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Nest of Vipers
Buy low.Sell high.Get out alive.Money is Sarah Jensen's playground. International markets. She's one of the most successful foreign-exchange traders in London; brilliant, beautiful, unpredictable--the perfect undercover agent to infiltrate the cutthroat Inter-Continental Bank and investigate questionable trading practices for the governor of the Bank of England. Her target is Dante Scarpirato, a smooth, arrogant highstakes trader who's making a killing in--and out of--the market. For Sarah, the ultimate risk-taker, he's the ultimate risk....But the multimillion-dollar trading scheme she penetrates is only the tip of an international conspiracy, paid for in the currency of blood. Now Sarah, the hunter, is hunted, dangerous prey, determined to bring down the officials who betrayed her--and the assassins who have her in their sights....Sarah Jensen returned from lunch at two-thirty. She took her seat at her trading desk and studied her four trading screens intently for five minutes. Then she picked up her telephone handset and executed a quick trade, closing out a position. It took thirty seconds. It made half a million pounds.With a smile and a flourish she switched off her screens, gathered up her handbag, and prepared to leave. David Reed, her colleague who sat next to her, looked up in surprise."You can't leave now. It's just two-thirty."Sarah laughed and blew him a kiss as she headed off."Watch me." And they did. Half the trading floor followed her progress as she crossed the room and disappeared into the lifts.At twenty-seven, Sarah Jensen had all the trappings of a normal life, albeit at a rarefied level. She was smart and beautiful. She was one of the top foreign-exchange traders in the City of London. She lived in a big house in Chelsea with her brother and her boyfriend. She had looks, love, and money. But she also had fear.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
19 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Linda Davies
20 books83 followersWith the publication of her debut novel, Nest of Vipers, a book that would become a celebrated international bestseller, Linda Davies launched a new genre and a new career. But long before the global book deals and stellar reviews in the New York Times, Linda was logging 80 hour work weeks as one of the first women investment bankers in the City of London. At nights and weekends, she’d squeeze in time working on her first novel.
Born in Scotland and raised in South Wales, Linda inhaled books as child and dreamed of becoming a writer. But she was the daughter of an economist and a homemaker, and therefore, raised to be practical. So she went into investment banking instead. For the next eight years she worked in the City of London where she saved her running away money. One day, to her horror, she figured out a way to commit the perfect financial crime. After considering it for 3 seconds, she opted to instead write a novel about it.
18 months later, she decided to confront reality and test whether it really had been wise to give up her day job. She pitched her book to an agent... A week later he presented her with a stunning book deal that would see Nest of Vipers published in over 30 territories and optioned by MGM Studios. Since publishing Nest of Vipers, Linda Davies has gone on to publish twelve more books, seven for adults and five for children, which collectively have sold millions of copies and won various awards.
She has lived in Peru and the Middle East with her husband and three children. In 2005, in what could have been ripped from the pages of her own books, she and her husband were kidnapped, interrogated and held prisoner in Iran. She went on to write about this experience and what she learned from it in her first work of non-fiction, Kidnapped: The true story of my captivity in Iran.
Linda’s fast-paced page turners explore risk, identity, temptation and who we really are, when the things we value most have been taken away.
Born in Scotland and raised in South Wales, Linda inhaled books as child and dreamed of becoming a writer. But she was the daughter of an economist and a homemaker, and therefore, raised to be practical. So she went into investment banking instead. For the next eight years she worked in the City of London where she saved her running away money. One day, to her horror, she figured out a way to commit the perfect financial crime. After considering it for 3 seconds, she opted to instead write a novel about it.
18 months later, she decided to confront reality and test whether it really had been wise to give up her day job. She pitched her book to an agent... A week later he presented her with a stunning book deal that would see Nest of Vipers published in over 30 territories and optioned by MGM Studios. Since publishing Nest of Vipers, Linda Davies has gone on to publish twelve more books, seven for adults and five for children, which collectively have sold millions of copies and won various awards.
She has lived in Peru and the Middle East with her husband and three children. In 2005, in what could have been ripped from the pages of her own books, she and her husband were kidnapped, interrogated and held prisoner in Iran. She went on to write about this experience and what she learned from it in her first work of non-fiction, Kidnapped: The true story of my captivity in Iran.
Linda’s fast-paced page turners explore risk, identity, temptation and who we really are, when the things we value most have been taken away.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 2, 2020
Couldn't get into it the first time, So glad I tried again. I loved it! Gripping, thrilling, sexy, suspense. and I fell so in love with the lead Sarah Jensen, beautiful, sharp and combination of toughness an vulnerability., rooted for and her and worried about her all the way through!
July 1, 2013
It was an ok first novel, but could have been better with an editor.
It's strengths came from the authors personal knowledge of the financial trader's worklife so that the office details rang true, but an analysis of a more mundane life in the City with it's tradeoff and ethical issues could have been more deep.
Instead, the author turned it into a mystery, but the crime was a little too simple, based on blackmail and insider trading, not complex financial manipulations.
