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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nick Harkaway is the author of Gnomon (William Heinemann, October 2017), as well as The Gone-Away World, Angelmaker (for which he won the Oxfam Emerging Writers Prize and the Kitschies’ coveted Red Tentacle) and Tigerman. He has been described variously as 'J. G. Ballard’s geeky younger brother', 'William Makepeace Thackerary on acid' and 'a British mimetic speculative godgame novelist'. The Blind Giant, his only full length non-fiction work, examined the interaction of technology and humanity and how best to live in a world where gadgets have become fundamental.

Nick lives in London with his wife and their two children. He publishes occasional articles on Medium, and is mildly noted for extensive and profane political Twitterings. Hosting a conference at London’s Science Museum for the European Space Agency in September 2016, he took a rueful moment aside to tell a supportive audience: “In meinem Herz, ich bin Europäer.” He loves Borges and Calvino, Proulx and Winterson, Gibson and DeLillo. Other important influences include Benjamin Zidarch, Vittorio Innocenti and Susana Balbo.

Publisher: Knopf (May 16, 2023) Page count: 241

Cal Sounder doesn't take any case he gets; he deals with sensitive ones, such as those involving the Titans, members of a near-future society's genetically altered elites. The local homicide squad calls him to investigate the murder of a seemingly average techie. Except, the victim is seven feet tall and despite young looks, is actually ninety years old. Cal takes the case. A dead Titan is big news.

Cal discovers that the murder investigation is more complicated than it appears. It soon becomes obvious that he's pursuing a crime that could unravel the dark mysteries of his society. Murder, betrayal, and revenge await him. Oh, and let's not forget about Stefan Tonfamecasca - the creator of the controversial T7 genetic therapy, which elevated his family to near-godlike status. Cal's love interest and the story's femme fatale, Athena, is Stefan's daughter. Yup. Things get complicated.

Titanium Noir is an entertaining science-fiction noir thriller, with good pacing and the right amount of twists and turns. Harkaway's elegant and rhythmic writing is impressive. He provides snappy exchanges and lightning-paced dialogue, nuanced characters, and a dark vision of future society. Now, it's not particularly original, if you're versed in the genre and its history. But it spins it here and there, and the mystery remains mysterious and engaging throughout. The ending lands well. Let's just say it's hard-hitting (though not fully unexpected).

While I had a reasonably good time with the story and appreciated both the craft and the imagination on display, I felt somewhat distanced from it. Harkaway's writing becomes quite dense and as impressive as it is, it can detract from the story. Now, I'm sure many readers will appreciate this "literary" layer of the story. For me, it didn't always work.

In all, though, Titanium Noir is an interesting and intelligent noir thriller worth attention and trying.