Words by Sherman Escoffery—

Kingston Noir is an anthology that makes readers feel like a participant instead of just a mere spectator. Expertly curated by editor Colin Channer (who also contributed the story “Monkey Man”), its 11 dark stories collectively present a complex, vérité look into the shadows of Kingston, Jamaica. An unscripted interview with Colin could easily turn into a treatment for a full-length documentary, because he is an amazing storyteller that can easily weave fiction with historical facts, with few able to distinguish the difference. So, we stayed focused on the anthology Kingston Noir, without talking about the recently concluded annual Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica, which he founded in 2001, or his other novels such as national bestseller Waiting in Vain or The Girl with the Golden Shoes. He says his approach to Kingston Noir was like that of producing a great LP, so listen with your eyes as we run the tracks.