Nice Girl Does Noir -- A Collection of Short Stories

"Standouts include Libby Fischer Hellmann's clever twist on a redemption tale..." THE JADE ELEPHANT (in THESE GUNS FOR HIRE) Publishers Weekly

"Her own contribution sets high standards..." Oline Cogdill, on YOUR SWEET MAN (in CHICAGO BLUES, 2007) Mystery Scene Magazine

"Hellmann's story is remarkable..." Janielle Martin, on THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING (in SISTERS ON THE CASE) Eclectic Closet

"I don't usually like short stories, but these are terrific! I roared through them. Hellmann had a good mix of Chicago historicals and contemporaries. My highest recommendation here." Molly Weston --Meritorious Mysteries

“When Hellmann explores the less sunlit areas of Chicago, her canvas becomes not only more universal but has greater depth and emotional value. Aspiring short-story writers would do well to pay attention." Naomi Johnson, The Drowning Machine

Foreword by Joe Konrath:

To read Libby Fischer Hellmann is to love Libby Fischer Hellmann. Her writing is tight, fast, and highly entertaining. But I had no idea Libby was so versatile.

My first inkling of this came a few years ago, when I asked her to contribute a story to an anthology I was editing. Frankly, I didn't think she'd make the cut. While Libby doesn't shy away from being tough in her writing, her Ellie Foreman books were not what I'd call hardboiled, and my anthology was a collection of hit man stories.

Boy, was I wrong. Her story, DETOUR, was pure, adrenalin-fueled noir, and wound up being one of the best of the book. Soon after DETOUR Libby began writing some seriously diverse and seriously good yarns in various genres and sub-genres. She also edited the acclaimed hardboiled anthology, CHICAGO BLUES. She's still great at the light-hearted suspense she's known for, but the stories in NICE GIRL DOES NOIR -- all previously published -- offer a wide variety of styles, tones, and topics. Funny. Dark. Poignant. Exciting. Surprising. And all "unputdownable."

CONTENTS
Approx 70,000 words

THE DAY MIRIAM HIRSCH DISAPPEARED
COMMON SENSE
THE LAST RADICAL
A WINTER'S TALE
THE MURDER OF KATIE BOYLE
YOUR SWEET MAN
THE JADE ELEPHANT
DUMBER THAN DIRT
THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING

HOUSE RULES
DETOUR
THE RAINFOREST MESSIAH
HIGH YELLOW
A BERLIN STORY
JOSEF'S ANGEL

REVIEWS (SHORT STORIES)

“Standouts include Libby Fischer Hellmann's clever twist on a redemption tale…Publishers Weekly on THE JADE ELEPHANT (in THESE GUNS FOR HIRE)

“Her own contribution sets high standards…Oline Cogdill, Mystery Scene on YOUR SWEET MAN (in HELL OF A WOMAN)

“Hellmann's story is remarkable… Janielle Martin, Eclectic Closet on THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING (in SISTERS ON THE CASE)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award winning author Libby Fischer Hellmann writes two crime fiction series. Two novels, EASY INNOCENCE (2008) and DOUBLEBACK (2009) feature Chicago P.I Georgia Davis. In addition Libby has published four novels featuring Chicago video producer and single mother Ellie Foreman. The first, AN EYE FOR MURDER, was an Anthony nominee for Best First. Libby has also published over 15 short stories (now in NICE GIRL DOES NOIR) and edited the acclaimed crime fiction anthology CHICAGO BLUES. Look for her stand alone thriller, SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE, December, 2010.