T. E. MacArthur’s No Requiem for the Tin Man is a well-crafted, exciting detective story set in San Francisco in the 1930s. The story is interwoven with dieselpunk sci-fi. Bots, Crawlers, flying motorbikes, and Zeppelins are part and parcel of everyday life in San Francisco,  helping to run the city’s transportation and various city services more efficiently. Lou Tanner (Lillian Lucille Tanner) is a private investigator. San Francisco is in the midst of a politically charged mayoral election when Lou takes on an investigation that turns into a complex and dangerous mix of murder and political intrigue. The story twists and turns as Lou discovers a deeper, more sinister conspiracy threatening the freedom and rights of San Franciscans to pursue their individual dreams. 

I thoroughly enjoyed No Requiem for the Tin Man for its character development of Lou Tanner, P.I., and the richly imagined dieselpunk setting of San Francisco. I particularly liked how Lou’s character comes to life through several challenges in the plot. Strong-willed, with a sharp and quick mind, Lou is determined to pursue her dream of being a P.I., notwithstanding the social and cultural biases and restraints of the 1930s. I liked Lou’s courage in dangerous situations and her ability to think on her feet. I liked her resilience and her willingness to fight for her rights and others who face ethnic, racial, or gender bias and prejudice. The story gained great depth through other characters investigating a political conspiracy and the mayoral race. I enjoyed the personal aspects of Lou’s life and character that emerge through her memories of her uncle and mentor, Joe Parnaski, a former cop and railroad case investigator. Another character I liked is Marley O’Brien, a feisty young woman who works as Lou's assistant and is on her way to becoming a P.I. herself. T. E. MacArthur’s No Requiem for the Tin Man is a terrific read, with the dynamic sleuth Lou Tanner and a story that is also a gritty alternate history of San Francisco in the 1930s.

Times have not been kind to Lucille "Lou" Tanner. It has been three months since she last caught a case. All that changes when a seemingly disturbed individual barges into her office, muttering some incoherent things she does not understand. Lucille has no idea that this is only the beginning of an unusual sequence of events that will see her take on a covert assignment from one of the frontrunners in the city's upcoming elections. Lucille must once again call on the assistance of her friends Marley O'Brien and Agent Christopher Hayes when she discovers her findings may tip the scales in an unfolding conspiracy in T.E. MacArthur's No Requiem For The Tin Man, the second book in the Lou Tanner Mystery series.

This period mystery features a distinctive twist in the world-building. T.E. MacArthur meticulously constructs the timeline using unique historical references, particularly from pre-Second World War era America, using the unsavory antics that became the trademark of national and local politics at the time and the evident contempt for Lucille's private investigator role among the male population. The author skillfully incorporates innovative science fiction elements like the Bots and Tons into a classic mystery, giving the narrative a unique feel. The narrative style draws the reader into the adventure as these futuristic elements blend seamlessly with the setting and activities. The highly entertaining dialogue shows Lucille's quick-witted responses and sharp humor, enhancing an engaging plot that accelerates with each subplot shift. There's a hint of potential romance between Lucille and Hayes, suggesting the possibility of a deeper connection as the series progresses. MacArthur's novel is a remarkably compelling work.