Indian Country Noir

Akashic Books continues its award-winning series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. With Indian Country Noir, readers can enter into a welter of troubled history throughout the Americas where the heritage of violence meets the ferocity of intent.

The sharpest, most stylized and ambitious anthology of Native American literature ever published.

Publishers Weekly

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. (June)

Sarah Cortez, a law-enforcement officer, is the author of the poetry collection How to Undress a Cop. Winner of the 1999 PEN Texas Literary award in poetry, she has edited or coedited Urban-Speak: Poetry of the City, Windows into My World: Latino Youth Write Their Lives, and Hit List: The Best of Latino Mystery. Liz Martínez's stories have appeared in Manhattan Noir, Queens Noir, Cop Tales 2000, and other publications. She is the author of The Retail Manager's Guide to Crime and Loss Prevention; her articles about security and law enforcement have appeared in publications worldwide. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers.