The Hunt: A Novel (Predator Trilogy)

Jeepers creepers! I didn't know if Allison Brennan could top the creepy atmosphere she created in her debut, THE PREY. She did. In THE HUNT, she doubled it. Oh man... THE HUNT is fantabulous. With a gutsy heroine, a truly twisted killer, an explosive storyline and a number of crafty suprises, this gritty, often horrific, thriller is almost impossible to put down. Miranda Moore lived through a week of hell 12 years ago at the hands of an elusive serial killer, the Bozeman Butcher. Since then, the haunted, driven Miranda-the only survivor of the Butcher-is obsessed with stopping this cold, cruel monster who destroyed her life. Miranda, the Butcher and several other notable characters, including FBI agent Quinn Peterson (from THE PREY) and Sheriff Nick Thomas, are wonderfully sketched. Miranda, in particular, is finely tuned-a conflicted character alternating between strength and vulnerability. Her internal struggle is, at times, gutwretching. In truth, a reader may even feel a stab of pity for the Butcher as the story of his horrifying childhood unravels within THE HUNT. Ms. Brennan's fluid style of writing, her remarkable talent for pacing suspense and her intriguing characters combine for a killer thriller. The dynamite romance in this story is just icing on the cake. THE PREY propelled Ms. Brennan to the top of her genre. THE HUNT should cement her position there. Debbie Jett, reviewer romancereaderatheart.com

Allison Brennan's second romantic suspense had a hard act to follow behind her NYT best selling THE PREY. But she managed to top that incredible debut book with THE HUNT. Miranda Moore survived a week of torture no woman would want to face. The Butcher likes to rape and torture women chained to the floor...then turn them loose to hunt. Allison created a refreshingly non-stereotypical serial killer that creeps out the strongest readers. The story starts out fast and just keeps ratcheting up until the thrilling climax. FBI agent Quinn never stopped loving Miranda. He helped her climb back into the daylight after she escaped the Butcher. But she never forgave Quinn for barring her from entry into the FBI. He's back and determined to regain her trust...if she'll let him. Suspense and romantic tension at its best. One can only wonder about THE KILL...Allison's third book due out in March. Kudos on a brilliant start to a long writing career.

Miranda Moore survived rape and torture and became the only woman who escaped from the Bozeman Butcher. Twelve years later the scars remain on her body...and her soul. A former FBI trainee, she's now a member of the local search-and-rescue squad. When the Butcher strikes again, she's joined in her search for the newest victim by FBI agent Quinn Peterson, Miranda's former lover who forced her out of the FBI for what he thought was her own good. Quinn never thought he'd lose Miranda forever. After all these years he hasn't forgotten her. Neither has the Butcher. THE HUNT, Allison Brennan's second book, is one of the best books I've read. It starts with a scene that left me breathless. Her writing pulled me in and didn't let me go until The End. Her first book, THE PREY, was terrific, but this is even better. I can't wait to read her third book, THE KILL.

Miranda and Sarah were fleeing the killer, but the latter was falling behind. Miranda wants to live, but cannot ignore her friend. She goes back to help Sarah, but the predator closes in on them with his rifle, aims and fires. Sarah is dead while Miranda manages to escape. Twelve years later in Montana, the seventh mutilated victim Rebecca Thomas of the serial killer the Butcher shakes up Sheriff Nick Thomas, who is pleased his friend FBI Agent Quincy Peterson will help on the investigation. Quin needs to end the reign of terror for Miranda Moore, a tough survivor who he carried to safety when she fled the Butcher twelve years ago. He loves her, but she is fixated on the Butcher, the reason he kicked her out of the FBI Academy. When another young woman is abducted, Quin leads the investigation with Miranda, a member of a Bozeman search-and-rescue unit, on his team. The second Allison Brennan FBI thriller (see THE PREY) is an exhilarating tale that grips the audience from the moment that Nick, Quin, and Miranda converge on the latest murder scene and never slows down until the final conflict with the Butcher. The police procedural serial killer story line grips readers as they hope the cops can rescue the college coed before she becomes the latest brutalized Big Sky victim. The romantic subplot between Quin and Miranda adds tension as they love one another, but she has not forgiven him for flunking her at the FBI Academy, the hardest thing he ever did. Nick augments the pressure as he wants Miranda as his wife. Romantic suspense fans will cherish this taut thriller and look forward to more with THE KILL coming soon. Harriet Klausner