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The Serpent's Kiss opens with the discovery of a male victim, supposedly dead of Ebola, according to the maid who found him. Upon further investigation, the cops and M.E. learn that he died from three snake bites to various parts of his body. Thus begins the terrifying search for a killer who preys upon men. Seamus "Shay" Moynihan is assigned the case. Then a second male victim is found dead, the same way. It seems there are few clues to help the police. One suspect, Nick Foster, who does a television show called "Cold Blooded" is the prime suspect. His assistant, a beautiful woman, Jan Hood, who has a Ph.D. is asked to help the police with their research. Then along comes Susan Dohaney, a female biblical scholar, who wrote a book about Lilith, the secret woman in Cain and Abel's lives, tries to help the police interpret the meaning of the Bible quotes being left behind at each crime scene. When leaks begin appearing to the newspaper, Susan is dropped by Shay and his team. Then Moynihan is thrown off the investigation after a high speed chase after a drug dealer who tried to kill two cops, with one being bitten by the deadliest snake around, a taipan. At the same time, over at Nick Foster's place, the other members of the team break in on a sexual encounter which causes the department plenty of embarrassment. Through all this, Shay's team decides to keep him in the loop, though officially, he is off the case. Upon learning of a similar case in Alabama, Shay heads there, only to learn most the secrets that are behind the recent serial killings in San Diego. After confronting the sheriff, who is boiling with rage about Shay's coming to his town, there is a confrontation between Shay and some snake handlers. Sullivan does spin a terrific story. However, the reader has to suspend some disbelief at the way the clues are laid out, and about the over-the-top ending. The author creates several memorable characters, including an angst-ridden Shay, who has many demons to overcome to solve this mystery. This is not a book for cozy lovers or even medium boiled lovers.
Reviewed by Steven Sill, August 2003
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