Picture a Los Angeles storyteller who weaves necromancers and noir into spellbinding tales—meet Stephen Blackmoore! This native Angeleno has carved a niche in supernatural noir, blending gritty urban vibes with ghosts, demons, and magic. His debut, City of the Lost, introduced a zombie anti-hero, setting the stage for the electrifying Eric Carter series that keeps readers hooked.
With razor-sharp prose and a knack for complex characters, Blackmoore transforms the City of Angels into a haunting playground where the dead whisper and danger lurks. Ready to dive into his dark, thrilling world? Let’s explore the man behind the magic.
The Making of Stephen Blackmoore
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Stephen Blackmoore’s roots run deep in the city’s sun-soaked streets and shadowy corners. His early fascination with pulp fiction and noir shaped his storytelling, while a mischievous streak—once thinking setting fires was a kid’s best pastime—hinted at the bold creativity to come. After discovering eyebrows don’t grow back quickly, he channeled his energy into writing, penning poetry and short stories for magazines like Plots With Guns and Needle.
Blackmoore’s leap to novels came with City of the Lost, published by DAW Books in 2012. Initially pitched as crime fiction, its supernatural zest caught the urban fantasy wave, earning praise for its gritty charm. His Los Angeles upbringing infuses his work with authentic grit, making every alley and bar feel alive.
Stephen Blackmoore’s Unforgettable Stories
Blackmoore’s signature is his Eric Carter series, a noir-soaked urban fantasy following a necromancer navigating Los Angeles’ supernatural underbelly. Dead Things (2013) introduces Eric Carter, a flawed anti-hero who talks to ghosts and battles demons, haunted by his past. Its sequel, Broken Souls (2014), deepens the stakes with a forced marriage to the Queen of the Dead, blending dark magic and emotional turmoil.
Hungry Ghosts (2017) and Fire Season (2019) amplify the series’ intensity, with Carter facing vengeful gods and restless spirits. City of the Lost, a standalone prequel, stars Joe Sunday, a zombie thug chasing a magical stone. Blackmoore’s prose—hard-boiled, witty, and vivid—paints a Los Angeles where vampires are junkies and magic is a double-edged sword. His world-building, intricate yet accessible, draws readers into a morally gray universe.
Beyond novels, Blackmoore’s versatility shines in tie-in works like Khan of Mars and short stories in anthologies like Urban Allies. His dialogue crackles with humor, balancing gore and heart, making each tale a fast-paced thrill ride.
Why Stephen Blackmoore Matters
Stephen Blackmoore’s impact lies in his seamless fusion of noir and supernatural, redefining urban fantasy with a gritty edge. His Los Angeles feels like a character—vibrant, seedy, and alive—offering a fresh lens on a familiar city. Fans and critics, from Seanan McGuire to Chuck Wendig, praise his ability to craft compelling anti-heroes and immersive worlds, making him a standout in a crowded genre.
His work resonates with readers craving stories where magic is dangerous, and morality is murky. By blending pulp sensibilities with modern fantasy, Blackmoore has carved a lasting niche, inspiring writers to explore the darker corners of urban landscapes.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Key Works: City of the Lost, Eric Carter series (Dead Things, Broken Souls, Hungry Ghosts, Fire Season)
- Genres: Supernatural noir, urban fantasy
Ready to get lost in Stephen Blackmoore’s haunting Los Angeles? Grab Dead Things and dive into his thrilling supernatural noir today!