Stark House Press reintroduces Jack Webb’s long-lost Los Angeles noir gems, One For My Dame and The Deadly Combo, in a newly released double volume. Acclaimed reviewer James Reasoner delves into the hardboiled action and jazz-soaked atmosphere of these classic crime novels, inviting a new generation of readers to rediscover Webb’s unique voice.
“Complex puzzles, strange disappearances, unconventional murder techniques and spectral encounters abound in Tales of the Impossible, a standout collection of hard-hitting crime stories by Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Bill Pronzini.
Across a literary career spanning more than fifty years, Pronzini has published ninety novels, four non-fiction books, twenty story collections, numerous anthologies, and scores of articles, essays, and reviews. And his work has been translated into nineteen languages and published in nearly thirty countries.”
Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews Tales of the Impossible by Bill Pronzini for the Lancashire Post.
“In this moody, hard-edged noir – teeming with deception and sexual tension – a battle-weary ex-Marine is drawn by a beguiling stranger into a spiral of robbery and murder along the California coast where each shadow harbours treachery and every promise comes at a price.”
Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews Roadside Night for the Lancashire Post.
“In two tumultuous stories set in 1950s Florida, a jobless accountant burdened by debt becomes entangled with a seductive femme fatale in a plan to steal her family’s fortune… and a former cop finds himself the prime suspect in a murder he witnessed and must track down the real killer to prove his innocence.”
Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews Gil Brewer’s The Squeeze/ —And the Girl Screamed for the Lancashire Post.
Discover a review from Literary Titan that praises the novel Hessman’s Necklace. The review calls it: a swaggering, bourbon-soaked noir packed with crooked clergy, sultry dames, and one hell of a charming bastard. Like if Raymond Chandler and Tarantino shared a bottle. The 5-star review was published on July 1, 2025.
American magazine Kirkus Reviews adds: “Litchfield writes with sardonic vigor.”
On July 12, 2025, Literary Titan published an interview with Nicholas Litchfield titled “Gritty Environments,” delving into the creative process behind his novel, Hessman’s Necklace. The Q&A explores his approach to noir, the thematic depth and literary influences that shape the narrative, and how he balances innovation with tradition.
“A rugged Chicago fixer wrestles with his moral compass as he attempts to tarnish the reputation of a local attorney in The Face of Evil, a gritty 1950s pulp fiction tale, steeped in extortion, corruption, and counter-blackmail.
Originally published as a Gold Medal Books paperback original in 1954, John McPartland’s hard-hitting standalone novel of redemption has resurfaced this month as part of Stark House’s Black Gat mass market editions, having been long out of print.”
Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews John McPartland’s The Face of Evil for the Lancashire Post.
“In this highly engaging collection of short stories, award-winning author Robert Garner McBrearty captivates readers with tales of inner struggle and pivotal moments in life.”
Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews Robert Garner McBrearty’s story collection, The Problem You Have, for the Colorado Review.
Author Mary Donaldson-Evans is set to release her latest nonfiction book, *One Foot in the Grave, the Other on the Treadmill: Reflections from Over the Hill*, later this week. This … Read More ›
In a positive new review published in Indies Today, Nicky Flowers analyzes *Hessman’s Necklace*, the new mystery by author Nicholas Litchfield. Flowers describes the novel as “a snarky crime-noir with a decadent streak,” capturing the essence of its protagonist, Ray Stokes, whose “gruff, lecherous, and rude” personality embodies the gritty aesthetics of the genre.
Highlighting Litchfield’s skillful storytelling, the reviewer notes, “Ray doesn’t call the shots, but he’s still a bad guy—no question.” This nuanced portrayal invites readers to root for a character whose moral compass is as questionable as the schemes he undertakes. As Ray embarks on a dangerous mission to retrieve Hessman’s necklace, the dynamic between him and Merriam Woodcroft adds depth to the narrative, with Flowers remarking that “her character’s secrecy adds another layer to the mystery surrounding the necklace and the church’s dubious sanctum.”