Rating: 
Summary: There is Never a Dull Moment in this "Erotic Thriller"
Review: When I received a request to review SERPENT'S DANCE by Larry Brooks, my moral warning light went on because it was hailed as an "erotic thriller." I abhor censorship but I do try to use some discretion about what I put into my own mind. While being painfully aware of the levels of wickedness we humans are capable of perpetrating on one another, I usually avoid reading about it for entertainment. And, though I enjoy the occasional romance with its happy and predictable ending, I try to avoid books that glamorize perversion. Granted, some will consider that judgmental but we make discretionary decisions every day, so there you go.Having said all of that, I agreed to do the review. The eroticism and depravity were there but did not continue interminably, making you want to shout, " OK, I get it already!" --- a tribute to the excellent writing style of the author. Larry Brooks has had about six other careers, but I think he has found the one that will carry him to fame and fortune. His eye for detail is accurate and takes in just enough to give the reader a clear picture without ever getting tedious. And for readers in his home state of Arizona, the added bonus is "being there", as he captures the essence of Scottsdale and surrounding areas. His characters are well defined and their dialogue is easy to hear as the story moves forward. And I especially appreciated the generous sprinkling of humor that helped to lighten even the darkest spots. SERPENT'S DANCE suggests both "serpents" and "dances" on many levels: corporate, relational, sexual, physical and psychological. The implications for those involved in these dances are every bit as dangerous as you might expect. Brooks weaves an intricate web of seduction, violence and revenge, but what kept me reading was the hope for some kind of redemption, for good to prevail, for evil to fail. There are many surprises and exciting twists in this complex tale, but they are not contrived and keep the reader in the loop all the way through. From the moment that Bernadette Kane decides to go after the millionaire who she believes killed her sister, to the evil serpents who involve her in their own twisted games and through the startling climax, there is never a dull moment. This proves once again that stepping out of my comfort zone now and then is worth the risk. And if this genre is your favorite already, by all means jump on the bandwagon because Larry Brooks is sure to become one of the biggies. --- Reviewed by Maggie Harding
Rating:
Summary: survival of the craftiest
Review: With SERPENT'S DANCE, Brooks is back on firmer ground after the misfire of PRESSURE POINTS. This, his third novel, is a heady cocktail of Topping From Below, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Blood Simple, with a little Michael Crichton thrown in for good measure. That he is able to pull it off is a tribute to his talent, and I found it to be an enjoyable roller-coaster ride from start to finish. I don't want to give away any plot secrets, but I will say that this one will keep you guessing right to the end without sending the needle on your BS meter into the danger zone. The only complaints I have (and they are relatively minor ones) are that the writing could have used an editing pencil here or there (there are some muddled metaphors and obscure references that had me scratching my head) and the character of Jerry was a little too naive and not as convincingly nerdy as he should have been. Great fun, and probably the best of his novels so far.
Rating:
Summary: survival of the craftiest
Review: With SERPENT'S DANCE, Brooks is back on firmer ground after the misfire of PRESSURE POINTS. This, his third novel, is a heady cocktail of Topping From Below, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Blood Simple, with a little Michael Crichton thrown in for good measure. That he is able to pull it off is a tribute to his talent, and I found it to be an enjoyable roller-coaster ride from start to finish. I don't want to give away any plot secrets, but I will say that this one will keep you guessing right to the end without sending the needle on your BS meter into the danger zone. The only complaints I have (and they are relatively minor ones) are that the writing could have used an editing pencil here or there (there are some muddled metaphors and obscure references that had me scratching my head) and the character of Jerry was a little too naive and not as convincingly nerdy as he should have been. Great fun, and probably the best of his novels so far.
| 
