The details…
- Title : Hunter’s Revenge
- Author : Gerri Hill
- Publisher : Bella Books
- Publication date : June 20, 2023
- Available formats : paperback, ebook, audiobook
- Paperback : 276 pages
- Audio listening Length : 6 hours and 51 minutes
- Audiobook narrator : Abby Craden
- Genre : thriller/mystery/crime drama
- Themes: family, friendship, police cover up, police dirty dealings, murder, women loving women relationships
The blurb from the publisher…
When a seventy-one-year-old man is shot dead in his home, it seems like a random act of violence. But the hundreds of photos of Detective Tori Hunter found at the scene seem to say otherwise. And when the gun that proves to be the murder weapon in the brutal murder of Tori’s family some thirty-something years earlier is found, Tori is not only facing her past, but a massive conflict of interest.
Booted from the case, Tori finds herself going it alone, searching for answers about the long-ago murder of her family. Tori doesn’t just want justice. She wants revenge. With the help of an FBI hacker, her partner Casey O’Connor, and her wife Sam Kennedy, Hunter may finally get the revenge she’s been searching for.
Don’t miss this final chapter in the acclaimed Tori Hunter series.
My thoughts…
One of Gerri Hill’s most beloved characters is back, and she’s back with a vengeance! Tori Hunter is on a mission, and she won’t be stopped. Hold on to your hats—and hearts—because Hunter’s Revenge is one never ending, wild ride of whodunnit thrills, and you are not going to want to miss it!
Tori Hunter made her first appearance in 2005 with Hunter’s Way, where she quickly captured readers’ attention. The tough-as-nails detective was an immediate hit with readers and their fascination with her hasn’t waned. In fact, Hill reports that one of her most frequently asked questions continues to be: who killed Tori’s family? In Hunter’s Revenge, readers finally get their answer but not without a few heart-stopping twists and turns. However, they are worth every sleep deprived moment!
The foundation and arc to Hunter’s Revenge is solidly constructed and well paced. Based on key points and background information from Hunter’s Way, this latest book in the series brings things to a head and ties things up nicely. If readers have been following along since the beginning, they already know that at age twelve Tori is the lone survivor of a targeted murder at her family’s home. It is here that readers begin to understand the dynamics of Hunter and Sam’s relationship too, as their partnership has more sizzle than a Fourth of July sparkler. The pair’s chemistry is nearly palpable, and that continues to drive plot developments throughout book five. Sam helps to sell Tori to the reading audience in ways only a well-written love interest can. In fact, it’s what sets this series apart, aiding to keep readers engaged from beginning to end.
It’s fortunate for readers that Hill realized early on that Tori Hunter is a rare and unique gem bursting with story potential. There’s a lot to mine out of this character; she’s a multi-dimensional, investable character with a lot of appeal. It’s also fortunate that Hill was willing to spend more time with Tori. It’s not so hard to understand Tori’s draw though. For one, she’s a strong, confident woman who doesn’t back down from a challenge. She’s also fiercely loyal to her friends and colleagues, and she’s not afraid to take risks to get the job done. However, it’s her complexity that really snares readers. She’s a vulnerable human being who struggles with her past, and it complicates life for her. Hill highlights Tori’s struggles and flaws so perfectly in book five. Readers walk away with empathy and appreciation for her convictions as well as her weaknesses. They are real, believable and on full display for the reading audience, making for some intense and consuming entertainment.
Final remarks…
Hill brings it all together for Tori in book five of this series in ways only a skilled storyteller can. Readers will no doubt appreciate the depth she brings to Hunter’s story. Hunter’s Revenge is a first-rate piece of storytelling and I guarantee Hunter fans will not be disappointed.
Strengths…
- Well-written
- Well-plotted
- Fantastic character development
- Immersive story world
- Captivating, thrilling read
A peek inside the pages…
Chapter One
“Hunter, O’Connor…about time you two get here. The ME beat you to the scene. Again.”
“We were downtown,” Casey supplied. “Eight o’clock traffic kinda hinders a quick buzz through the city, you know.”
Casey looked at Tori and gave a subtle wink. They’d been sitting in a line at a drive thru, waiting on breakfast.
Tori paused at the front door, turning around to survey the street. It was an older neighborhood with equally older homes, all showing their age. For the most part, the yards were well kept and tidy with large shade trees blocking out the April sun. This yard, in particular, seemed to have been meticulously maintained. The lawn, with its bright green grass of spring, looked—and smelled—freshly mowed.
