Review: Supernatural Noir
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 23, 2013
The subtitle has it right, these four tales are definitely paraNOIRmal! Each story features the unlikable protag, Mercer, known as the Coyote for his role in smuggling souls across the ethereal border and into heaven. Mercer is mean-spirited, a tortured soul (literally!), and an alcoholic loser. Like I said, an unlikable protagonist. So why do we read about non-sympathetic characters? What draws us to these anti-heroes? Well, in Mr. Fowler's case, because the writing is compelling, the plots are interesting, and the characters are wonderfully drawn. There is just enough question as to Mercer's end-game as to cause us readers to follow him down his tragic path, even though we know we're going to hate ourselves for it.Although I enjoyed each of these stories, they aren't perfect. There are some plot holes; you have to suspend your disbelief at times; and there are some continuity issues. But what we have here, I think, are the early seeds of a growing collection of stories (in fact, I happen to know that Fowler has written a few more) that may turn into a kind of episodic novel. Sometimes writers just have to get to know their characters - and this rascal of a smuggler doesn't want to be scrutinized! But I hope this writer sticks with it. We have the makings of a future noir star here. Good stuff.