Private Dicks and Disco Balls: Private Eyes in the Dyn-O-Mite Seventies Drops from Down & Out Books

This is the leisure suit-wearing, sideburn-having, gas-line-waiting anthology of ‘70s private detective stories you’ve been waiting for. Edited by the esteemed Michael Bracken, Private Dicks features '70s-centric PI stories from Ann Aptaker, N.M. Cedeño, Bill Fitzhugh, James A. Hearn, Laura Oles, Alan Orloff, Gary Phillips, Neil S. Plakcy, Stephen D. Rogers, Mark Thielman, Bev Vincent, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, and yours truly. Pick up a copy today, or you’re a jive turkey.

Noir at the Bar, Noir AF Edition

Gonna be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Sunday, November 20th? Join me and a bunch of other sketchy writer types who are at their best when showing humans at their worst. You’re not going to want to miss these live readings, cold drinks, good stories and interesting—if not terribly well behaved—characters. It’s gonna be Noir AF. And since this Noir at the Bar event will be held at The Wild Detectives, you’ll be able to pick up some sweet fall reads and maybe even knock out a little holiday shopping. See ya there, pal.

NoirCon 2022 Brings New Meaning to the Dark Web

The biennial NoirCon conference, which celebrates noir literature, cinema, TV and more, is back as a virtual event—and it’s bleaker and better than ever. I went to my first NoirCon in Philly ages ago, one of my first literary conferences, and it was a tremendous experience. This year I’m reading an exclusive story that I wrote just for NoirCon attendees. But what I’m most excited about is tapping into a host of presentations, panels, celebrities, conversations, awards, insights, true crime, silent auction action and much more. There’s still time to register! Don’t miss out because after this you’re noir your own until 2024. ☠️

Like live readings?

Join me, and a host of other Texas mystery writers and creatives at Wild Detectives in Oak Cliff June 30 for an evening of hard tales, cold drinks, spoken word poetry, good music and fine folk. Some legendary Texas talent will be in the house, including Joe R. Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale, Keith Lansdale, Jim Nesbitt, Mike McCrary, V.P. Chandler, Scott Montgomery, Trang Vu, Pat Pombuena, Eryk Pruitt, Kevin R. Tipple, Kathleen Kent and Harry Hunsicker. See you there!

New Novella from P.I. Tales

Dixon Guidry trudged to a Deer Park refinery with his beat-up lunchbox every day for twenty years. Every day but his last day on the job, that is. With no friends, no family and no clues as to his whereabouts, Guidry seems to have gone up in smoke. And for some reason, as his Happy Retirement sheet cake sits uneaten in the office refrigerator, his former employer seems desperate to uncover Guidry’s whereabouts at all cost. That’s where oilfield-worker-turned-private investigator Roughneck Mike comes in.

Set in Houston, this modern take on the classic private investigation story is part of a two-for-one Double Feature by Colorado-based PI Tales. Published alongside a novella by West Coast thrill master Will Viharo called All Souls are Final, the book is part of a series of Double Feature novellas that has featured solid storytellers such as Frank Zafiro, Michael Bracken and others.

For those unfamiliar with PI Tales and its founder and publisher Michael Pool, this original house is bringing the old school private detective story back—but with modern sensibilities. All while selecting stories that are meticulous about their investigative authenticity. And Pool should know, as he isn’t just a publisher but an actual working private investigator.

So check out my latest title, Dixon Guidry Gets Lost, as well as Will Viharo’s spicy PI thriller, All Souls are Final, in this latest installment of the PI Tales Double Feature.