Down These Mean Streets: The Dark Side of the City

by Larry Correia, Kacey Ezell (Editor)

NEW FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION STORIES WITH A HARDBOILED NOIR TWIST—FOCUSING ON THE MEAN STREETS OF THE CITY

“Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.” —Raymond Chandler

Humans have always been fascinated by darkness. Especially the darkness of a city at night, when the black sky is made ever more inky by the pools of illumination dropped under streetlights. We harken to the sound of streetcars in the distance. We are drawn to the garish flash of club signs and marquees. We love the danger of shadowed alleyways, of wealth and poverty living side by side.

We love the city. It’s a part of us.

Whether the mean streets be in an alternate past charmed with dark magic or the dirty alleyways of futuristic crowded space stations, the city—and its darkened streets—will always fascinate us. Here then, an anthology of all new stories of science fiction and fantasy with a hardboiled noir twist that acknowledge that the city is a living, breathing entity…and it isn’t always on our side.

Stories by: Laurell K. Hamilton, Larry Correia, Kacey Ezell, Mike Massa, Steve Diamond, Robert E. Hampson, Chris Kennedy, Marisa Wolf, Griffin Barber, Robert Buettner, Hinkley Correia, Casey Moores, Patrick M. Tracy, and Dan Willis.

Genres: Science Fiction, Noir, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Anthologies, Fantasy

488 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2024

About the author

Larry Correia (born 1977) is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monster Hunter International series, the Grimnoir Chronicles, and the thriller Dead Six.

Reviews

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher, Baen, in return for an honest review.

This is a collection of 14 short stories, mixing fantasy and science fiction with hard-boiled noir, my two favorite genres. Lately, I am seeing more and more detective/PI stories based on a science fiction chassis. This collection has it all: urban fantasy, alternative history, witches and demons, AI, space stations, and other worlds. I have read one or two of the authors before, but am new to most of them. The stories stand on their own, although many take place in established universes by the author. One or two are in the world of a soon to be published novel.

I would consider all but two of the stories to be 5 stars, one was slightly confusing at first but then came together nicely, and I am not a fan of Laurell K Hamilton's vampire series, but her story (Its Always Sunny in Key West) is a nice standalone, and probably will be enjoyed by her fans. I would rate these two stories a 4. I have provided very brief (one sentence) summaries in order to let you focus on a specific genre (e.g., alternate histories or urban fantasy) if that is your thing.

Ophir Chasm by Kacey Ezell (editor) is a cop in another world solving a murder that his superiors prefer to have buried.

Yokoburi by Hinkley Correia is a story that takes place in a Tokyo with elements of magic featuring a young woman PI in the universe of a soon to be published novel. A fun read.

Empire of Splinters by Mike Massa presents an alternative NY pre WWII (?) split between mortals and agents of the gods. A spy caper. This one took me a while to get into.

Streets of Circumfrisco by Robert P. Hampson has a female PI operating in a city in a hollow asteroid.

He Who Dies with the Most Scars by Patrick M. Tracey features a necromancer that is forced by the city guard to find out the facts behind a ghost ship with one survivor and deal with the cause.

Fool's Gold by Dan Willis features a traditional PI who also happens to be a runewright and takes place in 1941 NYC.

Central After Dark by Casey Moore is the story of a marriage quickly gone bad in an Albuquerque with witches and demons.

Ghosts of Kaskata by Marissa Wolf, has a female war hero in a universe with a very shaky peace. A murder threatens to undo the peace and our VERY reluctant hero is forced to solve the murder.

A Devil's Bargain by Steve Diamond is a missing person case has a Sacramento CA police detective must solve the case involving witches and demons.

Urban Renewal by Chris Kennedy has a disgraced former cop (?) dragooned into preventing the auction of weapon which could wipe out the human race.

1957: The Darkside of Paradise by Robert Buettner involves two related stories in an alternate US.

Breathe by Griffen Barber has a demon in hiding that must hunt down a murderous demon before it jeopardizes its own safety.

Always Sunny in Key West by Laurell K. Hamilton is a vampire story which takes place during spring break, during which the local vampires must solve a missing person case.

Low Mountain by Larry Correia (editor). I am a fan of his Monster Hunter series. A world of AIs faces destruction, and a former spaceship (now transit vehicle) must solve who is behind the attacks to protect itself and prove it is not the murderer.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this, much like the other noir collections in this series. I did feel that the goal of having the city be a driving character was hit or miss, and 8n at least on case very forced.

And here is where folks get upset with me. There was one story I didn't bother to finish: It's Always Sunny in Key West. I listened to the first few minutes, and simply had no desire to hear anymore. Libertine & politically correct, it annoyed me. Even as a short story played at 1.2x speed,I just wouldn't spend my time on it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read 1 SS in this collection, as I follow Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series.