The characterization suffered from too much hero praise: the protaganist was sexy/brilliant/devious, etc, and some good work by an editor would have been welcome.
The plotting, too, had too much Deus ex Machina bits: the heroine just happened to have a childhood friend who was an expert criminal eavesdropper with willing friends in every black trade to help out in every crucial moment.
It's strengths came from the authors personal knowledge of the financial trader's worklife so that the office details rang true, but an analysis of a more mundane life in the City with it's tradeoff and ethical issues could have been more deep.
Instead, the author turned it into a mystery, but the crime was a little too simple, based on blackmail and insider trading, not complex financial manipulations.
The characterization suffered from too much hero praise: the protaganist was sexy/brilliant/devious, etc, and some good work by an editor would have been welcome.
The plotting, too, had too much Deus ex Machina bits: the heroine just happened to have a childhood friend who was an expert criminal eavesdropper with willing friends in every black trade to help out in every crucial moment.
December 19, 2021
Beetje overdreven, weinig spanning maar leuk verhaal.
December 10, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this densely written book set in England, about a City trader named Sarah Jensen.
Discovering some fraudulent trading she is then recruited by the intelligence agencies to help untangle the corruption.
The real strength of this book lies in the detail of the background with the crazy world of these brokers revealed and all their risky transactions with enormous sums bought and sold in seconds. There is plenty of tension in Sarah's normal life, and she doesn't need the stress of multinational fraudsters and spies. Sarah doesn't have time for a personal life and while we don't see much male bias against women, it's clear that women are in a tiny minority in this business. This story was written before rogue trader Nick Leeson was uncovered so we can hope that better safeguards have been put in place.
Discovering some fraudulent trading she is then recruited by the intelligence agencies to help untangle the corruption.
The real strength of this book lies in the detail of the background with the crazy world of these brokers revealed and all their risky transactions with enormous sums bought and sold in seconds. There is plenty of tension in Sarah's normal life, and she doesn't need the stress of multinational fraudsters and spies. Sarah doesn't have time for a personal life and while we don't see much male bias against women, it's clear that women are in a tiny minority in this business. This story was written before rogue trader Nick Leeson was uncovered so we can hope that better safeguards have been put in place.
February 10, 2010
For the first time, I know what people mean when they say a book is badly written. I finally know EXACTLY what the difference is between a well written, good book, and a horribly written book. This one is the latter. It took me ages to read because it was no fun at all. The story itself was great - cool concept, interesting, exciting. But the writing ruined it all, seriously.
From now on, I will appreciate well written books even more.
From now on, I will appreciate well written books even more.
February 19, 2021
You can smell the fear!
So good to find a gripping, authentic financial thriller that makes a great change from the usual diet of serial killers, damaged detectives and super assassins.
The author obviously knows what she is talking about and you can smell the fear and greed of the dealing room. It is well plotted with convincing characters and towards the end a twist comes in you didn't see coming. I will say no more. I'm off to buy the next one!
So good to find a gripping, authentic financial thriller that makes a great change from the usual diet of serial killers, damaged detectives and super assassins.
The author obviously knows what she is talking about and you can smell the fear and greed of the dealing room. It is well plotted with convincing characters and towards the end a twist comes in you didn't see coming. I will say no more. I'm off to buy the next one!
March 30, 2015
A very interesting diversion from the stuff I usually read, full of many twists and curves as the title might suggest. Very satisfying read from a first time author -- looking forward to what the topic of Davies' second book will be.
July 7, 2025
Nest of Vipers is a textbook thriller that expertly blends high-stakes market maneuvering with classic espionage tension. Set in the late 1980s, the novel follows Sarah Jensen, a brilliant and fearless foreign-exchange trader recruited to investigate corruption within the powerful Inter-Continental Bank. As her investigation draws her into an increasingly dangerous conspiracy, Sarah quickly shifts from hunter to hunted.
Linda Davies does an impressive job turning the fast-paced world of trading into fertile ground for suspense. She builds tension steadily, starting with the rhythm of everyday financial life and escalating into an international web of betrayal and violence. Though Sarah is not the most relatable protagonist—guarded, arrogant, and aloof—she stands out as a capable and commanding figure in a world dominated by sleazy and cutthroat players. Her moral ambiguity works to the story’s advantage, keeping readers invested even as the stakes spiral out of control.
The novel is very much a product of its time, with the setting saturated in late-80s excess: chain-smoking, heavy drinking, casual sexism, and plenty of boardroom bravado. Approached as a period piece, it retains a gritty charm. There is sexual content but it's not graphic or gratuitous. The writing walks the edge of darkness without plunging into the morbid, keeping the tone brisk and the plot sharp.
Nest of Vipers is a satisfying read for fans of Grisham-style thrillers or readers intrigued by the intersection of finance, power, and covert intrigue. While dated in some ways, its core tension and pacing hold up well. Recommended for those who like their thrillers slick, smart, and a bit ruthless.
