Prison Noir

This tremendous collection makes "civilian" crime fiction writers (like myself) seem anemic in comparison. These are stories that resonate with authenticity and verve and pain and truth. Any collection edited by the National Book Award-winning author Oates (them; Blonde, Rape: A Love Story) deserves attention, but the contributors are deft and confident, and great writers without her imprimatur. Many of the authors served or are serving long sentences for murder, bank robbery, assault, etc. William Van Poyck ("The Investigation") was executed in 2013. Andre White's stunning "Angel Eyes" proves that the pen is mightier than the sword in more ways than one. Jail suicide and pitiless partner abuse are the focus of the fine "Milk and Tea" by Linda Michelle Marquardt. The great writing in "Rat's Ass" by Kenneth R. Brydon makes the reader squirm. Marco Verdoni's "Immigrant Song" is moving and lyrical, and Ali F. Sareni's powerful "A Message in the Breadth of Allah " stuck with this reader long afterwards. I liked every story.