Detective Cal Sounder, now transformed into a Titan by the age-reversing drug T7, investigates the murder of a young woman in a decaying seaside town rife with class conflict, labor unrest, and secrets tied to a powerful local dynasty. Blending noir and science fiction, the story explores themes of wealth, power, and identity, using the literal giants of the elite to critique social inequality and the corrosive effects of privilege.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a near-future world where the ultra-wealthy have become literal giants known as Titans through repeated doses of a drug called T7, the novel follows detective Cal Sounder as he investigates the murder of a young woman washed up on the shore of a declining seaside town. Hired by Martha Erskine, the matriarch of a powerful Titan family, Cal is drawn into a web of family secrets, labor unrest, and political intrigue. The story blends science fiction and noir, with Cal navigating both the physical and social consequences of his own recent transformation into a Titan. The setting is marked by economic decay, class conflict, and the lingering trauma of a past massacre, all of which are explored through the lens of a hard-boiled detective narrative.

Readers praised the book's atmospheric prose, detailed world-building, and the effective fusion of detective noir with science fiction elements. The character of Cal Sounder was highlighted as a classic, hard-nosed private investigator with a complex moral compass, and the dialogue was noted for its wit and sharpness reminiscent of Raymond Chandler. The political themes, particularly the exploration of class disparity and labor struggles, resonated with several reviewers, who found the novel's engagement with issues of wealth, power, and social decay to be thought-provoking. The depiction of Titans and their impact on society, as well as the nuanced portrayal of both Titan and baseline human characters, were also frequently mentioned as strengths.

Some readers found the pacing of the novel to be slow, with extended exposition and a plot that took time to develop momentum. There were comments that the book felt longer than necessary and that significant action was often delayed until the final sections. A few reviewers expressed disappointment that certain elements, such as the 'sleepers' on Sleeper Beach, did not play as prominent a role as expected, and one reader felt the sequel did not match the impact of the first book in the series. The need for prior familiarity with the series was also noted, with some suggesting that reading the previous installment would enhance understanding of the world and characters.

The book is the second entry in the Titanium Noir series and is scheduled for publication in April 2025. It has received an average reader rating of 4.43 out of 5 from 40 ratings and 10 full reviews. The genres include science fiction, mystery, noir, and cyberpunk, and the narrative is described as action-packed and politically charged. The story addresses themes of identity, power, and the consequences of technological and social change, with the setting of Shearwater serving as a microcosm for broader societal issues.