Richie Narvaez Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Richie Narvaez

An American writer known mainly for writing noir fiction, Richie Narvaez has a lot to say with his many mystery novels. Engaging readers in a fun and compelling manner, he’s proven himself to be an entertaining writer that draws his audience in. Setting himself apart from other writers currently working within his field and genre, he ensures that his books are completely unique to him. Knowing what his readers want too, he makes sure to deliver it, while also remaining wholly true to his vision and outlook.

Many of his books have also managed to strike a chord with his many peers and contemporaries, speaking in a way that’s wholly relevant. Leaving an imprint on the reader, he’s massively creative, getting to the heart of some really interesting and topical ideas. Engaging the audience too, his writing is often tense, with many unanswered questions that keep the reader continually turning the page. This has been something that Narvaez has definitely excelled at over the years, getting the most out of his subject matter each and every time.

The characters that he creates also feel wholly believable, whether they exist in Williamsburg, New York, or an American high-school. Always looking for new ideas, he takes his stories to new and interesting places that other writers haven’t gone to before. His shorter stories are also equally compelling, and he really understands how to keep his readers continually hooked. With plenty more to follow, his writing career keeps on growing from strength-to-strength, on into the future.

Early and Personal Life

Born and raised in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, Richard Narvaez would be the youngest child of his many siblings. Growing up surrounded by crime fiction and comic books, his dad would work as a number’s bookie during the day, and at the nearby airport at night. Meanwhile his mother would work as a school nurse, as Richard would begin to develop a passion for reading and literature.

Studying at university he would go on to become an English major, despite originally wanting to be an astronaut. Getting a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he would go on to get a scholarship when training to become a writer at Humber School. Working within writing for most of his career, he’s worked within publishing, writing both online and off, something which he continues to do.

Writing Career

In 2020 Richie Narvaez would publish his first collection of short-stories, which was titled ‘Roachkiller and Other Stories’ to much acclaim. Receiving Spintetingler Award given for best collection, and he’d quickly follow this up by getting another award for his second collection ‘Noiryorican’ that same year. Prior to this he would publish his first full novel back in 2019 which was called ‘Hipster Death Rattle’ and it would set the tone for a lot of his work to follow.

Largely focusing on mystery and noir, he would draw a lot from his own crime fiction inspirations that he read growing up. He would also publish his second novel ‘Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco’ in 2020, and it would be a stand-alone work of Young Adult fiction. Previously working as teacher too, Narvaez has taught at numerous prestigious institutes, as he continues to write to this vary day.

Hipster Death Rattle

Initially published by ‘Down and Out Books’ in 2019 this would first come out on the 11th of March, being the novel that introduced Richie Narvaez to many. Working as a crime novel with some comedy, it satirizes a lot of contemporary themes and ideas within society today. Set in modern New York, it’s a mystery, with a self-contained and stand-alone story that can be read entirely by itself.

Taking place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, this sees danger looming over the hippest neighborhood in the area. It seems that hipsters are getting murdered there, as tensions begin to rise and fray in the simmering summer heat there. Stepping onto the scene, Hadid and Petrosino the local police detectives, vow to put an end to this crime spree once and for all. Will they find the killer though, who is behind reporter Tony Moran’s cold case, and will they discover the truth of the hipster death rattle?

While there’s a lot of comedic elements at play here, it does deal with some more serious themes extremely well. There’s ideas surrounding gentrification and community, showing a shifting social scene and neghborhood, and what the various class and racial conflicts mean within it. It’s extremely well told and engaging, and it’s clear that it’s a subject that Narvaez knows and understands well having grown up with it.

Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco

Originally released through the Pinata Books publishing imprint, this first came out in 2020 on the 31st of May to to much acclaim. This time aimed at a young adult demographic, it would also be a mystery novel, but set in a high-school featuring a younger cast of characters. There’s a lot running throughout this novel, and it’s definitely an intelligent and well told story that will appeal to many.

Ready to start at one of the most competitive high-schools in New York City, Holly Hernandez is preparing for Flatbush Technical High School. Previously voted ‘Miss Bright of ’79,’ she was class valedictorian, and is now simply anonymous one of many thousands in her new school. Everything changes though, after her mother who’s a homicide detective, finds she has to solve the murder of the social studies teach Mr. Friedman. Will she be able to solve the case, is one of Holly’s classmates the culprit, and what will become of Holly Hernandez and the death of disco?

Essentially working as a high-school murder mystery, this would feature a strong cast of characters in this Young Adult title. The story itself is very well told, moving along at a fun and highly engaging pace every single step of the way. There’s a lot at the heart of this book, as it manages to bring the world to life, making it an extremely difficult book to put down.