Dark Crimes 2 edited by Ed Gorman

 

This is an older anthology of Noir short stories.  Readers will recognize author names such as David Morrell, Lawrence Block, John D. MacDonald, Marcia Muller, Ed Gorman, Nancy Pickard, Bill Pronzini, Brian Garfield, John Lutz, Joe Lansdale, Max Allen Collins and Loren Estleman.  These are the authors from a generation ago, authors I grew up loving and who introduced me to crime fiction.  Most are still with us although we are losing authors from this generation sometimes it seems almost daily.  

One of my favorite stories was by Wade Miller, called 'The Memorial Hour'.  In it, a psychiatrist gets a new patient.  As they work together, the doctor uncovers the fact that his patient has been stealing.  The patient brings in what he is stealing and it is bras, some from clotheslines, some from breaking into houses.  The patient gives that up but moves on to house plans and stalking the doctor's receptionist.  The patient moves on to attack the receptionist in the doctor's office only for revelations to be made.  

Ed Gorman was known for his mystery writing in the noir genre and for his anthologies.  In this book, he has collected some of the best writing from the 1970's onward.  This book is recommended for mystery readers, especially those interested in the noir and detectives of that period.