{"id":88,"date":"2015-09-25T05:54:45","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T05:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecrimefactory.com\/blog-gary-phillips-interview-the-crime-factory\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T16:58:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T16:58:33","slug":"blog-gary-phillips-interview-the-crime-factory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecrimefactory.com\/?p=88","title":{"rendered":"Scoundrels: Unmasking Greed, Murder, and Financial Crimes in Fiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Cinematic<\/p>\n

Introduction:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Financial crime has long fascinated crime writers and readers alike. From high-stakes fraud to corporate deception, white-collar crime is as gripping as any street-level heist. Scoundrels: Tales of Greed, Murder, and Financial Crimes<\/em>, a new anthology from Down & Out Books<\/em>, delves into these dark corners of Wall Street corruption<\/a>. Edited by acclaimed author Gary Phillips (The Jook<\/em>, Cowboys<\/em>), this collection features riveting stories from some of the top voices in crime fiction, including SJ Rozan, Reed Farrel Coleman, David Corbett, and more.<\/p>\n

In this exclusive interview, Phillips shares the inspiration behind Scoundrels<\/em>, the process of bringing together such a stellar lineup of writers, and the enduring allure of financial crime in storytelling.<\/p>\n

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\n<\/div>\n

How <\/strong>Scoundrels<\/strong><\/em> Came to Be<\/strong><\/p>\n

The idea for Scoundrels<\/em> was born out of the economic turmoil of the late 2000s<\/a>. “With Wall Street\u2019s legal theft of millions and billions, homeowners losing everything, and financial corruption at its peak, it seemed like the right time for a crime anthology focused on the world of high finance,” says Phillips. Having previously edited Orange County Noir<\/em> and The Cocaine Chronicles<\/em>, Phillips knew that financial crime would make for compelling short fiction.<\/p>\n

Of course, Scoundrels<\/em> isn\u2019t just about fraud and embezzlement – there\u2019s plenty of action, intrigue, and even traditional blue-collar crime woven into its pages. The result is an explosive mix of high-stakes deception and gritty noir.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Assembling the Writers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Curating an anthology of this caliber wasn\u2019t just about finding talented writers – <\/a>it was about persuading them to contribute. “Most writers don\u2019t jump at anthology work for the paycheck,” Phillips admits. “It\u2019s about the concept – whether it excites them. And, sometimes, a little friendly persuasion.”<\/p>\n

Many of the contributors were longtime colleagues, while others were new discoveries recommended by fellow writers. The final lineup blends industry veterans with fresh voices, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and storytelling styles.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Why Financial Crime?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Phillips has always been drawn to crime fiction\u2019s grittier side, but his recent work (Cowboys<\/em>, Scoundrels<\/em>) has leaned toward white-collar crime. “Greed is greed,” he explains. “A thief pulling off a $300,000 heist and a hedge fund manager swindling investors for millions\u2014they\u2019re both criminals. The challenge for a writer is making their stories compelling.”<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

What Ties These Stories Together?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While financial crime is the thematic thread running through Scoundrels<\/em>, Phillips believes it\u2019s the characters that make each story stand out. “Crime fiction isn\u2019t just about the mechanics of the crime – it\u2019s about the people involved, their motivations<\/a>, their moral failings, and what happens when they\u2019re pushed to the edge.”<\/p>\n

From ordinary individuals driven to desperation to hardened criminals who manipulate the system, Scoundrels<\/em> explores the psychology of greed and corruption in a way that keeps readers hooked.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Upcoming Work from Gary Phillips<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beyond Scoundrels<\/em>, Phillips has a packed schedule. His groundbreaking novel Violent Spring<\/em>, featuring private investigator Ivan Monk, has been re-released in digital format. Meanwhile, his short story collection Treacherous: Grifters, Ruffians, and Killers<\/em> is now available, and the trade paperback edition of his graphic novel The Rinse<\/em>, about a high-end money launderer, is set to launch soon.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scoundrels: Tales of Greed, Murder, and Financial Crimes<\/em> isn\u2019t just another crime anthology – it\u2019s a mirror reflecting the dark underbelly of financial greed and corruption. With a star-studded lineup and gripping narratives, this collection is a must-read for fans of crime fiction. If you\u2019re intrigued by tales of deception, power, and crime at the highest levels, this book belongs on your shelf.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction: Financial crime has long fascinated crime writers and readers alike. From high-stakes fraud to corporate deception, white-collar crime is as gripping as any street-level heist. Scoundrels: Tales of Greed, Murder, and Financial Crimes, a new anthology from Down & Out Books, delves into these dark corners of Wall Street corruption. Edited by acclaimed author […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-88","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-personal-takes","category-stories-hub"],"yoast_head":"\nScoundrels: Unmasking Greed, Murder, and Financial Crimes in Fiction - The Crime Factory<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thecrimefactory.com\/?p=88\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Scoundrels: Unmasking Greed, Murder, and Financial Crimes in Fiction - The Crime Factory\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Introduction: Financial crime has long fascinated crime writers and readers alike. 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