This anthology of noir fiction set in São Paulo, Brazil, “might be the strongest entry yet in the long-running and globe-spanning Akashic Noir series” (San Francisco Book Review).
Once known as the Land of Mist, São Paulo is now a dense, diverse, and globalized metropolis. It is the most populous city in the Americas, the Portuguese-speaking world, and the southern hemisphere—with some of the worst traffic on the planet. From its gleaming skyscrapers to its historic downtown and its rough, drug-infested outskirts, this unique anthology explores a truly unique city with “a timely feel, giving noir a host of feminine faces” (Kirkus).São Paulo Noir includes fourteen brand-new stories by Tony Bellotto, Olivia Maia, Marcelino Freire, Beatriz Bracher & Maria S. Carvalhosa, Fernando Bonassi, Marcelo Rubens Paiva, Marçal Aquino, Jô Soares, Mario Prata, Ferréz, Vanessa Barbara, Ilana Casoy, and Drauzio Varella.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Bellotto has no trouble discovering dark doings . . . São Paulo’s size and diversity give this volume’s 14 storytellers room to roam . . . In the year of #MeToo, Bellotto’s Akashic entry has a timely feel, giving noir a host of feminine faces.” ― Kirkus Reviews
“In the latest entry to this globetrotting series, a man goes for a tarot reading and winds up poisoned by the daughter he never knew he had. And that’s just one story in a collection that takes us down the mysterious alleys and mazy favelas of Rio, just in time for the Olympic Games. “ ― O, the Oprah Magazine
About the Author
Tony Bellotto was born in São Paulo in 1960 and has lived in Rio de Janeiro for over twenty years. Guitarist and songwriter for the Titãs (Titans), one of the most important rock bands in Brazilian musical history, Tony’s literary debut was the novel Bellini e a esfinge in 1955. Since 1999, he has hosted Afinando a língua, a television program focused on literature and music.
This “varied and polished” anthology of original noir fiction introduces a new wave of Czech authors to English-speaking audiences (Publishers Weekly).
It can be difficult to imagine noir fiction emerging in a city like Prague, where the profession of private detective didn’t even exist prior to 1990. Before the Velvet Revolution, the only serious criminal organization was the secret police. Yet, with its complex and often tragic history, the home of Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera offers a uniquely rich setting for stories of menace, danger, and secrecy; tales of individuals driven to break the law in the face of a desperate situation. In this “superior entry in Akashic’s noir series,” fourteen contemporary Czech authors introduce themselves—and their world—to an international audience (Publishers Weekly).Prague Noir includes brand-new stories by Martin Goffa, Štěpán Kopřiva, Miloš Urban, Jiří W. Procházka, Chaim Cigan, Ondřej Neff, Petr Stančík, Kateřina Tučková, Markéta Pilátová, Michal Sýkora, Michaela Klevisová, Petra Soukupová, Irena Hejdová, and Petr Šabach.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The collection includes some of the biggest names in Czech contemporary fiction and is full of surprises, offering us a Prague that lurches deliciously from the magical to the seedy, from a misty past to a hi-tech future.” ― Radio Praha in English, from an interview with editor Pavel Mandys
“Murder and mayhem erupt, even in fairy-tale Prague. Editor Mandys maintains that it may be hard to imagine dark doings taking place virtually in the shadow of Prague Castle, yet he manages to harvest 14 artful tales that speak directly to the contrary. Although there are few standard whodunits, Prague’s long history provides fertile ground for evildoers . . . Perhaps nowhere but Prague do vice and enchantment live at such close quarters, and Mandys’ collection captures both beautifully. A lovely addition to Akashic’s venerable series.” ― Kirkus Reviews
“The 14 crime stories set in Prague in this superior entry in Akashic’s noir series offer armored car robbery, kidnapping, murder masked as suicide, and more―not bad for a burg that, as the editor notes in his intro, didn’t even have ‘the profession of private detective’ until 1990 . . . In the varied and polished content of this volume, readers will find much to amuse.” ― Publishers Weekly
“The stories are strong and have heart. They don’t mince words or try to make themselves look better. This is the Czech Republic as it is.” ― Journey of a Bookseller
About the Author
Pavel Mandys is a Czech journalist, book critic, and organizer of the annual Czech book award Magnesia Litera. He is the author of Prague: City of Literature and currently lives in the Prague neighborhood of Smichov.
This much-anticipated and long-overdue installment in Akashic’s Noir Series reveals many sides of Atlanta only known to its residents.
“Atlanta has its share, maybe more than its share, of prosperity. But wealth is no safeguard against peril . . . Creepy as well as dark, grim in outlook . . . Hints of the supernatural may make these tales . . . appealing to lovers of ghost stories.” —Kirkus Reviews
Akashic Books continues its award-winning series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each book comprises all new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the respective city. This much-anticipated and long-overdue installment in Akashic’s Noir Series reveals many sides of Atlanta known only to its residents.
