Akashic Noir books in order

Reading order

The Akashic Noir series is one of the most extensive anthology projects in crime fiction, with over 120 volumes published since 2004. Each book collects original noir short fiction set in a specific city or region, written by authors with ties to that place. The series started with Brooklyn Noir and has since covered locations on every inhabited continent.

The volumes range from major American cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to international destinations including Lagos, Baghdad, São Paulo, and Hong Kong. Some cities have inspired multiple volumes or “Classics” editions that reprint older stories. Each anthology is edited by a writer or editor with local knowledge, giving the books an authentic sense of place. The series is published by Akashic Books with Sarah Weinman as series editor, and the volumes can be read in any order depending on which cities interest you.