Philadelphia Noir

Includes brand-new stories by: Diane Ayres, Cordelia Frances Biddle, Keith Gilman, Cary Holladay, Solomon Jones, Gerald Kolpan, Aimee LaBrie, Halimah Marcus, Carlin Romano, Asali Solomon, Laura Spagnoli, Duane Swierczynski, Dennis Tafoya, and Jim Zervanos. Carlin Romano, critic-at-large of the Chronicle of Higher Educationand literary critic of The Philadelphia Inquirerfor twenty-five years, teaches philosophy and media theory at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2006 he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, cited by the Pulitzer Board for "bringing new vitality to the classic essay across a formidable array of topics." He lives in University City, Philadelphia, in the only house on his block.

Table of Contents Introduction Part I: City of Bursts “Princess” by Aimee LaBrie (South Philadelphia) “Scarred” by Solomon Jones (Strawberry Mansion) “Secret Pool” by Asali Solomon (West Philadelphia) “Devil’s Pocket” by Keith Gilman (Grays Ferry)Part II: City of Otherly Love “Above the Imperial” by Dennis Tafoya (East Falls) “A Cut Above” by Laura Spagnoli (Rittenhouse Square) “Swimming” by Halimah Marcus (Narberth) Part III: The Faker City “Fishtown Odyssey” by Meredith Anthony (Fishtown) “Your Brother, Who Loves You” by Jim Zervanos (Fairmount) “Cannot Easy Normal Die” by Carlin Romano (University City) “Seeing Nothing” by Diane Ayres (Bella Vista) Part IV: Those Who Forget The Past . . . “Lonergan’s Girl” by Duane Swierczynski (Frankford) “Reality” by Cordelia Frances Biddle (Old City) “The Ratcatcher” by Gerald Koplan (South Street) “Ghost Walk” by Cary Holladay (Chestnut Hill)