A review by sshabein
Montana Noir by James Grady, Keir Graff

5.0

Even though there were a few stories that I didn't love every bit of, and one I just didn't like (Downtown Billings, looking at you, but maybe I'm missing something), I still LOVED this collection. It is such a RELIEF to read a book that really makes an effort to get Montana right. Sure we have cowboys and all that, but we're just as varied here as many other places. It's hard to pick a favorite, but maybe Debra Magpie Earling's Polson-set story is it. The pacing, the details, all of it: perfection.

Other highlights include David Abrams, Caroline Patterson, Eric Heidle, Keir Graff, Jamie Ford, and Janet Skeslien Charles' stories. Also, if you get a chance to see Yvonne Seng read aloud, do so, because that woman's voice is magnificent.

Full disclosure: I do know some of the authors personally, but we're a state of only a million people. It would be weird if I didn't.