As a writer of thrillers whose debut novel was considered Noir, I’ve always been fascinated by tales of characters that are not always the most likeable. Noir fiction is characterized by cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity. Similar to its successful films, I love when you feel for an anti-hero. That despite their questionable motives, the author or director manages to make you root for them in the end.
I wrote...
Stalker Stalked
By
Lee Matthew Goldberg
What is my book about?
Lexi Mazur is a depressed, alcoholic, pill-popper whose only joy has become her reality TV shows, often fantasizing that the people on TV are a part of her world. After her boyfriend Steve leaves her, she fixates on the show Socialites and its star Magnolia Artois, following every facet of the girl’s life on social media in the hopes of befriending and becoming more like her. But stalking isn’t new to Lexi. She ultimately won over her ex Steve by following and manipulating every minute detail about him so he’d fall for her. In fact, she landed her other ex-boyfriend Jeremy in the same way. Being a pharma rep, she’s used to manipulation to get doctors to buy her drugs, along with the perk of saving pills for herself. But what happens when the stalker gets stalked?
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The Books I Picked & Why
The Getaway
By
Jim Thompson
Why this book?
The Getaway by Jim Thompson and the film directed by Sam Peckinpah is a gritty slice of noir and the classic story of a bank heist gone wrong. It’s a beautifully pulpy showcase for the twisted marriage of Doc and Carol, played by Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw with perfection in the film. It plunges you into the very core of moral ambiguity and the ending of the book is unexpected, sublime, and a sledgehammer to the head. A great first book and film to introduce a reader to noir styles.
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L.A. Confidential
By
James Ellroy
Why this book?
A classic, L.A. Confidential is set in 1951 where the police are as corrupt as the criminals. There are a huge amount of characters and subplots, but in the end, it all connects. The film with Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kim Basinger in her Oscar-winning performance, is pure noir bliss. It captures the vibe of post-war LA where Los Angeles is just as much as of a character in the book. Do yourself a favor and crack open the book and watch the film.
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The Grifters
By
Jim Thompson
Why this book?
Another Jim Thompson classic, The Grifters is about a trio of con artists trying to move up from being small-time crooks. They add love and a mother/son relationship into the mix which only makes things worse. The film directed by Stephen Frears is a master-class in acting from Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, and John Cusak. The scene at the end couldn’t be more shocking as a way to wrap up a noir film. Money is paramount in the world of the grifters, everything else secondary. What could be more noir than that?
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Devil in a Blue Dress
By
Walter Mosley
Why this book?
Another book and film that takes place in LA after World War II, Devil in a Blue Dress focuses on a Black war veteran named Easy fired from his job and hired to locate a girl. Easy is the perfect definition of an anti-hero played by Denzel Washington in the film. He’s been put through the wringer in his life, so you understand his motivations for misbehaving when it’s called for. A love letter to jazz music while equally being a treaty on race, discrimination, sexism, and oppression.
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The Long Goodbye
By
Raymond Chandler
Why this book?
No noir list can be complete without including Raymond Chandler and his unsung hero detective Philip Marlowe. Tough-as-nails, the very definition of gritty, melancholic, and makes you want to pour a glass along with him. The film is also Robert Altman in peak form. This is later-stage Marlowe so he’s grown tougher and sadder, but more honorable as well. All of Chandler’s books are amazing, but this one is likely his best.
