WHERE SERPENTS LIE

New York: Hyperion, 1998. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. The sixth mystery-thriller novel from the multi-Edgar-Award-winning Parker. This one features Terry Naughton, head of the Orange County, CA, Crimes Against Youth Unit. Naughton is searching for a criminal known as "The Horridus," who kidnaps very young children, then releases them the next day unharmed but dressed as angels with a piece of snakeskin attached to their costumes. At the same time, Naughton finds himself facing accusations from his own dark and violent past of crimes every bit as evil as those of The Horridus. First Edition, first printing (with complete numberline). About 6 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches, 432 pages in black paper-covered boards with black backstrip and gold lettering on spine. Dustjacket's dark grey front panel shows gravestone topped by small angel statue superimposed over large gold snake. Parker's name and book's title in gold and white. Back panel has color photo of author and five blurbs praising book. Just a hint of foxing on top edge of text, o/w boards and text are complete, clean and unmarked. Binding tight and square; not ex-library, not remaindered. No significant flaws or damage. Front panel of dustjacket has small oval sticker with a pair of one word blurbs, o/w dj shows only very light wear at corners and along edges, no tears, no creasing or chipping. Not price-clipped. A collectable copy.