Hunter's Revenge

GCLS Goldie Awards
Hunter’s Revenge — Finalist, Mystery/Thriller/Crime.

FROM THE AUTHOR

"I’ve been mulling over solving Tori’s family’s murders since I first wrote Hunter’s Way. I almost added it to In the Name of the Father but that would have taken away from the main storyline and I knew it needed a book of its own.

After writing 40+ books, three of them have garnered the most questions. Artist’s Dream...what was in the letters and did Cassie ever find her mother? Behind the Pine Curtain…did Kay and Jackie go back to Pine Springs to live? But mostly, I get this question: WHO KILLED TORI’S FAMILY?

In Hunter’s Revenge, you’ll finally get your answer!"

—Gerri Hill

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.

The Lesbian Review
If you love crime thrillers then this one is for you. If you've read the previous series, then you absolutely have to read this one. This book is full of puzzles, pieces of the crime being investigated coming together and slowly getting to a conclusion. The case Tori is trying to solve is personal and the author does a fantastic job of letting the reader see how each new piece of information affects Tori. It's emotionally deep as well as thrilling which keeps you engaged and routing for our 'good guy' to keep her cool and solve the case.

NetGalley
Henrietta B. - …The first few chapters set the tone for the whole novel. The succinct storytelling captivated me from the start and never falters: the short chapters are staccato style and a counterpoint to the slow poking into a cold case. The characters, the dialogue, the narrative is lean, razor sharp, focused—no unnecessary embellishments and still everything is there. With a few strokes Gerri Hill conveys whole chapters of background stories. The inner struggles of Hunter are genius: how to deal with plain evil, deepest wounds and still remain on this side of good?

I have been following the Hunter series right from its start with Hunter‘s Way and think that the Hunter books are among the best stories Hill ever narrated—and that says a lot about this accomplished author who rightfully has been accumulating accolades for the past decades. I love the complex character Gerri Hill has created in Tori Hunter: The maverick detective who is good people though deeply wounded. Her slow journey and evolution. How Hunter despite her at times abrasive manner attracts the help and love of other good people and this presumably last book in the Hunter series comes full circle to close old investigations and old wounds.

If you must this book can be read as a stand-alone. For greater enjoyment take the journey of Tori Hunter starting with Hunter‘s Way, meet her wife Sam, her friends and enjoy the ride.

Women Using Words
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.

NetGalley
Patricia B. - Such a great ending to one of this genre’s most beloved series.

NetGalley
Betty H. - …I hate knowing this is the last Hunter book Ms. Hill plans to write, but if the series has to end, this is the perfect novel to end it with. If you’re a Hunter fan, you don’t want to miss this book.

NetGalley
Denise J. - As always, Hill does a fantastic job of weaving the reader through a multi-layered path into a beautiful meadow of a perfectly told story.

NetGalley
Anne M. - …These are all the things we expect from Ms Hill. Tight plotting, discreet clue dropping, and beautifully drawn relationships. There’s a lot of angst and guilt as the bodies pile up but Hunter knows she has to see this through—no matter what the outcome. The ending is satisfying and not quite what is expected and yet it makes sense. I do hope we get more of Hunter and her little family but if not, this is a nice finish.

NetGalley
Natalie T. - I could wax on and on about this novel, but I won’t. If you’ve yet to read this series, crack on with it now. It is brilliant.

NetGalley
Jo R. - Entertaining, a real page-turner. Hunters Revenge, the next instalment to the Tori Hunter series, is absolutely a fantastic crime/thriller/mystery novel. Fast-paced and keeps you guessing till the end. Can not recommend the Tori Hunter series enough

NetGalley
Bonnie S. - …I enjoyed this book so much that now I feel compelled to go back and reread this series from the start. If you’re a fan you already know this book is another read. Great characters and as always, a good plot make this one of my favorites. Very, Very Enjoyable read.