The Velvet Badge

"Elevated by a satisfying blend of hard-boiled suspense and subtle hints of satire, Bob Mantel's The Velvet Badge: A New York Noir is a stunning debut from a must-read author." IndieReader-

"A horrific crime catalyzes desperate New Yorkers in this arresting neo-noir ensemble tale. In his striking first novel, [Bob] Mantel creates a dark world where everyone has a secret that could lead to destruction. . . Mantel's terrific use of language [is] an homage to classic noir fiction but always fresh in its own way. . . The mood lasts long after the reader has finished." BookLife, Publishers Weekly

"In this debut literary novel... [Mantel's prose is...] stylish, evoking hard-boiled crime novels through Pynchon-esque prose. An entertaining...murder tale." Kirkus Reviews

Lesbian disco-era careerist fall afoul of a New York City revenge murder in this hard-eged neo-noir.

A tasteless night club...