Review: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway

Cal Sounder is a detective who specializes in a very particular sort of case. So he is surprised see his newest murder case appears to be just a typical techie. But it turns out this typical techie is over 7 feet tall and pushing 90-years-old. Clearly, he’s a Titan. Cal’s specialty.

I don't even know where to start but Titanium Noir is frickin fantastic.

I zipped through the first 50 pages and only stopped because my family demanded to be fed (rude), then finished the rest of the book the same day.

Initially I was a little unsure of Cal - he's kind of an ass - but within a few pages, I'd decided he was a likeable ass. The pacing is quick with that clipped, no-nonsense style expected of detective noir but combined with its own flavour that also pokes some fun at the genre, like when Athena is found in Cal's office sitting at his desk.

For me, though, the best part about this book is that I didn't figure out exactly who the murderer was until Cal did. My list of suspects did narrow (and expand, and shift, and narrow again) as I read, but I wasn't entirely sure until the moment Cal reached that realization.

The one foible I have is the end. It was a foregone conclusion that - as much as Cal did not want to become a Titan and as often as the conflict his relationship with Athena was brought up - that ultimately, he would become exactly that.

The end of it all seemed tied up just a little two neatly - everyone suddenly friends and all issues resolved. I accept that not all things can be perfect, though, and, all things considered, Titanium Noir was a great deal of fun.