Bea and Dan, young married Londoners, are taking a three-month break from their work lives. While Bea loves her job as a psychotherapist, she's supportive of would-be artist Dan, who's been miserable working in real estate. En route to Spain and Italy, they detour through Burgundy to visit Bea's brother, Alex, who is supposed to be renovating a derelict hotel. Purchased by their wealthy parents as a postrehab project for Alex, the hotel has no staff or guests. Snakes are only the beginning of what's rotten about the place. Intending only a short stopover, Bea and Dan are delayed at first by a needy Alex and then by the arrival of the parents from whom Bea has long been estranged. Corrosive secrets are slowly revealed as the story comes to a heart-pounding conclusion.
VERDICT Don't be misled by this book's title. Although a few creepy reptiles make an appearance, the real snakes in this twisty story are human ones. Another memorable novel from the versatile Jones (The Uninvited Guests). [See Prepub Alert, 12/3/18.]
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!