“This entry, with its high-quality stories from such genre masters as Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain, outshines the typical all-original anthology.”—Publishers Weekly
In Akashic Books’s acclaimed series of original noir anthologies, each book comprises all new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the respective city. This collection of classic stories—the sequel to the award-winning, bestselling Los Angeles Noir—”reaffirm[s] that the shadows cast by the Southland’s sun, and its gloomy ocean fog, have proved some of noir’s most fertile territory” (Los Angeles Times).
This anthology features stories by Raymond Chandler, Paul Cain, James Ellroy, Leigh Brackett, James M. Cain, Chester Himes, Ross MacDonald, Walter Mosley, Naomi Hirahara, Margaret Millar, Joseph Hansen, William Campbell Gault, Jervey Tervalon, Kate Braverman, and Yxta Maya Murray.
“If you love either mysteries or tales about our corner of the world, pick up Noir 2 . . . Hey, the concept of ‘noir’—dark, steamy mystery stories—was invented here.”—Los Angeles Daily News
5 out of 5 stars
Noir the Way it’s Supposed to Be
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
What this collection of older stories goes to show is how lost modern writers of noir have become, how far from the mark they have strayed. Although a dark vein of violence and brutality weaves its way through many of the stories, it never becomes the sole reason for a story’s existence. The characters and situations, even without overt violence, become manifestations of a nihilistic universe. In these older stories, restraint is also shown in language, which only serves to highlight characters, situations and dire fates. Without the crutches depended upon by modern writers, there is nothing to diminish the impact of shattering climaxes.
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