Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Snake in the Grass is an alluring and timely mystery with a well-established sense of place. McKenna smartly exposes the deeply sinister ideologies lurking below the surface of many communities. 

Prose: The prose is clear, effective, and propulsive.  

Originality: The author offers an original setup that is heightened by its setting in a gated community in the South. McKenna has a unique storytelling style that integrates well-explored and weighty issues, such as the insidious nature of white supremacy, while also providing subtle humor, satire, and engaging characters.  

Character Development/Execution: The characters come across quite clearly, especially the primary cop on the case, Will Kelley, and Mr. Charles Norton, a Bellevue resident who helps him understand the murder case and the neighborhood. Although the conclusion is somewhat vague, Snake in the Grass is a striking and entertaining mystery that will leave readers wanting more. 

Date Submitted: June 14, 2022