Rating: 
Summary: The best Kerney yet
Review: McGarrity and Kerney just keep getting better. I barely made it through "Tularosa" (way too gory for the drive to Santa Fe with my 70 something mother). "Mexican Hat" was an improvement, with great atmosphere but a less than memorable plot. In "Serpent Gate", everything comes together. There's lots of New Mexico (and Santa Fe in particular) for atmosphere. More importantly, there are a pair of interesting plots: the murder of a small town cop whose background isn't pretty; and a major art theft by Kerney's nemesis from Tularosa - DeLeon. Frosting on the cake are a couple of interesting side players including Kerney's landlord/host Fletcher. McGarrity uses an interesting contrast in writing styles. In the murder case, the reader is left in the dark and stumbles right along with Kerney. Meanwhile, the reader is the fly on the wall for all of DeLeon's planning in the art theft and the subsequent events. Bottom line: A throughly enjoyable romp -- particularly if you're fond of Santa Fe (one of my favorite places).
Rating:
Summary: The best Kerney yet
Review: McGarrity and Kerney just keep getting better. I barely made it through "Tularosa" (way too gory for the drive to Santa Fe with my 70 something mother). "Mexican Hat" was an improvement, with great atmosphere but a less than memorable plot. In "Serpent Gate", everything comes together. There's lots of New Mexico (and Santa Fe in particular) for atmosphere. More importantly, there are a pair of interesting plots: the murder of a small town cop whose background isn't pretty; and a major art theft by Kerney's nemesis from Tularosa - DeLeon. Frosting on the cake are a couple of interesting side players including Kerney's landlord/host Fletcher. McGarrity uses an interesting contrast in writing styles. In the murder case, the reader is left in the dark and stumbles right along with Kerney. Meanwhile, the reader is the fly on the wall for all of DeLeon's planning in the art theft and the subsequent events. Bottom line: A throughly enjoyable romp -- particularly if you're fond of Santa Fe (one of my favorite places).
Rating:
Summary: SHARP FANGS
Review: McGarrity continues his excellent Kerney series in this atmospheric tale of murder, revenge and extortion. Kerney finds himself battling once again the villainous Enrique de Leon, who this time is responsible for the theft of rare artifacts from the Governor's office. He also finds himself dealing with the schizophrenic Robert Cordova, who involves him in the murder case of a police officer. Kerney finds the cop's killer, but nothing is simple as this opens a can of worms involving rape as well. Carlos, de Leon's henchman, is back, and of course they want Kerney dead, dead, dead!
McGarrity knows how to write a terse, intricate story and SERPENT GATE continues this well-done series.
Rating:
Summary: SHARP FANGS
Review: McGarrity continues his excellent Kerney series in this atmospheric tale of murder, revenge and extortion. Kerney finds himself battling once again the villainous Enrique de Leon, who this time is responsible for the theft of rare artifacts from the Governor's office. He also finds himself dealing with the schizophrenic Robert Cordova, who involves him in the murder case of a police officer. Kerney finds the cop's killer, but nothing is simple as this opens a can of worms involving rape as well. Carlos, de Leon's henchman, is back, and of course they want Kerney dead, dead, dead!
McGarrity knows how to write a terse, intricate story and SERPENT GATE continues this well-done series.
Rating:
Summary: "Serpent Gate" should be nominated for an Edgar Award !
Review: Once again McGarrity's knowledge of police procedure enlightens the story. "Serpent Gate" is equal to his first two novels, "Tullarosa" and "Mexican Hat". His characters are believable, his word pictures are masterpieces and the plot is like reading current events. Although I have never visited Santa Fe it is apparent the writer has deep rooted feelings for the area and the inhabitants.
Rating:
Summary: No Disappointment This!
Review: Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed the latest installment in the life and times of Kevin Kerney. He is a no nonsense, get it done, sexy kinda guy, with the sensitivy we (women) all long for. I anxiously await the 4th installment...as I know there surely will be!!!
Rating:
Summary: Full, rich.
Review: Serpent Gate is one of those page turners with fast-paced dialogue and action. Scenes are wonderfully depicted with McGarrity's keen, accurate knowledge of the place, a beautiful, magical part of New Mexico. It's a truly remarkable book, and Kerney is now (this, Michael's third Kerney book) like an old friend who I want to meet again . . . and again.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not his best...
Review: The third entrant in the Kevin Kerney series, Serpent Gate would also rate third amongst the series. While entertaining enough, it lacked the freshness, the cleverness, and the impact of Michael McGarrity's previous works. Serpent Gate was a just a bit too predictable, and many of the ancillary characters (save Fletcher) were not developed to the degree expected from Mr. McGarrity. The descriptions of the New Mexico landscape were as well done as previously, but overall, while an enjoyable read,and one that fans of McGarrity will still enjoy, newcomers to McGarrity would be better served by reading either of his two previous novels...
Rating:
Summary: A continuing pleasure
Review: This series keeps geting better with each entry. The author is not afraid to let a bad guy get away, he'll come back later in the series, as we've already seen. The author can leave some questions unanswered, because he knows we'll be back for the next installment. A lot like life, we need to come back tomorrow and see how things turn out. Normally this would drive a reader crazy, but with McGarrity enough questions are answered to leaved the reader sated and happy to return.
Rating: 
Summary: Thanks to all those readers who like Serpent Gate.
Review: What a great pleasure it has been to discover so many positive reader comments about my novels Serpent Gate, Mexican Hat, and Tularosa. Your support, interest, and approval of my work means a great deal to me. Thanks again for all the good thinks you've said about the Kevin Kerney series. Next up will be Hermit's Peak, due out in June, 1999. I hope you'll find it to be a satisfying read.
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