cover image A Hell of a Woman: An Anthology of Female Noir

A Hell of a Woman: An Anthology of Female Noir

, . . Busted Flush, $26 (400pp) ISBN 978-0-9767157-3-3

Despite stories from an impressive international roster of both established and up-and-coming crime novelists, this woman-themed anthology is disappointingly hit-and-miss. Abbott, herself a 2006 Edgar nominee for her noir debut, Die a Little , attempts to organize the volume by grouping pieces under catchy but not very meaningful headings such as “Hellcats, Madwomen and Outlaws” and “Minxes, Shapeshifters and Hothouse Flowers.” The few standouts include Zoë Sharp’s “Served Cold,” a revenge tale featuring British femme fatale–cum–bodyguard Charlie Fox, and Ken Bruen’s moody “Nora B.,” chronicling a cop’s disastrous relationship with a scheming Irish barmaid. Notably absent is a story from Val McDermid, whose introduction only whets the reader’s appetite for a taste of her signature “tartan noir.” Fans of the other authors included are better off waiting for the next installments of their respective series. (Dec.)