Noir Novellas - an OzNoir Book List

Below are some of my favourite noir novellas. Each word is a dagger, the plots so sharp they cut deep into the readers memory keeping the story alive long past the last page turn.

I am sure to have missed many good novellas and welcome any recommendations. In no particular order:

FIERCE BITCHES by Jedidiah Ayres

 

 

In my review I wrote that FIERCE BITCHES is 'a haunting and violent slice of noir set amongst a desolate backdrop where ramshackle residents live and die by their vices.' The first novella published through Crime Factory is a winner.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17162629-fierce-bitches

 

KILLING MUM by Allan Guthrie

 

 

From my review: Guthrie always brings a lot of justifiable violence and relevant brutality to his fiction but in 'Killing Mum' he brings the added element of dark humour and a questionable state of mind to the lead character (think Goodis 'Nightfall').

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10408428-killing-mum

 

OLD GHOSTS by Nik Korpon

 

 

From my review: Lean poetic prose personified by vivid and visceral characterisation. While gory there is a blood crusted beauty to the delivery and style by which Korpon crafts these scenes.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14760173-old-ghosts

 

GUN by Ray Banks

 

 

From my review: just another bullet leaving the chamber for Banks who continues to deliver time and time again. GUN is a must for fans of Banks.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11962711-gun

 

SMOKE by Nigel Bird

 

 

From my review: 'Smoke' is a slick, well defined deft tale which embodies the darker side of every day life.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12866114-smoke

 

THE LAST DEEP BREATH by Tom Piccirilli

 

 

From my review: The downtrodden characters and seedy occupation contribute to a feeling of grey (apt name for a protagonist in this setting), you know its not going to end with roses and sunshine yet you’re hopelessly drawn to the conclusion.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8527983-the-last-deep-breath

 

 BUTTERFLY POTION by Trent Zelazny

 

 

From my review: Trent Zelazny’s novella is a quick fire noir with all the hallmarks you’d expect of the genre.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13613311-butterfly-potion

 

ISHMAEL TOFFEE by Roger Smith

 

 

From my review: This is a powerful novella. It's noir filled with heart-warming and heartbreaking moments.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13505745-ishmael-toffee

 

R.I.P ROBBIE SILVA by Tony Black

 

 

From my review: Tony Black’s style and story substance is a beautiful mash-up of Ken Bruen, Dave Zeltersman, Alan Guthrie, and Ray Banks.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15784304-r-i-p-robbie-silva

 

SHOTGUN GRAVY by Chuck Wendig

 

 

From my review: With a reputation forged by a forgetful past, the protagonist of ‘Shotgun Gravy’ oozes sentiments of Sophie Littlefield’s female vigilante, Stella Hardesty. Atlanta Burns, a YA cult hero in the making accounts for her troubles and those of the class underdog by drawing upon basic human survival instinct – and a can of bear mace.

View more on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12874993-shotgun-gravy