The Red Hunter: A Novel

Lisa Unger

Apr 2017 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

What is the difference between justice and revenge? In this “heart-stopping thriller” (Publishers Weekly) with “plenty of action” (Kirkus Reviews) by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger, two wronged women on very different paths find themselves in the same dark place…

Claudia Bishop’s perfect life fell apart when the aftermath of a brutal assault left her with a crumbling marriage, a newborn daughter, and a constant sense of anxiety about the world around her. Now, looking for a fresh start with a home restoration project and growing blog, Claudia takes on a crumbling old house—one that unbeknownst to her has an ugly history and may hide long buried secrets.

For Zoey Drake the defining moment of her childhood was the horrific home invasion murder of her parents. Years later, she has embraced the rage that fuels her. Training in the martial arts has made her strong and ready to face the demons from the past—and within.

Strangers to each other, and walking very different paths in the wake of trauma, these two women are on a collision course—because Zoey’s past nightmare and Claudia’s dreams for her future take place in the very same house. As Zoey seeks justice, and Claudia seeks peace, both will confront the monsters at the door that are the most frightening of all.

“The Red Hunter succeeds as a suspense novel on every level. It has a meticulously-woven plot, multi-layered characters, and the irony most desired by storytellers: Where the reader can’t wait to see how it ends, but then is remorseful when it does.” —Sandra Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Ratings and reviews

Loved this story!! Claudia Bishop and Zoey Drake are both strong women who were forced to live through horrific violence in their past. Good and evil, right and wrong, justice and revenge, acceptance and survival. Claudia was happily married, living the life she wanted when a man broke into her home. The man who was high on drugs beat and raped her, then left her for dead. She survived the brutal attack and 9 months later had Raven. The attack changed Claudia. She gets divorced. Eventually she takes Raven and moves to the country to restore an old home and blog about it. Zoey Drake was beaten, tortured and left for dead at a young age after witnessing the murders of her parents. The attackers were looking for money that they were sure her father had stolen and hide somewhere in the house that they were renting. She was taken in and lovingly raised by her Uncle Paul in the city. Zoey grew up, trained to fight and she wanted to avenge her parents deaths. The deaths occurred in the house Claudia inherited from her father. The house where Claudia was now living with Ravin. The house with secrets.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I haven’t read a Lisa Unger book I didn’t LOVE.  I get sucked into her books and can’t put it down.  Her books are so believable and all the characters are well developed.  The dialog is well developed and never cheesy.  This book has something for everyone; mystery, suspense and romance. I was so engrossed in this book and felt so involved with the characters.  At times I was scared of what was going to happen to them next and then I was cheering for the Red Hunter to do her thing without abandon. Anything Lisa Unger writes I’ll read.

A house is the common denominator between two very different women. Claudia Bishop was sexually assaulted. Her life fell apart. Her husband left. She and her daughter search for a new start and find it renovating an old home. She blogs and takes pictures but the house has a traumatic history. Zoey Drake used to live in that house. Her parents were murdered during a home invasion. She was tortured and left for dead. The killers were never caught. Zoey is filled with rage and even training in martial arts doesn't make her let go of the past. These two women are on a collision course. They are each searching for peace in their own way. What will happen when they meet? I have read several of Lisa Unger's books. Each one seems to be better than the last ... and she did not disappoint. This is a very well written story with solid characters. There are surprises and twists along the way. The author leads the reader in one direction and then another. The ending was explosive. It's riveting and powerful and guaranteed to keep you engrossed from the very first to the very last. Many thanks to the author / Touchstone / Netgalley for the uncorrected proof of THE RED HUNTER. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

About the author

Lisa Unger is an award-winning New York Times and internationally bestselling author. Her novels have sold more than two million copies and have been translated into thirty-three languages. She lives in Florida. Visit LisaUnger.com.