Mindy McGinnis shares the exclusive book trailer for The Female of the Species and offers her thoughts on the powerful new thriller.

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis tells the story of Alex Craft, a high school senior who took matters into her own hands when her sister’s killer walked free. McGinnis unspools her dark tale through three colliding points-of-view, considering questions of grief, vengeance, and violence in a world where justice can seem like a fantasy.

The book trailer for The Female of the Species, revealed exclusively here, opens with the chilling quote from which the title is derived. Read on for McGinnis’ thoughts on the resonance of the quote, and her experience tackling rape culture and systemic injustice in her first contemporary novel.

Five questions for Mindy McGinnis

The title The Female of the Species is drawn from a Rudyard Kipling poem. What about that poem and that line spoke to you in regards to the characters, and how does it connect with this story of vengeance?

I’ve always enjoyed this poem – which is about how in nature the female is the more deadly of the species, and then goes on to say the same is true of humans. I think female rage is something that isn’t explored often enough, and I wanted to go there with this book.

What was it like to write your first contemporary novel – especially a novel dealing with such weighty and relevant issues?

I loved writing contemporary, and honestly it was a lot of fun to execute even though the topic matter is dark. I’ve written post-apocalyptic and historical mystery before this, so it was lovely to be able to deliver the story without having to question myself every second as to whether the details were accurate. I already know, because I live in this world.

What is your favorite element of the trailer?

The juxtaposition of human and animals. Too often we forget that we are basic creatures, with basic instincts.

What do you hope readers take away from The Female of the Species?

A greater respect for each other, and an understanding that each gender has a different experience of the world – this is true of both male and female. It’s on us to decide how we react to our environment, and how our actions are affecting others.

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis will be available on Sept. 20 from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore.