The Vipers
ISBN: 9781804994023
Description
The world was shocked by playwright Sarah Lingate’s death thirty years ago at an opulent, white-washed villa on the island of Capri. Absolved of the crime, the Lingate family maintains that what happened that night was a tragic accident. And every July they return to Capri to prove it’s true.
Reviewed on 19th April 2026
I picked this up having read and enjoyed Hays' previous novel, although with a little trepidation as it's not my usual choice of genre.
I was absolutely hooked and raced through it over the course of a weekend (aided by two long train journeys). The story is gripping, the characters compelling, and the mystery itching to be solved.
Some of the twists I saw coming, but many of them were surprises.
That said, it probably is darker than what I'd normally choose to read and I'm definitely on the lookout now for something different to distract me instead.
While I've given it the full five stars, I'm not sure that means I'll keep reading more by Hays - I'm happier in a lighter world of fiction.
