Nice Girl Does Noir

Short stories are the poetry of prose.  Mistakes, in a novel, can be buried.  In a short story, they stand out like roaches on a sugar cookie.  Short stories are precise, cut to the bone, every word a necessity.  A novel may go far afield, but a great short story requires unbelievable restraint.  Not many authors develop that control.  Libby Fischer Hellmann has the hand of a master. Take it from a guy who knows her well: Libby is a nice girl.  But she writes noir with a savvy edge honed on the hard, dark knowledge of the evil possible in us all.  With each story she opens a door to a room that holds a demon—and with prose too damn good to resist, she seduces us inside. So you should probably interpret this introduction not only as an invitation but also as a warning.  If you choose to read on, I can guarantee that Libby's stories will take you places nice people don't often go.William Kent KruegerSeries Stories:The Day Miriam Hirsch DisappearedCommon ScentsThe Last RadicalA Winter's TaleThe Murder Of Katie BoyleChicago Then And Now:Your Sweet ManThe Jade ElephantDumber Than DirtThe Whole World Is WatchingOther Places, Other Times:House RulesDetourThe Rainforest MessiahHigh YellowA Berlin StoryJosef's AngelREVIEWS (SHORT STORIES)"e;Standouts include Libby Fischer Hellmann's clever twist on a redemption tale…"e; Publishers Weekly on THE JADE ELEPHANT (in THESE GUNS FOR HIRE)"e;Her own contribution sets high standards…"e; Oline Cogdill, Mystery Scene on YOUR SWEET MAN (in HELL OF A WOMAN)"e;Hellmann's story is remarkable…"e; Janielle Martin, Eclectic Closet on THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING (in SISTERS ON THE CASE)You can read the 1st page of each story at Libby Hellmann's website.