Urban Fantasy with a Noir-tinge

[Megan]

As a fan of both urban fantasy and mysteries, I'm looking for recommendations that combine both.


Actually, this was brought on by reading the fourth Sandman Slim book and wanting something similar.


I've read Simon R. Green's Nightside series and started Jim Butcher's Dresden Files -- any other suggestions?

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic)]

It's more sword & sorcery mixed with noir, but have you tried the Eddie LaCrosse books? First one isThe Sword-Edged Blonde.

has a touch of this. The same author's Zodiac series is pretty dark, but might work.

[Jenny]

You might want to check out these series:

Laurell K. Hamiltonwrites the Anita Blake series, the first nine or ten books are fantastic from a fantasy/mystery combo approach. The first book is Guilty Pleasures

Lilith Saintcrow has written two series that I adored; kick-ass female lead characters fighting a variety of demons, were-animals and such. These can get quite dark at times but certainly do get not overwhelmed with romance/sex scenes the way Hamilton does in her later books. The series are: Dante Valentine - Dante Valentine: The Complete Seriesand Jill Kismet - Jill Kismet: The Complete Series

Patricia Briggswrites the Mercy Thompson series. These are more lighthearted than Saintcrow's books, but still offer an strong female character, were animals, and always a mystery to solve. Mercy Thompson Series Collection

Karen Marie Moning writes the Fever series; a really fascinating take on the urban fantasy genre. I can't recommend them highly enough. Darkfever is the first one.

[thalassic]

Megan wrote: "As a fan of both urban fantasy and mysteries, I'm looking for recommendations that combine both.


Actually, this was brought on by reading the fourth Sandman Sl..."

That's what I love about UF fantasy too; noir and mysteries mixed with paranormal and even horror elements. And Richard Kadrey is one of my favorites.

I'd suggest Mike Carey's Felix Castor series, Kat Richardson's Greywalker series, Charlie Huston's Joe Pitt series, and maybe Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series. Maybe Kathleen Tierney too. All have a similar feeling to Kadrey's and are well written with good mysteries.

First books in each are:

[Leiah]

I just found Mark Del Franco. I know he has been around for a bit, but I really enjoy it.

[Tasula]

I second Elizabeth's recommendations, esp. Charlie Huston and Michael Carey. Jim Butcher is sort of a classic now, always fun, much lighter than Kadrey (who I love also). Here are some more suggestions you might enjoy
The Nymphos of Rocky Flats vamp detective
Skinwalker
Midnight Riot
Bloodshot
Crooked Little Vein
Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse
Snake Agent

[Megan]

So I think these recs will keep me busy for awhile. Thanks everyone!

The Sword-Edged Blonde -- I picked this one up and finished it before the day was up. For anyone else using this thread to populate their TBR piles, I heartily second this one.

As for everything else, some of these I've tried and some have been added to the holds list at the library. In any case, all are very much appreciated.

[Dave]

Hey, quick query I bet someone here can answer;

I remember reading some magical noir at some point where the P.I. protagonist had a trenchcoat he could turn inside out to change what material it was made from. The world was pretty bizarre, with monsters and demons and overt magic everywhere, rather than a more subtle "magic hidden in the real world" vibe.

Ring any bells for anybody?

Thanks!

Oh, and you might dig this podcast, which is what reminded me I wanted to read/hear more of this kind of thing:
http://podcastle.org/2014/07/11/podca...

[Maria]

I think it has more than a bit of noir about it--The Alex Hughes series. It has quite a bit of noir. Good, solid stories on the dark side.

Clean

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic)]

Stephen Blackmoore's City of the Lost and the Eric Carter have a noir feeling. Especially City of the Lost.

[Julia]

The Remy Chandler series by Thomas E. Sniegoski isn't noir-ish, it's noir: the Boston setting is like a character, the main character has taken the names of Raymond Chandler after his favorite writer and his dog's name is Marlowe. And he's a PI.
And, it's a lot about loss and regret.
Oh, I didn't mention he used to be an angel?
It is A Kiss Before the Apocalypse: A Remy Chandler Novel .

[Maria]

Kathy (Kindle-aholic) wrote: "Stephen Blackmoore's City of the Lost and the Eric Carter have a noir feeling. Especially City of the Lost."

I agree about the Stephen Blackmoore. I haven't read the other author!

[Veronica]

New release has a pretty noir feeling to it.

[Ogbebaba]

Try
The Grimnoir Chronicles
"Detroit Christmas" (prequel short story)[8]
Hard Magic (ISBN 1-43913-434-0, Baen Books, May 2011)
Spellbound (ISBN 1-45163-775-6, Baen Books, November 2011)
Warbound (ISBN 978-1-4516-3908-7, Baen Books, August 2013)

[Maria]

Hard Spell - definitely noir.

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic)]

Maria wrote: "Hard Spell - definitely noir."

YES

[Veronica]

Maria wrote: "Hard Spell - definitely noir."

That's been on my TBR list but I keep pushing it back because his Quincy Morris series sort of derailed IMO.

[Maria]

Veronica wrote: "Maria wrote: "Hard Spell - definitely noir."

That's been on my TBR list but I keep pushing it back because his Quincy Morris series sort of derailed IMO."

The first one is quite good--very tightly written, lots of thriller, some good characters. The second is very good right until the ending--the last chapter was stupid weird and completely...well, I wish it had been cut because other than a juvenile side trip the second was a good book too. I haven't read the third, although I have it in the stack.

If I had to choose, I'd go with the Alex Hughes series--it's actually darker, but in many ways more compelling.

I keep saying I don't like dark fiction, but it's all that I've read this year...or so it seems.

[Veronica]

Thanks for the feedback, Maria. I have actually read and liked the first Alex Hughes book. I keep meaning to get to the second book.

[Maria]

Veronica wrote: "Thanks for the feedback, Maria. I have actually read and liked the first Alex Hughes book. I keep meaning to get to the second book."

It's good. It's still dark though. It's pretty balanced, but I can't read them too close together. And the Justin G. one is pretty good too. It's actually a bit lighter so I think you'd probably like it.

Man, now I gotta go find some cozy fantasy or something to lighten up!!!

[Veronica]

I know what you mean. I alternate genres every few books so that things don't get too serious or dark, or too light and fluffy, for too long. It also helps me to avoid book burnout. :)

[Maria]

Veronica wrote: "I know what you mean. I alternate genres every few books so that things don't get too serious or dark, or too light and fluffy, for too long. It also helps me to avoid book burnout. :)"

Yup!