American travel photographer and writer Jade del Cameron has agreed to meet her mother Inez in Morocco before they continue on to Spain to buy an Andalusian stallion for the family's New Mexico ranch. Jade and Inez's relationship has been rocky for some years and this meeting is an attempt at a reconciliation. Too bad things get off on the wrong foot right from the start. But when Inez is kidnapped and accused of drug smuggling and murder, Jade proves she will do what it takes to find her mother and clear her name.

Bachir, a mysterious Berber man, agrees to help Jade in her efforts if she agrees to assist his village in recovering a sacred amulet that has disappeared. While Jade doesn't fully trust Bachir, she accepts his help and promises her own assistance in finding the relic. Multiple adventures and misadventures ensue, with rescues, more kidnappings, escapes and a slave auction to name but a few events on the cross-country journey through Morocco. All clues lead to the ancient city of Marrakech where they can solve both mysteries.

Who has kidnapped Inez and why? Why frame her for murder and drug smuggling? Which of her mother's traveling companions are in on the crimes? Why does the Berber village think Jade can help find their sacred amulet? And just what does her dead fiancé's mother, who is Jade's enemy, have to do with the whole mess? If Jade can answer these questions, she just may have a chance of surviving this African escapade.

THE SERPENT'S DAUGHTER is a most enjoyable mystery, with lots of vivid description thrown in. There are multiple references to events in previous books, so readers will probably get more out the story if they're familiar with the series. But I was able to follow along despite not having read the first two books. In contrast to a few lighthearted moments, the danger is palpable, and readers will anxiously anticipate the climactic ending. Kudos to Ms. Arruda for bringing 1920s Northern Africa to life for modern readers.

Book Summary

Joining her mother for a holiday in the ancient port city of Tangier, American adventuress Jade del Cameron expects their trip will be far less dangerous than her safaris in East Africa. But soon after their introduction to a group of European tourists, Doia del Cameron goes missing-victim of an apparent kidnapping-and, shockingly, the French authorities seek to arrest Jade for the murder of a man whose body she discovered in a series of ancient tunnels.

Now, Jade must call upon her friends to find her mother and expose the true villains, who have every intention of bringing about her own destruction...