Dive into the gritty, darkly comic world of Max & Angela, where New York City’s criminal underbelly pulses with noir charm and twisted humor! The Max & Angela series, a hardboiled detective saga by Ken Bruen and Jason Starr, follows the chaotic misadventures of Max Fisher, a businessman-turned-drug dealer, and Angela Petrakos, his seductive assistant. Blending classic noir with modern wit, this series delivers a wild ride that’s equal parts thrilling and hilarious.
Since its debut in 2006, the series has hooked readers with its unapologetic dive into crime, betrayal, and morally dubious characters. If you love stories that revel in the absurd while keeping you on edge, Max & Angela is your next obsession.
How Max & Angela Began
The Max & Angela series was born from the creative collision of two noir powerhouses: Irish author Ken Bruen, known for his gritty Jack Taylor novels, and Brooklyn’s Jason Starr, a master of psychological thrillers. Their collaboration, sparked in 2006, aimed to craft a neo-noir tale that paid homage to 1950s pulp fiction while infusing it with contemporary edge. The result? A series that’s as much a love letter to classic crime novels as it is a satirical jab at modern ambition and greed.
Bruen’s Irish underworld flair and Starr’s knack for New York’s seedy side melded seamlessly, creating a narrative voice that’s sharp, irreverent, and endlessly entertaining. Their shared passion for flawed, larger-than-life characters gave rise to Max and Angela, whose escapades have kept readers hooked for a decade.
The Heart of Max & Angela
The series kicks off with Bust (2006), where Max Fisher, a wealthy but sleazy businessman, hires a hitman to kill his wife so he can be with Angela. Spoiler: the plan goes spectacularly awry, thanks to a psychotic hitman and Angela’s own schemes. Slide (2007) sees Max reinventing himself as a crack dealer, while Angela hooks up with a serial killer in Ireland. By The Max (2008), Max is in Attica prison, dodging gangs, while Angela lands in a Greek jail. The final book, Pimp (2016), weaves a meta-narrative with a writer trying to turn their saga into a true-crime book.
Themes of betrayal, ambition, and dark humor run deep, set against New York’s neon-lit streets and dive bars. The series’ campy, over-the-top style—think Elmore Leonard meets Carl Hiaasen—makes every plot twist a guilty pleasure. Bruen and Starr’s prose is lightning-fast, with snappy dialogue and morally bankrupt characters that you can’t help but root for, despite their flaws.
The setting amplifies the chaos: New York City’s criminal world is a character in itself, from Manhattan penthouses to Attica’s cell blocks. The series’ blend of noir tropes—femme fatales, double-crosses, and gritty violence—with absurd humor creates a unique vibe that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
Why Max & Angela Resonates
Max & Angela’s cult following stems from its fearless embrace of the absurd and its refusal to take itself too seriously. The series earned critical acclaim, with Bust nominated for a Barry Award and praised by Publishers Weekly as a “rocking homage” to 1950s noir. Fans love the chaotic energy and the way Bruen and Starr poke fun at crime fiction clichés while delivering gripping plots.
Its lasting appeal lies in its timeless exploration of human flaws—greed, lust, and delusion—wrapped in a package that’s as entertaining as it is subversive. For readers craving a break from predictable thrillers, Max & Angela remains a bold, unforgettable gem in the noir landscape.
- Publication Years: 2006–2016
- Number of Books: 4 (Bust, Slide, The Max, Pimp)
- Awards: Bust nominated for Barry Award (2007)
Ready for a wild ride? Grab Bust and plunge into Max & Angela’s deliciously dark world of crime and chaos!