Alter Ego

Crime and comics make for a lively mix in Segura’s enticing follow-up to Secret Identity. Comic book artist turned filmmaker Annie Bustamente has been offered the opportunity of a lifetime: lead artist on a reboot of The Legendary Lynx, the superhero saga that inspired her to become a comics artist. The series ended after the financial collapse of its publisher, Triumph Comics, in 2007. Now, Bert Carlyle, son of Triumph’s founder, hopes to revive Triumph as a multimedia company. Initially thrilled, Annie soon becomes skeptical about Carlyle’s intentions for the project, and walks away from the deal when conflicts arise over creative control. After she begins investigating who actually created and owns the rights to the Legendary Lynx, she receives anonymous threats of physical violence unless she stops her digging. Then the murders begin. 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. Agent: Josh Getzler, HG Literary. (Dec.)