I may go back & read the others at another time, but I prefer to read series in order (including the novellas & short stories written in the same Universe/World).

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Laurell K. Hamilton - Anita Blake U - It’s Always Sunny in Key West

This SS has Anitaverse Vampires & is set in Key West, FL.

Anita & Co. do not show up, aren't featured, &/or discussed.

It's an interesting view of what life is like for (law abiding) Vampires outside of Jean Claude's purview.

I would like to see these Vampires meet up with Anita & Co. at some point, as I think they would benefit.

I can't really discuss the storyline without giving away the details, but I did like it!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I pulled this list from the book & a blog post by Larry Correia [https://monsterhunternation.com/2023/...].

Down These Mean Streets: The Dark Side of the City
Anthology • Edited By Larry Correia & Kacey Ezell

— Contents —
• Ophir Chasma (Olympus Mons/Mars) by Kacey Ezell
• Yokoburi (Kuro U) by Hinkley Correia
• Empire of Splinters (Genius Wars) by Mike Massa
• The Streets of CircumFrisco (Frisco Station PI) by Robert E. Hampson
• He Who Dies With the Most Scars (Remnar) by Patrick M. Tracy
• Fool’s Gold (Arcane Casebook) by Dan Willis
• Central After Dark (Albuquerque) by Casey Moores
• Ghosts of Kaskata (Kaskata) by Marisa Wolf
• A Devil’s Bargain (From the Casefiles of Kamari Hicks) by Steve Diamond
• Urban Renewal (The City) by Chris Kennedy
• 1957: The Dark Side of Paradise (1957 #2) by Robert Buettner {Follow Up NGfK}
• Breathe by Grffin Barber {Same Protagonist NF}
• It’s Always Sunny in Key West (Anita Blake U) by Laurell K. Hamilton
• Low Mountain (Lost Planet Homicide U) by Larry Correia

#1 • Noir Fatale: The Dark Side of Science Fiction & Fantasy (2019) {NF}
#2 • No Game for Knights: The Dark Side of SF & Fantasy Heroes (2022) {NGfK}
#3 • Down These Mean Streets: The Dark Side of the City (2024)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I find it frustrating that most Anthologies & Collections don't include the full list of authors (at minimum) & story titles (with associated series, if applicable) in their blurbs/short description. This is my personal PSA:

I've missed stories over the years because the Author isn't listed anywhere but the contents/index of the book. When adding books that are anthologies, collections, & compilations to GoodReads (& other similar sites), please include ALL of the Authors in the book, not just the Editors.

IMO, when Authors are discussing their inclusion in any compilation, they should be including the individual title, applicable series (if any), & where it falls in the series reading order (if applicable) of *their specific story*.

[Glenn O'Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ophir Chasma by Kacey Ezell. 5.0
Yokoburi by Hinkley Correia. 2.5
Empire of Splinters by Mike Massa. 5.0
The Streets of CircumFrisco by Robert E.
Hampson. 3.5
He Who Dies with the Most Scars by Patrick M. Tracy. 3.5
Fool's Gold by Dan Willis. 4.5
Central After Dark by Casey Moores. 4.5
Ghosts of Kaskata by Marisa Wolf. 5.0
A Devil's Bargain by Steve Diamond. 4.5
Urban Renewal by Chris Kennedy. 3.0
1957: The Dark Side of Paradise by Robert Buettner. 4.0
Breathe by Griffin Barber. 4.0
It's Always Sunny in Key West by Laurell K. Hamilton. 3.0
Low Mountain by Larry Correia. 5.0
Average 3.7

[Debra Omiatek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a Dark City Backdrop for Detective Tales!

A collection of stories show casing the Dark City for the detective tales. The stories have a variety of settings. Your attention is captivated by the City. The action fits that particular City. The detectives find themselves where they should be. Usually saving the City or clients who belong there. The twist of the plot may lead back to the City. A page turner. Really good stories.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good collection of short stories that seem to mostly have the hard-boiled PI (or something close to it) as their theme. Some of them are set in fantasy worlds and some in science fiction. It's highly entertaining and exposed me to a lot of authors I hadn't read before. Well worth your time.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story is unique and different enough to be interesting without repetition, yet close enough in theme that it’s not jarring moving from one to the next.

[Rich Bussom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The usual anthology mix of terrible, ok and wonderful stories. I stopped reading a couple of the former five pages in but I enjoyed the rest. Something for every taste.

[Nick Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

over all good book some of the stories were a bit boring

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three's and Four's. Low Mountain (L. Correia) was my favorite.

[Scarlett Rue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read this for the Laurell K. Hamilton story.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

There has been a claim expressed by some reviewers on this platform that in any anthology there's always at least one dud. Not true here--not every one a jewel, but all qualify as at least semiprecious stones.