From the first chapter: The detective novels of Raymond, Chandler, Dashiel Hammet, Mickey Spillane, and numerous others paint the world as a place of black, white, and grey. The heroes of these works are often horribly flawed, yet still they have traits that can be admired. Many a story has been told of the lone private investigator, police detective, or con man who is a drunk, a chauvinist, or an opportunist. However, many of these characters still have morals and values to which they adhere, a code of honor that while not always pure, is at least admirable in some respect. These are the types of characters [that] seem more real because they are flawed and have human frailties, just like we all do. The characters in Noir will often share these qualities.... Noir isn't style over substance. Noir is style and substance.