I stumbled across this review [link fixed] of Stay last night and, I dunno, something about it really tickled me, so I thought I’d share. [Update: over on Facebook, Val McDermid kindly points out that “Without Aud, it’s hard to see how there could have been a Lisbeth Salander.” I think Val is most perspicacious.]
And, uh, that’s about it for today. Still working madly on the new LLF website (oh, I can hardly *wait* to show it off). Still marvelling at the spring-like weather we’ve been having here. Still watching West Wing eps because my brain is so full of stuff it seems pointless to even try to cope with something televisually new.
Also, I’ve just started re-reading Wildside by Steven Gould (skiffy adventure YA), which is enormous fun and nice and light.
You?
Nicola Griffith 
I'm busy busy working on a (seemingly pointless) job producing advertisng photos for cars. But happy for the paycheck.
Blogger screwed up your link again. The one for the review…
URL (no spaces):
http://gaybooks.okbestprice.com/2010/02/22/check-out-stay-for-6-70/
This week? Finished reading The Scarpetta Factor. Quick read, but not very engaging. Watched Slumdog Millionaire (good) and The Lucky Ones (rambling). Cool Girls (Elementary School Edition) in 30.
Yep, URL needs fixing.
Link's fixed. Val's comment added.
I haven't read Cornwell since her first couple of books. Is she making sense again?
Yes, Cornwell is making sense again (in my opinion). I'd about given up on her. But I haven't read Scarpetta Factor yet. I was impressed by Scarpetta. (So she's losing originality in titles…)
From that review of Stay, “an absolutely spine-chilling portrayal of grief.” Yeah, you did that especially well. And the “homicidal lesbian lunatic” is qualified rather accurately. ;) My favorite Aud rhyme was “cowed.”
I think I like 'bloody but unbowed' the best.
Early Cornwell was stellar, and she's back to almost being able to stand in her own shadow with her last couple of books.
As for what I'm doing…submitting prints for an exhibition. Other than that I'm having a glass of wine, half watching 'Lost', and listening to the dog snore.
It seems from time to time that Lucy tries to channel Aud — rich, lesbian, borderline-sociopath — but she's a sidekick along with three or four others. The best scenes in Scarpetta Factor involve Lucy, simply because when she's around, things happen.
Much of the rest of the book is telling (not showing) — people standing around analyzing what happened off-screen, usually intercut with internal monologue about relationships which are falling apart due to poor communication.
There are also some major threads that are left untied. For example, Lucy has to make a dangerous landing (which takes up much of one chapter) because someone has sabotaged her helicopter landing dolly — but it's never tied into the rest of the story.
I only read them for Lucy. :)
I need to get back to fun reading – I've been nose-deep in a history of cognitive disability in America. Sounds dry, but it's fascinating reading for me having spent time mopping up results of the institution system and its abuses.
As for what I did today, I got a brand new motherboard for free because a tech made a mistake on why my audio and mic weren't working. They finally did get the problem fixed, luckily. I love extended full-service warranties. :P
This is completely selfish of me but I do miss the days when Nicola was an amazing, if not the most amazing storyteller.–Marghe Taishan
What the heck does that comment mean annon? She still is one of the most amazing storytellers out there!
As Marghe knows….
Oh, maybe she just is wishing for a sequel…
Just finished Always. Picked up Stay at the recommendation of @Rudilibrarian and then immediately bought The Blue Place and Always and they have caused me to to be late getting back to work on my lunch hour two days in a row.
Damn, what fine books. I hope Aud is permitted to be happy now.
kittent — the troll always wins.
Kittent, thank you. Aud will always find ways to be happy. Mostly :)
DianneorDi, but Aud is 'bloody but unbowed'.