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In this latest entry of the Akashic Noir series, author Gary Phillips edits a collection of fourteen short stories focused on Orange County, California. It is the home of Disneyland, McMansions galore, ultra conservatives, and lots of phonies. It is a place where pretense is the norm, and very few are what they seem. This collection focuses on the people who are either "has-beens," "wannabes," "should-have-beens," or "could-have-beens." They might have been "California dreamin'" at some point, but the 14 authors involved in this anthology want to show that where there is sunshine, there is also darkness. Or in this case, pure noir. Most of the authors involved in this collection are not household names outside of California, but that may change once you start some the stories on this collection. In keeping with the noir elements, most of the stories are told in first-person narrative format. These unreliable narrators give the stories a unique perspective even if some can be considered delusional. Take, for example, Mimi in Barbara DeMarco-Barrett's story Crazy for You. It starts with a thirtysomething teacher, unhappy with her life, who moves in with one of her former high school students. She gets to experience some happiness when her boyfriend gets her a job as a nanny and tutor for two rich kids in a tony section of town. He was supposed just to commit a robbery, but it winds up in murder and even after what happens, she believes that she has made it after all. Or take the story of poor loner Fred Mackie, in Patricia McFall's "On the Night in Question." He starts a correspondence with a woman in prison unaware of or unwilling to care about the dangers involved. He's looking for happiness and believes he has found it with this prisoner. These are just two of the most notable stories in this collection, but there are twelve others too. It is a good collection and a good way to discover new authors. If you cannot go to California, let California come to you and try out these new authors. They will not disappoint.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, April 2010
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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