Haskins Spins a Masterful Novel with "Serpents"
Posted: Sep 28, 2009Facebook has done it again. It has acted as a conduit, connecting me with a great writer in Canada named Ziana de Bethune, who in turn introduced me to an author from Washington state by the name of A. Lawrence Haskins. I feel 
very fortunate to have met, at least in cyberspace, both of these excellent writers.
Sure, I usually write about only Southern writers, but when something is this good, I want all my brothers and sisters to know about it.
“The Whisper of Serpents” is a real page turner. Haskins is nothing short of brilliant when it comes to his craft. Now, I have read countless novels over the years by the likes of Stephen King, Cormac McCarthey, Pat Conroy, Larry Brown - but I cannot remember a time when a writer’s first novel bowled me over with the intensity of “Whisper.”
Haskins really knows how to develop a character and toss a twist into the plot when you least expect it. Just when you are convinced you know what is going to happen next, you get hit from out of nowhere with a twist.
The characters in “Whisper” are deep and developed, one of the most important things to me as a reader. Same goes for detail. Haskins has a keen eye for detail.I like that.
FBI Special Agent Michael di Rossi is one of the most driven and determined Agents I have ever met on the printed page. Somehow I was picturing him as Bruce Willis, then at one point my vision switched over to Wesley Snipes. There’s no doubt this novel would make a great movie. 
That is, if Hollywood didn’t botch it up.
Agent di Rossi is out to topple the empire of international crime lord William Chiang and bring him to justice. During the stake out, he ends up investigating corporate tycoon Conrad Arthur Dupree and his ties to the Chiang.
Lieutenant Kathryn O'Rourke is a homicide detective who has gone trough many years of hell at the hands of the illusive Chiang herself. She fights her own demons and the mental scars left from her struggles with the evil Chaing, and struggles with her innermost spiritual needs while coming to grips with the fact that Chiang is back to reek havoc on her life after nearly a decade of silence.
Haskins was born to tell these stories, painting a vivid picture with great detail, drawing the reader in so deeply that you feel like you are right there with di Rossi and O’Rourke, trying to solve the murder that has captured the attention of the world, and trying to bring down the bad guy.
There’s not a doubt in my mind that Haskins will become one of our best loved authors. I can see this story becoming a series of books and movies. It’s just that good. Bravo, Mr. Haskins. Keep those stories coming.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Comments
katiedid says...
You sold me!
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