Tehran is a juxtaposition of ugliness and beauty that breaks the heart. A place where not one but two inept dynasties came to miserable ends, and where, arguably, the third most important revolution in history (after the French and the Russian) was started. And it was where one of CIA's first manufactured coups (with the prodding and support of the British) took place. In other words, there is something both spectacular and disgraceful about Tehran. With Tehran Noir, the Akashic Noir series' foray into the Middle East moves forward with this gripping collection.