Obedience: A Dave Brandstetter Mystery [Hardcover]

Joseph Hansen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1988

Obedience: A Dave Brandstetter Mystery by Hansen, Joseph

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Some of L.A.'s sleaziest characters come to life on the pages of Hansen's taut novel, where Dave Brandstetter makes his 10th appearance as a now-aging private-eye. With a few tricks still in his bag, Brandstetter proves a formidable investigator whose reputation is enhanced by a Time magazine interview. This accolade to his credit, the public defenders' office hires him to probe the murder of a prominent Vietnamese businessman and clear their client, Andy Flanagan, a suspect in the killing. During the investigation, he stumbles onto two more murders in the Vietnamese community, linking them to a startling drug smuggling discovery in the dead importer's waterfront warehouse. Brandstetter's relationship with Cecil Harris, his housemate from Early Grave (1987) continues, this aspect of the story handled with intelligence and sensitivity. The mystery, though contrived, is fast-paced and literate, while revealing little-known facts about Indo-Chinese lifestyles in America. Hansen readers should delight in this latest caper.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Hansen continues his well-established Brandstetter series with Dave, a straight-acting, well-accepted gay, on the verge of retirement. Out of deference to a friend, however, he takes on one more case. Vietnamese investor Le Van Minh, owner of the Old Fleet Marina, has just sold it, which means the boat people living there must leave. Dave, who rejects this as motivation for Le's subsequent murder, quickly uncovers evidence of drug smuggling. California settings with an East Asian twist, crisp prose, increasing tension, and a satisfying conclusion add to the excitement. Recommended. REK
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Mysterious Pr; 1st ptg. edition (November 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892962968
• ISBN-13: 978-0892962969
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,970,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No 10 of the Brandstetter mysteries, January 19, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Obedience: A Dave Brandstetter Mystery (Hardcover)

When Mr Le, the Vietnamese owner of a rundown harbour complex is found dead the police arrest the self appointed spokesman for the resident houseboat owners. He had an appointment with Mr Le in a bid to dissuade him from selling the harbour to developers and so making the residents homeless. Into his sixties and retired, the still trim and dapper Dave Brandstetter, private investigator an insurance claims investigator, now famous and acknowledged the best in the business, is persuaded to look into the case by the local Public Defender to prove the imprisoned suspect's innocence.

While reluctant to take on the assignment, he is intrigued, as much because his lover, the black twenty five year old tall, slim and good looking Cecil Harris, TV reporter, is covering the harbour development story. Dave soon finds himself involved in much more than a single murder investigation. As he starts asking questions he discovers more potential murders, and more happen while he investigates, he suspects a drug smuggling connection along with double-dealing employees and officials. But the powerful Vietnamese community makes his investigation not only difficult but extremely dangerous.

Obedience, the tenth of the Brandstetter mysteries is yet another complex, inventive and unpredictable story, plenty of detail, interesting characters, including a young black entertainer who nearly has Cecil face down in a bunk, and the occasional link to past investigations. But above all it is Dave and Cecil, and their mutually devotion, that now makes these stories so appealing.