Sell out, sell out
Yeah that is the name of the game
Penny has written perhaps the best mystery series in Canadian literature with her Three Pines series. The success rests on the series unique perspective and small-town relationships of her characters.
STATE OF TERROR is the anti-THREE PINES, full of tropes and cliches and eyerolling platitudes from the worst of the genre.
But I guess when a former First Lady and Secretary of State ask you to collaborate with them you can’t say no. Especially when it comes with the promise of massive sales.
Sell out, sell out
Yeah that’s the name of the game
Sell out, sell out
That anybody can play
Sell out, sell out
I think you know what I mean
Worse, Penny has created a comic book villain straight from the campy 1960s Batman series, who instead of just getting on with his terror, slips notes into pockets, and dresses up as waiters instead of masterminding his plot.
At least Penny gets to name drop Three Pines and Gamache a few times to send readers back to her much better work.
Sell out, sell out
I think you know what I mean
Sell out, sell out
Crank up that funk machine
Sell out, sell out
Can’t pay no bills with your pride
Sell out, sell out
Woh I know ’cause baby I tried
Sell out, sell out
It’s easy once you concede
Sell out, sell out
That love ain’t all you need
(LYRICS BY KLAATU, Canada’s best unknown pop band)
Chosen to match Canada’s best unknown mystery writer.
Licking Honey Off of Thorns 