Prague Noir

While Prague might today be one of the world's top tourist destinations, and a cosmopolitan capital of European culture, it remains an open-air monument to a history of violence. Here, Prague's top writers explore the hidden corners of the 'City of a Hundred Spires,' pulling back the curtain to reveal gloom and despair.

Contents

Introduction, 11,
PART I: SHARP LADS,
Martin Goffa Three Musketeers Vysehrad, 21,
Stepán Kopriva Amateurs Hostivar, 34,
Milos Urban Disappearances on the Bridge Charles Bridge, 45,
Jirí W. Procházka The Dead Girl from a Haunted House Exhibition Grounds, 67,
PART II: MAGICAL PRAGUE,
Chaim Cigan The Magical Amulet Pankrác, 95,
Ondrej Neff Marl Circle Malá Strana, 113,
Petr Stancík The Cabinet of Seven Pierced Books Josefov, 131,
PART III: SHADOWS OF THE PAST,
Katerina Tucková The Life and Work of Baroness Mautnic New Town, 147,
Markéta Pilatová All the Old Disguises Grébovka, 168,
Michal Sykora Percy Thrillington Pohorelec, 180,
PART IV: IN JEOPARDY,
Michaela Klevisová Better Life Zizkov, 209,
Petra Soukupová Another Worst Day Letna, 221,
Irena Hejdová Olda No. 3 Olsany Cemetery, 246,
Petr Sabach Epiphany, or Whatever You Wish Bubenec, 259,
About the Contributors, 270,

Review

Murder and mayhem erupt, even in fairy-tale Prague. Editor Mandys maintains that it may be hard to imagine dark doings taking place virtually in the shadow of Prague Castle, yet he manages to harvest 14 artful tales that speak directly to the contrary. Although there are few standard whodunits, Prague's long history provides fertile ground for evildoers . . . Perhaps nowhere but Prague do vice and enchantment live at such close quarters, and Mandys' collection captures both beautifully. A lovely addition to Akashic's venerable series.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

The collection includes some of the biggest names in Czech contemporary fiction and is full of surprises, offering us a Prague that lurches deliciously from the magical to the seedy, from a misty past to a hi-tech future.-- "Radio Praha in English, from an interview with editor Pavel Mandys"

The stories are strong and have heart. They don't mince words or try to make themselves look better. This is the Czech Republic as it is.-- "Journey of a Bookseller"

The 14 crime stories set in Prague in this superior entry in Akashic's noir series offer armored car robbery, kidnapping, murder masked as suicide, and more--not bad for a burg that, as the editor notes in his intro, didn't even have 'the profession of private detective' until 1990 . . . In the varied and polished content of this volume, readers will find much to amuse.-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

PAVEL MANDYS is a Czech journalist, book critic, and organizer of the annual Czech book award Magnesia Litera. He is the author of Prague: City of Literature and currently lives in the Prague neighborhood of Smichov. He is the editor of Prague Noir.