This is an interesting article on what Zeltserman considers noir.  He has some good points, and some interesting reading recommendations.

http://artery.wbur.org/2015/03/16/dave-zeltserman-noir

Zeltserman is making a counterpoint to Dennis Lehane’s view of noir in this article:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2015/02/24/hey-author-dennis-lehane-misses-boston-snow/6ipzoCj3JggLgOMQHBGoMK/story.html

I like both there takes, but Hammett and Chandler will always be noir heroes to me, no matter how good an argument Zeltserman has.