Category: Media Connect/Finn Partners

Review “The Serpent’s Bite” by Warren Adler

The Serpent’s Bite by Warren Adler
Published by Stonehouse Press
Publication Date: September 4, 2012
ISBN-10: 159006044X
ISBN-13: 978-1590060445
Pages: 320
Review Copy from: Media Connect
A Division of Finn Partners
Edition: ARC HC
My Rating: 3

Synopsis (from IndieBound):
“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child”
-“King Lear,” William Shakespeare
This famed quote by William Shakespeare finds its modern meaning in this taut, fast-paced, remarkable novel by renowned author Warren Adler. “The Serpent’s Bite” will take you on a frightening horse trek through the far reaches of the Yellowstone wilderness that turns a father’s quest to deal with parental guilt and reunite with his two adult children into a nightmare of lust, betrayal, entrapment, and death. Beyond the revelations of dark family secrets, readers will discover how an obsession for celebrity and blind ambition can distort familial love and turn a beloved child into a grotesque monster. Courtney Temple is sure to be judged as one of those most evil women in fiction, alongside the likes of Lady Macbeth, Medea, and the Wicked Witch of the West. Adler’s latest novel takes its place next to the iconic “The War of the Roses,” in which the author exposed the true nature of marital dysfunction.

My Thoughts and Opinion:
My favorite genre, for as long as I can remember, has always been suspense and mystery. But lately it has expanded and I enjoy reading a novel full of relationship dynamics. So when the call went out to read and review this book, I responded since it had all the elements.

The book is gripping with suspense that kept me turning the pages as the Temple family embark on an adventure through the trails of Yellowstone National Park, in hopes of mending a family that has been estranged for the past 4 years. Will this reenactment of the same trip 20 years prior trigger good memories and heal this broken family?

The cast members are believable and life like but definitely not likable, in my opinion. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced little by little of the personal traits of each of the 5 main characters, which included the father, son, daughter, the tour guide and his assistant. The flaws in the characters are profound and complex. And immoral.

Even though there was a topic that I personally, and again this is only my opinion, found quite distasteful and hard to read at times due to the graphic details, I still found myself wanting to read more about this group of players. The depiction of each character made it easy to visualize them. The manner in which the scenery was described made it possible to create the imagery portrayed.

I had a difficult time trying to rate this book because of my personal feelings in regard to, in what I found to be a very disturbing matter in the story line. But on the other hand, the suspense, the overall plot, the way it was written, and yes, even the make up of the protagonists, held my attention to the very last word. An ending that was quite surprising.

DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.