# Noir

By Christopher Moore

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/noir-d2485f01/

Sammy Tiffin tends bar in San Francisco in 1947, where meeting Stilton seems like a promising distraction from work. An Air Force general’s business soon complicates things. When Stilton vanishes, Sammy has to find her while his own schemes and secrets threaten to catch up with him.

## What makes it funny?

In the opening chapter, Sammy wants to tip his hat to Stilton. Lacking one, he borrows another drinker’s fedora to complete the gesture. His attempt at effortless charm requires the cooperation of a bystander.

### The comedy at work

Sammy narrates in hard-boiled slang and piles extravagant comparisons onto people and situations. The swagger leaves room for his own foolishness, while the Roswell hints take the crime story toward stranger territory.

### Try this if…

Readers who enjoy verbal sparring and elaborate noir narration have plenty to follow here. A reader in Book Recommendations particularly enjoys the combination of a funny 1940s setting and a science-fiction plot.

### Good to know

Strong language and sexual innuendo appear alongside racist language and attitudes in the period setting. Publishers Weekly flags the author’s warning about material some readers may find disturbing.

## What to expect

- Genre: Crime & thriller · Historical · Science fiction
- Kind of humor: Banter · Parody
- The atmosphere: Irreverent
- Format: Novel

## Sources & further reading

- Review: [Publishers Weekly review](https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-243397-8)
- Reader discussion: [Reader discussion](https://facebook.com/groups/TwoGirlsMustReads/permalink/6810358839038871)
- Author commentary: [Author’s book page](https://www.chrismoore.com/books-archive/noir)
- Author commentary: [Author’s opening chapter](https://www.chrismoore.com/books-archive/noir/excerpt)