Started reading this ebook and wasn't sure I was going to like it. Megan Abbott's opening story really didn't hit my noir button, not that it was a bad story or anything. Lawrence Block's story came a lot closer, hitting the subject matter straight but with a little twist in the telling. Then I got to good ol' Joe Lansdale and BANG, that's what I'm talking about when I think noir. That's as far into it as I got on the first foray but at about 30% through it's so far, so good.

Update: now that I've finished I have to say I really ended up being of two minds about the collection. Was left with the impression that several of the stories really weren't noir stories at all. Still, as a free anthology add-on for a video game, it was surprisingly solid and I feel almost bad rating it as a 3 but in the end I just didn't like several of the stories too much. ( )

This collection is pretty sparse when it comes to action packed noir stories. Many of the stories fall flat and left me wondering what the point of the narrative was.

The only redeeming feature is that I didn't have to pay for this.

Avoid this. ( )

The month before we turned 40, my husband and I spent a week in New York city to celebrate our upcoming milestone. We dined at fancy (and not so fancy) restaurants, sampled goodies from The Magnolia Bakery and Donut Plant, visited several art galleries and museums, and saw some unforgettable stage performances. I recall the sidewalk advertisements for the video game and short story collection. Upon learning of the various authors in this collection, I purchased it. Don't we have to hear or read about an item eight times before we're moved to purchase it?

Fortunately, none of the stories in the collection are repetitive. Each story has its own cover and covers different themes and characters from the genre. It's a nice survey of Hollywood in the 1940s. I read some of the characters are also in the video game but I can't say if it's accurate or not. I've never played the game.

Several of the authors were known to me through previous work and I'm sure this was a fun exercise for them. Some of the stories are quite dark in tone so you probably don't want to read them while eating in a diner or waiting at the bus stop. They may hit a little too close for comfort. ( )

Top of the crop in crime fiction lays it all out. Favorite? Megan Abbott. truly amazing writing. Worth every penny... all 99 and more :) ( )

I was very dubious about this collection, which was released as part of a tie-in to a video game. I'm not a gamer but I do love noir, so I sprung for the e-book when I saw the authors featured (Megan Abbott, Lawrence Block, Joe R. Lansdale, Joyce Carol Oates, Francine Prose, Jonathan Santlofer, Duane Swierczynski and Andrew Vachss). At worst, I figured it would be a gathering of previous published work, some of which might be new to me. Thankfully, happily, entertained-for-three-nights-ly, I was wrong!

The stories are originals, contributed specifically to this collection, which is exciting. Two or three feature characters from the video game, but I didn't find that a hindrance in the slightest (in fact, I didn't notice save for the Introduction telling me which had 'em). I enjoyed most of the stories, but the standout winners for me were Lawrence Block's "See the Woman" and Duane Swierczynski's "Hell of an Affair". "Black Dahlia & White Rose" by Joyce Carol Oates felt done as did Francine Prose's "School for Murder", but I'm also not a huge fan of either writer, so that could be why I wasn't impressed. The rest of the stories were good -- high on ambiance, a hint of violence and sex, enough punch to stick with you for the day.

I don't think hardcore noir fans will love this collection, but there are one or two stories that I think stand out. Certainly, as an introduction to many of today's top crime and mystery writers, this is a good start. From what I understand, playing the video game doesn't spoil any of these stories (nor do they spoil the game's storyline) but it might enhance the gameplay for those who really enjoy the feel of the setting. For everyone else, if you want a little gritty 1940s L.A. in your day (and who doesn't?!), consider this as a quick pick-me-up on a grey evening or smoky morning. ( )