cd asked:
"What is this tart noir I've heard about? is it consciously
hard boiled dames, as is my impression? Is it a self-imposed
term? I'd like to know more, and some of the writers
associated with it."
Your impression is pretty much correct. The term is
self-imposed. Here is their definition of the term from their
website at www.tartcity.com:
"Tart. It's a potent four-letter word. Sweet, sour, sharp,
sexy, bad, with a touch of cheesecake. It seemed to sum up
the detectives in a certain segment of the crime fiction
genre, the independent-minded female sleuths who are tough
enough to take on thugs and corrupt cops, tender enough to be
moved by tough, tender men (or women, as the case may be).
These are neofeminist women, half Philip Marlowe, half
femme-fatale, who make their own rules, who think it's
entirely possible to save the world while wearing a drop-dead
dress and stiletto heels. Our heroines are Modesty Blaise and
Emma Peel, our morals are questionable and our attitude
always needs adjustment... "
Lauren Henderson and Katy Munger are the co-founders.
Fellow travellers include Tony Fennelly and Stella
Duffy.
Mark
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