Of Lisa de Nikolits’ eleven novels, I’ve read all but three. I have been a fan (fanboy?) of her stories for about a decade now, and so I was happy to see her latest novel, Mad Dog and the Sea Dragon see the light of day by the newly reinvented (resurrected?) Inanna Publications, her longtime publisher. I should also make a disclaimer that Ms. de Nikolits mentions me by name in her Acknowledgements at the back of Mad Dog. I am greatly honoured to be part of her writing career! Nevertheless, what follows is my honest assessment of this novel.
Mad Dog and the Sea Dragon is the noir-ish story of two people, Jessica Wren and Vincenzo (“Enzo”) Esposito who meet in an art gallery and strike up a relationship. This is the barest of bones for a synopsis. For, like many of Lisa’s books, her characters are infused with oddities and eccentricities, which make them both likeable and relatable, but can also contribute to giving them the old side-eye at times. Both Enzo and Jessica share a love for the days of gangsters and silver screen stars, respectively. Enzo walks and talks the stereotypical Italian gangster (which he is) and Jessica loves vintage clothing. Together they make a striking couple!
However, Jessica’s sister Glennis plays the “evil sister” role to Jessica’s Cinderella (she even works as a cleaner) and is using Jessica to get money out of the Esposito crime family so they can run away from their dreary existence and live a more extravagant lifestyle.Glennis’ plan is working great, as Enzo (who is married) falls in love with Jessica and puts her up in a palatial apartment furnished with all kinds of gaudy furniture and accents, much like the Trump Oval Office. Jessica’s every need is cared for, and she is given lots of money, but soon becomes bored and asks Enzo for a Sea Dragon. He grants her wish, has a columnar aquarium installed, and Jessica names the fish “Daisy”. (The “Mad Dog” of the title is the nickname given to Anthony Esposito — no relation — a real gangster who died by electrocution in the early 40s. Thus, Mad Dog and Daisy the Sea Dragon become avatars for our main characters.) Jessica relates to Daisy, both beautiful, yet trapped, confined.
The aquarium had bored me until we found the sea dragon and then Ifell in love. There was this perfectly beautiful little creature, with her lacy fins spinning and waving, and that perfect tiny horse face looking at me, only at me.
And now, here I was looking at her. . I went over to her tank. .I felt antsy. I was getting restless with the way things were.
I looked at my reflection in the glass. I was lovely too, exotic, with my careful coiffure and my perfect red lipstick, but what did I have to show for my life? Nothing. Daisy was stuck in her cage and I was stuck in mine. So what ifI was beautiful? I hated to admit it, but I was lonely. And I was bored I quickly got used to the furniture warehouse living room. Enzo carved out an area for me with a sofa of my choice and a large TV and of course, Daisy.
To relate all the backstories, side stories and present goings-on in the story would be to spoil the fun in reading Mad Dog. Is there a deeper message in Mad Dog? Certainly, greed and trust are big issues. Money brings a certain happiness, yes, but it can bring trouble too, especially if the funds are ill-gotten gains. Can Jessica trust Glennis to do right by her? What about Enzo? He has had kept women before her, what happens if he tires of her, or she looses her looks? These are a few of the deeper themes in Mad Dog.
Lisa’s novels, while dealing with some dark subjects, always contain a certain “lightness” that makes them slightly humorous and enjoyable. I commented on Facebook that her novels are all different, yet have a familiarity about them, like first cousins. I also stated that I believe Mad Dog and the Sea Dragon to be her best story since Everything You Dream Is Real, the sequel to The Rage Room. She has certainly storyboarded this one well, with lots happening, her characters schemers and dreamers all. Highly endorsed for its brisk pace and delightful storytelling.
For a complementary read, consider A Dirty Little War by Dietrich Kalteis:
About the Author
Originally from South Africa, Lisa de Nikolits is an award-winning author who has been hailed as “the Queen of Canadian speculative fiction” (All Lit Up) and her short fiction and poetry have been published in various international anthologies and journals including the Crime Writers of Canada’s 40th Anniversary anthology (2022). She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Philosophy, and has lived in the US, Australia and Britain. Previous works include The Hungry Mirror, West of Wawa, A Glittering Chaos, Witchdoctor’s Bones, The Rage Room and Everything You Dream is Real. Lisa lives and writes in Toronto.
About the Reviewer
James M. Fisher is the Editor-in-Chief of The Seaboard Review of Books. He lives in Miramichi New Brunswick with his wife Diane, their Tabby cat Eddie, and Buster the Border Collie. James works as an MRI Technologist at the Miramichi Hospital.
Book Details
Publisher : Inanna Publications and Education Inc
Publication date : Aug. 25 2025
Language : English
Print length : 200 pages
ISBN-10 : 183421002X
ISBN-13 : 978-1834210025