The Serpent's Grasp

by C. Kevin Thompson

Winner of the 2013 BRMCWC Selah Award (Debut Novel category)! The Truth Lurks Deep Beneath the Ocean's Waves... Dr. Evelyn Sims, a brilliant but maligned marine biologist, watches a television screen as her personal life becomes a national headline. Her husband's mysterious death at sea is being broadcast on every major news network. The fantastic tale describing the accident--as told by the lone, female survivor on the Greenback --fills Evelyn's mind with questions and throws her personal and professional life into chaos.

However, Evelyn soon realizes there's no time for self-pity. She's being watched now. Her scientific views are being scrutinized even more than before. Her husband's office, their home, and everything else they own is now under investigation and surveillance. A web of betrayal and deceit is closing in on her, and she's still searching for answers.

Micah Gregson, the Coast Guard captain of the ship which responded to the accident, is determined to find out why a special, cryptozoological unit of the FBI is involved. His years of experience are waving red flags at him. The facts aren't adding up, but the body count is. So, he joins forces with Evelyn. Together, they will uncover a plot deadlier than anything the ocean could ever produce. But will their efforts be enough to save Evelyn's life and redeem her career? Or will it destroy everything, including the truth?

500 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2012

About the author

Be sure to follow Kevin on Bookbub for information on sales! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-kev...

C. KEVIN THOMPSON is a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a kid at heart. Often referred to as “crazy” by his grandchildren, it’s only because he is. He’s a writer. Need he say more?

The second edition of his award-winning debut novel, The Serpent’s Grasp, is now available! The first four books of his Blake Meyer Thriller series - Book 1- 30 Days Hath Revenge, Book 2- Triple Time, Book 3- The Tide of Times, and Book 4- When the Clock Strikes Fourteen will be republished in 2023 along with the last two, 5- A Pulse of Time, and 6- Devil of a Crime. His newest novel, award winning The Letters, is now available!

Kevin is a huge fan of the TV series 24, The Blacklist, Blue Bloods, NCIS, Criminal Minds, BBC shows Broadchurch, Shetland, Hinterland, and Wallander, loves anything to do with Star Trek, and is a Sherlock Holmes fanatic too. But you will never catch him wearing a deerstalker. Ever.

Reviews

[Terry Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read 2 other books by this author and loved them. I couldn't wait to read this book. I love supernatural weird reads. I don't like saying this but I was disappointed in this book. All talk, no action. In a 500 page book I'm guessing 15% may have been action. There was talking, talking, talking and more talking. When I reached the halfway mark I honestly thought about quitting, something I rarely do. I stuck it out and finished the book. The writing is great I just honestly got very bored.

[Ashley Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I read a lot of Christian non-fiction books, I had never gotten into Christian fiction because I was afraid it would be corny or unbelievable. I'm a sucker for monster stories, though, so I decided to give The Serpent's Grasp a try...and I'm so glad I did! Far from corny, this book features a realistic monster that actually attacks and kills people. The characters are strong but flawed, making them complex and dynamic. The action scenes are fast, rich, and well written. Oh, and the plot? Very cool and thought-provoking. This is a great book to read by the beach...but it'll make you think twice about getting in the water!

[Susan Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a departure from what I normally read, but it was a good choice. I usually prefer historical fiction, and this is contemporary. It had a good bit of technical/scientific jargon, which I tended to glide over and which lent to the credibility of the plot. Full of action and compelling characters, it would make a good adventure movie.

[John Rallios · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Christian adventure story in which Evelyn Sims, a marine biologist, vies with a mad evolutionary scientist in reaching a sea monster with polar differences in their motivations - she for her search, and he for his desperation to keep up the lies he has invested his life. A little long and didactic in parts, and some of the writing was fraught with cliches. Worth the read, though.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always like to give a personal insight into any book that I’m reviewing. For this one, I met the author during a chat one evening on the Book Fun Network (www.bookfun.org) We were discussing his new book, “30 Days Hath Revenge”, and he agreed to send that book to me to review. When the book arrived, I found that Mr. Thompson had been nice enough to include “Serpent’s Grasp” as well. Long story short, I reviewed “30 Days Hath Revenge” and forgot all about “Serpent’s Grasp”. The other night, while ribbing Mr. Thompson about getting his sequel written for “30 Days Hath Revenge”, he mentioned that I hadn’t yet reviewed “Serpent’s Grasp”. So I picked it up from my church library and had it done in a few short days.

