Illusions by Bill Pronzini
Following his success in Sentinels, Nameless, who has been praised as the thinking person's detective, is back! Caught between two difficult investigations - one personal and one professional. Nameless has become increasingly obsessed with his investigation into the suicide of his estranged friend and former partner, Eberhardt, when he is hired by a Santa Fe businessman to find his ex-wife. The job soon takes on frightening dimensions when the client turns up dead. Then disturbing facts about the couple's past begin to emerge. Both cases lead Nameless down a twisted path strewn with the illusions people adopt for themselves and perceive in others. Ultimately Nameless is torn between the two cases and must make a painful choice. Illusions is a superb psychological mystery that delves deeply into human imagination.