The Viper - John Verdon

Thriller

Rating: 7/10

Confession time. I am notorious for jumping out of long series, my best example being that in the Sue Grafton alphabet mysteries I only made it through G. But apparently this year I am looking for the nostalgia, or maybe comfort is a better word, of the known entity. This isn’t the last review you will see of a new title in a long running series.

With Verdon’s Dave Gurney books I jumped back on at number nine after abandoning him after number four. And truth be told, I am confident I really didn’t miss much.

Dave Gurney has never taken retirement very seriously, despite repeated vows to family to slow down. Always up for puzzling out whatever mystery someone brings to him. Even when he commits to only giving it a cursory look, he will immerse himself in no time. However, his latest foray into crime solving might put him on the other side of the law.

As he investigates the murder of a blackmailer, by a man a friend thinks is wrongfully convicted, he will find himself questioning if there was ever any extortion plot. If the facts of the case weren’t facts at all.

While seeking out the truth, Dave is faced with the realization that detective work is something he may never be able to give up. No matter what it might cost him personally.

Book Pairing(s): Think Of A Number by John Verdon, The Spider by Lars Kepler, The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly