Akashic Noir books in order

Reading order

The Akashic Noir series is one of the longest-running crime fiction anthology projects in publishing. Starting with Brooklyn Noir in 2004, each volume collects original noir short stories set in a specific city or region. The series has expanded to cover 122 locations across six continents, from major cities like London, Paris, and Tokyo to smaller locales like Cape Cod, Palm Springs, and Montana.

Peter James is among the many crime writers who have contributed to the series. Each volume is edited by a different local author or editor who selects stories that capture the darker side of their chosen location. The format has attracted hundreds of crime writers over the years, making it a broad survey of contemporary noir fiction from around the world.

The sheer scale of the Akashic Noir series is unusual for any anthology project. With new volumes still being published in 2025, the series continues to expand its geographic reach. Readers interested in crime fiction with a strong sense of place can use these anthologies to explore noir stories from virtually any major city in the world.