Noir in the City: 3 Books Worth Reading - Detroit, Palm Springs & Santa Fe (Book Notes)
Book notes may contain spoilers.
Most books in this curated list are available from online bookstores or via your preferred bookseller.
Detroit Noir
Detroit Noir is a collection of 15 short stories that delve into the dark and gritty underbelly of Detroit. Edited by acclaimed author and Detroit native, E.J. Olsen, the book features stories by some of the city's most prominent writers, including Joyce Carol Oates and Loren D. Estleman.
Each story offers a unique perspective on the city of Detroit, highlighting the social and economic struggles faced by its inhabitants. From tales of corruption and crime to stories of family and loss, the book paints a vivid portrait of a city in turmoil.
In When the Spirit Moves You by Lolita Hernandez, a young girl witnesses the aftermath of a brutal crime and must come to terms with her own complicity in the event. In The Twenty Dollar Bill by Craig Holden, a homeless man discovers a mysterious twenty-dollar bill that leads him down a dangerous path.
Other stories, such as Kings of Lost Causes by Peter Markus, explore the complexities of family relationships and the struggle to escape one's past. And in Eight Ball by Desiree Cooper, a woman's life is forever changed when she takes a job as a phone sex operator.
SUMMARY: Detroit Noir offers a gripping and visceral look into the darker side of one of America's most iconic cities. The stories are skillfully crafted and offer a powerful commentary on the human experience in the face of adversity.
Palm Springs Noir
Palm Springs Noir is a collection of short stories edited by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett that explores the dark underbelly of the popular California desert oasis. Each of the stories is set in Palm Springs or the surrounding Coachella Valley and features characters who are grappling with their own personal demons.
The first story, Desert Justice by T. Jefferson Parker, follows a former police officer turned private investigator as he tries to solve the murder of a local socialite. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers that everyone in the tight-knit community has secrets they'd rather keep hidden.
In Desert Song by Alex Espinoza, a young musician struggling to make it in the music industry is tempted by a dangerous proposition from a wealthy older man. As the two become more entangled, the musician begins to question whether the price of success is worth it.
Other stories in the collection include The Last Honest Man by Janet Fitch, in which a grieving widow seeks revenge against those she believes are responsible for her husband's death; The Cemetery Man by Ken Layne, which follows a cemetery caretaker who uncovers a shocking secret about one of the graves; and The Bends by Jason Skipper, in which a young couple's trip to Palm Springs takes a dark turn when they get involved with a drug dealer.
Despite the collection's focus on the seedy underbelly of the Palm Springs area, the stories are all expertly crafted and provide a nuanced look at the human experience. The collection also highlights the complex social and economic dynamics of the Coachella Valley, shedding light on a side of Palm Springs that is often overlooked by tourists and visitors.
SUMMARY: Palm Springs Noir is a must-read for fans of crime fiction, as well as anyone interested in the darker side of California's desert paradise. The stories are expertly crafted and offer a unique perspective on a place that is often viewed through rose-colored glasses.
Santa Fe Noir
Santa Fe Noir is a collection of 14 short stories edited by Ariel Gore, featuring contributions from different writers such as Ana Castillo, John Sayles, and Benjamin Percy. The stories are all set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a city known for its rich history, diverse culture, and art scene.
The book opens with Ana Castillo's High Desert Funeral, a story about a young woman returning home to Santa Fe for her mother's funeral. As she reconnects with her family and tries to come to terms with her mother's death, she is forced to confront a dark secret from her past. In Turquoise Trail, William Deverell explores the relationship between a local artist and a wealthy collector of Native American art. As the two men become increasingly entangled, they are forced to confront the darker aspects of the art world.
In The Awakening, Ariel Gore tells the story of a young woman who moves to Santa Fe in search of a new life. But as she becomes involved with a group of spiritual seekers, she discovers that not everything is as it seems. Similarly, in Feng Shui, Margaret Coel follows a woman who believes that rearranging her furniture will help her overcome a series of setbacks. But as she becomes more obsessed with the practice, she begins to lose sight of what really matters.
Other stories in the collection delve into themes of crime, corruption, and the seedy underbelly of Santa Fe. In The Water Shrine, Kurt Mitchell tells the story of a retired cop who is pulled back into the world of crime when a friend asks him to investigate a suspicious death. In El Camino Real, Luis Alberto Urrea explores the relationship between a drug dealer and a journalist as they navigate the dangerous streets of Santa Fe.
SUMMARY: Santa Fe Noir is a compelling and atmospheric collection of stories that captures the essence of a unique city and the people who inhabit it. The stories are diverse in their style and subject matter, but they all share a common thread of exploring the dark side of human nature. Fans of crime fiction and literary fiction alike will find something to enjoy in this collection.
