‘The Viper: A Zig & Nola Novel’ by Brad Meltzer. Morrow, 400 pages, $32
Brad Meltzer’s adult novels are known for fast and furious plots that stay on a breathless course to the end, as does his first thriller in four years, “The Viper: A Zig & Nola Novel.”
Meltzer specializes in meticulous research and attention to obscure historical and government details, carefully woven together organically without missing a beat. While “The Viper” adheres to Meltzer’s trademark intense plotting and unusual characters, his 14th thriller may be his most conventional.
While snatches of history and governmental issues enter “The Viper,” Meltzer has made this novel more about the complicated pasts of his characters. “The Viper,” like many of Meltzer’s novels, is both global and personal in scope.
This is his third outing with Jim “Zig” Zigarowski, a mortician who specializes in handling soldiers, and Nola Brown, a military artist whose precise drawings on battlefields illustrate more than some photographs. The two are wary of each other. Nola, emotionless and prickly, doesn’t really like Zig, who is compassionate. Yet through the years they have been bound to each other, each having saved the other at various times from violence.
In “The Viper,” New Jersey cop Roddy LaPointe, who is Nola’s twin, drafts Zig into helping him investigate the recent murder of Andrew Fechmeier, who had only just returned to his home town after decades. Roddy believes Andrew’s murder is related to the death 26 years ago of his and Nola’s mother when they were 3 years old. Their mother’s death, Roddy believes, led to the subsequent deaths of her and Andrew’s classmates and friends.
Not caring about the past, even her own, Nola wants little to do with this investigation. But Zig and Roddy embark on an accelerated investigation, navigating a labyrinth of family bonds and secrets. Along the way, Meltzer will show secrets of the witness protection program, veterans’ mental health and a peek at Dover Air Force Base, which houses the mortuary that cares for the remains of fallen soldiers. Nola’s job as a military artist is real.
Meltzer’s depiction of these topics is fascinating and authentic. Meltzer is respected for the facts he has gleaned from interviews with high-level government sources, including U.S. presidents, though no top-level secrets are disclosed. For a bit of levity, Meltzer includes references to “The Breakfast Club” and “Mean Girls.”
In addition to his thrillers, the prolific Meltzer, who lives in Broward County, has written a series of children’s books based on the childhoods of famous people, nonfiction books and has been the host of two History Channel series. Hopefully, readers won’t have to wait another four years for Meltzer’s next thriller.
Meet the author
Brad Meltzer will discuss “The Viper: A Zig & Nola Novel” at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables, sponsored by Books & Books. Tickets are required. Each ticket admits two guests into the venue and includes one copy of “The Viper” at $32, plus tax. Books will be handed out upon entry. Additional books will be available for sale at the event. Visit booksandbooks.com for details.
Meltzer also will discuss “The Viper: A Zig & Nola Novel” at noon Jan. 11 at Barnes & Noble at University Commons Shopping Center, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-750-2134.