Book Review: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway

A virtuosic mashup of Philip K. Dick and Raymond Chandler by way of Marvel—the story of a detective investigating the murder of a Titan, one of society's most powerful, medically-enhanced elites.
"Cross-genre brilliance from the superbly talented Nick Harkaway." —William Gibson, New York Times best-selling author of Agency.
Cal Sounder is a detective working for the police on certain very sensitive cases. So when he's called in to investigate a homicide at a local apartment, he's surprised by the routineness of it all. But when he arrives on scene, Cal soon learns that the victim—Roddy Tebbit, an otherwise milquetoast techie—is well over seven feet tall. And although he doesn't look a day over thirty, he is ninety-one years old. Tebbit is a Titan—one of this dystopian, near-future society's genetically altered elites. And this case is definitely Cal's thing.
There are only a few thousand Titans worldwide, thanks to Stefan Tonfamecasca's discovery of the controversial T7 genetic therapy, which elevated his family to godlike status. T7 turns average humans into near-immortal distortions of themselves—with immense physical proportions to match their ostentatious, unreachable lifestyles. A dead Titan is big news . . . a murdered Titan is unimaginable. But these modified magnates are Cal's specialty. In fact, his own ex-girlfriend, Athena, is a Titan. And not just any—she is Stefan's daughter, heir to the massive Tonfamecasca empire.
As the murder investigation intensifies, Cal begins to unravel the complicated threads of what should have been a straightforward case, and it becomes clear he's on the trail of a crime whose roots run deep into the dark heart of the world.

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway is a thrilling audiobook that plunges listeners into a near-future world dominated by genetically altered elites known as Titans. The story follows Cal Sounder, a detective specializing in cases involving these powerful figures, as he navigates a murder investigation with unexpected twists and turns.

From the get-go, the audiobook had me hooked with its clever and original plot. While the characters weren’t deeply fleshed out, I found Cal Sounder and the key players intriguing enough to keep me engaged. The world-building was vivid, painting pictures of the mountains and lakes that added an immersive quality to the narrative. The pacing was spot-on, turning the story into a genuine page-turner that I couldn’t put down. Despite a bit of a masculine vibe, with female characters taking a backseat, it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment, making this a satisfying listen.

What really stood out was Davis Brooks’ narration. His dry style was a perfect match for the sarcastic comments and wit of Cal Sounder, elevating the experience. Brooks brought the characters to life, capturing the essence of the noir atmosphere and contributing significantly to my overall enjoyment of Titanium Noir. His skillful narration added a personal touch, making this audiobook a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a riveting mystery with a touch of futuristic intrigue

Story (Plot)
Narration
Overall:

lomeraniel

My name is Elena. Since I was a little child I loved science fiction and fantasy, and I can’t resist a good novel. In 2015, while wait I started to listen to audiobooks and I discovered the pleasure in being able to read while doing my daily tasks, so there’s always an audiobook playing on my phone. If you see me with my Bluetooth headphones on, please be gentle, I get easily startled.

I live with my boyfriend, which I met during my six-year stay in Belgium, four cockatiels, eight lovebirds, and a hamster in Madrid, Spain; and I like to spend my free time knitting and sewing while listening to audiobooks.