Trinidad Noir »

The Caribbean provides no shelter from the delicious terror of the Akashic Noir Series.

Publishers Weekly

The volumes in Akashic's locale-based noir anthology series set outside North America (Dublin Noir, etc.) offer more variety than those set in different major U.S. cities, and this one is no exception. The editors' brief but insightful introduction makes clear that the sun and sea tourist image of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is at odds with the country's "political climate of excess and corruption" and "an element of society afloat in drugs and guns." While one entry, Robert Antoni's "How to Make Photocopies in the Trinidad & Tobago National Archives," mostly comprising stream-of-consciousness letters to "mr. robot," may be tough going for noir fans who prefer traditional storytelling, the other 17 stories are solid. The two standouts are Keith Jardim's mystical "The Jaguar" and Lawrence Scott's "Prophet," in which a series of child disappearances in a small but corrupt community builds to an appropriately bleak ending. (Aug.)

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Introduction 13

Pt. I Country

Pot Luck Lisa Allen-Agostini Allen-Agostini, Lisa 19

The Rape Kevin Baldeosingh Baldeosingh, Kevin, 1963- 39

The Funeral Party Shani Mootoo Mootoo, Shani. 58

Dougla Reena Andrea Manickchand Manickchand, Reena Andrea 82

Nowarian Blues Ramabai Espinet Espinet, Ramabai 92

Betrayal Willi Chen Chen, Willi 110

Bury Your Mother Jaime Lee Loy Loy, Jaime Lee 122

Standing on Thin Skin Oonya Kempadoo Kempadoo, Oonya. 137

Pt. II Town

Woman Is Boss Elisha Efua Bartels Bartels, Elisha Efua 153

Prophet Lawrence Scott Scott, Lawrence 171

How to Make Photocopies in the Trinidad & Tobago National Archives Robert Antoni Antoni, Robert, 1958- 193

The Best Laid Plans Darby Maloney Maloney, Darby 215

The Jaguar Keith Jardim Jardim, Keith 231

Eric's Turn Rian Marie Extavour Tunapuna Tunapuna, Rian Marie Extavour 261

Lucille Elizabeth Nunez Nunez, Elizabeth 274

Peacock Blue Vahni Capildeo Capildeo, Vahni 283

Dark Nights Judith Theodore Theodore, Judith 300

Gita Pinky Manachandi Tiphanie Yanique Yanique, Tiphanie 317