Brand-new stories by: Tananarive Due, Kenji Jasper, Tayari Jones, Dallas Hudgens, Jim Grimsley, Brandon Massey, Jennifer Harlow, Sheri Joseph, Alesia Parker, Gillian Royes, Anthony Grooms, John Holman, Daniel Black, and David James Poissant.
From the introduction by Tayari Jones:
Atlanta itself is a crime scene. After all, Georgia was founded as a de facto penal colony and in 1864, Sherman burned the city to the ground. We might argue about whether the arson was the crime or the response to the crime, but this is indisputable: Atlanta is a city sewn from the ashes and everything that grows here is at once fertilized and corrupted by the past . . .
These stories do not necessarily conform to the traditional expectations of noir . . . However, they all share the quality of exposing the rot underneath the scent of magnolia and pine. Noir, in my opinion, is more a question of tone than content. The moral universe of the story is as significant as the physical space. Noir is a realm where the good guys seldom win; perhaps they hardly exist at all. Few bad deeds go unrewarded, and good intentions are not the road to hell, but are hell itself . . . Welcome to Atlanta Noir. Come sit on the veranda, or the terrace of a high-rise condo. Pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, and fortify it with a slug of bourbon. Put your feet up. Enjoy these stories, and watch your back.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The stories in Atlanta Noir are connected, as Jones suggests in her introduction . . . In particular, the ‘rot’ these narratives expose are specifically Atlanta versions of gentrification, the suburbs, traffic, and inequality. At their best, the stories reveal and complicate a post–civil rights, but far from post-racial, Atlanta . . . This collection is noteworthy in terms of its multiple contemporary literary representations of our city, particularly considering the general lack of them otherwise.” ― Atlanta Studies
“These stories, most of them by relative unknowns, offer plenty of human interest . . . All the tales have a Southern feel.” ― Publishers Weekly
“Now comes Atlanta Noir, an anthology that masterfully blends a chorus of voices, both familiar and new, from every corner of Atlanta . . . The magic of Atlanta Noir is readily apparent, starting with the introduction Jones pens. It doesn’t rest solely upon the breadth of writers but on how their words, stories and references are so Atlanta―so very particular, so very familiar and so very readily, for those who know the city, nostalgic. And for those who don’t? The sense of place it captures inspires a desire to get to know Atlanta and its stories.” ― ArtsATL
“Atlanta is one of America’s most dynamic and fastest growing cities, with an increasingly diverse population. This volume honors the city’s transformation―albeit in a chilling manner―with a highly talented crew of 14 respected contributors who know the city inside and out, from its souls to its heart . . . Once again, Akashic shows us why it is king of noir and especially anthologies with such high-quality writers and storytellers. We’ve waited long for this beautiful collection of all things dark and murderous, but the wait was well worth it. Atlanta Noir could well turn out to be Akashic’s best work to date.” ― New York Journal of Books
About the Author
TAYARI JONES was born and raised in southwest Atlanta. A graduate of Spelman College, she is the author of four novels, including Silver Sparrow, an NEA Big Read selection, and An American Marriage, which was an Oprah Book Club Selection. She is the editor of Atlanta Noir.
Puerto Rico’s capital city enters the Noir Series arena, meticulously edited by one of San Juan’s best-known authors.
“A welcomed addition to the publisher’s popular noir series, San Juan Noir has the distinction of being issued in two editions, English and Spanish, to more accurately reflect the Caribbean island’s bilingual culture. Editor Santos-Febres gathers a varied collection of stories she expects will ‘reveal a side of Puerto Rico otherwise obscured by the tourist trade and preconception.'” —NBC News Latino
Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book.
Brand-new stories by: Wilfredo J. Burgos Matos, Ernesto Quiñonez, Mayra Santos-Febres, José Rabelo, Luis Negrón, Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, Ana María Fuster Lavín, Janette Becerra, Manolo Núñez Negrón, Tere Dávila, Edmaris Carazo, Alejandro Álvarez Nieves, Charlie Vázquez, and Manuel A. Meléndez. Translated by Will Vanderhyden.
From the introduction by Mayra Santos-Febres:
“Puerto Rico is often portrayed as sandy beaches, casinos, luxury hotels, relaxation, and never-ending pleasure—a place that satisfies all senses and appetites.
Yet the city of San Juan is much more than that. The capital of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the oldest Spanish settlement in all the territories and colonies of the United States. Since Puerto Rico is economically dependent on the US, the financial downturn of 2008 hit us hard. Many Puerto Ricans have left the island, looking for a better life. Crime has risen and the black market has thrived. As in many crises, art, music, and literature have also flourished. Never before has there been so much literary production. We have responded to our crisis with many stories to tell. And, especially in these times, many of those stories are noir . . .