Dr. Evelyn Sims seems to be barely hanging on. Her scientific views aren’t the “norm” in the science world, her science lab needs some serious updating and her marriage of 6 years appears to be falling apart. When a boat is attacked off the Florida coast, her lab is sent in to investigate what may have attacked the boat. Unfortunately, this isn’t just any regular boat, this is her husband’s boat. Micah Gregson is the captain of the vessel that intercepted the distress call from the boat. With a background in Naval Intelligence and many years on the seas, this is the first such attack that he’s ever seen. Micah and Dr. Sims join forces to find out what exactly is happening in the ocean, especially when another ship is attacked. A roadblock to their joint effort, though, is FBI Agent Jackson. Jackson runs an elite group of FBI Agents that track down and investigate “paranormal” occurrences. Agent Jackson will do whatever it takes to keep the truth hidden, even if it means murder. What is in the ocean attacking these ships? Can Dr. Sims and Micah expose the truth? Is Agent Jackson able to keep the facts from being investigated? Who really is Agent Jackson? Pick up the book and keep reading and you’ll find all of these after you BUY THE BOOK!

I read a lot, so I like a lot. It really takes something really bad in a book for me to say that it didn’t bring me enjoyment. “Serpent’s Grasp” is one that not only brought me enjoyment, it held my attention and give me some great research material. This book, while being a great mystery/suspense novel about a creature under the sea, is also a book about evolution and thoughts on science in general. As this is a work of fiction, I understand there are times when the creative license gets to be used, so keep that in mind while reading this book. The pace is very fast, the author breaks down time lapse by doing mini chapters within a main chapter. This keeps everything moving quickly and the action never time to stop. Mr. Thompson provides some witty repertoire for his characters so I found myself chuckling at their interaction sometimes. I enjoy a book that gives me a comedic pause in the midst of all of the suspense. It’s almost like being on a rollercoaster and having a chance to catch my breath before the next big drop.


Is this a man’s book? With the suspense and the intrigue, this book would fit into any man’s “to be read” pile. This book has government conspiracies, fishing and monsters. Everything you need to make it a perfect book for a man to read.

[Audrey Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book last night (early morning) before I fell asleep. I really enjoyed it! In fact as a homeschooling Mother with a Senior this year I am adding it to my son's required reading for his English/Literature for the year!
I love the way the Author includes so many facts, so much scientific information, proof against evolution, all the real with the fiction of the story he told!
And I enjoyed the Naval aspect of the story also! Loved all the detail and information on the boating, Navy, the battle at sea!!
He crammed so much into one book it is overwhelming and so well written! I loved it and am a new fan! I can't wait for the next book! I am thrilled to have won this book on The Book Club Network and had a chance to read it!

[Terry Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read 2 other books by this author and loved them. I couldn't wait to read this book. I love supernatural weird reads. I don't like saying this but I was disappointed in this book. All talk, no action. In a 500 page book I'm guessing 15% may have been action. There was talking, talking, talking and more talking. When I reached the halfway mark I honestly thought about quitting, something I rarely do. I stuck it out and finished the book. The writing is great I just honestly got very bored.

[Jorja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sea serpent whose grasp consumes the wicked. People who search for the serpent who has changed their lives forever. Bumpy from time to time, but thank you Kevin for being brave enough to encourage the rest of America's writers to just get it out there. Can't wait for the next one.

[Cleve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book that kept me wanting more. I was disappointed at the end because the story was over. To say the book was hard to put down would be an understatement!

[Sewspecialmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Expertly written literature. Plenty of mystery and suspense. Science and Christianity in one book.
I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Can't wait for his next book.