Joseph Hansen is probably the best-known of the authors on this list. His detective, Dave Brandstetter, debuted in Fadeout in 1970. His craftsmanship and storytelling ability have been acclaimed by The New Yorker, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times Book Review, and many other publications. He has also written poetry and novels beyond those mentioned here. I read most of these a long time ago, but as I get back to them I'll add to the reviews here.
Fadeout
Harper & Row 1970 Henry Holt 1980
Death Claims
Harper & Row 1973 Henry Holt 1980
Troublemaker
Harper & Row 1975 Henry Holt 1981
The Man Everybody Was Afraid Of
Holt, Rinehart & Winston 1978 Henry Holt 1981
Skinflick
Holt, Rinehart & Winston 1979 Henry Holt 1980
Gravedigger
Holt, Rinehart & Winston 1982 Henry Holt 1983
Nightwork
Holt, Rinehart & Winston 1984 Henry Holt 1985
A truck driver dies in a suspicious accident, and Dave gets himself into a world of trouble investigating it. His relationship with Cecil continues to grow in surprising ways.
The Little Dog Laughed
Henry Holt 1986 Henry Holt 1987
Dave investigates the murder of Adam Streeter, a celebrated foreign correspondent, in a case that embroils him in Central American politics.
Early Graves
The Mysterious Press 1987
The latest victim of a serial killer the media are calling "Knifer in the Dark" shows up on Dave's doorstep, plunging him into an investigation of the murders.
Obedience
Brandstetter investigates a murder in the Vietnamese-American community.
The Boy Who Was Buried This Morning
New American Library 1990 Plume 1991
A paintball game goes badly wrong and a boy is dead. Dave and Cecil check into his background and find a nasty town full of neo-Nazis and skinheads. Suspenseful and moving.
A Country of Old Men
Viking 1991 Plume/Penguin 1992
Dave's last book, in which Hansen explores what it's like to no longer be able to do a job you love. Very moving, particularly the ending.
