The Serpent's Teeth

The Serpent's Teeth by Stephen Kronwith offers a dazzling portrait of two families and an intricate exploration of a crime mystery. Detective Jane Rieger-Franklin lives with her wife, Anna, and their two adopted daughters, Felicity and Khaleesi. They might not be the perfect family, but they keep the family unit together. Emma King runs a family that includes four grown children and the children hate Emma just as much as she hates them. Then Emma turns up dead and Jane is pulled into the investigation that will offer as many revelations about the dysfunctional family as it will threaten hers. As she uncovers layers of truth about the deep-seethed enmity in Emma king's family, the challenges in her own family grow bigger. While working on the Emma King murder mystery, another murder is just too much.

This author plots like a pro and creates characters and family dynamics that are beyond anything ordinary — and they are as real as any reader would expect. Detective Jane Rieger-Franklin is a tough character with a strong sense of humor.  She is not perfect. She loves her wife but must deal with her flirtations and the responsibility of nurturing two adopted girls. When Emma is murdered, everything changes for Jane. Her investigation is a pulsating journey that creates the tension and suspense that moves the narrative forward. The killer is mysterious, and readers are swept into a whodunit mystery that keeps them turning the pages. The conflict is deftly handled and it is interesting to notice how each layer that is peeled off affects the story and the dynamics in the Franklin family. The Serpent's Teeth offers wonderful plot points, a nerve-wracking twist, and characters that are authentic and lovable. The novel is a great literary creation — consistent and diabolically intriguing. You will guess until the last page. Kronwith toys with the emotions of readers and surprises them when they least expect it. Utterly delightful!