Order of Black Books

Russell Blake's Black series delivers classic hardboiled detective fiction with a contemporary twist through its protagonist Artemus Black, a down-on-his-luck private investigator working the mean streets of Hollywood. This noir mystery series captures the essence of traditional detective fiction while bringing fresh energy to the genre.

Artemus Black embodies the archetypal struggling PI—plagued by an antagonistic assistant, an overweight feline companion with serious attitude problems, a romantic life that's virtually nonexistent, and financial troubles that seem endless. His coping mechanisms involve heavy drinking, chain smoking, and barely contained rage. The central question driving the series forward is whether this perpetually unlucky detective will ever manage to turn his fortunes around.

Blake launched the Black series in 2013 with the debut novel sharing the series name. The books continue to be published, making this an active ongoing series for noir enthusiasts to follow. The publication order matches the chronological sequence of events, allowing readers to follow Artemus Black's journey from the beginning without confusion.