The Serpent's Kiss: A Derek Stillwater Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: atropine injector, terrorist calling, terrorism scenarios, Derek Stillwater, Matt Gray, Agent Church (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Derek Stillwater, bioterrorism expert for the Department of Homeland Security, already has his bags packed for vacation when he gets the call: "Sarin gas attack on a detroit restaurant. Fifty-two dead." The killer calls himself the Serpent and demands three million dollars. If he is not paid on time, more people will die.

Special Agent Jill Church is assigned to keep tabs on Stillwater. While the FBI brass are playing politics with the press, Stillwater and Church discover a disturbing link to a cult responsible for the sarin attacks on a Japanese subway.

Furious at Stillwater's unorthodox methods, the FBI demands his immediate arrest. Now suspended from the case, Church knows that she and Stillwater are the only ones who can stop the Serpent from releasing sarin gas at a concert. 21,000 lives are at stake–including her own son's.

About the Author

Mark Terry (Michigan) is a full-time writer and editor. The author of a collection of mystery novellas and a crime novel, he currently reviews books for The Oakland Press. Terry also has a degree in microbiology and experience with infectious disease research and genetics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738708828
• ISBN-13: 978-0738708829
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,881,708 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and Furious, July 11, 2007

By	Douglas Quinn "Doug" (Northeast North Carolina) - See all my reviews

The Serpent's Kiss by Mark Terry
Trade Paperback, Midnight Ink, 2007
ISBN#978-0-7387-0882-9

***** Highly Recommended
Review by Douglas Quinn, Author of Blue Heron Marsh, etal

From the very first page I said to myself, "This author can really write," and throughout the novel I wasn't let down. I was immediately drawn in by Mark Terry's pacing and his wry sense of humor, which he weaves into his snappy dialogue and descriptive tapestry.

At first, when the main character was introduced, I was a little put off by how quickly he caved in about getting involved with the case,a serin gas attack-he had other, more important plans-but, hey, Terry is offering a fast-paced thriller here and there is no time for our unconventional hero, Derek Stillwater, to agonize.

As for Derek Stillwater, you've gotta love the guy. He's cranky and impatient and acts on impulses about which the rest of us only fantasize. His foisted-upon-him sidekick, FBI agent Jill Church, is cool, pragmatic and likeable. Jill's teen-aged son Michael is woven nicely into the story, including the exciting climax. Her politically connected boss, Matt Gray, is the perfect foil for both Church and Stillwater. Their antagonist, The Serpent, is diabolical and pure evil. There are many twists and turns and the ending has a nice little surprise that cleverly sets up the next Derek Stillwater novel.

Mark Terry baits his hook, casts it out into the world of the unsuspecting reader and, if you are one of the lucky ones who takes the bait and reads The Serpent's Kiss, you will be glad he reeled you in. Set in Detroit, the pace of The Serpent's Kiss is fast and furious. It's a Derek Thrillwater of a read.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Terror never stops!, July 1, 2007

By	Robert E. Keesey "WC Keesey" (Harrisburg, PA) - See all my reviews

The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) are at odds in the persons of Jill Church and Derek Stillwater. Derek always rubs everyone the wrong way. Jill is ordered to keep him in the dark and out of the way. If you've read any Derek Stillwater novels, you know that isn't going to work. Instead Jill becomes embroiled in Derek's unorthodox methods, and she finds herself on the wrong side of her boss, again. But does that matter when there's a terrorist, The Serpent, out there killing people with imprudence? And each time he strikes, its at a larger target.

The action never stops, and neither do the surprises. The reader will find a lot to like in Derek Stillwater, and a lot to dislike in those who try to keep him down.

Reviewed by Wanda C. Keesey

5.0 out of 5 stars Serpent's Kiss, June 28, 2007

By	V. Kennedy "book crazed" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There's a killer in Detroit using sarin gas to kill as many people as he can. Homeland Security Agent Dr. Derek Stillwater is trying to stop him before he kills again. It's going to be a difficult task to say the least, especially with the FBI trying to babysit him.

If you like thrillers with independent tough guy agents out to get the job done, you'll like this one. I enjoyed reading it and can't wait for the sequel.