(Reviewed by JD Jung)
“Noir is as much a part of Sydney’s character as frangipanis and cockroaches, rusted iron lace and sandstone terraces, torrential rain and potholed roads.”
“Crime and Sydney have always been inseparable: a deep vein of corruption runs beneath the surface of even its most respectable suburbs.”
Even though I did visit Sydney over the holidays, I still can’t verify the accuracy of those statements made by editor John Dale. However, they do provide the essence for the riveting collection of stories in the latest in the Akashic Books Noir Series, Sydney Noir.
Along with the title, each story is noted by the related district or suburb of Sydney. There is also a map of Sydney designating each area. Of course, that was lost on me. What wasn’t lost was that I was so engrossed in each of the fourteen stories that I forgot to take notes as I read, in order to writes this review. That says a lot. I can’t pick a favorite; there was only one of the stories in which I figured out the ending before it happened. Each story had a conclusion; that is, none of them left you hanging in the air.
The collection is diverse in gender, age, ethnicity, sexual preference and socioeconomic standing. There are no stereotypes as to victim, perpetrator or motive for that matter. For instance, a woman can be as threatening and intimidating a stalker as a man.
“The Transmutation of Sex” is only one instance where women take power. That was a favorite. Then again, there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch.
“Toxic Nostalgia” explores dark choices in the gay community. “The city can give you AIDS but the suburbs can make you crazy.” In some stories, the effects of gentrification have a devastating effect on those who inhabited the once seedy streets.
So, would someone who has lived in Sydney enjoy this dark, gritty and sometimes erotic collection more than someone totally unfamiliar with this city? All I know is that Sydney Noir is comprised with some of the best in short crime fiction and I intend to seek out other works from these exceptional authors.
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