D.C. Noir 2: The Classics » (Reprint)

A devotee of the hard-boiled school of detective fiction, George P. Pelecanos has honed his street-smart style with a series of detective thrillers all set in the seamier corners of the D.C./Maryland/Virginia triangle.

From Ed Jones to Langston Hughes, George Pelecanos explores DC's historic malaise, following up the best-selling first volume of D.C. Noir.

The Washington Post - Art Taylor

Dark as many of these stories are, there's light in them yet, and it's the layering of the two that helps the collection to dazzle.

Introduction 13

Pt. I The Old School

A Council of State Paul Laurence Dunbar Dunbar, Paul Laurence 23

Avey Jean Toomer Toomer, Jean 37

Trouble with the Angels Langston Hughes Hughes, Langston 45

The Man Who Killed a Shadow Richard Wright Wright, Richard 53

Pt. II Burning Down the House

The Last Days of Duncan Street Julian Mayfield Mayfield, Julian 73

Washington Julian Mazor Mazor, Julian 81

Cast a Yellow Shadow (excerpt) Ross Thomas Thomas, Ross 109

Reflecting Rhozier "Roach" Brown Brown, Rhozier "Roach" 125

Nora Ward Just Just, Ward 127

Our Bright Tomorrows Larry Neal Neal, Larry 143

Pt. III In the Shadows of Federal City

Kiss the Sky James Grady Grady, James 167

The Dead Their Eyes Implore Us George Pelecanos Pelecanos, George 209

A Rich Man Edward P. Jones Jones, Edward P. 230

Wonderwall Elizabeth Hand Hand, Elizabeth 256

Christmas in Dodge City Benjamin M. Schutz Schutz, Benjamin M. 278

After (excerpt) Marita Golden Golden, Marita 299