“The City of Angels has a dark side. Hidden beneath its shiny surface are misdeeds, miscreants, and murderers.” This ominous truism, lifted directly from Angel City Beat: A Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Anthology, sets the tone for an evening of crime fiction, mystery, and intrigue. On Feb. 24, at 7 p.m., Sisters in Crime Los Angeles will bring these dark tales to life at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena with a discussion event sponsored by Vroman’s Bookstore and free to the public.
Published on Dec. 26, 2024, Angel City Beat is the latest installment in Sisters in Crime LA’s anthology series, a collection of crime stories that explore the city’s hidden narratives beyond its polished façade. From Santa Monica’s sandy beaches to Hollywood’s glitzy streets, from Boyle Heights to Holmby Hills to the dirt trails of the San Gabriel Mountains, the book unveils “life behind the plastic smiles of the rich and famous, the desperate pleas of the overlooked, and the promises of dreams forgotten.”
Sisters in Crime, a national organization founded in 1986, has long been an advocate for women crime writers, ensuring that their voices resonate in a genre historically dominated by men. The Los Angeles chapter, established in 1988, has played a key role in fostering local talent, providing a platform for women in crime fiction, and offering networking and mentorship opportunities.
The stories in Angel City Beat reflect a Los Angeles shaped by those who walk its streets—police detectives seeking justice, reporters searching for the truth, and individuals caught in the crosshairs of crime. The anthology is a testament to the enduring legacy of crime fiction in L.A., a city long associated with noir storytelling and shadowy moral dilemmas.
This discussion event at Vroman’s Bookstore provides an opportunity for crime fiction fans, local literature supporters, and aspiring writers to engage directly with the authors. More than just a conversation, it is a deep dive into the craft of crime writing, the legacy of noir, and the real-life inspirations behind these stories.
The event is free and open to the public. More details can be found at Vroman’s Bookstore event page.
Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101. (626) 449-5320. vromansbookstore.com
