East County News Service
June 2, 2026 (San Diego County) — Crime fiction fans and those who love thriller-style tomes should book it over to the historic Kensington Club next month for the second installment of Noir at the Bar.
The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 11 at the club at 4079 Adams Ave.
The event will feature seven acclaimed authors reading excerpts from their latest works.
Organized with the goal of establishing an ongoing literary tradition in San Diego, the evening will provide a look at some of the region’s best dark fiction
Veteran storyteller and former Union-Tribune news reporter Caitlin Rother is the host. Rother, a celebrated voice in true crime and psychological fiction, is expected to showcase her 2026 thriller “Hooked” alongside its highly anticipated summer sequel, “Staged.”
Others who are on the bill are as follow:
Jonathan Maberry, The New York Times bestselling author, known for his high-octane Joe Ledger secret agent thrillers, “Rot & Ruin” post-apocalyptic series and dark fantasy worlds.
David Putnam, who draws from real-life experience as a former law enforcement officer, and will share the gritty realism found in his 17-book Bruno Johnson crime series and his California desert mysteries.
Terry Shames, an award-winning author who can captivate with atmospheric depth, and will pull from her small-town Texas Samuel Craddock police procedurals and her newer high-seas Jessie Madison suspense series.
Michael Stetz, another former Union-Tribune journalist, who has delivered sharp, darkly comedic flair from his satirical newsroom thriller “Don’t Stop the Presses,” which came out after his debut “A Girl and Her Dog and Me.”
Jaime Parker Stickle, a podcaster and professor who is expected to delve into psychological tension with excerpts from “Vicious Cycle,” a thriller about a postpartum Los Angeles spin instructor tracking a killer, and its fast-paced follow-up, “Take Hart.”
Amy Wallen, known for her acclaimed debut “Moon Pies and Movie Stars” and her creative guide “How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies.”
Rother shared on social media that she hopes a strong turnout will solidify Noir at the Bar as a permanent fixture in the San Diego arts scene, offering a regular hub where local readers can connect with storytellers over drinks.