“Hunter?”
Tori turned, nodding at Casey, who was following the officer inside. There were several others there, talking among themselves. Conversation ceased when they walked in. She stopped and looked around, meeting curious eyes. They all seemed to be looking at her, not Casey. She shrugged it off and went into the kitchen, finding Rita Spencer bent over the body.
“Time of death seven-forty-eight,” Rita said without looking up.
“Wow. You’re getting damn good at that, Spencer,” Casey drawled. “Right down to the very minute. Next thing you know, you’ll be adding seconds to your reports.”
Rita looked up then. “The neighbor heard the shots. Found him. Seven-forty-eight this morning.” She arched an eyebrow. “What happened to your hair?”
Casey’s hand automatically went to the hair in question. “Chopped it off. Trying to look like Hunter here.”
“I see. Quit coloring it blond then.”
“Mousey blond is my natural color, thank you very much.”
Tori sighed. “The body?”
“Single shot to the head,” Rita said.
“Where’s Mac and his team?” Casey asked.
“They were finishing up at another scene. Must be a full moon—the crazies are out.”
“What’s with the trash?” Tori asked, pointing at the white plastic bag that had spilled out onto the kitchen floor. An egg carton, a can advertising seasoned black beans, and some soiled paper towels were sprawled across the floor.
“It’s trash day,” Officer Garza supplied. “Looks like he was taking it out when he was hit.” He pointed to the window, which was shattered. “Neighbor heard two shots. One shot to break the glass, another for the hit, I guess.”
Tori nodded. “You talk to the neighbor? The one who found him?”
“Rogers did. Mr. Alton. Steve Alton is his name.”
Casey nudged her. “Come on, Hunter. Let’s chat with him. See what he saw.”
Rita rolled the body over then and Tori found herself staring at it. The man was late sixties, maybe early seventies. His hair appeared thick—an attractive shade of gray. The bullet hole to his temple had done little damage. At least on the outside. As she stared, she felt an odd sense of déjà vu come over her. Casey nudged her again.
“You know him, Hunter?”
Tori blinked several times, then shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“You’re white as a ghost,” Casey said quietly.
“Detectives…you want to take a look at the pictures we found first?” Officer Garza asked. “The neighbor was pretty shook up. Maybe give him time to settle down before you talk to him.”
Tori arched an eyebrow, but it was Casey who spoke.
“Yeah, we kinda like to talk to the witnesses as soon as possible, make sure they don’t forget something, you know.”
It wasn’t Casey he looked at, though. It was her. “I think you’re going to want to see these pictures. They cover a whole wall.”
She glanced at Casey, who shrugged.
“I guess it’s okay with me. Okay with you, Hunter? I don’t suppose the neighbor is going anywhere. We’re parked in his driveway. He’s kinda blocked in.”
Before she followed Garza and Casey out, she asked Rita, “What’s this guy’s name?”
“Charles Griffin. According to his driver’s license, he was seventy-one.”
She nodded. It didn’t ring a bell, yet there was something so familiar about him. She stared at the body a moment longer before leaving. Back into the living room, she raised her eyebrows questioningly. The officers pointed down the hallway. She found Casey staring at, yes, a wall of pictures. Photos. Some black and white. Some color.
“Jesus Christ, Hunter. What the hell do you make of this?”
Tori moved closer, her brow furrowed. Her gaze darted from picture to picture before it finally registered.
They were all of her.
This book is available from…
The other books in the Hunter series…
- Hunter’s Way
- In the Name of the Father
- Partners
- Angel Fire
A bit about the author…
Gerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado and she hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Since then she has produced nearly forty books, including the recent GCLS winners The Neighbor, Paradox Valley and The Midnight Moon. In addition, Devil’s Rock, Hell’s Highway and Snow Falls have all won Goldies, along with the 2009 GCLS winner Partners, the third book in the popular Hunter Series. At Seventeen, a story about first love and second chances, was a 2013 Lambda finalist as well.
Gerri lives in south-central Texas, only a few hours from the Gulf Coast, a place that has inspired many of her books. With her partner, Diane, they share their life with two Australian Shepherd’s—Casey and Cooper—and a couple of furry felines. Her love of nature and the great outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. To learn more about Gerri and her books, check out her website and social media.
Comments
Post a Comment