The Viper

The Viper by Brad Meltzer
1/6/26; 400 pages
William Morrow
Escape Artist #3; Zig & Nola Novel

The Viper by Brad Meltzer is a very highly recommended tense and well-written thriller. This is the third escape artist novel featuring Zig and Nola but it can definitely be enjoyed and relished as a standalone thriller. Zig and Nola are not friends, but she always seems to be there to help him.

Andrew "Fetch" Fechmeier, who has been in hiding and living under a pseudonym for years, is dying from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. He hides something in a suit at the funeral home that will handle his burial. Then he is murdered in his motel room when he won't reveal the information about the location of the item he hid which is sought by the perpetrators.

Jim “Zig” Zigarowski is a skilled mortician who is called by Roddy LaPointe, Nola Brown's brother, to assist with his investigation into Fetch’s murder, as well as the murder of his mother Daniella, who's death was labeled a suicide, when Nola and her twin brother, Roddy, were 3 years old. There was a group of teenagers over 25 years ago who called themselves The Breakfast Club. Since then they have been targeted by someone for something they stole back then. As the two investigate and are being followed, Nola starts investigating too while trying to watch out for Zig and Roddy.

The writing is exceptional, the pace is fast, and the engrossing plot is full of twists and surprises. This intelligent, unpredictable thriller grabbed my attention immediately and held it throughout. As the narrative switches between points-of-view along with covering Roddy and Nola's past, the shorter chapters help propel the plot forward while providing all the context and information you need to follow the intricate plot. There is some humor along with heart-stopping action.

This is my first Zig and Nola novel and it was really enjoyable. There is enough background information provided that I never felt like the narrative left me behind. They are still provided with additional character development in this outing and are depicted as fully realized characters with strengths and flaws. It need to look into the previous two novels.

The Viper is the perfect choice for those who enjoy fast-paced thrillers. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.