Side Projects

A Hell of a Woman

Daniel Woodrell's story, "Uncle," nominated for an Edgar!
Eddie Muller's story is now a motion picture!

Edited by Megan Abbott
Introduction by Val McDermid

Stories by: Lynne Barrett, Charlotte Carter, Christa Faust, Alison Gaylin, Sara Gran, Libby Fischer Hellmann, Vicki Hendricks, Naomi Hirahara, Annette Meyers, Donna Moore, Vin Packer, Rebecca Pawel, Cornelia Read, Lisa Respers France, SJ Rozan, Sandra Scoppettone, Zoë Sharp, Sarah Weinman, Ken Bruen, Stona Fitch, Allan Guthrie, Charlie Huston, Eddie Muller, and Daniel Woodrell

Odes to favorite women of noir contributed by: Jeff Abbott, Jamie Agnew (Aunt Agatha's), Charles Ardai, Alafair Burke, Bonnie Claeson and Joe Guglielmelli, Shannon Clute and Richard L. Edwards, Reed Farrel Coleman, Bill Crider, David Corbett, Maria DiBattista, Sean Doolittle, Christa Faust, Meg Gardiner, Woody Haut, Charlie Huston, Daniel Judson, Harley Jane Kozak, Laura Lippman, Don Malcolm, Barbara Peters (Poisoned Pen), Robert Randisi, Jonathan Santlofer, Theresa Schwegel, Kevin Burton Smith, Peter Spiegelman, Jason Starr , Wallace Stroby, Brian Thornton, Tribe, Lisa Unger, Robert Ward, Sarah Weinman, Stephen Whitty (Newark Star Ledger)

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What the Critics are Saying

"The newest anthology from Busted Flush Press features two-dozen stellar stories starring a wide variety of unforgettable female protagonists ... A loving homage to female crime-fiction authors and female-powered noir fiction ... A Hell of a Woman is not only an exceptionally entertaining anthology, it's an invaluable resource that will be cherished by aficionados of the genre."

—Chicago Tribune

"The problem with many anthologies is that certain stories feel like they’re coasting. Usually, these stories come from the biggest names in the anthology. But here, everyone’s on form from the names you know down to the names you don’t. They’re all on board and running with the idea of femininity as a concept, an actuality, a myth… something to embrace and something to be terrified of. In fact, what makes this anthology stand out is the fact that the crime elements of the stories are incidental to the theme. . . . No question, this is one of the strongest anthologies I’ve read in a long time. In fact, the first I’ve digested in one sitting. But with the incredible array of writers and the sheer variety of stories involved, I can heartily recommend picking up A Hell of a Woman."

—Crimescene Scotland

"A superior collection... Megan Abbott has assembled a talented list of contributors who deliver inspired performances."

—George Pelecanos, author of The Night Gardener

"A Hell of a Woman is a brilliant and riveting new take on noir—a 21st century Female noir. Tales of resilient women faced with life's cards, shuffling and dealing the deck their own way. The tensions notch, the plots twist in a stranglehold, and it's one hell of an anthology."

—Cara Black, author of Murder on the Ile-Saint Louis

"Beautiful, bold and bloody—the dames in this collection rock, and when they do, heads roll. This anthology of compelling stories about members of the 'fairer sex' with a proclivity for deadly schemes is a must-read for all lovers of noir. Each story is a gem.

—Carolyn Haines, author of Penumbra, Fever Moon

"A Hell of Woman is an outstanding crime fiction anthology that not only consistently and thoroughly entertains, but also makes an important contribution to the literature of the genre."

—Jason Starr, author of The Follower

"The next time some jackass smirks and tells me that women can't write noir, I'm going to knock him upside the head with a copy of A Hell of a Woman. Megan Abbott, our leading Queenpin of crime, has assembled a powerhouse collection of noir by the best dames in the business. (And the stories by the dudes ain't half bad, either.) I've fallen hard for this antho, even though it's destined to clean out my savings account, sleep with my best friend and break my heart."

—Duane Swierczynski, author of The Blonde

"As a statement on contemporary noir and as a barometer of the culture, A Hell of A Woman tells the whole story and then some."

—Woody Haut, author of Neon Noir: Contemporary American Crime Fiction

Other Works

Megan Abbott's story "Our Eyes Never Stopped Opening" appears in the E.J. Olsen and John C. Hocking edited collection featuring stories by Joyce Carol Oates, Loren Estleman, Dorene O'Brien, P.J. Parrish and more.

Megan Abbott's story "Hollywood Lanes" appears in the Robert Knightly edited collection featuring stories by Denis Hamil, Alan Gordon, Joe Gugliemelli and more.

Megan Abbott's story "Today We Hit" appears in this anthology edited by Peter Spiegelman and featuring superb stories by Reed Farrel Coleman, Jason Starr, Twist Phelan and more.

Read Vicki Hendricks's seminal noir novel Miami Purity, a book not to be missed. In this exciting new reprint, Ken Bruen contributes the Foreword, with an Afterword by Megan Abbott.

"The authentic heir to James M. Cain, Vicki Hendricks is the high priestess of neo-noir. A fierce and fearless talent."
—Dennis Lehane

Megan Abbott's Anthony-nominated story, "Policy," appears in this wonderful anthology edited by Duane Swierczynski with an introduction by James Crumley. The story became the basis for Queenpin.

Available at Powells and other online book retailers, including the Amazon and Barnes and Noble.