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Pool Fishing
n Pool Fishing, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett brings us into a world with characters who live on thefringes of society-physically, psychologically, or financially. The setting is either the wrong side of town in coastal California or the California desert where characters have the freedom to act out dark schemes they wouldn't imagine, or even dare, in the dense confines of the city.
The stories are woman-centered, location-driven, and connected by place-a converted motel in Orange County, California, and the desert in and around Palm Springs, two hours away. Bodies of water figure in most of these pieces while quirky, sexy, and dark characters are held captive by their own desires, until something shifts and they break free, finding or creating opportunities where none seemed to exist, and making choices, though not necessarily the best ones.
In "The Water Holds You Still," Greta drives from Orange County to Palm Springs to help her mother and meets a pool cleaner who has a motive and a weapon-the pool itself. In "Blue Martini," Pepper escapes a controlling boyfriend only to confront him at the end in the bar where she works. And in "51 Winfield," a young widow obsessed with her consignment store's wares is visited by her dead husband who talks to her via a bowler's shirt. Dark, vivid, and unsettling, Pool Fishing is a crowning achievement.
The stories are woman-centered, location-driven, and connected by place-a converted motel in Orange County, California, and the desert in and around Palm Springs, two hours away. Bodies of water figure in most of these pieces while quirky, sexy, and dark characters are held captive by their own desires, until something shifts and they break free, finding or creating opportunities where none seemed to exist, and making choices, though not necessarily the best ones.
In "The Water Holds You Still," Greta drives from Orange County to Palm Springs to help her mother and meets a pool cleaner who has a motive and a weapon-the pool itself. In "Blue Martini," Pepper escapes a controlling boyfriend only to confront him at the end in the bar where she works. And in "51 Winfield," a young widow obsessed with her consignment store's wares is visited by her dead husband who talks to her via a bowler's shirt. Dark, vivid, and unsettling, Pool Fishing is a crowning achievement.
210 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2025
3 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
11 books144 followersI host "Writers on Writing," podcast wherever you get your podcast and on www.penonfire.com. My first book, Pen on Fire (originally published by Harcourt; reprinted by Mars Street Press). Short stories USA noir: Best of the Akashic Noir Series, Coolest American Stories, 2023, Rock and a Hard Place, Literary Hatchet, and more. My most recent book is Palm Springs Noir (Akashic), which I edited and contributed a story to. I teach at Gotham Writers Workshop, Saddleback College's Emeritus Institute, and privately. My short story, "Rowboat," (Kelp Journal, Dec. 2023) was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. My book of short stories, POOL FISHING, will be released by Kelp Books on Sept 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 14, 2025
I wrote these stories and love them and the characters, even the naughty ones. Happy the collection is out! Thank you Kelp Books. And thank you readers everywhere.
November 13, 2025
What a collection of stories!
In the span of just a few pages I was invested (and worried!) for the choices and the outcomes these women would experience. The reader doesn't need to be familiar with southern Calufornia but it certainly enhances the enjoyment if they are
In the span of just a few pages I was invested (and worried!) for the choices and the outcomes these women would experience. The reader doesn't need to be familiar with southern Calufornia but it certainly enhances the enjoyment if they are
May 18, 2025
Review: Pool Fishing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
🌊 Overview
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s Pool Fishing is a shimmering collection of short stories that dive into the depths of human connection, loss, and the quiet ripples of everyday life. Set against backdrops ranging from sunbaked California pools to metaphorical waters of memory, each story casts a line into the complexities of relationships, reeling in moments of tenderness, tension, and unexpected revelation. DeMarco-Barrett’s prose is crystalline—observant, lyrical, and deceptively simple, with undercurrents of emotional weight.
✨ Key Strengths
🎣 Vivid Storytelling – Each tale is a self-contained world, rich with atmospheric detail and psychological nuance.
💔 Emotional Resonance – Themes of longing, regret, and resilience surface with poetic precision.
🌴 Sense of Place – California’s landscapes (both physical and emotional) are rendered with vivid authenticity.
🔍 Subtle Suspense – Even quieter stories thrum with unspoken tension, like a shadow beneath still water.
⚠️ Considerations
🌀 Pacing Variability – Some stories linger in introspection, which may test readers craving faster momentum.
