For a certain type of reader (count me in!) there is nothing better than transcendent writing put to the service of a mystery. Shamus Dust is one of the best examples I've come across.

Newman is a private detective who is handed a case with many connections across multiple social classes. His status as an American in post-war Britain guarantees the outsider footing necessary to the story.

The imagery, the period details, the acute insights delivered in a detached, deadpan voice --it all made for a great reading experience. In fact, several reviewers have mentioned their conflicting urges -- read slowly and savor the poetic narrative or read fast to reveal the gripping plot. Nice dilemma!

As a measure of author Janet Roger's skill, the noir vibe was so pervasive that my mental picture throughout was the black-and-white of a mid-century gumshoe film. The sooty, snowy, London winter setting didn't hurt, and the only color seemed to be the vibrant red lipstick worn by the women.

This is one of the reasons I signed up as a NetGalley reviewer -- to discover new authors whose careers I can follow and whose fans I can become. Mission accomplished!

An interesting story that has so many twists and turns it's a bit dizzying. Not another wannabe hardboiled tale, this story read very well and I found it compelling and very hard to put down.
Elegant, spare and well designed, everything is tied up and connected, and well worth the read!

Shamus Dust is one of those unexpected surprises. When you open up this box, don't assume it's just another wannabe-Hardboiled tale. Set in post-war London with a third of the city bombed out ruins and folks still recovering from wartime separation, these dark gloomy streets are a treacherous warren of intrigue. Murder, corruption, scandal are here in force. And, it will take more than just ordinary wits to decipher what's up and who-done-it. Written in rich, thick prose that you could get lost in, this is a spectacular journey. Don't make the mistake of skimming anything, there's a lot on every page and all of it is important. Don't blink or you might miss something important. A very impressive debut indeed.