Southern Crime Fiction

[Angie]

And yes, I'm talking about the U.S. Deep South. Anybody got any rec's for books by Southern writers? I like the darker stuff - noir, hard-boiled, y'know, dark! I've already read a ton of JLB, but know I'm missing out on a ton of other writers. Help!

[Tom Barclay]

Laura Benedict's ISABELLA MOON is genuinely disturbing - in a good, good Southern Baroque way.

[Kim Smith]

Good question Angie- I can only think of cozy authors that are by or for Southern Writers. I love Patricia Sprinkle and the late Anne George. But you said dark... hmm..

[Susan]

Try David Fulmer. I'm reading his Chasing the Devil's Tail right now, set in New Orleans, circa 1900, lots of action in Storyville, prostitutes ... oops, excuse me, "sportin girls" :) and music and a sexy Creole detective. This was his first detective novel, I think, and won a Shamus Award. He's written several more featuring the same detective, setting and time period. One of his stories is featured in the short story collection: New Orleans Noir.

I also recommend Robert Olen Butler (New Orleans). Fab writer. Good Scent from a Strange Mountain won a Pulitzer. It's a collection of short stories, some of them dark, others not so, about Vietnamese now living in the U.S. (Butler served in Vietnam during the war.)

[Don Anderson]

I agree with Naomi's take on COLD STEEL RAIN. Haven't read the follow-up.

[Angie]

So many books, so little time...

Just started on A.N. Smith's THE DRUMMER & I gotta say it's just what the doctor ordered. Fast moving and FUN! With all the suggestions I've gotten, I should be a happy camper for the next few weeks. My bank account...not so much.

[Don Anderson]

Haven't read THE DRUMMER, but read YELLOW MEDICINE a coupla weeks ago. Great stuff and fun. Smith is a blast.

[Patrick Balester]

I'm afraid I can't help you on this one. My book's a cozy, and set in Virginia, which as any true southerner knows, doesn't qualify as the Deep South.

Good luck, though.