Triskaidekaphobia and Other Noir Tales: Unsettling Stories of Dark Psychology, Amorous Transgression and Wry Humour

Name: Triskaidekaphobia and Other Noir Tales: Unsettling Stories of Dark Psychology, Amorous Transgression and Wry Humour
Price: 7.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781999851651

✍️ Roger Keen

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$7.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of noir short stories exploring dark psychology and wry humor.

Roger Keen uses the noir tradition to dissect human flaws through vignettes of everyday despair. The author focuses on characters trapped by their own psyches, from phobias to rage. Each story offers a different perspective on transgression and isolation. The tone remains dry and observational, allowing the absurdity of the situations to speak for itself. Keen does not offer redemption or easy answers. Instead, he presents scenarios where characters confront their worst impulses. The stories are linked by their shared interest in the grotesque realities of the mind. This approach creates a cohesive atmosphere despite the varied subjects. Readers will find a consistent voice throughout the collection.

Key Themes

dark psychology amorous transgression wry humour

Literary Context

Published in 2023 by Darkness Visible Publishing, this work sits within the tradition of noir fiction. It draws on the genre's focus on moral ambiguity and psychological depth. The collection reflects contemporary interests in mental health and human behavior through a literary lens.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Charles Bukowski · Jim Thompson · Joyce Carol Oates · Noir fiction enthusiasts

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Psychological Horror

🏛 Darkness Visible Publishing 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781999851651

📝 Description: Triskaidekaphobia and Other Noir Tales: Unsettling Stories of Dark Psychology, Amorous Transgression and Wry Humour

Roger Keen presents a collection of noirish short stories that examine dark psychology through various lenses. The narratives explore impulsive violence, amorous transgression, and the search for oblivion as an antidote to the human condition. Keen balances these heavy themes with wry humor to create unsettling tales that provoke thought rather than simple fear. The book features a young man paralyzed by triskaidekaphobia who dreads his thirteenth lover. A nervous woman suspects a colleague of sending obscene phone calls. A road-rage sufferer with anger-management issues blames others for his actions. A horror writer loses his appetite for his own genre. A sexually frustrated housewife encounters her dream man with unexpected consequences. A couple’s ski holiday turns chaotic in a snow flurry. These stories draw on noir traditions to highlight the darker sides of human behavior. The collection is organized around these distinct character studies, each revealing a different facet of psychological distress or moral ambiguity. Keen’s approach avoids sensationalism, opting instead for a grounded look at flawed individuals. This book suits readers who appreciate dark humor and psychological depth in their fiction. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional horror monsters or straightforward plot resolutions.

💎 Our verdict on Triskaidekaphobia and Other Noir Tales: Unsettling Stories of Dark Psychology, Amorous Transgression and Wry Humour

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Keen successfully employs noir traditions to highlight the darker sides of human behavior, creating a cohesive collection despite varied subjects. His approach avoids sensationalism, opting instead for a grounded examination of psychological distress and moral ambiguity. The balance between heavy themes like impulsive violence and amorous transgression with wry humor is particularly effective. This editorial assessment finds the book excellent for readers who appreciate dark humor and psychological depth. It suits those looking for unsettling tales that provoke thought rather than provide simple fear. The consistent voice allows the absurdity of the situations to speak for itself, making it a strong entry for fans of character-driven horror fiction.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking stories that dissect the grotesque realities of the mind will find this collection compelling. It appeals to those who appreciate dark humor and psychological depth, offering a grounded look at flawed individuals without sensationalism. The book suits audiences interested in transgression and isolation, providing varied perspectives on human flaws through vignettes of everyday despair. It is ideal for readers who prefer unsettling tales that provoke thought over simple fear. By balancing heavy themes with wry observation, Keen creates a cohesive atmosphere. Those tired of traditional horror monsters or easy resolutions will find value in these distinct character studies. The consistent voice and dry tone make it suitable for those enjoying the absurdity of situations where characters confront their worst impulses.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Keen successfully employs noir traditions to highlight the darker sides of human behavior, creating a cohesive collection despite varied subjects. His approach avoids sensationalism, opting instead for a grounded examination of psychological distress and moral ambiguity. The balance between heavy themes like impulsive violence and amorous transgression with wry humor is particularly effective. This editorial assessment finds the book excellent for readers who appreciate dark humor and psychological depth. It suits those looking for unsettling tales that provoke thought rather than provide simple fear. The consistent voice allows the absurdity of the situations to speak for itself, making it a strong entry for fans of character-driven horror fiction.