David writes such unforgettable books and characters. They always unsettle, unnerve me but because of how deeply penetrative of the heart and mind that they are.
There is extra layers, extra depth to each story and to the characters involved.
These books dont shy away from the darkness and for that I respect them so much more.
The themes shouldn't be glossy,the thought provocation shouldn't be easy. And these books aren't always easy but it makes them rather easy to get hooked to. I always know I'm going to have a brilliant immersion story. I always know it will leave me feeling like somehow my reading soul has been fulfilled.

The deeply dark and sadness of this book surroundong power and manipulation via a mother is both sad and shocking. It bought an undercurrent of sadness,unease and what would this all come to. And you can see the makings of why such darkness shapes and creates certain people or their motives. No excuses but a fair few explanations.
The psychological note to this books gives it extra weight and rawness for me. That i loved as its one of my favourite types.
Sam Sharpe is still there showing his flaws but also somehow showing his goodness. Or is it his need to do the right thing.
Mama is one twist shadow throughout.
This is an intense and emotional read and i love it for being that for me.
I cant recommend this book enough. All the stars from me.

A Gritty, Unsettling Noir with Psychological Depth
Mama’s Boy (Hammer & Sharpe Noir Mystery Thrillers Book 3) by David E. Feldman is not your average crime novel—it’s a razor-edged, emotionally raw plunge into the darkest corners of human behavior, family secrets, and moral ambiguity.

This third installment in the series brings back private investigators Hammer and Sharpe, who are thrust into a seemingly routine missing persons case that quickly spirals into a brutal web of betrayal, psychological manipulation, and generational trauma. Feldman’s prose crackles with the wry, cynical energy of classic noir, but what really elevates this book is its psychological complexity. The theme of a killer manipulated by his mother adds an unnerving twist that lingers long after you turn the final page.

What I loved:
• 🔥 Authentic Noir Voice – Feldman nails the tone: gritty, atmospheric, and full of bite.
• 🧠 Psychological Depth – The story doesn’t shy away from portraying addiction, trauma, and the emotional toll of violence.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Compelling Protagonists – Sharpe and Hammer aren’t heroes—they’re survivors, flawed and painfully real.
• 📚 Fast-Paced Plot – The pacing is relentless, with sharp dialogue and scene transitions that never miss a beat.

What didn’t quite work:
• 🤯 A few plot twists felt too convenient, and some transitions between plotlines could’ve been more polished.
• 🧩 The ending, while impactful, leaves some threads hanging—possibly to set up the next book.

But that’s noir for you. Clean resolutions and moral clarity don’t belong here. Feldman’s world is bleak, his characters broken, and his story utterly absorbing.

This book isn’t for everyone—especially if you prefer tidy endings or squeaky-clean protagonists. But if you’re a fan of Chandler, Lehane, or dark, character-driven mysteries, Mama’s Boy will absolutely hit the mark.

📖 Perfect for:
• Fans of hardboiled detectives and morally gray storytelling
• Readers who love psychological crime fiction
• Anyone craving a raw, noir thriller that challenges convention

🖤 Final Thought:
Mama’s Boy doesn’t just walk the mean streets—it owns them. Brutal, bold, and deeply human, it’s noir in its truest form.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a NETGALLEY book. So this is an honest review.

I never read from this author but the blurb was interesting. I love noir detective books so this is right up my alley. We have escorts going missing at first then body parts of the missing woman gets found. The police plus Sam Sharp and Josh Hammer are trying to find out who it is. On top of that the streets are being attacked by a new group in town.

This was a fast paced read but left no holes in the plot. I’m thinking about reading more from this author.

A Gritty, Unsettling Noir with Psychological Depth

Mama’s Boy is far from a typical mystery thriller. Feldman plunges readers into a grim, emotionally raw world shaped by addiction, psychological manipulation, and the devastating consequences of power. It’s a story that unsettles—in a good way—challenging the boundaries of noir fiction with bold, uncomfortable truths.

Feldman’s signature style is unmistakable: flawed characters, bleak urban settings, and a constant undercurrent of dread. The narrative doesn’t shy away from exploring how trauma and desperation shape people, and that honesty gives the story its weight. Sam Sharpe, the central figure, is unraveling. He’s no hero, but his flawed determination to do what’s right makes him compelling. Mama’s twisted grip on Junior adds a disturbing psychological layer that lingers long after the last page.

The murders are graphic, but it’s the motivations behind them that make the story so memorable. I didn’t always like the characters—and that’s exactly what kept me invested. They’re messy, broken, and painfully real. The transitions between plotlines could have used a bit more refinement, but the pacing never lagged. Feldman pushes the reader to view crime through a different lens—where moral clarity is blurred and survival often trumps justice.

Some scenes are hard to stomach, but that’s the point. The story doesn’t flinch. It’s gritty, intense, and emotionally complex. If you’re looking for clean resolutions or noble leads, this isn’t your book. But if you appreciate morally grey storytelling and noir with psychological twists, Mama’s Boy is a bold, memorable read that’s worth your time.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It was full of thrills that held me from the first chapter. I was on the edge of my seat craving chapter after chapter. This was a really good top read for me

There were so many characters and too many storylines, it seemed to be all over the place that I couldn’t grasp what I was reading about. I DNF which is very rare.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230947647-mama-s-boy