Dark All Day (The Walking Shadows, #3)

by Brenden Carlson

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Dark All Day is the third Walking Shadows SF-noir alternate 1930s timeline PI murder mystery by Brenden Carlson. Released 14th March 2023 by Dundurn, it's 392 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is an engaging book in a much beloved subgenre. There's a clearly and precisely wrought noir vibe. The androids and their often fraught interactions with humans are drawn (mostly) sympathetically and believably. The darkness (often literal) and desperation of the Lower City of NY is a brooding and distinctive presence throughout which adds tension and some dread. There are a lot of Philip K. Dick and Asimov nuances floating around and it's an engaging and immersive read. With that being said, the book is not entirely unproblematic in places. There are several aspects I found myself struggling with. There is -so- much gratuitous violence. The main (human) protagonist Elias Roche murders witnesses, thugs, and various bystanders, willy nilly. He's a super dangerous guy. Frank Castle (the Punisher) would be well served to cross to the other side of the street if he sees him coming. I get that it's part of the gritty noir vibe, but in my opinion the author does a superlative job of calling up the mean streets of New York without the almost comically superfluous body count. There are very few females mentioned in the entire book (the female director of the FBI makes an appearance in the story), there are some mentions of whorehouses, former love interests, and various secretaries but not much substantive. Again, the author is adept enough that the omission is certainly intentional to better call up the 1930s noir vibe, but it seemed unnecessary in context. 

Other reviewers have done a good job of providing a precis of the plot which is well built up with a fairly large cast of characters and a lengthy and complex back story/setting. The language is rough overall (and somewhat anachronistic - I'm pretty sure 1930's cops didn't drop the "f" word nearly as often as occurs in this volume). I enjoyed the characterizations (especially Roche's android partner, Allen). I really really enjoyed the vibe (pitch perfect!). It's not flawless, but it certainly is well written and diverting. 

Four stars. I would recommend it unhesitatingly to fans of unredacted Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and James M. Cain. Readers should keep in mind that this is the third book in an ongoing, relatively complex, series and it doesn't work particularly well as a standalone. Strongly recommended to read the books in order. The first book in the series, Night Call , is available in paperback and ebook formats from the same publisher.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes