Meet the Master of Chicano Noir

It’s beach-reading season, people. And one of Denver’s best novelists is back with an absolute corker of a mystery. Since he left a career in criminal justice, Manuel Ramos has published 11 novels and one short story collection — all revolving around Denver and specifically the Chicano community Manuel knows so well. His latest is Angels in the Wind: A Mile High Noir. It follows ex-con private investigator Gus Corral out of his native Northside and onto the Eastern Plains for a story rooted in family and the urban-rural divide. City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi sits down with Manuel to talk about Chicano Noir and how the genre allows him space to explore some of the darker aspects of life in Colorado.

In addition to his many novels and short stories, which you can find here, Manuel is also co-founder and a regular contributor to La Bloga, the award-winning Chicana Chicano, Latina Latino literary blog.

For more local authors of color, Manuel recommends checking out Mario Acevedo, who writes mysteries and thrillers with a supernatural twist; Rudy Garcia, who writes supernatural fiction geared toward young adults and children; and David Heska Wanbli Weiden, an indigenous author whose book Winter Counts was nominated for the 2021 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.

The 2021 Colorado Book Awards were awarded this past Saturday. For a full breakdown of nominees and winners, click here.

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