Dallas Noir

This is another in the series of ' .. Noir' short story collections that started, I believe, with Brooklyn Noir, and I won it as an ER some time ago, so this is a very belated review indeed.

The editor, David Hale Smith, divides his stories into three sections, Cowboys, Rangers, and Mavericks. The stories in the first section grabbed me right away, especially the first one, "The Hole-Man", by Matt Bondurant, about a man who feels threatened and estranged in a new home in a new and anonymous subdivision. Also stuck in my mind is Daniel J. Hale's "In The Air", about two brothers. In the second section, Rangers, Merritt Tierce's "The Private Room", about a woman waiting tables in a private room, and doing other things, is quite vivid, as is show more "Full Moon" by Lauren David, about a heist gone wrong and its aftermath. The third section was, for me, the weakest of the three, but Kathleen Kent's story of a messed up stakeout and Civil-War re-enactors "Coincidences Can Kill You" is fun. I also enjoyed Harry Hunsicker's "The Stickup Girl" for its muscular language and desperate swagger, but didn't quite like the ending.

All in all, a collection that kept me reading. show less

This is the latest in the series of Noir fiction from Akashic books. It is somewhat less successful than some of the other titles in the series, probably because the stories are more eclectic and less "noir-y" than usual. Perhaps that is because the editor is a literary agent and not an author himself. (And he doesn't like Larry McMurtry!) The best traditional noir story is "Like kissing your sister" by James Hime. But hands down, the top story is "Coincidences can kill you" by Kathleen Kent. Where else could you find a tale set in Texas that includes a lesbian state trooper from Brooklyn, a group of Civil War re-enactors, and a shootout with drug running bandits from South of the Border?

I'm familiar with the Akashic Noir series and was quite excited to have the chance to preview one of the newest, Dallas Noir. I can't say it's my favorite, but it is in the spirit of noir. This group of stories in particular focuses on a group of losers with a heavy-handed approach of sex and self destruction. A few of my favorites: Ben Fountain's The Realtor (a woman wasn't a victim), The Private Room by Merritt Tierce (it's sickening and so believable), An Angel from Heaven by Fran Hillyer, and Harry Hunsicker's The Stickup Girl. I don't know Dallas so I can't tell if it's true to the city and its people, mostly underlife, but if you want, gritty, slutty (or if you prefer, sexy), and depressive, this is a great bunch of stories to read.

This was my first venture into the Noir collection from Akashic Books, and I liked it well enough that I'll probably try a few more. That said, I probably won't read the next one straight through. Most of the stories here revolved entirely around drugs and sex, with crime and atmosphere a far few steps behind all of the exotic dancers and rich players. There was little of the atmosphere that I'd expected, and at least one story that wasn't nearly at the level of the others and probably should have been left out completely. But, that said, there were three or four authors I wrote down to search out more work from, and stories as well from two writers who I already search out, neither of whom disappointed here.

All together, it was a quick show more read with fast-paced stories, though I'm hoping for more from the other Noir works on the Akashic list. show less

This is from a series of anthologies about different cities, this one is my first, and Dallas is a great city to start with. The first story, and my favorite is, Hole Man by Matt Bondurant, is set in White Rock in East Dallas. A neighborhood with cul-de-sacs, ranch houses, small lots, alleys and privacy fences. Lawn care co. come in and within 10 minutes have the whole yard done, it's not unheard of for them to do the wrong one without noticing, Mexican men running across you roof with leaf blowers is common. But the twist he adds is great! When Anders climbs up on his roof, all lawn care in the neighborhood stops and stare! Well, you just have to read it. Each story really seems to capture some memory of the city for me, even if it is show more a dark version of Dallas.
Thank you librarything for the advance reader copy. show less

I did NOT enjoy this book. I have read other offerings in the "Noir" series from Akashic books and found them to be full of fresh, edgy, writing that really revealed the underbelly of their city of focus. I didn't get any feel for Dallas from this book -- only that its contributors must think that the only important elements to include are sex and violence. Believe me, I enjoy both, in literature, in good measure and with purpose. In dallas noir, the soft porn sprinkled throughout the stories was distracting and awkward. I was also surprised to read at least one story that was so POORLY written, I can't believe it made ANY short story collection. 'In the Air', by Daniel J. Hale, read like it was written by someone trying to fit a novel show more into a short story. Bizarre. Honestly, I never made it past Part I: Cowboys and Part II: Rangers, to get to the stories in Part III: Mavericks. Maybe they're better, but it was too late for me. I couldn't read any more. show less

An Early Reviewer edition. I really enjoyed this book. Like the way the author tied in the sports teams of Dallas-the Cowboys, Rangers and Mavs. Lots of grit, underbelly, sex and crime. Anti- Chamber-of-Commerce type stuff...All in all Right up my dark alley. Really enjoyed these stories, and would like to read other 'Noir' collections.