2024-09-14
Segura explores the world of comic books and film in his latest thriller.
Segura’s standalone sequel toSecret Identity (2022) brings back the Lynx, a comic book character co-created by Carmen Valdez in the 1970s. Decades have passed, and the Lynx—originally published by a company called Triumph—has faded into obscurity, though she still has her admirers. Chief among them is Annie Bustamante, a comic book writer who turned to film after having become disenchanted: “Comics had chewed me up and spit me out, and at the moment I wasn’t sure I wanted to go for another twelve rounds.” But now Annie’s movie career has stalled, too, after her studio declined to release her latest, an "artsy superhero thriller" calledMiss Midnight, turning it into a tax write-off instead. She's approached by Bert Carlyle, the son of Triumph’s founder, who wants her to work with Arturo Spinoza, a filmmaker, to reintroduce the Lynx across a wide range of media. Annie can’t bring herself to say no; the Lynx was a formative character for her as a young woman: “It was one of the first and few comics I could remember not only featuring a woman in the lead, but one that—at least for a brief time—was written by a woman, too. A Cuban woman like me, no less.” Things are looking up, until Annie starts to get messages saying “BE CAREFUL,” and realizes that her involvement with the Lynx might be putting her in real danger. While the novel doesn’t quite live up to the heights ofSecret Identity—the dialogue here can come across as forced—Segura has lost none of his talent at building suspense. Readers will need to come with their disbelief fully suspended, but Segura is charming enough to make it work, and, as in his last book, he sticks the landing beautifully.
A ride worth taking, especially for comic book fans.
Praise for Alex Segura's Alter Ego
“A clever and escapist mystery set in the world of comic books.” —The Nerd Daily
“No one is writing books as unique and riveting as Alex Segura. Alter Ego is a smart, fantastic ride through a mysterious world you may not know but will feel totally comfortable in thanks to Segura’s creative genius. It pulls you in and keeps you turning pages.” —Michael Connelly
“The suspense and tension in Alex Segura’s Alter Ego builds slowly, like the best of Hitchcock’s films, and then, with the turn of one more page, all the setups and foreshadowing explode in this finely-tuned plot. Annie and daughter Margot are true gems, steeped in authenticity and visceral emotion. Segura is an excellent writer and he brings his A-game to this rollicking page ripper. Don‘t miss it.” —David Baldacci
“Not only does Alex Segura’s Alter Ego contain the best Jewel reference in fiction ever, it’s the kind of book that makes you feel so much—a creative and inspiring mystery that is also smart and romantic. This book arrived at the perfect time for me, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.” —Caroline Kepnes
“Alter Ego is a love letter to comics, creation, and the mystery of family. Alex Segura writes with such assurance and joy, a sly wit and a clear love for the characters. I was pulled in from page one and tore through this moving tale.” —Victor LaValle, author of Lone Women
“The follow-up to Segura’s thrillingly original (and wildly fun) Secret Identity is every bit as standout as the original. Slick, surprising, and witty, Alter Ego brims with surprises and heart—the literary equivalent of nerding out with your most passionate and knowledgeable comics-loving friend.” —Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Spare Room and We Were Never Here
“Alex Segura knows how to write a propulsive mystery that hooks you from chapter one. Most of all, I loved Segura’s deep and compassionate portrayal of Annie Bustamante, a reluctant heroine I wholeheartedly rooted for until the very end. Alter Ego is a must-read.” —Zoraida Córdova, USA Today bestselling author of Star Wars: The High Republic Convergence
“Alter Ego is both a thriller and a character study. At the core of this masterfully told story is a woman artist trying to make her way in a treacherous world of intrigue and betrayal. That she is attempting to do so in the arcane business of comic book publishing is fascinating and highly entertaining. Segura writes with the cool efficiency of a professional assassin. Buy this book NOW and you will read it in one sitting.” —T.J. English, New York Times bestselling author of Havana Nocturne and The Last Kilo
“An amusing look at the comic books industry with crime and mystery elements. A perfect follow-up novel.” —Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of Mexican Gothic and The Seventh Veil of Salome
“Sticks the landing beautifully. A ride worth taking, especially for comic book fans.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Segura’s plotting is vivid and fast-paced, and his experience as a comics artist lends depth to the proceedings, with gorgeous excerpts from Annie’s in-progress Legendary Lynx comic sprinkled throughout. This will thrill traditional mystery fans and comics devotees alike.” —Publishers Weekly
“This entertaining sequel vividly depicts the IP-obsessed contemporary comic book world and its threats to comic artists, such as being replaced by artificial intelligence. It’s a compelling setting for Segura’s richly complicated characters” —Library Journal
“An exciting, modern-day, comic-filled mystery” —Booklist
“One of my favorite books of the year.” —BookRiot
“Terrific” —Newsarama
“Alex Segura imbues Alter Ego with all the enthusiasm and knowledge of a lifelong comic book aficionado” —Crimereads
“Segura deftly conjures up a world of creative energy and spark, while also lacing it with a satisfying and provocative mystery. He’s found a rich terrain here, and readers are grateful for more.” —Crimereads
“An ambitious and largely successful blend of mystery, industry critique, and character study [...] the emotional core of the story and its examination of creative ownership in the modern age make it a worthy read.” —The Bookish Elf
“For fans of mystery thrillers who love the world of comics, or who at least won’t mind the heavy dose of comic book enthusiasm in the pages, Alter Ego is a great pick.” —Eulalie Magazine
“What Segura has created between his two books is an alternate comics universe, complete with historical publishers, beloved-but-unappreciated classic creators, and a pair of fantastic heroines.” —Comics Beat
“I simply could not put down [...] Segura gives us a duel between the art and intellectual property, and the tug-of-war between legacy and profit. Segura has a keen ability to craft a story that delves into real-life issues comic book creators deal with while adding a layer of fiction, suspense and mystery to the story. Segura masterfully weaves in themes of intergenerational trauma, the complexities of parenthood, and the quest for personal identity. As the story unfolds, we get a gripping novel that reads like a thriller set in the world of comic book creation. A truly innovative and masterfully crafted novel. [...] Alter Ego is truly a work of art filled with suspense, intrigue, family dynamics, and the inner workings of the comic book industry. [...] This novel is a love letter to those who love comics, but can be enjoy by anyone looking for a great mystery novel.” —Capes and Tights
