In the interest of sampling other genres and exploring literary review publications, I chose Phoenix Noir (a whole new side to Phoenix, folks!) and Hayden’s Ferry Review this week. By now you’ve noticed the alphabet thing I have going? 26 x 2 = 52. Works as a prompt for choosing a theme, or at least for writing the weekly intro!

• “Dirty Scottsdale”, by Diana Gabaldon, Phoenix Noir

Oh my goodness, is there really a website called DirtyScottsdale.com? I’m afraid to look! This story serves up like a dirty martini with a twist of hope.

• “Confession”, by Stella Pope Duarte, Phoenix Noir

When Stella autographed her story for me, she smiled and said, “You will like this story. There’s a priest in this story.” Like all good mysteries, there is a problem. Father Leo is not part of the solution. 

• “Notre Dame des Patates”, by Sarah Marshall, Hayden’s Ferry Review

In a story about Catholic angst, Daisy exercises a self-abusing faith  before a bloodless Christ:

 It is the indifferent love of Christ, who loved everyone equally and so, Benoit has long thought, never really loved anyone at all…

That’s a clever sentence. It expresses the chasm between God and man. Spoiler alert: in the end the disfigured Benoit, who has never loved any of the girls who rotate through his bed, impersonates Christ and, in a selfless act of love, draws Daisy back to life. Projection, you think?

•  “Navy Blue With White Polka Dots”, by Kitty Hart-Moxon, Hayden’s Ferry Review

I have no idea what this is about. The imagery made me think of Auschwitz.

• “Homunculus”, by Adam McOmber, Hayden’s Ferry Review

This was fun. First, I learned a new word. A homunculus is a miniature, fully formed human created by an alchemist. Be careful what you create. It’s that dream: You’ve acquired a pet, gone on a long trip and forgotten to leave food for it.

• “Others of My Kind”, by James Sallis, Phoenix Noir

The crimes do not get prosecuted in this noir gem, but Jenny defies description as a victim. Sallis is also a poet. The language in this story is a treat—describing a radio playlist:

California bebop beating its breast.

• “Public Transportation”, by Lee Child, Phoenix Noir

A detective story. Told in “Dragnet” cadence. Builds suspense on lucky breaks. Perp gets the last break. “Win some, lose some.”