Breakdown

Breakdown is unique in the Nameless Detective series in that it is the only book in which Nameless and his partner Eberhardt play major roles in the same case. This is the second book following Shackles, in which Nameless's character changes. As in Jackpot, Nameless is impatient and willing to bend the law to pursue justice.Reading the over 25 novels in the Nameless Detective series is like taking a tour of California. In each book, a new geography and new set of Californians are explored and exposed. Inevitably, the Hispanic population had to come into one of the stories, and this is the book for them.Nameless and Eberhardt have been hired to help Thomas Lujack clear his name in the motor vehicle homicide of his business partner, Frank Hanauer. Nameless has gone undercover, and has been spending his evenings in a tavern trying to make a personal connection with one of the key witnesses, Nick Pendarves. As the book opens, Pendarves comes into the tavern complaining that Lujack had just tried to run him down. While Pendarves muses on the danger, he mentions a name, Rivas, that gives Nameless a new investigative lead. Nameless calls Lujack to discuss the situation, but there's no answer at his home. Did Lujack try to run down Pendarves?The detectives soon learn that Lujack's company has been employing illegal immigrants, and wants to keep that a secret. They defend the practice as being necessary to stay in business. Looking for Pendarves when he doesn't show at the tavern, Nameless stumbles onto an unexpected death at Pendarves's house. Then, Nameless and Eberhardt are fired. But suspecting that there's a serious problem, they continue to follow the clues . . . while the Lujack family tries to stop them.At the same time, Nameless's girl friend, Kerry Wade, is dealing with the loss of her father, with whom Nameless had a lousy relationship. Kerry's mother decides that she no longer likes Nameless, and the relationship is at its rockiest since Hoodwink. The mystery in this book isn't quite mysterious enough for my taste. Also, the beginning moves a little slowly. Overall, though, it is a solid offering in one of the best detective series of all time.As I finished this book, I thought about how hard it is to keep a secret. In personal behavior, we should all assume that whatever we do may be on the front page some day.