The Snatch by Bill Pronzini

The Snatch is the first of Bill Pronzini's "Nameless Detective" novels.  When he meets another character, instead of saying his name, the detective narrates, "We introduced ourselves." And throughout the novel, no one addresses him by name.

This would seem like a tactical error. Readers are loyal to detectives such as Kinsey Millhone, Harry Bosch, Jessica Fletcher, Sherlock Holmes, and so on. But though he lacks a name, reader's have been faithful to Pronizini's detective. He has published 46 nameless detective novels since 1971.  

"Nameless" is in many ways a mainstream American hard-boiled private eye.  He struggles with addiction (cigarettes), fails in his relationship with the woman in his life, and is idealistic about his profession. 

Mostly, I think, "Nameless" has lasted because Pronzini tells a good story. He had me guessing about who committed the kidnapping referred to in the title. And he creates a realistic feel for San Francisco, where the story is set.