INDIAN COUNTRY NOIR (June 2010)

Edited by Sarah Cortez and Liz Martinez

With "Another Role" by Reed Farrel Coleman

Publisher: Akashic Books

Stories by Mistina Bates, Jean Rae Baxter, Lawrence Block, Joseph Bruchac, David Cole, Reed Farrel Coleman, O'Neil De Noux, A.A. Hedge Coke, Gerard Houarner, Liz Martinez, R. Narvaez, Kimberly Roppolo, Leonard Schonberg, and Melissa Yi.

Enter into the dark welter of troubled history throughout the Americas where the heritage of violence meets the ferocity of intent. The protagonists of these stories - whichever side of the law they're on - use their familiarity with Indian cultures to accomplish goals ranging from chilling murder to a satisfying participation in the criminal justice system.

Authors with Indian heritage join non-Indian authors in creating stories in settings as diverse as the terror-ridden atmosphere of the Indian boarding schools to the dubious sleaze of contemporary casinos.

REVIEWS:

Written by both Native American and non-Native authors, the 14 stories in this worthy volume in Akashic’s noir series range geographically from northern Canada to Puerto Rico and from New York’s Adirondacks to Los Angeles. One of the more impressive entries is Melissa Yi’s moving “Indian Time,” about Mohawk Fred Redish’s painful attempts to visit his young sons under the care of his white mother-in-law. “JaneJohnDoe.com,” David Cole’s story of a woman forced to forge a new identity for a drug lord or see her family slain, works perfectly. Leonard Schonberg’s “Lame Elk,” about an alcoholic’s last chance to reform, is a noir gem. Co-editor Martínez’s poignant “Prowling Wolves” recounts the sad fate of Iwo Jima flag-raiser Ira Hayes. Other contributors include Lawrence Block, Jean Rae Baxter, Reed Farrel Coleman, and Gerard Houarner. - Publishers Weekly