editor 831 Posted February 12, 2009 New Orleans NoirEdited by Julie Smith2007 - Akashic Books$14.95Dirty Amazon link: (helps support HAIF): New Orleans Noir (Akashic Noir)Clean Amazon link (doesn't support HAIF): http://www.amazon.com/New-Orleans-Noir-Akashic/dp/1933354240This is a collection of about a dozen short stories by different authors, all set in New Orleans, and all dealing with murder. The book is divided into three sections: stories happening before, during, and after Katrina. Overall, the book is a good idea. In fact, it's part of a series of "noir" books that started with Brooklyn Noir and progressed to Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and a bunch of other cities.I don't know the stories set in those other cities are any good, but the ones from New Orleans Noir are mediocre at best. They never really engage you -- you just feel like a bystander while things happen. While the plots are good, the stories aren't written all that well.It's nice to have a book you can pick up and put down, but once you put this one down you don't exactly look forward to picking it up.I give it ** two stars out of five. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
