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Austin Noir
Austin joins Dallas and Houston in Akashic's deep dive into the Lone Star State's darkest dimensions.
“Seems like everybody comes to Austin, sooner or later, and now the Akashic Books series of original noir anthologies has finally arrived, its freshly inked pages strewn with shadows and ill intent.” —Austin Chronicle
From the editors'
"You've probably heard of Austin. You may have been here for South by Southwest. Your best friend may have recently relocated here from California. You might have thought about moving here yourself, then decided it wasn't worth it to live in Texas. You may have moved to Austin decades ago. You may even have been born and raised in Austin, and now you're on the outskirts of San Antonio or (God forbid) Waco because you can't afford to buy a house anywhere else. Or you may be living in a shiny new building downtown, watching the final stages of a sleepy town's transformation into modern metropolis. One thing you'll hear from almost any Austin it was better when they got here . . .
"As the city expands, construction never stops, struggling futilely to keep up with new demand. The running joke is that the city bird is the crane. Rents and property values keep climbing. We fear becoming Dallas . . . The writers contributing to this collection represent a kaleidoscopic view of the city—not just in where they set the stories, but in their different social, economic, and cultural perspectives."
Featuring brand-new stories Gabino Iglesias, Ace Atkins, Amanda Moore, Jeff Abbott, Scott Montgomery, Richard Z. Santos, Alexandra Burt, Lee Thomas, Miriam Kuznets, Jacob Grovey, Chaitali Sen, Molly Odintz, Amy Gentry, and Andrew Hilbert.
“Seems like everybody comes to Austin, sooner or later, and now the Akashic Books series of original noir anthologies has finally arrived, its freshly inked pages strewn with shadows and ill intent.” —Austin Chronicle
From the editors'
"You've probably heard of Austin. You may have been here for South by Southwest. Your best friend may have recently relocated here from California. You might have thought about moving here yourself, then decided it wasn't worth it to live in Texas. You may have moved to Austin decades ago. You may even have been born and raised in Austin, and now you're on the outskirts of San Antonio or (God forbid) Waco because you can't afford to buy a house anywhere else. Or you may be living in a shiny new building downtown, watching the final stages of a sleepy town's transformation into modern metropolis. One thing you'll hear from almost any Austin it was better when they got here . . .
"As the city expands, construction never stops, struggling futilely to keep up with new demand. The running joke is that the city bird is the crane. Rents and property values keep climbing. We fear becoming Dallas . . . The writers contributing to this collection represent a kaleidoscopic view of the city—not just in where they set the stories, but in their different social, economic, and cultural perspectives."
Featuring brand-new stories Gabino Iglesias, Ace Atkins, Amanda Moore, Jeff Abbott, Scott Montgomery, Richard Z. Santos, Alexandra Burt, Lee Thomas, Miriam Kuznets, Jacob Grovey, Chaitali Sen, Molly Odintz, Amy Gentry, and Andrew Hilbert.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
15 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 5, 2025
A collection of various Noir types by a Slew of authors set around Austin. Sometimes in areas and others in specific places like Hotel Van Zandt.
As with most collections some stories stood out but none were bad, they all did interesting things.
As with most collections some stories stood out but none were bad, they all did interesting things.
August 18, 2023
This is definitely a step down from Cleveland Noir, unfortunately… high points are “Reflections” by Amanda Moore, “The Good Neighbor” by Jeff Abbott, “Charles Bronson” by Lee Thomas, and “Stitches” by Amy Gentry
September 1, 2024
Such a good compilation of noir stories.
For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:
https://youtu.be/_My40pSFO04
Enjoy!
For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:
https://youtu.be/_My40pSFO04
Enjoy!
July 22, 2023
Amy Gentry's "Stitches" brought me right back to my co-op years in Austin. This is the perfect collection of short stories for the summer!
January 15, 2024
good collection of noir set in Austin. Triggered some fond memories! As always - a mixed bag, some really resonated, a few missed. Overall - good stuff!
June 7, 2023
Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...
