Step into the sun-soaked, scandal-filled streets of Hollywood with the Black series by Russell Blake, where private investigator Artemus Black navigates mysteries with a cigarette in hand and a quip on his lips. This hard-boiled noir detective saga blends sharp humor, gritty crime, and a lovably flawed protagonist, offering a fresh take on the classic PI tale that keeps readers hooked.
With its witty banter and tongue-in-cheek cynicism, Black stands out as a lighter yet thrilling addition to Blake’s action-packed bibliography. If you’re craving a mystery series that’s equal parts suspense and sarcasm, Artemus Black’s misadventures are your next obsession.
How Black Began
Russell Blake, a New York Times bestselling author known for high-octane thrillers like the Jet series, turned his pen to detective fiction with Black in 2013. Inspired by noir giants like Raymond Chandler and Elmore Leonard, Blake crafted Artemus Black as a modern PI with a retro soul, complete with a Bogie fixation and a wardrobe stuck in the ’50s. His goal? To poke fun at Hollywood’s glitz while delivering gripping whodunits. The series’ humor and heart quickly won fans, sparking a five-book run that’s both a nod to classic noir and a satire of showbiz excess.
The Heart of Black
The Black series follows Artemus Black, a down-on-his-luck Hollywood PI whose life is a parade of bad luck: a sassy assistant, Roxie, who mocks him relentlessly; an obese cat, Mugsy, who loathes him; and a romantic life deader than Elvis. Across five books, Black tackles cases that spiral into webs of deceit, betrayal, and murder. In *Black* (2013), he’s hired by a fading celebrity whose entourage is dropping like flies, uncovering a deadly conspiracy. *Black Is Back* (2013) dives into the rap music scene, where Black hunts a killer amid gangsta rivalries. *Black Is The New Black* (2013) sees him unraveling murders at a top modeling agency, while *BLACK To Reality* (2014) has him going undercover as a washed-up rocker on a reality TV show.
The series shines through its themes of resilience, flawed humanity, and sharp social commentary. Blake skewers Hollywood’s vanity and the music industry’s excesses with a dark, comedic edge, while Artemus’ struggles with booze, nicotine, and anger management make him relatably imperfect. Set against LA’s glittering yet seedy backdrop, the books blend fast-paced plots with laugh-out-loud dialogue, especially between Black and Roxie, whose sarcastic sparring is a fan favorite.
Why Black Resonates
The Black series has carved a niche among noir fans for its irreverent humor and memorable characters. Readers praise its balance of suspense and comedy, with Artemus Black hailed as a modern Mike Hammer with a heart of gold. While not as widely known as Blake’s Jet or Assassin series, Black’s cult following cherishes its quirky charm and biting satire. Its influence lies in proving that noir can be both gritty and hilarious, inspiring readers to embrace the genre’s quirks.
- Publication Years: 2013–2014
- Number of Books: 5
- Notable Narrator: R.C. Bray (audiobooks)
Ready to join Artemus Black on his next case? Grab *Black* and dive into a world of mystery, mischief, and Mugsy’s mayhem!