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Pinup Noir
Everybody loves the femme fatale; the tough-as-nails dame with the smoky voice and the legs that go on forever – almost as much as they love the cynical gumshoe with the strict moral code and the tiniest soft spot in his heart.
Hard-boiled detective fiction – America’s gift to literature – was introduced to the world in the middle of the Roaring Twenties, allegedly reached its height in the 1950s; and if you listen to the pundits, died out with the pulp magazines.
Hogwash. Hardboiled detective fiction lives on in roman noir, film noir, neo-
noir, Mediterranean noir, and last – but certainly not least – cyberpunk.
Join these 8 authors as they explore the world of the hard-boiled detective and the dames they love.
Hard-boiled detective fiction – America’s gift to literature – was introduced to the world in the middle of the Roaring Twenties, allegedly reached its height in the 1950s; and if you listen to the pundits, died out with the pulp magazines.
Hogwash. Hardboiled detective fiction lives on in roman noir, film noir, neo-
noir, Mediterranean noir, and last – but certainly not least – cyberpunk.
Join these 8 authors as they explore the world of the hard-boiled detective and the dames they love.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2023
54 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 16, 2024
Another entertaining anthology from Raconteur Press. While the 8 stories are noir stories written around a feme fatale, some include science fiction or fantasy elements.
Belle: fantasy tinged otherly world bar with siren like singer.
Down Among the Dead Man: Takes place in purgatory where a devil and angel escort souls as appropriate while the protagonist works as a PI in the middle. Nice little story.
Castle Doctrine: owner of a gun shop in SF asked for help from a gorgeous gun moll, but what does she really know. Nice ending,
Top Dog: Very good story of a future that includes hybrid humans. Protagonist with a very strong code of conduct which serves him well. Oh yeah, he's also a private investigator wolf.
Angels and Red Shirts: PI was hired to protect a woman until she is able to be extracted. Extraction plan includes taking advantage of a cosplay convention. But who is playing who?
Shadows and Silk: Captivating story of a model with a complicated past and her very own bonded house spirit (domovoi).
Last Call: In a futurist world, down on his luck former boxer works on what might be his last case, protecting a female client until she is able to go off planet. Includes luddite secret society and AI communities. Enjoyable read.
No Stars in Redlight City: AI PI, drummed off the force because of prejudice against AI. Works with his former partner to solve a twisty murder.
I highly recommend this anthology, and the Raconteur series (those that hit your fancy); I especially like those including cats in outerspace, cowboys in outerspace, marines in outerpace, and giant robots.
Belle: fantasy tinged otherly world bar with siren like singer.
Down Among the Dead Man: Takes place in purgatory where a devil and angel escort souls as appropriate while the protagonist works as a PI in the middle. Nice little story.
Castle Doctrine: owner of a gun shop in SF asked for help from a gorgeous gun moll, but what does she really know. Nice ending,
Top Dog: Very good story of a future that includes hybrid humans. Protagonist with a very strong code of conduct which serves him well. Oh yeah, he's also a private investigator wolf.
Angels and Red Shirts: PI was hired to protect a woman until she is able to be extracted. Extraction plan includes taking advantage of a cosplay convention. But who is playing who?
Shadows and Silk: Captivating story of a model with a complicated past and her very own bonded house spirit (domovoi).
Last Call: In a futurist world, down on his luck former boxer works on what might be his last case, protecting a female client until she is able to go off planet. Includes luddite secret society and AI communities. Enjoyable read.
No Stars in Redlight City: AI PI, drummed off the force because of prejudice against AI. Works with his former partner to solve a twisty murder.
I highly recommend this anthology, and the Raconteur series (those that hit your fancy); I especially like those including cats in outerspace, cowboys in outerspace, marines in outerpace, and giant robots.
August 12, 2023
If you can see the cover of the book without a delicious shiver, you are made of sterner stuff than I am. All of these stories have a beautiful woman, all have dark and dismal circumstances, but the flavors are different in each story.
Belle, by Jack Wylder. I would LOVE to discover that this was written while the author was listening to “Dixie Chicken” by Little Feat, particularly if it was the version with Emmy Lou Harris and Bonnie Raitt. If not? Well, then I believe Lowell was whispering, anyway. Look, boys: if it seems too good to be true, that MIGHT be because the music is worth more than your thought.
Down Among the Dead Men, by Sam Robb. Okay, they aren’t REALLY dead, and some of them aren’t really men. Actually, some of them are women, but, that’s not what is implied. They ARE down, though, and it’s a really ugly place to be down, where procrastination seems to come home to roost at last. If your need for oxygen has lapsed, and you STILL haven’t committed, you might long for some help.
Castle Doctrine, by Kelly Grayson. Put up your hands, Grayson, you are under arrest. It’s pretty obvious that you have stolen the ability to write many genres from...wherever that sort of thing is kept. This absolutely is a Mickey Spillane story, sort of, I guess, maybe. Fellows, remember this: if the Battle of the Sexes is waged with the equipment provided, the women will ALWAYS win. SO, either accept that, or maybe keep a stash of burglar equipment handy. Also, a friend of mine owns a Singer 1911.
Top Dog, by John Van Stry. Rolf, the ethical wolf, does personal security gigs. He does NOT like it when others fail to follow the rules. Whether we are good guys or bad guys, we would all profit from just doing what was agreed upon. When that doesn’t happen? Rolf will deal with it.
Angels and Red Shirts, by David Birdsall. Mr. Boslay is a master of planning, and that serves to keep his Problem Solvers agency running. Yes, there IS a ‘however’ associated with that statement. Fortunately, what talents he doesn’t have, he is able to hire. If I were him, though, I wouldn’t give my client so many chances, no matter how she looked in that dress.
