Hunting Evil by Chris Carter @simonschuster @annecater

Posted May 2, 2019 by midnightreview in Reviews / 0 Comments

Synopsis:

‘Every story one day comes to an end…’

As roommates, they met for the first time in college. Two of the brightest minds ever to graduate from Stamford Psychology University. As adversaries, they met again in Quantico, Virginia. Robert Hunter had become the head of the LAPD’s Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. Lucien Folter had become the most prolific and dangerous serial killer the FBI had ever encountered.

Now, after spending three and a half years locked in solitary confinement, Lucien has finally managed to break free. And he’s angry.

For the past three and a half years, Lucien has thought of nothing else but vengeance. The person responsible for locking him away has to pay, he has to suffer. That person … is Robert Hunter.

And now it is finally time to execute the plan.

My Review

Wow! What a book, before I get into my review though, this book is a sequel and picks up from the events in An Evil Mind. My review for which can be read here. Chris has included an authors note that suggests you read that first in order to really enjoy this book. I strongly suggest you do. I don’t feel you would fully appreciate the background between Robert and Lucien unless you do.

The Story

We pick up the story three and a half years after Lucien’s arrest. He has had all that time in solitary confinement to plan his revenge and he plans to make it epic. When Lucien escapes from prision he makes sure everyone knows what he is still capable of. Leaving an extra ‘gift’ just because.

Lucien wants to continue his ‘encyclopedia’ and blames Robert and the FBI for taking it from him. The whole story takes place in Robert’s home town of LA. These are his streets, that should surely make things easier. However, no one can predict what Lucien will do and how do they find someone who can blend so easily? Added to that it appears Robert has told no one about the events that happened then. Everyone is starting on the back foot.

The Characters

Robert Hunter is the top of his field, a background in criminal psychology and head of the LAPD’s violent crime unit. He has a troubled past, something that Lucien really played on in the first book. He has an amazing mind and a very strong morale compass.

It makes you route for him, but also ensures that you feel his ‘failures’ as much as he does. He is an instantly likeable character.

Then we have Lucien, a master manipulator and a chameleon. Able to change his appearance and accent whenever he needs to. It makes him near impossible to catch and the reason he evaded the FBI for so very long.

What makes Lucien such a scary individual is how controlled and calculated he is. Nothing is done without thought, he doesn’t rush any murder. Everything is planned and timed to perfection. The insights you get into his mind are truly terrifying. He wont be caught unless Robert can somehow one up him.

There are obviously other characters at play. They are all so well written. I find this essential to me fully buying into a story.

Final Thoughts

Like with An Evil Mind, this is a race against time. Every murder Lucien commits after his escape Robert takes as a personal loss. Lucien is yet again playing games and they are as dark and as dangerous as before. Is anyone going to make it through in one piece?

Something that bothered me slightly, there was some repetition in this book. Especially in the beginning, but I did read this straight after the first book so the events were very fresh in my mind. If you’d read the first a while ago the refresher is probably helpful.

I raced through this book, I really needed to know how it was all going to end. The conclusion is just incredible and that twist at the end, masterful. This is dark and not for the feint hearted. Lucien has one sick mind and time to plan his revenge.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.

Many thanks to Anne for inviting me onto the blog tour and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest review.