🎭 Niche Appeal – Those preferring plot-driven narratives might crave more action, though the collection’s strength lies in its stillness.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Craft → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🌌 Thematic Depth → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🎭 Character Insight → ★★★★ (4/5)
📖 Cohesion as a Collection → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A dive into the deep end of the human heart—where every ripple tells a story.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📚 Literary short fiction with the emotional heft of Olive Kitteridge
✒️ Writers’ writers like Ann Beattie or Raymond Carver
☀️ California-lit that captures both sunlit surfaces and hidden depths
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbara DeMarco-Barrett for the advance review copy. Pool Fishing is a collection to savor—best read with the sun on your shoulders and a pause between stories to let each one settle.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
🌊 Overview
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s Pool Fishing is a shimmering collection of short stories that dive into the depths of human connection, loss, and the quiet ripples of everyday life. Set against backdrops ranging from sunbaked California pools to metaphorical waters of memory, each story casts a line into the complexities of relationships, reeling in moments of tenderness, tension, and unexpected revelation. DeMarco-Barrett’s prose is crystalline—observant, lyrical, and deceptively simple, with undercurrents of emotional weight.
✨ Key Strengths
🎣 Vivid Storytelling – Each tale is a self-contained world, rich with atmospheric detail and psychological nuance.
💔 Emotional Resonance – Themes of longing, regret, and resilience surface with poetic precision.
🌴 Sense of Place – California’s landscapes (both physical and emotional) are rendered with vivid authenticity.
🔍 Subtle Suspense – Even quieter stories thrum with unspoken tension, like a shadow beneath still water.
⚠️ Considerations
🌀 Pacing Variability – Some stories linger in introspection, which may test readers craving faster momentum.
🎭 Niche Appeal – Those preferring plot-driven narratives might crave more action, though the collection’s strength lies in its stillness.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Craft → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🌌 Thematic Depth → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🎭 Character Insight → ★★★★ (4/5)
📖 Cohesion as a Collection → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A dive into the deep end of the human heart—where every ripple tells a story.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📚 Literary short fiction with the emotional heft of Olive Kitteridge
✒️ Writers’ writers like Ann Beattie or Raymond Carver
☀️ California-lit that captures both sunlit surfaces and hidden depths
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbara DeMarco-Barrett for the advance review copy. Pool Fishing is a collection to savor—best read with the sun on your shoulders and a pause between stories to let each one settle.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
December 20, 2025
DeMarco’s Pool Fishing, published by Kelp Books, is a compilation of 15 tales spanning the California geography from Orange County to San Francisco and Palm Springs. Her characters are unravelling misfits. They’re loveable or despicable dreamers, though it’s not always clear which. They’re people just like people we all know, who drive us crazy even though we can’t get enough of them. Their troubles get worse the harder they try, but there’s that something about them that we can’t stop cheering for. They’re barely making it, and when they seem the most unhinged is when they just might get away with murder, literally. DeMarco’s stories are quirky, fun, and funny, sexy, and dark. And in an oddball way, they’re full of hope.
October 1, 2025
I absolutely love this book. Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s “Pool Fishing” checks every box -- the stories are super entertaining, the characters are interesting and wonderfully drawn, and I adore the author's voice. She writes with such great wit, such remarkable skill. Reading each of these stories is like watching a short movie, they are so vividly and colorfully told.
DeMarco-Barrett teaches writing, wrote a book on writing called “Pen on Fire,” has published numerous short stories in anthologies and literary magazines, and has a long-standing excellent podcast called Writers on Writing, so she already has a great reputation as a writer. But, boy oh boy, if ever she needed to demonstrate her literary credentials, Pool Fishing is it. This book is wonderful. It’s noir, so the characters lean toward the gritty and seedy, but each story is a fascinating slice of life and wonderful example of seriously skilled writing.
To put it mildly, I’m in awe of DeMarco-Barrett’s talent, and I simply adore this book. I took it on my vacation this year and read it twice! My husband commented, when he saw me reading it on our return flight, “Didn’t you read that already?” I told him, “Yes, but I liked it so much I want to read it again.”
This year, Pool Fishing will be the book I give to the readers and budding writers on my Christmas list. And to the latter, I will advise, “Go to school on this writing. It’s as good as it gets.”
DeMarco-Barrett teaches writing, wrote a book on writing called “Pen on Fire,” has published numerous short stories in anthologies and literary magazines, and has a long-standing excellent podcast called Writers on Writing, so she already has a great reputation as a writer. But, boy oh boy, if ever she needed to demonstrate her literary credentials, Pool Fishing is it. This book is wonderful. It’s noir, so the characters lean toward the gritty and seedy, but each story is a fascinating slice of life and wonderful example of seriously skilled writing.
To put it mildly, I’m in awe of DeMarco-Barrett’s talent, and I simply adore this book. I took it on my vacation this year and read it twice! My husband commented, when he saw me reading it on our return flight, “Didn’t you read that already?” I told him, “Yes, but I liked it so much I want to read it again.”
This year, Pool Fishing will be the book I give to the readers and budding writers on my Christmas list. And to the latter, I will advise, “Go to school on this writing. It’s as good as it gets.”
May 15, 2025
Reading “Pool Fishing” by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett was an unexpected journey into the depths of human emotion and the complexities of familial relationships. Having previously encountered DeMarco-Barrett’s work in Palm Springs Noir, I was eager to see how she would navigate the themes in this story. 
The narrative unfolds with a quiet intensity, drawing me into the protagonist’s world with subtle yet powerful prose. DeMarco-Barrett’s ability to convey profound emotions through everyday scenarios is truly remarkable. The story’s setting, presumably in a familiar Southern Californian backdrop, adds a layer of authenticity that resonated with me.
What struck me most was the story’s exploration of forgiveness and the lingering shadows of past grievances. The protagonist’s internal struggle felt palpable, and I found myself reflecting on my own experiences with reconciliation and the complexities that come with it.
DeMarco-Barrett’s writing is both evocative and restrained, allowing the reader to delve deep into the characters’ psyche without being overwhelmed. The story’s pacing is deliberate, giving each moment the space it needs to leave a lasting impact.  
In conclusion, “Pool Fishing” is a testament to DeMarco-Barrett’s skill in crafting narratives that are both intimate and universally relatable. It’s a story that lingers in the mind, prompting introspection long after the final sentence
The narrative unfolds with a quiet intensity, drawing me into the protagonist’s world with subtle yet powerful prose. DeMarco-Barrett’s ability to convey profound emotions through everyday scenarios is truly remarkable. The story’s setting, presumably in a familiar Southern Californian backdrop, adds a layer of authenticity that resonated with me.
What struck me most was the story’s exploration of forgiveness and the lingering shadows of past grievances. The protagonist’s internal struggle felt palpable, and I found myself reflecting on my own experiences with reconciliation and the complexities that come with it.
DeMarco-Barrett’s writing is both evocative and restrained, allowing the reader to delve deep into the characters’ psyche without being overwhelmed. The story’s pacing is deliberate, giving each moment the space it needs to leave a lasting impact.  
In conclusion, “Pool Fishing” is a testament to DeMarco-Barrett’s skill in crafting narratives that are both intimate and universally relatable. It’s a story that lingers in the mind, prompting introspection long after the final sentence
November 14, 2025
Short stories aren’t usually my genre, but this cover absolutely drew me in. I ended up savoring each one—reading a story before bed and then falling asleep with these gritty, messy characters in my head. My favorite was 51 Winfield; it tapped right into my fascination with signs from the “other side.”
I loved the creativity in this collection. I’m even planning to read it again, which is almost unheard of for me.
I loved the creativity in this collection. I’m even planning to read it again, which is almost unheard of for me.
November 7, 2025
I heard once that a short story is like a cup of coffee—a moment of pleasure, plus a little something to think about. The short stories in this collection by Southern California writer Barbara Demarco-Barrett go down like smooth bourbon. Strong, quick, and tasty, but there’s a kick to each. Sometimes they burn. And it’s hard to stop at just one.
Demarco-Barrett is a master of brightly-lit noir, finding the darkness in sun-drenched places. The women in Pool Fishing live outside the lines; as I read about each character’s life, a sense of foreboding developed—but I wanted to know what happens next. This is a great read—or a great gift—for the reader who prefers stories that say, “Get in. We’re going places.”
Demarco-Barrett is a master of brightly-lit noir, finding the darkness in sun-drenched places. The women in Pool Fishing live outside the lines; as I read about each character’s life, a sense of foreboding developed—but I wanted to know what happens next. This is a great read—or a great gift—for the reader who prefers stories that say, “Get in. We’re going places.”
August 1, 2025
Best noir shorts I've read in a while!
October 5, 2025
Such a great collection of stories that take place in Southern California and the Coachella valley. These stories are intriguing from the first sentence and immediately draw you in. Love the title!
July 4, 2025
The thread tying these smart noir stories together are the images of flawed young women, some unlucky and fed up, some naughty and bored. Set in the shadows of some of Southern California’s more affluent communities, “Pool Fishing” by Barbara DeMarco Barrett is a fun collection of short tales about the unthinkable choices people make when pushed to their limits. These stories showcase DeMarco’s gift for creating compelling characters and a vivid sense of place.
My favorites: “The Water Holds You Still”, a story that explores the dangers of a backyard pool. “Rowboat”, a peek into one woman’s quest for revenge on her book club’s mean girl. And “Sandman” shows the power of frightened suburban parents over a predator.
A delightful and sometimes creepy page turner.
My favorites: “The Water Holds You Still”, a story that explores the dangers of a backyard pool. “Rowboat”, a peek into one woman’s quest for revenge on her book club’s mean girl. And “Sandman” shows the power of frightened suburban parents over a predator.
A delightful and sometimes creepy page turner.
October 16, 2025
Exquisitely brilliant! In Pool Fishing, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett weaves a delicious, eclectic collection of fifteen short noir stories depicted against the various iconic landmarks of Northern and Southern California. From the desert sands in Palm Springs to the salty water of Newport Harbor, DeMarco-Berrett’s women-driven anthology transcends you into the intoxicating world of want and retribution—where women of diverse socioeconomic worlds choose escapism, often at the cost of pernicious consequences. Sexy, dark, and alluring, the characters act on their impulses; some succeed, while others find themselves too far gone to turn back.
In “The Water Holds You Still,” Greta’s intimate rendezvous with her pool man ensues a doomy solution to her worries: the pool—a foreboding instrument for her sinister plan. In “Rowboat,” Nina starts a new life after prison but struggles amid the rumors and demeaning remarks made by one of her book club members. Nina’s mind soon stirs, ruminating thoughts of revenge. And in “Animals,” Giselle’s naivete drives her to take part in an animal rescue operation that takes a bleak turn to an eco-terrorism scandal.
Riveting, dark, and enigmatic, Pool Fishing explores the psychological line between right and wrong. Each story kept me turning the page for more! LOVED it. A MUST read.
In “The Water Holds You Still,” Greta’s intimate rendezvous with her pool man ensues a doomy solution to her worries: the pool—a foreboding instrument for her sinister plan. In “Rowboat,” Nina starts a new life after prison but struggles amid the rumors and demeaning remarks made by one of her book club members. Nina’s mind soon stirs, ruminating thoughts of revenge. And in “Animals,” Giselle’s naivete drives her to take part in an animal rescue operation that takes a bleak turn to an eco-terrorism scandal.
Riveting, dark, and enigmatic, Pool Fishing explores the psychological line between right and wrong. Each story kept me turning the page for more! LOVED it. A MUST read.
July 21, 2025
Step across the tracks to the dark side … where it’s always sunny
California may be the land of sun and fun, but Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s latest collection, Pool Fishing, uncovers a darker side. Her characters are women who make deliciously bad decisions. They choose the wrong men — meth dealers and wife beaters and married guys. Some of them drink too much or sleep with their students. Sometimes, they embezzle. But they know how to exact revenge in the sharpest and most creative ways.
Many of these stories are set in the hot crackle of the Coachella Valley, where swimming pools are less luxury than necessity. Those pools are the perfect symbol for characters who are in danger of drowning while partying too hard.
At a time in history when injustice is on the rise and bad guys seem to be winning, it’s satisfying to watch DeMarco-Barrett’s villains get their comeuppance. It’s also a collection filled with sharp humor, steamy sex and inside winks (hyphenated last names make Coco want to scream).
If you’re in need of a fun escape — or simple reassurance that life could always be worse — take a dip in DeMarco-Barrett’s pool.
California may be the land of sun and fun, but Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s latest collection, Pool Fishing, uncovers a darker side. Her characters are women who make deliciously bad decisions. They choose the wrong men — meth dealers and wife beaters and married guys. Some of them drink too much or sleep with their students. Sometimes, they embezzle. But they know how to exact revenge in the sharpest and most creative ways.
Many of these stories are set in the hot crackle of the Coachella Valley, where swimming pools are less luxury than necessity. Those pools are the perfect symbol for characters who are in danger of drowning while partying too hard.
At a time in history when injustice is on the rise and bad guys seem to be winning, it’s satisfying to watch DeMarco-Barrett’s villains get their comeuppance. It’s also a collection filled with sharp humor, steamy sex and inside winks (hyphenated last names make Coco want to scream).
If you’re in need of a fun escape — or simple reassurance that life could always be worse — take a dip in DeMarco-Barrett’s pool.
December 14, 2025
There's a strong wind blowin'. Sometimes it's a Santa Ana by way of Palm Springs, other times it's a briny seawind off the Eastern Pacific, but always, the wind brings change, facilitated by the feminine, feminist, free-thinking, free-spirited So-Cal characters in DeMarco-Barrett's debut collection. Stories run the noir gamut yet also expand the genre: we have murder as a final answer to a lusty sister's rivalry with an evil sibling in "The Water Holds You Still"; animal activism that explodes into flames and ends a naive young woman's hopes for a better world, including her own; justice gone awry (or does it?) when a woman's reluctant crush on a noisy neighbor turns a bit S & M in "Noise"; and let's not forget "Row Boat," where a seemingly meek night-rower plans the demise of a member of her book club for stealing her man, a man she thought she no longer wanted. DeMarco-Barrett has a knack for leading you by the nose in a certain direction, a certain conclusion of plot, then shattering your expectations while also assuaging them. And she does so with tight prose that's as lilting as it is dark. A wonderful submersive collection for true fans of Southern Cal noir.
May 15, 2025
In Pool Fishing, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett explores the lives of women on society’s fringes, emotionally, financially, or geographically, set against the gritty backdrop of coastal Orange County and the stark California desert. These dark, sensual, and atmospheric stories revolve around a converted motel and the dry heat of Palm Springs, where bodies of water often mirror the characters’ inner turmoil. Whether it’s a widow haunted by her husband’s voice through a bowling shirt or a woman entangled with a pool cleaner whose motives turn deadly, each tale is rich with tension, desire, and uneasy transformation. Strange, compelling, and deeply human, Pool Fishing is a striking collection about escape, survival, and the choices we make in the shadows. This was my first book by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, and I look forward to reading more.
June 13, 2025
“Pool Fishing” by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett was everything I didn’t know I needed in a mystery. From the first chapter, I was hooked by the Palm Springs setting, the noir tone, and a lead character I found both relatable and refreshingly bold.
The story unfolds with a perfect mix of old-Hollywood glamour and gritty suspense. Every detail felt intentional, no fluff, just a smart and twisty mystery that kept me guessing. I loved how the clues were subtle but satisfying to piece together, and I was completely caught off guard in the best way by how it all came together.
What stood out most was how real the characters felt. You don’t just follow the story, you feel like you’re part of it. This book was impossible to put down, and it’ll definitely stick with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, this one’s going straight to my “must recommend” shelf!
The story unfolds with a perfect mix of old-Hollywood glamour and gritty suspense. Every detail felt intentional, no fluff, just a smart and twisty mystery that kept me guessing. I loved how the clues were subtle but satisfying to piece together, and I was completely caught off guard in the best way by how it all came together.
What stood out most was how real the characters felt. You don’t just follow the story, you feel like you’re part of it. This book was impossible to put down, and it’ll definitely stick with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, this one’s going straight to my “must recommend” shelf!
October 17, 2025
This collection offers a raw and candid look at the lives of women in California—messy, complex, and often caught between freedom and frustration. While the overall experience is uneven, several stories stand out with vivid energy and emotional honesty.
Some narratives resonate more deeply than others, revealing Barbara’s sharp eye for character and social nuance. The standout piece, featuring “the pool guy,” “the bad electricity,” and “the mother with all the money”, captures the tension and vitality that make her storytelling so engaging. It’s the kind of story that feels big enough to fill an entire novel, leaving the reader wanting more.
Though the collection as a whole doesn’t always maintain that same momentum, its strongest moments shine with wit, sensuality, and insight. For those stories alone, this book earns a solid three stars.
Some narratives resonate more deeply than others, revealing Barbara’s sharp eye for character and social nuance. The standout piece, featuring “the pool guy,” “the bad electricity,” and “the mother with all the money”, captures the tension and vitality that make her storytelling so engaging. It’s the kind of story that feels big enough to fill an entire novel, leaving the reader wanting more.
Though the collection as a whole doesn’t always maintain that same momentum, its strongest moments shine with wit, sensuality, and insight. For those stories alone, this book earns a solid three stars.
October 29, 2025
I love a cup of espresso with a good read. POOL FISHING was my morning delight for 15 mornings. I was drawn in hook, line and sinker. This captivating collection went to the top of my bookshelf of short stories but didn’t stay there long because a friend borrowed it as soon as I told him about it. DeMarco-Barret writes sexy, compact stories that are all satisfying in the end. Her scorned women stop at nothing to seek revenge. She doesn’t need seedy neighborhoods or back alleys for atmosphere. Her dark characters step into to the bright southern California sunshine where I live. A handyman, a pool man, a beach boy; the kind of regular fellas who appear in our daily life never knowing they might be cast in a POOL FISHING story. This collection is a good read that never disappoints.
August 18, 2025
I really enjoyed the first story and would have loved a full book on that or for fewer stories that were a little longer. I struggled with the pacing because the stories each felt quite rushed towards the end and I’m something who likes a bit more depth and emotion during the climax of a story, maybe it’s just me who doesn’t really suit short stories. This made it a bit of a slog to get through because I’d get into a story then it would end abruptly.
I think generally it’s well written and the stories are all interesting in their own way, so would be well suited to you if you like a collection of short stories
I think generally it’s well written and the stories are all interesting in their own way, so would be well suited to you if you like a collection of short stories
November 12, 2025
I highly recommend Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s Pool Fishing. I'm not typically a reader of noir fiction, but DeMarco-Barrett’s accessible and compelling writing immediately pulled me in. You don't need to be a fan of the genre to appreciate her storytelling. These are just great short stories, a lot of drama and darkly humorous.
As a person who grew up in Southern California, I enjoyed seeing some of my favorite places detailed and described so perfectly. I felt as though I could have been an extra in every story.
DeMarco-Barrett has made me a fan of noir fiction. Check out this collection. It’s fantastic.
As a person who grew up in Southern California, I enjoyed seeing some of my favorite places detailed and described so perfectly. I felt as though I could have been an extra in every story.
DeMarco-Barrett has made me a fan of noir fiction. Check out this collection. It’s fantastic.
May 3, 2025
I absolutely loved these stories! Part literary, part noir, and part dark humor, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett takes readers into fringe-y settings with one-of-a-kind, unforgettable characters. They made me laugh, they made me cringe, they charmed me into liking them despite their flaws, but most importantly they compelled me to turn the pages. Along with grit and seduction these enticing stories are thoughtful and seeped in wisdom. This is DeMarco-Barrett at her best!
August 9, 2025
Pool Fishing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett is a collection of stories that explore the challenging lives of women in California by delving into the intricacies of human connection, the complexities of relationships, loss, and the subtle nuances of daily existence.
The book is exceptionally well-crafted, and while some stories captivated me more than others, each offers a unique perspective drawing in moments of tenderness, tension, and surprising insights.
The book is exceptionally well-crafted, and while some stories captivated me more than others, each offers a unique perspective drawing in moments of tenderness, tension, and surprising insights.
April 24, 2025
Pool Fishing is a wonderful collection of stories taking place in the less glamorous corners of Southern California. Characters are often dark, and stories dip in and out of noir. It's captivating and entertaining and displaying of a side of California culture not often seen by those who don't live there. This isn't Hollywood or Gidget on the beach. It's gritty and dusty and real.
May 20, 2025
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett writes deftly and with humor about characters finding their way--dreamers and felons, losers and lovers, cheaters and boozers--all trying to find their way. I'm reminded of Elmore Leonards's fast-talking characters, people who struggle with staying on the right side of the tracks and yet you find you're still rooting for them. This is a wonderful collection!
June 13, 2025
The good, the bad, and the ugly the lives of women in California.
The book was okay. Some of the stories held me better than others.
Honestly, I think if Barbara had written full books especially the first story, then I would have loved it even more.
I want to read more about the Pool Guy, the bad electricity, and the momma who had all the money!
That story itself is the 3 stars.
The book was okay. Some of the stories held me better than others.
Honestly, I think if Barbara had written full books especially the first story, then I would have loved it even more.
I want to read more about the Pool Guy, the bad electricity, and the momma who had all the money!
That story itself is the 3 stars.
December 15, 2025
Celebrate the fictional bad girls! I consider myself a "good girl" (I'm no longer a girl, of course, but you know what I mean). For me, the pleasure in reading the stories in Pool Fishing is the opportunity to walk in the shoes of these complex women characters who don't always make the "good" choices in life. It's delicious to walk on the dark side with these characters living in sunny SoCal.
August 1, 2025
Collection of short stories some are better than others that leave you wanting more but overall the collection is an enjoyable and nice quick read.
September 14, 2025
Fantastically tantalizing noir set in some of your favorite California towns. Great read, I devoured it!!!
November 13, 2025
Every story is unique and thought provoking.
November 18, 2025
My fave was 51 Winfield. I wanted more from this one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews