Harry Groome’s latest book, “The Girl Who Fished With a Worm”, takes Steig Larsson’s “Dragon Tattoo” trilogy and re-imagines it as a sharp and witty who-done-it.
When Olaf Gedda, a wealthy and lovable 60 year-old businessman is found brutally murdered in his garden, he is carrying a bucket full of worms. Inspector Tonsoffun and Jerker Rhindtwist, a curious journalist and friend of Gedda’s, have two suspects in mind. The first is Henrik, Gedda’s butler and faithful companion for twenty-two years; the second is Gotilda Salamander, his twenty-two year-old, purpled haired, tattooed and pierced assistant.
Despite her youth and eccentricity, Gotilda is brilliant with computers and shared Gedda’s passion for fishing. Gotilda claims to have loved Gedda like a father, but with her finger prints covering the bucket found at the crime scene, Gotilda is without question, appears to be the prime suspect. When Gedda’s will is made public and both suspects named recipients of large amounts of money and property, the motives are more than made clear.
Rhindtwist, however, once the employer and lover of young Gotilda, is not convinced. He feels uneasy when Gotilda is arrested, placed in orange prison garb and held for the murder of Olaf Gedda. But Goltilda is not to be underestimated. She is young and strong, with a mean streak when provoked, and impressive karate skills that help her gain her freedom. On the lamb, Gotilda’s computer skills and Rhindtwist’s research her them the truth and the identity of the real killer.
“The Girl Who Fished With a Worm” is a delightfully witty and original parody, sure to entertain lovers of a good murder mystery, Swedish-style.
Reviewed by Peggy LaVake for IndieReader