Linda Davies does an impressive job turning the fast-paced world of trading into fertile ground for suspense. She builds tension steadily, starting with the rhythm of everyday financial life and escalating into an international web of betrayal and violence. Though Sarah is not the most relatable protagonist—guarded, arrogant, and aloof—she stands out as a capable and commanding figure in a world dominated by sleazy and cutthroat players. Her moral ambiguity works to the story’s advantage, keeping readers invested even as the stakes spiral out of control.
The novel is very much a product of its time, with the setting saturated in late-80s excess: chain-smoking, heavy drinking, casual sexism, and plenty of boardroom bravado. Approached as a period piece, it retains a gritty charm. There is sexual content but it's not graphic or gratuitous. The writing walks the edge of darkness without plunging into the morbid, keeping the tone brisk and the plot sharp.
Nest of Vipers is a satisfying read for fans of Grisham-style thrillers or readers intrigued by the intersection of finance, power, and covert intrigue. While dated in some ways, its core tension and pacing hold up well. Recommended for those who like their thrillers slick, smart, and a bit ruthless.
May 28, 2021
A successful trader is convinced to help the Bank of England catch the "insider" in the insider trading scheme earning someone millions, but that someone is Mafia and will kill to keep his streak going. Crosses, double crosses, and murder.
September 15, 2017
An utter abonimation of a book. The plot is thinner than wet paper towels, badly and boringly written with uninteresting cardboard characters. Makes you wonder how such garbage gets published...
October 23, 2019
I enjoyed.
Liked her characters. Would like read some thing by Linda Davies again
Liked her characters. Would like read some thing by Linda Davies again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2020
For a book based on financial traders in the city, I actually found myself very much enjoying the conspiracy. If I could, this would be a 3.5 star rating.
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December 24, 2020ok
August 27, 2022
Oryginalne gatunkowo (mieszanka sensacji, thrillera i ekonomii) i wciągające, mimo tego, że ciężko przebrnąć przez początkowe rozdziały. Warto było się nie poddać i doczytać do końca.
June 4, 2023
Simply a good read
May 21, 2025
Bought in a London bookshop while backpacking. Her debut novel, still have it. Read it quick, I remember it being very good.
July 9, 2008
This was a work-related read for me. The past couple months I’ve been opting for fiction that has to do with money-laundering and fraud instead of the non-fiction. Mostly, this is because its summer and I think I’m entitled to read fiction in the summer. On my own, financial thrillers wouldn’t be my first choice of reading material because I like to stretch my imagination a bit more while reading and these suckers are usually too true-to-life. The ending was incredibly lame. The author spent the whole time building up all this suspense and then she just sort of quit at the end. It reminded me of a guy I used to date.
October 5, 2009
I liked this book, it was exciting, and personally I didn't want it to end, but at the same time I wanted to see what was going to happen in the end. This book was really well written, and is very long, but it's an enjoyable book. It also has a very exciting ending. Linda Davis is an extraordinary writer, and she writes down every small detail, just enough so that you know what is happening, but not to much. I just wish I could read more of it...
April 9, 2013
Not so hot.
Nest of Vipers features Sarah Jensen, a young, gorgeous, exceedingly bright (When are we going to have a book about an ugly, old not-so-bright heroine?) currency trader who is asked by the British version of the Federal Reserve President to go undercover at a trading house and see if they are using inside information to make millions of pounds. Much trouble ensues...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/...
Nest of Vipers features Sarah Jensen, a young, gorgeous, exceedingly bright (When are we going to have a book about an ugly, old not-so-bright heroine?) currency trader who is asked by the British version of the Federal Reserve President to go undercover at a trading house and see if they are using inside information to make millions of pounds. Much trouble ensues...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/...
July 2, 2012
I read this book some years just after it was released. I found it exciting, different and thought it was well written. I enjoyed it so much that I read it a second time, sent an email to the author to tell her I enjoyed it and always looked forward to when one of her new books came out. So i thoroughly recommend it.
March 5, 2012
Plot was very interesting, especially since I knew very little of the stock markets. Tension was lacking but still an enjoyable read with interesting characters and a drawing curiosity about how it would all end.
October 17, 2013
I was curious about this book because the main player of the story works in the same field as I do and how to make a thriller out of that? The first half of the book was so so but the second half took a turn for the better. An ok read, not spectacular. Giving it 3,5 stars.
August 31, 2015
Holiday reading. Picked at random off a shelf. Pretty much exactly what I expected. Nice to have a light read after the last book drained me.
I didn't hate it, but it's definitely not my kind of book.
I didn't hate it, but it's definitely not my kind of book.
February 8, 2009
This book was very bad.
August 28, 2009
Very Good; Brilliant and beautiful funds trader is recruited to take part in a scheme to figure out who is doing insider training, but when she's double crossed she seeks revenge
October 25, 2010
Exciting quick read. Enjoyed the entire book.
January 2, 2011
A wonderful piece of writing...
I highly recommend it...:D
I highly recommend it...:D
August 22, 2013
Two and a half stars.
December 20, 2016
Beetje langdradig en omstandig beschreven. Echt spannend wordt het niet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews