ALTERNATE ROUTES (Baen Books, 2008)
By Tim Powers. I’ve been a big fan of Tim Powers’ urban and historical fantasy books since I read The Anubis Gates back in 1984. Powers was part of a California group of writers that…
Category: Noir Fiction
None Dare Call It Aliens: HE WILL LIVE UP IN THE SKY by Christopher Loring Knowles
I first encountered the author of this book, Chris Knowles, in a podcast interview. He’s had a rich and interesting career as a blogger, writer, and comic book historian. The novel was described as a conspiracy thriller. Intrigued, I…
Two Wheels Of Terror: THE CYCLIST by Anthony Neil Smith
The Cyclist is the latest novel by college instructor, noir writer, and bicycling enthusiast Anthony Neil Smith. I’m happy to announce that Dr. Smith has lost none of the magic. This novel is a page-turner and will keep you up until the last page. It features his adopted homeland of Minnesota and the rough hills of Scotland. And the tension kept me enthralled to the final word of this book.
Straight Outta Queens: THE BOUNCER by David Gordon
David Gordon shoots and scores again with his latest novel, The Bouncer. After I read his Mystery Girl and The Serialist, I am convinced Gordon is one of the best crime writers I’ve encountered in a long time. His books are hilarious and keep your attention. He knows how to tell a good story, create memorable characters, and engage the reader. And, dammit, he’s already put out a sequel to this book which I’ll have to buy. I’m never going to finish Dodge in Hell or Youngblood Hawke.
She Walks Alone: SYBIL SUE BLUE by Rosel George Brown
Sibyl Sue Blue by Rosel George Brown is one of those books which defined the sixties. The latter half of the decade was famous for all manner of innovative science fiction and gave rise to the “new wave” of the genre. Rockets became fertility symbols and cigars spaceships. There were plenty of the old guard still banging away at the typewriters, but even Philip K Dick was working on overload to find out how Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
The Mean Streets: THE FABULOUS CLIPJOINT by Frederic Brown
In The Fabulous Clipjoint, we see why Frederic Brown was one of the greatest short story writers and novelists of the 20th century.
For A Few Monkeys More: BITE HARDER by Anonymous 9
Bite Harder by Anonymous 9 (Blasted Heath, 2014) If it is the mark of a good writer that you don’t want their book to end, then Bite Harder qualifies. Anonymous 9 (AKA Elaine Ash) has knocked…
Death Rides A Wheel Chair: HARD BITE By Anonymous-9
Hard Bite by Anonymous-9 (Blasted Heath, 2014) Damn you, Anthony Neil Smith, you’ve turned me onto Anonymous-9 (Elaine Ash) with her over-the-top thriller, Bite Hard. It’s not enough that you keep me wishing for…
Don’t Touch Me I’m a Real Live Wire: CORROSION by Jon Bassoff
Corrosion by John Bassoff (Dark Fuse, 2013) Corrosion by Jon Bassoff is an impressive first novel (at least under his own name). I’m not sure I’d agree with Desmind Reddick at Dread Media and say…