Shadows and Silk, by Cedar Sanderson. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t... make omelets without breaking eggs? No, that’s not right. I need something about you can’t go home again, when you carry it around with you, but if that’s a famous saying, I missed it. Okay: this is a story about a protective entity who refused to be left behind. If you wonder WHY Liz (the human) was interested in leaving him behind, you have never had a house guest who overstayed their welcome. It’s AWFUL. Liz has a modeling gig, wearing armor, carrying a sword, looking FABULOUS, with big honken tanks in the background. What could POSSIBLY go wrong? That a protective entity could help with, I mean?
Last Call, by Evan DeShais. Oison Kelly had all the nonsense beaten out of him a long time ago, and the no-nonsense part of him has been taking the hits since. His boxer’s body carries a reminder of every glove that laid him down, or cut him; at least, that’s what Rhymin’ Simon said. Still, he’s on his feet, and when a lovely woman asks for his help, he wonders if it might save him from eviction and what follows after that.
No Stars in Redlight City, by Steve Diamond. There MUST be some specific defect that sets aside the noir detective. Usually, they’ve been tossed off the police force, sometimes because of drink, other times because they pressed an investigation against the wrong people. Adam Sevens derives his isolation from his very nature as a synthetic human; people tend to dislike them. So: why would a rich and beautiful woman come to HIM for assistance in finding her husband? It’s a puzzle; a jigsaw puzzle, like the murder victims that start turning up.
It's a delightful visit to the old times, but you don't HAVE to drink old coffee with it, nor whiskey, neither. I went with a chocolate cold-brew blend. It worked!
Belle, by Jack Wylder. I would LOVE to discover that this was written while the author was listening to “Dixie Chicken” by Little Feat, particularly if it was the version with Emmy Lou Harris and Bonnie Raitt. If not? Well, then I believe Lowell was whispering, anyway. Look, boys: if it seems too good to be true, that MIGHT be because the music is worth more than your thought.
Down Among the Dead Men, by Sam Robb. Okay, they aren’t REALLY dead, and some of them aren’t really men. Actually, some of them are women, but, that’s not what is implied. They ARE down, though, and it’s a really ugly place to be down, where procrastination seems to come home to roost at last. If your need for oxygen has lapsed, and you STILL haven’t committed, you might long for some help.
Castle Doctrine, by Kelly Grayson. Put up your hands, Grayson, you are under arrest. It’s pretty obvious that you have stolen the ability to write many genres from...wherever that sort of thing is kept. This absolutely is a Mickey Spillane story, sort of, I guess, maybe. Fellows, remember this: if the Battle of the Sexes is waged with the equipment provided, the women will ALWAYS win. SO, either accept that, or maybe keep a stash of burglar equipment handy. Also, a friend of mine owns a Singer 1911.
Top Dog, by John Van Stry. Rolf, the ethical wolf, does personal security gigs. He does NOT like it when others fail to follow the rules. Whether we are good guys or bad guys, we would all profit from just doing what was agreed upon. When that doesn’t happen? Rolf will deal with it.
Angels and Red Shirts, by David Birdsall. Mr. Boslay is a master of planning, and that serves to keep his Problem Solvers agency running. Yes, there IS a ‘however’ associated with that statement. Fortunately, what talents he doesn’t have, he is able to hire. If I were him, though, I wouldn’t give my client so many chances, no matter how she looked in that dress.
Shadows and Silk, by Cedar Sanderson. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t... make omelets without breaking eggs? No, that’s not right. I need something about you can’t go home again, when you carry it around with you, but if that’s a famous saying, I missed it. Okay: this is a story about a protective entity who refused to be left behind. If you wonder WHY Liz (the human) was interested in leaving him behind, you have never had a house guest who overstayed their welcome. It’s AWFUL. Liz has a modeling gig, wearing armor, carrying a sword, looking FABULOUS, with big honken tanks in the background. What could POSSIBLY go wrong? That a protective entity could help with, I mean?
Last Call, by Evan DeShais. Oison Kelly had all the nonsense beaten out of him a long time ago, and the no-nonsense part of him has been taking the hits since. His boxer’s body carries a reminder of every glove that laid him down, or cut him; at least, that’s what Rhymin’ Simon said. Still, he’s on his feet, and when a lovely woman asks for his help, he wonders if it might save him from eviction and what follows after that.
No Stars in Redlight City, by Steve Diamond. There MUST be some specific defect that sets aside the noir detective. Usually, they’ve been tossed off the police force, sometimes because of drink, other times because they pressed an investigation against the wrong people. Adam Sevens derives his isolation from his very nature as a synthetic human; people tend to dislike them. So: why would a rich and beautiful woman come to HIM for assistance in finding her husband? It’s a puzzle; a jigsaw puzzle, like the murder victims that start turning up.
It's a delightful visit to the old times, but you don't HAVE to drink old coffee with it, nor whiskey, neither. I went with a chocolate cold-brew blend. It worked!
August 31, 2023
Noir isn't a genre I usually would dive into, but the cover led me to believe this was heavy enough on the Pinups to cover the gap. Cedar Sanderson did the cover art and had a story in the anthology. Check them both out! Steve Diamond's Redlight City story was the highlight of the anthology. None of the stories fell flat, just those two were the highlights. Available on KU and well worth the chance! Check out all of them for that matter, Raconteur Publishing is filling in the gap of the old Sci-Fi periodicals with these great little anthologies coming out on a regular basis.
July 8, 2023
Enjoyed the mysteries
I have to admit to being partial to the Van Stry story with others also being enjoyable. Every entry is a good example of pulp fiction and the collection has a wide variety of detectives and dames.
I have to admit to being partial to the Van Stry story with others also being enjoyable. Every entry is a good example of pulp fiction and the collection has a wide variety of detectives and dames.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews