Sunday, November 29, 2015

We Miss You Lisbeth Salander!

Lisbeth Salander:

How we've missed your unsmiling face

Why are your fucking with genius?

 

Though Stieg Larsson, creator of the Millennium Trilogy, has been gone nearly a decade, when I heard a new novel--one written by fellow Swede-- was in the works, I got a little excited. 

And who could blame me? Larsson created one of the most compelling, hard ass, take no prisoners, computer hacking genius heroines of early 21st century fiction. 

When Larsson died the world thought we'd lost Lisbeth as well.

Now we have The Girl in the Spider's Web, the long-anticipated follow up to The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Billed as "A Lisbeth Salander Novel", Spider's Web is to the Millennium Trilogy what hamburger is to Kobe Beef. Both are qualify as red meat, but only one is something you want to sink your teeth into.

I really wanted to like Spider's Web. So much so that I drove across town to the library to take out the large type edition (yeah, I didn't want the book so badly that I was willing to buy it. Still).

Even the large type edition, which meant I didn't need my glasses to read it, didn't make me happy.

The problem is that The Girl in the Spider's Web is boring. Not so boring that I wanted to put it down halfway. But enough that I don't remember much of the plot and don't care to visit Wikipedia to refresh my memory.

The issue is that author David Lagercranz has tried too hard to please readers hungry for what Larsson envisioned as a ten book series. Instead of picking and choosing characters to re-introduce to readers after a 10 year hiatus, he crams them all in like a Thanksgiving dinner groaning board. Too many characters with too little to do in one novel. Big mistake.

Besides, we really don't care about lesser players like Detective Sonja Modig and heiress Harriet Vanger. Langercranz doesn't give his second stringers much to do other than to name check them to make readers feel like they are still in play.

The only characters readers really care about are Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. And the only thing we want to know is when they are going to have sex and what it's like.

Instead we get a watered down plot, and worse, a watered down Lisbeth Salander. Yeah, there's an agsty Blomkvist who worries that he's obsolete (welcome to middle age buddy).

What happened to the Lisbeth who hog tied then tattooed "I am a rapist and a sadistic pig" on her attackers torso then shoved a dildo up his ass?

 

Maybe Lagercranz was under pressure to present a more grown up Lisbeth or one that he thought would appeal to a more broad audience. Whatever he's done, it's a tremendous disservice to the legions of Lisbeth fans who want...no...demand their heroine to take control of the novel. At the very least he could have had her ride her motorcycle or punch someone other than her boxing partner. 

Aside from some international computer hacking hijinx involving the NSA and the Swedish Police, there isn't a lot going on in Spider's Web. You get a little sucked in then the book fizzles out. There is a cliffhinger ending but it's so timid that I wouldn't even issue a spoiler alert.


I'll give David Lagercrantz one more chance to breathe life back into Lisbeth Salander. Let's hope he won't fuck it up the second time.





Thursday, May 21, 2015

JUST RELEASED!!!

The New Trailer for Dog Spelled Backwards: An Unholy Mystery Has Just Been Released!!!

 

Watch. Enjoy. Buy the Book.





Sunday, April 19, 2015

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Dog Spelled Backwards Book Trailer in the Works

Quiet on the set!

The book trailer for Dog Spelled Backwards: An Unholy Mystery is in the works

Check out the production stills and stay tuned for its exciting debut










Monday, February 16, 2015

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Sneak Peek: Excerpt from "Sleeping Dogs Don't Lie"

Tough chick private Investigator Jane Ronson is up to her old tricks in Sleeping Dogs Don't Lie the concluding book in the Murder in the Dog Park trilogy

Here's a sneak peek excerpt from Chapter 4 -- "The Bitch is Back":



"Bring me a bottle of champagne," Mandy said, her voice slurred and throaty. "We’re celebrating."

“What are we celebrating?” I asked. I still couldn’t bring myself to look at her Bride of Frankenstein face.

“The destruction of ex-husband."

“That’s pretty dramatic,” I snapped. Another waiter appeared. He placed two Champagne flutes on the table then topped them off with the bubbling liquid.

“What does that have to do with me?” I asked. I wondered if a fancy joint like Lucien’s had Bud Lite on tap.

Mandy downed her glass in one swallow. “You did bang up job of ruining my life,” she said, fixing me a Kabuki-like stare. “In the wake of your so-called investigation of the so-called ‘murder in the dog park'...


Mandy paused. I couldn’t avoid looking at her.  I squinted doing my best Clint Eastwood imitation.

“As I was saying,” Mandy continued, “after you meddled in our lives Brice divorced me. My alimony is a mere pittance. I live like a pauper. I’ve been forced to move to a condominium in Towson of all places. Of course, someone like you can understand what it’s like to live in such reduced circumstances.”

My blood pressure zoomed into the red zone. “Listen plastic face,” I said, forcing myself to look her in her unblinking eyes. “I only came here because you said you had some work for me, not to be insulted by someone who deserved what was coming to her. You’re personal problems are of zero concern to me.”

“Fair enough,” Mandy replied. “You didn’t deserve to have your cousin locked up,” Mandy said. “I sincerely apologize.” Mandy reached out and squeezed my hand. “Do you accept my apology?”

Her sudden change of tone made me even more wary of her motives. “Yeah, whatever,” I said, trying to get her to release her bony grip. I tried shaking her hand but she held on tighter. It was like being grabbed by a mummy. “I haven’t got all day for this Oprah crap,” I said, finally breaking free. “What exactly do you need me to do?”

“Find a hit man to get rid of Brice.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me just fine.”

“I only have one good ear,” I said, tapping my prosthetic ear. “Repeat.”

“I want you to eliminate my ex-husband Brice Legg-Alexander,” Mandy shouted at me. The other diners turned to stare at us. I ducked my head into my chin. “Lower your goddam voice,” I said under my breath. You’re making a scene.”

“I know you’re the type of person to do this,” Mandy continued. “You’re ruthless and you have no morals. I should think this kind of job is right up your alley.”

I laughed so hard the table shook, almost knocking over the Champagne glasses. “I guess I should be flattered you think so highly of me,” I said, still giggling. “I’m no killer Mandy, and I don’t know any hit men.” I held up my left hand so Mandy could see my wedding ring. “I’m married to a cop. I’m on the right side of the law now. You want to someone to pop your husband? Get a gun and do it yourself.”

“Can you buy it for me?”

“No!” I said, glancing at my iPhone. “Look, I gotta go. It’s been a nice lunch, but I’ve got to get back to reality.”

“Wait,” Mandy cried out, grabbing my arm as I rose to leave. “I’ve got another idea. Let’s eat lunch and talk. My treat.”



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Tana French's New Book Has Dropped!

Irish private eyes are smiling (forgive the pun)

Tana French's 

The Secret Place is out!

The Secret Place is a powerful, haunting exploration of friendship and loyalty, and a gripping addition to the Dublin Murder Squad series.

Read a sneak peek excerpt



Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Ass Kickers


 

Who is your favorite cinematic female ass kicker?

*Katniss Everdeen

*Lisbeth Salander

*Sarah Connor

Read Lewis Beale's article about  women who are redefining cinematic feminism

 

 


Tuesday, July 1, 2014