Since the infamous “whiff of cordite” phrase is used early in the book, I assumed it was going to be a 1930’s story about a grizzled PI with a penchant for cigars and fedoras. Not so much. Just another example of an author using a common phrase that has long since lost meaning. Cordite hasn’t been used in ammunition since the 1940’s.
It took me a couple chapters, but I managed to get past that annoying little detail. I was raised by a gun enthusiast so I struggled to unhear the phrase. Once I settled into the story, I was entertained. The book has a 30’s crime noir feel, but it is definitely set in modern times. Jimmy McSwain is a modern private investigator with some very modern cases to solve.
The plot was interesting. As a seasoned mystery reader, I was impressed that a few events caught me by surprise. The resolution wasn’t a complete surprise, but I wasn’t sure till the end. The characters were all engaging. I am a huge fan of well planned character development, and I would give the author five stars for the ability to create a cast of realistic characters. The rhythm of the story was well suited to narration, and Joel Leslie was an excellent choice for this story. This was a very entertaining read/listen, and I look forward to reading the entire series.