ISBN: 0-7887-2598-X Order from: Recorded Books
A good, tense police procedural, with likable characters and plenty of action.
Reviewed by David on July 12, 2003
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Serpent Gate.
Kevin Kerney, a former Santa Fe police detective, is in luck. After a couple of years of temporary work, he is brought into the New Mexico State Police to solve a couple of tough crimes. Given a high rank, and authority, Kevin tackles the crimes, while contending with politics surrounding the state police.
One of the crimes is solved by Kerney's solid detective work, but the human ramifications extend far beyond the arrest.
The other crime—a daring theft of precious artwork plunges Kerney and his colleagues into a dangerous investigation of a drug-trafficing organization, corrupt politicians, and webs of financial deceipt.
Full Review: This is a well-written mystery, with a significant number of characters and a good balance between contemplative investigation and fast dramatic action.
There is some view-hopping, and as a result, there is little mystery for the reader. Most of the suspense comes from anticipating actions and confrontations of the police and the criminals.
In some ways, the book would have been better told only from one point of view, but the end result is nonetheless satisfying.
While the immediate threads are tied off in this book, there remain clear lines for further adventure in the lives of Kerney, his enemies and his friends.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 6; World-building: 5; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1998, Recorded Books, 1998, Audio cassette, 6 cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-2598-X Order from: Recorded Books