Hoosier Noir: One is a crime fiction magazine aimed at Indiana. Published by First
City Books, the read came on the market in recent weeks and looked interesting,
so I picked up a copy. Available in print and eBook versions, I went with the
digital file and bought this by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account. I
knew going in that this was going to be crime fiction and expected tales with
hard edges. That is exactly what I got and more.
The issue opens with “Dunn and Dunn”
by J. Travis Grundon. Dakota Fisher saw the Dunn boys while he was out in the
woods doing his own less than legal thing. Rodney and Wayne saw him and that is
a disaster. The only chance he has to live is to run as far and as fast as he
can through the woods. If they catch him, he is dead. No doubt about it.
That story is followed by an
interview titled “Interrogating Rex Weiner.” His new project in his Skull
Snyder detective series, the planned new Ford Fairlane adventure,
Noir at the Bar, various publications that have his short stories, and more are
discussed here in the wide-ranging interview.
“Author Spotlight: Alec Cizak” comes
next and focuses on “Last Exit before Toll” by him. A night of partying is ending
for two young ladies. At least it is for Jessica who is calling it quits. Emily
plans to keep going as the DJ seems to be very interested and she may finally succeed
in getting him.
There are people rolling through
social media on a daily basis trying to set off judgmental firestorms on
others. We have all seen it if we have not been arty to it in one way or another.
That concept familiar to us all if the point of the next story. Brian Klein in
“Destroyers” by Alec Cizak is one of those people who lives to rain judgmental social
media fire down on others. What he does is the focus of this tale that says a
lot about the state of the world today.
Preston Lang is up next with
“Descent.” Mr. Kent’s report of his missing husband is not being taken
seriously by Police Chief Lohta. Maybe he does not care for homosexuals. Maybe Chief
Lohta and his police force are incompetent. Hal is missing and, at this point,
nobody seems to care.
Sometimes you must shoot somebody twice.
One so they understand the reason why. The second to end them. He did it in
“The Iceman” by Les Edgerton. For good reason too.
Rebecca is in a justifiably bad mood “The
Haunted Crave Knowing” by J. Rohr begins. The woman on the porch is looking for
Doug Conover as she needs help. Too bad he is dead. Rebecca is her only option
now.
The cleanup after a killing is the
hardest part. That is, if you do not want to get caught. Bleach is very important
in “It All Comes Out In The Wash” by N. B. Turner.
The first killing was sort of an
accident. A thrilling accident. Travis figured out he liked it in “The Selfie
Killer” by N. E. Riggs. The trick is to keep it going.
Bobby Conrad is one of those guys
that names his own male anatomy. He brags a lot about that and other things in
his small town of green apples, Indiana. A current murder case involving Jim
and Molly Wagner might prove him wrong on some stuff. “Dick Pic” by Don Stoll concludes
the issue.
Along with the crime fiction and the
interview, there five illustrations and photographs to provide breaks in the
reading. Also present are a few scattered ads for books and other short story
publications. All of those present nicely in the eBook version and no doubt
appear even better in the print version.
Hoosier Noir: One is an entertaining and well put together read. The stories are
all crime fiction so things are graphic especially in terms of language. These
tales are noir and that means they are dark. If you are looking for sweetness
and light, this is not the read for you. Along with the quality fiction
showcased in this first issue of what hopefully will be a series, the
photographs and artwork are a nice added touch and fit well in context. Hoosier Noir: One is very much your
time and money. Simply put, this is good stuff.
I picked up my copy back in February
using funds in my Amazon Associate account.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2020
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