Dark, dangerous: It’s ‘New Haven Noir’

Latest in anthology series set in Elm City

NEW HAVEN » The introduction of “New Haven Noir” references the city’s connection to the three regicides of 1649 and the more recent crime times of Billy Grasso and Midge Renault, not to mention the unsolved slaying of Suzanne Jovin.

But it’s not like New Haven is so compelling that it has the singular honor of being the setting for its own anthology of short stories.

The Akashic Books series of noir anthologies started in 2004 with “Brooklyn Noir” and now there’s a flock of them, including “Atlanta Noir” (really?), “Chicago Noir,” “Las Vegas Noir,” “Boston Noir” and even “Manila Noir,” which sounds like a stripper’s name.

But it’s still a kick to see Elm City haunts and issues weaved into short stories of intrigue by writers who know the turf. Author Amy Bloom curates “New Haven Noir” (publish date Tuesday) and writes a story set in the East Rock area. Each story, in fact, is set in a distinct neighborhood in and around New Haven.

Other writers include Alice Mattison (“When We Argued All Night”), David Rich (“Caravan of Thieves”), “Hirsh Sawhney (“South Haven”) and one-time Register editor Karen Olson (“Sacred Cows”).

Thursday will bring the first of three area booktour events when most of the 15 authors visit The Institute Library (847 Chapel St.) at 7 p.m.; it’s free and open to the public. The second will be Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. at R.J. Julia Booksellers (768 Boston Post Road, Madison.) And Sept. 7 will see a third, at New Haven Free Public Library, at 6 p.m.