Summer Noir 2024

The MEP Literature Group’s Summer Noir tradition of enjoying the bracing vitality of pulp continues with six short novels on the themes of difficult trips and political mayhem.

Be warned: Do not expect happy endings in novels featuring corruption, futility and deception.

Enrollees need not attend all sessions; to accommodate summer travel, we selected short novels which we can discuss in in a single session.

Trips that Go Wrong – July
July 11: Tropic Moon, by Georges Simenon, 152 pages.
July 18: Basic Black with Pearls, by Helen Weinzweig,  160 pages.
July 25: The Taiga Syndrome, by Cristina Rivera Garza. 128 pages.

Political Turmoil – August
August 1: Skeletons in the Closet, Jean-Patrick Manchette, 178 pages.
August: 8 Clandestine in Chile: The Adventures of Miguel Littin, Gabriel García Márquez,  160 pages.
August 15: Plan B, Chester Himes. 164 pages

The Literature Group will resume reading novels set in Palestine in September.