Serpent's Tooth: A Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus Novel: Amazon.ca: Faye Kellerman: Books

Product Description

From Library Journal

Kellerman's (Prayers for the Dead, LJ 8/96) popular L.A. detective duo here investigate a Southern California-style mass murder in a trendy restaurant.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile

Detective Peter Decker flashes back to Vietnam upon entering the scene of a mass murder in an upscale L.A. restaurant. Jay O. Sanders conveys not only Peter's very human discomfort, but that of his queasy staff. Sanders's slight changes in intonation clearly differentiate the many speakers involved in the investigation. He believably portrays Rhonda, a whining ex-girlfriend, as well as Decker's patient, loving wife, Rina. Adolescents--Decker's sons and the high-schoolers possibly involved in murder--are equally credible. In a deft abridgment, Sanders holds the listener captive to the finish. R.N. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

3.7 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A LITTLE LONG IN THE TOOTH, BUT..., Nov 14 2003

By	Michael Butts (Martinsburg, WV USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Serpents Tooth Mm (Mass Market Paperback)

SERPENT'S TOOTH is one of the better novels in this series; her reduction of time spent on religious background and squabbles actually aids her in this one. The first chapter is intriguing as Kellerman sets us up for what's about to happen by letting us know a little bit about some of the people in the trendy restaurant who are about to meet a fatal end. Once the killer "kills himself," it seems like an open and shut case, but where would the novel be if this was the case? Decker is now more willing to accept the advice of his daughter, Cindy, who is about to enter the police academy; Rina once again goes behind Peter's back to give him some assistance; we learn more about some of the other detectives: Webster, the southern transplant, is a likeable and a good addition; I haven't decided if I like Scott Oliver yet, what a chauvinist and ... fiend, but Kellerman is smart in giving us that sensitive side that indicates his main problem might be loneliness; Marge continues to be the lonely amazon woman--I think she's really in love with Peter?
Anyway, the cast of meanies in this one are despicable: Jeanine Garrison, the daughter of two of the restaurant's victims, who has her own financial agenda; Sean Amos and Malcolm Carey, two vile teenagers; Joaquin, a rather nerdy teen, who is a champion Scrabble player; David Garrison, Jeanine's brother who has (there's one of these in each book it seems?) a drug problem, and winds up iced, too.
The whodunit isn't overly exciting, but the way Kellerman interweaves all these personalities makes for good reading for fans of this series.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good, fast police story, Nov 4 2003

By	Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Serpents Tooth Mm (Mass Market Paperback)

After an horrific mass murder at a fashionable restuarant, Lieutenant Peter Decker is placed in charge of the follow up investigation. He slowly uncovers layer after layer of corruption involving drugs, high school students, tennis players and leading them all, a beautiful woman who seems to have a connection to everyone involved in the massacre. Jeanine Garrison initially tries to seduce Decker but becomes vicious when he rejects her advances and falsely accuses him of sexual harassment. It's a very fast moving plot, easy to read and therefore almost unputdownable-I loved it !

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4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, Sep 20 2003

By	W. Carol "dog lover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serpents Tooth Mm (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first Faye Kellerman book, and certainly not my last. I'd now like to go back and read her entire Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series, mainly because I could not put this book down, and secondly because I'm curious about their relationship--which has to be the mark of a good storyteller!

The plot is one of those that grabs you by the throat on the very first page, and never lets go. It begins in a tony upscale Los Angeles restaurant where suddenly, and without warning, a gunman sprays the diners with bullets, killing 13 and wounding 33 others. It's a horrible scene of mindless carnage, and LAPD homicide detective Peter Decker is beside himself with rage--and flashbacks to his own experiences in Vietnam years before.

As the police begin their routine investigation, they turn up some clues that are far from routine. Was this horrible atrocity part of a murder for hire scheme? Who of the many patrons that night was the intended target? Decker, obsessed with the situation, begins to doggedly investigate--and finds himself accused of sexual harassment in a situation that might cost him his badge and his marriage.

Great story, great characters---I want more!

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Mass murder stumps Peter
This book begins with a mass murder in a trendy restaurant. The police think they have found the man who did it and they are ready to close the case. Read more

Published on Aug 19 2003 by Karen Potts

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST!
Faye Kellerman has out done herself with "Serpents Tooth"! An outstanding page turner. I read it in 2-days... would've read it faster, if I didn't have to work! Read more

Published on April 26 2003 by Eve Ng

1.0 out of 5 stars Running Out of Steam
I've read almost all of the Decker/Lazurus books, and this one is a real disappointment. Is Kellerman perhaps running out of steam with these characters? Read more

Published on April 6 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Murder Mystery
Serpent's Tooth was my first exposure to Faye Kellerman and her Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series and it really was excellent. Read more