Kacey’s Introduction
There are two sides to every story.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that editing Noir Fatale was a huge milestone in my career. Like bucket list huge. Working on that project gave me the opportunity to edit some of my very favorite authors and create something incredibly cool dedicated to my all-time favorite character archetype.
But like I said, there are two sides to every story. And if the femme fatale is my favorite, then her foil, the hardboiled, lone-wolf detective is a very, very close second.
Larry and I were, of course, thrilled with the positive reception that Noir Fatale received. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to everyone who picked up a copy, whether in print or e-format, or the amazingly well-done audiobook. Thanks to all of you, Larry and I now have the opportunity to bring you the other side of the story, as told by fifteen amazing authors.
Among those fifteen, we’ve got veteran, bestselling authors and new voices alike. Every one of their stories has a unique and interesting take on the detective archetype. Personally, I found it fascinating that many of the characters are not technically detectives at all, but each of them has the distinctive feel of an honorable man doing his best to uncover the truth in a dishonorable world. Whether the story is set in a far future science fiction reality, an alternate version of our own history, or a fantasy realm we’ve never known, they all speak of a hero—battered and bloody as he may be—who just won’t quit. And as we dig yet again into the darkness that lies within our own minds, it’s comforting to know that somewhere, in that darkness, the truth-seeking hero still fights on.
I hope you enjoy these stories. We’ve definitely enjoyed bringing them to you. As Larry said, it’s been an honor.
—Kacey Ezell