A review by trenton_ross
Santa Cruz Noir by Susie Bright

3.0

This is the first of the Akashic Noir series that I have read, and like any collection of short stories with various authors, it is difficult to provide a single rating. There were some stories that I didn't much care for, including Tommy Moore's Buck Low. Unfortunately, Buck Low was the very first story and nearly caused me to put down the collection altogether. Others were a bit strange, the oddest, Mischa and the Seal by Liza Monroy, included

seal poachers and selkies

. However, the standout for me was Treasure Island by Micah Perks, an enjoyable mash-up of every Facebook community page and Rear Window.

I did enjoy the introduction to Santa Cruz and various authors I'd otherwise likely never known. I'm sure I'll delve into other Akashic Noir's other locales at some point.