Like any compilation of short stories, there are some high and low points to this book, but I appreciated each story for the Haitian perspective the author contributed. Each story also seemed to be influenced by (but didn’t necessarily go overboard with) the folklore and superstition that appears to pervade the history and culture. And there were a few stories dealing with the earthquake, devastation, and aftermath – really eye opening. The anthology and the stories themselves are filled with contrasting emotions, love and hate, corruption and justice, hope and despair, making it a rollercoaster of a read. ( )

Really uneven collection, a quality I might attribute to:

1. Writers underachieving or overreaching in their reinterpretation of noir;
2. Literal (and literal-minded) translation.

I loved a few of the stories and hated a few more, but plan on seeking out more from each contributor regardless. Trouble is, many of them have published their best work in francophone literary journals, likely hard to come by via public library here. ( )

Reviewed at Reviewing the Evidence.