American travel photographer and writer Jade del Cameron has
agreed to meet her mother Inez in Morocco before they
continue on to Spain to buy an Andalusian stallion for the
family's New Mexico ranch. Jade and Inez's relationship has
been rocky for some years and this meeting is an attempt at
a reconciliation. Too bad things get off on the wrong foot
right from the start. But when Inez is kidnapped and accused
of drug smuggling and murder, Jade proves she will do what
it takes to find her mother and clear her name.
Bachir, a mysterious Berber man, agrees to help Jade in her
efforts if she agrees to assist his village in recovering a
sacred amulet that has disappeared. While Jade doesn't fully
trust Bachir, she accepts his help and promises her own
assistance in finding the relic. Multiple adventures and
misadventures ensue, with rescues, more kidnappings, escapes
and a slave auction to name but a few events on the
cross-country journey through Morocco. All clues lead to the
ancient city of Marrakech where they can solve both mysteries.
Who has kidnapped Inez and why? Why frame her for murder and
drug smuggling? Which of her mother's traveling companions
are in on the crimes? Why does the Berber village think Jade
can help find their sacred amulet? And just what does her
dead fiancé's mother, who is Jade's enemy, have to do with
the whole mess? If Jade can answer these questions, she just
may have a chance of surviving this African escapade.
THE SERPENT'S DAUGHTER is a most enjoyable mystery, with
lots of vivid description thrown in. There are multiple
references to events in previous books, so readers will
probably get more out the story if they're familiar with the
series. But I was able to follow along despite not having
read the first two books. In contrast to a few lighthearted
moments, the danger is palpable, and readers will anxiously
anticipate the climactic ending. Kudos to Ms. Arruda for
bringing 1920s Northern Africa to life for modern readers.
Joining her mother for a holiday in the ancient port city of
Tangier, American adventuress Jade del Cameron expects their
trip will be far less dangerous than her safaris in East
Africa. But soon after their introduction to a group of
European tourists, Doia del Cameron goes missing-victim of
an apparent kidnapping-and, shockingly, the French
authorities seek to arrest Jade for the murder of a man
whose body she discovered in a series of ancient tunnels.
Now, Jade must call upon her friends to find her mother and
expose the true villains, who have every intention of
bringing about her own destruction...
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