Chicago Noir
Edited by Neal Pollack

I was really looking forward to this read.  I enjoyed the DC Noir so much, how could I not love the Chicago version?  Simple: it’s not quite as good. Overall, the short stories filling the pages of Chicago Noir are not as gritty, as twisted, as their DC counterparts. I do, however, really like the arrangement of the book, and some of the stories are worthwhile. The stories are published by location, starting on the far south side of Chicago and winding their way North, giving the reader a topographical overview of Chicago’s neighborhood layout. Jim Arndorfer, Claire Zulkey, Todd Dills, and Achy Obejas do not disappoint.  In fact, Obejas “Destiny Returns”is the best modern-day Romeo + Juliet you’ll find, only this version’s star-crossed lovers are a Cuban drag queen and her married, Mexican, drug-dealing lover.

All in all, you could do a lot worse than Chicago Noir.  I’d recommend giving it an afternoon, and just enjoying reading references to parts of the city you’ve explored (or avoided).

spiderpig