"Manhattan Noir" Book Review

In the world of "Manhattan Noir," the characters are shady, the dames can be deadly, and real estate is a motive for murder. In other words, it's just like the real Manhattan.

"Manhattan Noir" is a collection of modern crime stories in the noir tradition, edited by New York mystery author Lawrence Block. Block also contributes a deliciously nasty little story about a Manhattan pick-up gone wrong. Other standout stories include Justin Scott's "The Most Beautiful Apartment in New York" and S.J. Rozan's "Building."

The stories are organized by neighborhood setting, following in the tradition of Akashic Books' previous anthology, "Brooklyn Noir." In this collection, the old hardboiled definition of "noir" is expanded and redefined. Some stories are classically dark in the Dashiell Hammett tradition, while others add modern or comic twists to the genre.

"Manhattan Noir" is a fun read that's sure to please mystery lovers and fans of New York fiction. Compare prices and purchase "Manhattan Noir."