatigue, Dave immerses himself in events surrounding the crucial item in the little boy's story: the shooting death of one Cricket Shales, a failed and recently paroled guitarist. While aiding the police with a lengthy list of suspects, Dave still listens to several old friends worried about publication of some high school memoirs. Skilled characterization, humane concerns, and a surprise or two commend this title to Brandstetter fans, but the book stands equally well on its own.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Plume (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452268052
• ISBN-13: 978-0452268050
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,622,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars When Bad Things Happen to Good Characters, April 21, 2000

By 

Drew Brainiard "watchword" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Country of Old Men: The Last Dave Brandstetter Mystery (Hardcover)

Nearly all his friends dead or put to pasture, lured out of retirement for one last case, gay PI Dave Brandstetter decides to investigate the unlikely tale of a little boy who claims he witnessed a murder and was then kidnapped and beaten by a mysterious woman named 'Rachel.' Sure enough, there does turn out to be a dead man: Cricket Shales, a first-rate guitarist but less than efficient drug dealer. Pursuing this case against the wishes of his lover Cecil, an ailing Dave is dragged into the underbelly of the music industry, and the grim world of street drugs. As one would expect from Hansen, this is a sharply written, effective and clever detective story. I do think good old Dave deserves a more imaginative fate--in fact, I'd have liked to see Hansen start the book with the last few pages of story, and flash us back to Dave's first ever case in post-Chandler Los Angeles. Then we could start the adventures of Dave all over again! Okay, I admit this is the long goodbye I'd have been happy to postpone permanently.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The final Dave Brandstetter mystery, January 28, 2009

By 

Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

A Country of Old Men, the Final Dave Brandstetter mystery finds the successful death claims investigator, while in retirement, seemingly busier than ever. In addition to being drawn into the investigation of the murder of a young drug dealing musician, there are one or two very minor subplots involving Dave's friends. The murder investigation throws up several likely suspects, but not the young girl the police have held on the charge. The investigation throws up some child abuse along with the potential involvement of some influential characters. The investigation not only puts Dave's life in danger yet again from some of the suspects, but also his increasing years are taking their toll. Yet despite his age he is even propositioned by a handsome young guy with a body like a Greek marble, he clearly has lost none of his charm or looks.

As is fitting for this, the last of the Brandstetter stories, there is more involving Dave's private life then usual, and it is all the more interesting for it. He and Cecil, his handsome young black lover, are as devoted to each other as ever, and Cecil is increasingly worried about Dave's health. Making an appearance too are a number of Dave's old friends and acquaintances. Yet again a very different story full of fine detail, but this time a particularly moving story too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a happy ending, but a good one, April 26, 2007

By 

spiderorchid (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Country of Old Men (Plume) (Mass Market Paperback)

Nobody likes to see the last book in a series of books as great a Hansen's "Brandstetter"-series. It's sad. Especially because of the fact that Dave really is a well constructed character that one grows to like over the years.
But everything has to end someday and I think Hansen did a pretty good job. It's not the ending one would suspect. It's logical and convincing. And it's part of a very good detective-novel. The story is one of the best in the series and Hansen even takes the time to wrap up some loose ends that have been around for ages through the books.
And if you like, you can read the ending as kind of an open end...