I hope these stories spark your imagination, and reveal a side of Puerto Rico otherwise obscured by the tourist trade and preconceptions. Maybe it will also pique your curiosity, and you will come visit our ‘pearl of the Caribbean.'”
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The stories within San Juan Noir stare right into the face of colonialism as they examine the gaps between the city’s rich and its poor, its residents and its constant flow of tourists, its colorful exterior and its gritty underbelly. This is noir with a bite, noir that enthralls with its dark tales even as it challenges the reader―do better, do better, do better.” ― Literary Hub
“San Juan Noir is a brilliantly polished literary gem that showcases life on the fringes of society. Every tale glows in its own darkness, piercingly tugging at the remnants of human decency. We must do better, it screams. Yes, we must. Highly recommended.” ― Jamaica Gleaner
“Santos-Febres and 13 other contributors of Puerto Rican heritage take full advantage of San Juan’s wide range of disparities between rich and poor, weak and powerful, tourists and residents, in this fine addition to Akashic’s noir anthology series.” ― Publishers Weekly
About the Author
MAYRA SANTOS-FEBRES has published more than twenty-five books of poetry, short stories, essay collections, and novels. Among her most import titles are Sirena Selena (2000), Our Lady of the Night (2006), and La amante de Gardel (2015). Her works have been translated into Croatian, Icelandic, French, Italian, German, and English. She currently teaches creative writing at the University of Puerto Rico, and is one of the main organizers of Festival de la Palabra. She is the editor of San Juan Noir (also available in Spanish).
This anthology of Mississippi crime fiction “has produced a unique, delicious flavor of noir” with stories by Ace Atkins, Megan Abott and more (New York Daily News).
From poverty to state corruption, Mississippi has a well-deserved reputation for trouble. Could there be a connection between its many misfortunes and its rich literary legacy? Mississippians from Tennessee Williams and Eudora Welty to Richard Ford and John Grisham certainly know how to tell a good story. Now Mississippi Noir offers “a devilishly wrought introduction” to a new generation of “writers with a feel for Mississippi who are pursuing lonely, haunting paths of the imagination” (Associated Press).
Mississippi Noir includes brand-new stories by Ace Atkins, William Boyle, Megan Abbott, Jack Pendarvis, Dominiqua Dickey, Michael Kardos, Jamie Paige, Jimmy Cajoleas, Chris Offutt, Michael Farris Smith, Andrew Paul, Lee Durkee, Robert Busby, John M. Floyd, RaShell R. Smith-Spears, and Mary Miller.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“But in Mississippi, darkness falls on both sides of the tracks. And that’s what makes this particular anthology, one of many ‘Noirs’ published by Akashic Books, so unnerving. These could be your neighbors.” ― Sun Herald
“Maybe it’s the oppressive heat and humidity, or maybe it’s the high rates of poverty, crime and corruption that plague this southern state. Whatever the reason, Mississippi is the perfect setting for a good noir story . . . [The Noir series] is adept at finding the dark underbelly of cities big and small, but it has produced a unique, delicious flavor of noir fiction with this Mississippi installment.” ― New York Daily News
“Mississippi, as Franklin notes in his introduction, has the most corrupt government, the highest rate of various preventable ills, and the highest poverty rate in the country. In short, the state is a natural backdrop for noir fiction. The 16 stories . . . emerge from a cauldron of sex, race, ignorance, poverty, bigotry, misunderstanding, and sheer misfortune.” ― Publishers Weekly
“Mississippi is the perfect setting for the latest volume in Akashic’s long-running noir series . . . The most memorable pieces take the definition of noir beyond the expected: William Boyle’s ‘Most Things Haven’t Worked Out’ is reminiscent of the gothic fatalism in Flannery O’Connor’s stories, while Michael Kardos’s ‘Digits,’ about a writing teacher whose students come to class with fewer and fewer fingers, veers into Shirley Jackson territory.” ― Library Journal
“In these stories, from Biloxi to Hattiesburg, from Jackson to Oxford, the various crimes of the heart or doomed deeds of fractured households are carried out in real Mississippi locales . . . [A] devilishly wrought introduction to writers with a feel for Mississippi who are pursuing lonely, haunting paths of the imagination.” ― Associated Press
About the Author
Tom Franklin is the author of Poachers: Stories and three novels, Hell at the Breech, Smonk, and Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller, the Willie Morris Prize in Southern Fiction, and the UK’s Gold Dagger Award for Best Novel. His latest novel, The Tilted World, was cowritten with his wife, Beth Ann Fennelly. They live in Oxford, Mississippi, where they teach in the University of Mississippi’s MFA program.