I haven’t read any Noir for quite a while, so I was excited to pick up Austin Noir. I spent several days on a trip to Austin probably 15 years ago, so I was eager to see if my memories were represented in the stories in this volume. And indeed they were. Lady Bird Lake, where we attended a wedding (the reason for our trip), the bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge, as well as the downtown entertainment district are all in the book. Here are the stories:
*Part I - Crossfire
The pink monkey by Gabino Iglesias
Stunts by Ace Atkins
Reflections by Amanda Moore
The Good Neighbor by Jeff Abbott
A Thousand Bats on an Austin Night by Scott Montgomery
*Part II - Nothing I can do about it now
Rush Hour by Richard Z. Santos
Sapphire Blue by Alexandra Burt
Charles Bronson by Lee Thomas
Saving by Miriam Kuznets
A Time and Place by Jacob Grovey
*Part III
The Foundation by Chaitali Sen
Michael’s Perfect Penis by Molly Odintz
Stitches by Amy Gentry
Bangface vs. Cleaning Solutions, LLC by Andrew Hilbert
I thought the stories represented the city well. I got a big kick out of “Michael’s Perfect Penis” by Molly Odintz, one of the book’s editors, although it is probably more a Neo-Noir story than actual noir. I enjoyed “A Thousand Bats on an Austin Night” by Scott Montgomery simply because I could visualize exactly where the story was taking place. And, of course, I had to read “Saving” by Miriam Kuznets, because she is named Miriam. It is a very good story. Oh, and by the way, lots of people will recognize the craziness of “Stitches” and the college scene as remembered by Amy Gentry. I was impressed that even at the darkest moments in the stories, the authors were still able to capture the vibrancy of the city of Austin.
I am always fascinated by what authors and publishers consider to be noir. And I know that readers feel that way as well. I wrote an essay for my site several years ago about Noir and Neo-Noir. It remains one of my most-read entries.
I haven’t read any Noir for quite a while, so I was excited to pick up Austin Noir. I spent several days on a trip to Austin probably 15 years ago, so I was eager to see if my memories were represented in the stories in this volume. And indeed they were. Lady Bird Lake, where we attended a wedding (the reason for our trip), the bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge, as well as the downtown entertainment district are all in the book. Here are the stories:
*Part I - Crossfire
The pink monkey by Gabino Iglesias
Stunts by Ace Atkins
Reflections by Amanda Moore
The Good Neighbor by Jeff Abbott
A Thousand Bats on an Austin Night by Scott Montgomery
*Part II - Nothing I can do about it now
Rush Hour by Richard Z. Santos
Sapphire Blue by Alexandra Burt
Charles Bronson by Lee Thomas
Saving by Miriam Kuznets
A Time and Place by Jacob Grovey
*Part III
The Foundation by Chaitali Sen
Michael’s Perfect Penis by Molly Odintz
Stitches by Amy Gentry
Bangface vs. Cleaning Solutions, LLC by Andrew Hilbert
I thought the stories represented the city well. I got a big kick out of “Michael’s Perfect Penis” by Molly Odintz, one of the book’s editors, although it is probably more a Neo-Noir story than actual noir. I enjoyed “A Thousand Bats on an Austin Night” by Scott Montgomery simply because I could visualize exactly where the story was taking place. And, of course, I had to read “Saving” by Miriam Kuznets, because she is named Miriam. It is a very good story. Oh, and by the way, lots of people will recognize the craziness of “Stitches” and the college scene as remembered by Amy Gentry. I was impressed that even at the darkest moments in the stories, the authors were still able to capture the vibrancy of the city of Austin.
I am always fascinated by what authors and publishers consider to be noir. And I know that readers feel that way as well. I wrote an essay for my site several years ago about Noir and Neo-Noir. It remains one of my most-read entries.
July 29, 2023
Austin Noir edited by Hopeton Hay, Scott Montgomery and Molly Odintz. I know Montgomery and Odintz because they have both worked at the excellent Austin
indie bookstore, BookPeople. For a few years I wrote author interviews and book reviews for Mystery People, an online publication edited by Montgomery.
Odinz is a senior editor at CrimeReads, an online publication I read daily.
I picked up this collection of noir short stories partly because I love noir, partly because I know and respect Montgomery and Odintz, partly out of
curiousity. It helped that I have read books by some of the authors in the book including Amy Gentry, Jeff Abbott, Ace Atkins and Gabino Iglesias.
As with most collections some are better than others. One of my favorites, that involves Austin's college scene of co-ops, is by Amy Gentry and a quick perusal of Goodreads
and a google search of the book found others really liked that one too. Montgomery's story, A Thousand Bates On An Austin Night, was excellent and some
of my interest in it stemmed from my own fascination with Austin's bat culture.
This is a book worth checking out. I give it an 8.
indie bookstore, BookPeople. For a few years I wrote author interviews and book reviews for Mystery People, an online publication edited by Montgomery.
Odinz is a senior editor at CrimeReads, an online publication I read daily.
I picked up this collection of noir short stories partly because I love noir, partly because I know and respect Montgomery and Odintz, partly out of
curiousity. It helped that I have read books by some of the authors in the book including Amy Gentry, Jeff Abbott, Ace Atkins and Gabino Iglesias.
As with most collections some are better than others. One of my favorites, that involves Austin's college scene of co-ops, is by Amy Gentry and a quick perusal of Goodreads
and a google search of the book found others really liked that one too. Montgomery's story, A Thousand Bates On An Austin Night, was excellent and some
of my interest in it stemmed from my own fascination with Austin's bat culture.
This is a book worth checking out. I give it an 8.
