Serpent's Tooth

Rating:
Summary: Good, fast police story
Review: 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 !

Rating:
Summary: Toothless Serpent
Review: Although I count myself a Faye Kellerman fan, I can't say that this was one of her better efforts. If you enjoy following the family story and the details of Orthodox Jewish life, you won't get much color from this volume. The mystery itself is ho-hum and, as other reviewers did, I found myself waiting for Decker to catch up to me in solving the crime. I finished the book, but didn't enjoy it as much as others in the series.

Rating:
Summary: A slightly less than mediocre mystery
Review: An uninspiring look at how simplistic best sellers can be. The book plods, the character development is quite basic and the dialogue is unrealistic. The show-saving teens part of the plot belongs in a Nancy Drew novel, or better yet, a Scooby-Doo script, and I don't appreciate Ms. Kellerman force feeding me a Hebrew history lesson. All-in all a second rate novel that will propel me to avoid any of the author's other works.

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing entry in a good series
Review: Dissapointing after "Prayer for the Dead" - Their Orthodoxy, which used to be an interesting part of the book tapestry, has become a gimmic; the villan's identity is telegraphed by the title (yes, we have read "Lear"); and the family has become less compelling. Skip it.

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST!
Review: 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! This contains all the great elements of a suspensful murder mystery; murder, deception, greed, sex and the falls of the vulernable human condition. This is an absolute must read for new and old Kellerman readers!

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST!
Review: 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! This contains all the great elements of a suspensful murder mystery; murder, deception, greed, sex and the falls of the vulernable human condition. This is an absolute must read for new and old Kellerman readers!

Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Faye Kellerman
Review: Faye Kellerman's latest in her series of Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novel's "Serpent's Tooth," if not equal to her other books certainly surpasses them. Once again husband Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus are placed in another situation of mystery, murder and mayhem. The two are modern Orthodox Jews. Peter, born a Jew but brought up in a Christian home, met Rina in "The Ritual Bath," Faye's first book. Their courtship continued as Faye's Orthodox husband had leaving her to bring up her two boys. Decker, himself, went through a "conversion-learning process" in early novels. Their Jewishness is much apart of all the novels. "Serpent's Tooth" opens in a Los Angles restaurant where a mass murder ensues. Thirteen are dead and scores are wounded. The book is fast-paced, and a usual her characters are very realistic. The interpersonal relationships, Decker, his daughter Cindy, by his first marriage; Faye's two teenage boys by her first marriage; and Peter and Rina's daughter add much to the novel. There are a number of twists as one would expect in a murder novel but there are some pleasant ones in the personal relationships among the Deckers as well. Of course the horrible crime is solved but Kellerman leaves one open end concerning the family's future housing arrangements. Next on my reading agenda is her "Quality of Mercy" written a few years back, but not part of the series. Her 12th book, now in the works, also out of the loop is "Moon Music," that will be set in Las Vegas. Book #13, will bring Decker and Lazarus together again.

Rating:
Summary: Not Kellerman at her best...
Review: Having started in the middle of her series (Day Of Atonement)and gone back to start at the beginning (Ritual Bath)I've read all of the Decker/Lazarus books in order, "Serpent's Tooth" was a bit of a disappointment. The deeply religious family involvement that has been central in the other books, seemed included here out of a sense of obligation -- not to strengthen the story line. Rather than enhance the story, the inclusion of family seemed to make it choppy. The suspense and drama of the other books was somehow lacking here. But considering how much I've enjoyed the other books, I'll forgive an off day and look forward to Kellerman's next offering.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and exciting
Review: I do enjoy reading about Decker's family and spiritual life, but nevertheless it was refreshing to read a novel in the series that focused much more on the actual crime and detective work. I couldn't put the book down.

Rating:
Summary: Another Decker/Lazarus gem!
Review: I have been a fan of Faye Kellerman's since her first book in this series. She always has managed to keep Peter and Rina's relationship fresh and write outstanding detective stories as well. She doesn't disappoint here. Although the Decker's are a religous jewish family they are not stuffy or prudish. I find all the background of the Jewish religion fascinating and makes the characters all the more real. I hope Ms. Kellerman writes about this duo for a long time!

Ree-view