Queens Noir

by Denis Hamill, Alan Gordon, Maggie Estep

Nineteen authors share mystery stories set in New York City’s largest borough in this anthology.Akashic Books continues its award-winning series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each book is comprised of all-new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book. Queens becomes the fourth New York City borough to enter the arena in this riveting collection edited by defense attorney and acclaimed fiction writer Robert Knightly.With stories Denis Hamill, Malachy McCourt, Maggie Estep, Edgar Award–winner Megan Abbott, Robert Knightly, Liz Martínez, Jill Eisenstadt, Mary Byrne, Tori Carrington, Shailly P. Agnihotri, K.J.A. Wishnia, Victoria Eng, Alan Gordon, Beverly Farley, Joe Guglielmelli, and Glenville Lovell.Includes the story “Bucker’s Error,” winner of the 2009 Edgar Award (Robert L. Fish Memorial Award).Praise for Queens Noir“The ethnically diverse New York borough of Queens is the setting for this solid entry in Akashic’s noir anthology series (Brooklyn Noir, etc.) . . . . with protagonists ranging from a young woman out for revenge (Denis Hamill’s “Under the Throgs Neck Bridge”) to a trigger-happy cop protecting her cousin from an abusive ex-husband (Stephen Solomita’s “Crazy Jill Saves the Slinky”). The husband-and-wife team writing as Tori Carrington . . . weighs in with a gritty whodunit set in a Greek diner in “Last Stop, Ditmars.” The standout by far is “Hollywood Lanes” by Megan Abbott (The Song Is You), a bleak and masterful story of passion and betrayal set in a Forest Hills bowling alley. There’s plenty to enjoy here for Akashic completists and anyone who’s ever cheered (or jeered) the Mets.” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: New York, Short Stories, Noir, Fiction, Mystery, Crime

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Bolivar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book as I walked into the Astoria Bookshop. I wanted a book that would give me some insight on the borough I was born in and that would cover the diverse lifestyles one would encounter. So far this book has given me that. I live in South Florida, but lived in Queens when I was a kid. I always find time to head back and visit my old friends and family. This book has thus far, given me the insight I was after along with some tips on restaurants, neighborhoods, and the kinds of stories I can see happening right before me, as I have people watched throughout my many trips. Who doesn't people watch when they're in a park or train and come up with stories in their head? This book does just that!

[Rita Varian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did it's job as an anthology. I really liked some of the stories but none of them knocked my socks off. A few were too cliche for me. It must have been very important to the editor that each story contains lots of details describing the Queens setting, which got repetitive. Subtlety in this area would not have made the cut. But I live in Queens, so instead of getting bored, I found myself rooting for each author as if I were an English teacher wanting to see the best in all my students while still adding up all the grading points.

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of these stories were very entertaining, and supplied a lot of local color. However, I do think the anthology as a whole was a bit too long for my tastes, and some stories were much more engaging than others.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good format and well chosen short fiction pieces. I've just ordered the San Francisco Noir book.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This potent mix of short fiction is an enticing tour of the dark side of New York City's largest borough. The editor's introduction perfectly mirrors the tone of the entire collection--entertaining, educational and representing an appealingly broad diversity. This approach is also reflected in the stories themselves. Though all the stories have crime in common, how that criminal element is incorporated in each them is as varied as the stories themselves. The borough also seems to be an intregral element of each story, not just a backdrop, and the effect is rewardingly authentic. It's like a box of dark chocolates--the reader is bound to enjoy some pieces more than others but everything included here is delicious in its own way.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh geez. I finished this book awhile back (Sept/Oct?). It was good. Being in California, I liked reading about Queens (my home!)--all its neighborhoods and all their characteristic detail.

This was my first noir, and I found some of the stories a little too dark and disturbing, but after awhile, that darkness kind of grows on you. I'd be interested in reading other noir.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a book about New York, Queens in particular, this is it. It opens you up to all of the Queens cultures. The Island kin, Asian, Hispanic, Irish... It also introduces you to what Queens in known for... The Mets and its diversity.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It captured the spirit of queens so faithfully I was moved as a local queens girl, but the stories were hit or miss. Most seemed rushed, confusing or not noir enough. Notable exceptions include "last stop, ditmars" and "viernes loco."

[Seán · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the Bronx Noir entry in the Akashic series. QUEENZ LYFE!

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great collection of short noir fiction spread across the many neighborhoods of Queens.

i can't say there wasn't a story i didn't like. great book.

[Sjfstudio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this one alot, thanks Teri for passing it along. Recognized a lot of places sited in the book, which added to my enjoyment of this book.

[Armand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining book. I like it a lot.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Queens and I love noir and I loved this book.

[Suejin · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh. read half the stories. out of those a few of them were good.