August 6, 2023
THE PINK MONKEY by Gabino Iglesias 5
STUNTS by Ace Atkins 5
REFLECTIONS by Amanda Moore 3
THE GOOD NEIGHBOR by Jeff Abbott 3
A THOUSAND BATS ON AN AUSTIN NIGHT by Scott Montgomery 2
Part 2
RUSH HOUR by Richard Z Santos 4
SAPPHIRE BLUE by Alexandra Burt 1 and fat phobic. You can’t refer to anyone as “a blob”
CHARLES BRONSON by Lee Thomas 5
SAVING by Miriam Kuznets DNF holy fuck that was AWFUL
A TIME AND A PLACE by Jacob Grovey 2
Part 3
THE FOUNDATION by Chaitali Sen 1 zero plot. Like, what even was this?
MICHAEL’S PERFECT PENIS by Molly Odintz 1 just…awful
STITCHES by Amy Gentry 3 great writing but an ending that kinda went off the rails
BANGFACE VS CLEANING SOLUTIONS LLC by Andrew Hilbert DNF after 1 page. I’m not one with a weak constitution, but I’m not interested in reading a story where the first page is all about zit popping. Disgusting. And then the way the MC talks to and about women. Double disgusting!
STUNTS by Ace Atkins 5
REFLECTIONS by Amanda Moore 3
THE GOOD NEIGHBOR by Jeff Abbott 3
A THOUSAND BATS ON AN AUSTIN NIGHT by Scott Montgomery 2
Part 2
RUSH HOUR by Richard Z Santos 4
SAPPHIRE BLUE by Alexandra Burt 1 and fat phobic. You can’t refer to anyone as “a blob”
CHARLES BRONSON by Lee Thomas 5
SAVING by Miriam Kuznets DNF holy fuck that was AWFUL
A TIME AND A PLACE by Jacob Grovey 2
Part 3
THE FOUNDATION by Chaitali Sen 1 zero plot. Like, what even was this?
MICHAEL’S PERFECT PENIS by Molly Odintz 1 just…awful
STITCHES by Amy Gentry 3 great writing but an ending that kinda went off the rails
BANGFACE VS CLEANING SOLUTIONS LLC by Andrew Hilbert DNF after 1 page. I’m not one with a weak constitution, but I’m not interested in reading a story where the first page is all about zit popping. Disgusting. And then the way the MC talks to and about women. Double disgusting!
April 22, 2023
I’m always a little heartbroken when an Akashic Noir collection doesn’t work for me. After 3 amazing collections last year, Akashic’s first noir collection of 2023 is a disappointment. There were only three stories I enjoyed: Stunts by Ace Atkins, Reflections by Amanda Moore, and Stitches by Amy Gentry. I loved the main character in Stunts. Moore’s Reflections was delightfully twisty, and Gentry built a complex tale that combined a missing woman, a dead body, mystery, and a sad search for answers with a great ending. The rest of this anthology is filled with mediocre writing, boring plots, and terrible endings. Overall, this is a big miss for me and I hope this isn’t a harbinger of what is to come in the rest of this year’s Akashic Noir collections. I really hope it’s just an outlier.
May 2, 2023
"Austin Noir" is an anthology of short stories that explore Texas capital. It takes you on a journey through he darker side of that area. From the suburbs to downtown, the stories in this collection feature a diverse range of characters and perspectives, all of whom are struggling with some form of darkness or danger. This collection does not shy away from really capturing everything - it seems no topic is off limits. This allows the reader to really feel like they are immersed in the city and its history. Overall, "Austin Noir" is a well-crafted and engaging collection of stories that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and anyone interested in exploring the darker side of the city of Austin.
October 23, 2023
This is another solid entry into Akashic Books wonderful series of Noir short stories based upon a single location. My favorite stories were 'Reflections' by Amanda Moore and 'The Good Neighbor' by Jeff Abbott. Honorable mention goes to 'Bangface vs. Cleaning Solutions, LLC' by Andrew Hilbert which is one of the most bizarre private eye stories I've ever read. This is a wonderful collection of stories.
June 26, 2024
Really enjoyed this short story collection. I read it in 4 daysk--it's not very long but that is a pretty fast read for me (at least this year). There is an extensive series of these noir books for nearly every major city in the US and many from around the world. I enjoyed each story--some of them were so gripping, shocking, and all were page turning. A few hilarious moments. Would love to read more from each of the authors.
May 2, 2023
Proud to have a new short story out in this anthology! "Stitches" is a mildly psychedelic romp through the UT campus co-ops, where I had some of the best times of my young life, during Austin's '90s heyday. (I know, I know, it was already ruined by the '90s--no matter when you move to Austin, it always got ruined five minutes before you moved there.) Inspired by the Sara Gran's Claire deWitt books, I had a lot of fun with this one. Hope you enjoy it!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews