I was intrigued by the police procedural plot of this, but the last-minute switch into supernatural was a struggle. The characters, especially Anna, were well-developed and definitely kept me reading.

TL;DR: A gripping mix of danger, magic, and self-discovery, though the pacing stumbles in parts. Four stars.

'The Hunter's Daughter' follows Anna as she grapples with her family's dark legacy—her father was a serial killer—in a world where someone is playing copycat.

Dangerous and truly scary, this one had me questioning the nature of magic while offering a fresh twist on a familiar narrative. From the moment I started, I was drawn into the world and the protagonist's determination to know the truth. The danger and even magic felt so real and kept me engaged. I loved the strong themes of family and identity, how they merge and how they break apart.

While I’ve seen this narrative before, many many times - daughter of a serial killer is the number one thriller trope, the eerie blend of magical and real-life horror made it spellbinding and genuinely scary. I found myself very intrigued by the romance and wondered where that would take me. However, the pacing felt uneven at times, especially in the middle, where I wished for a bit more momentum from all the plotlines.

The character dynamics were compelling, particularly as Anna navigates the weight of her father's legacy while striving to know her own path and if she can be good, especially amidst such a dark past

Overall, this is a compelling read that combines danger and personal growth in a way that left me eager for more. I’d absolutely pick up another book from this author to dive deeper into their imaginative world.

An incredible debut that actually kept me on my toes from start to finish and left me stunned at the reveal. As a mystery/thriller reader, I am always looking for books with unique storylines and shocking twists to keep me guessing, and Nicola Solvinic wrote exactly that. This is nothing like anything I have read before, and I especially appreciated the inclusions of mental health discussions as well as the creepy aspect of the supernatural elements.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for stories involving
- thrilling scenes that will keep you wondering what actually is happening
- mental health and therapy representation
- dual timelines following the daughter of a serial killer
- revenge / justice

Thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a phenomenal debut that sucked me right in. I am always all in on a book that has a serial killer and in this one the daughter of a famous serial killer is now a lieutenant. After a major event at work memories reappear. Along with past memories comes a new serial killer reminiscent of the past. This is a total page turner!

The Hunter's Daughter by Nicola Solvinic is an enthralling debut thriller that intricately weaves themes of family trauma and identity. The story follows Anna Kory, a decorated lieutenant in a rural sheriff's department, who confronts her chilling past as the daughter of a notorious serial killer known as the "Forest Strangler." After a traumatic incident in the line of duty triggers repressed memories, Anna finds herself embroiled in a new series of murders that echo her father's grisly patterns. Solvinic’s compelling narrative and vivid descriptions create a haunting atmosphere, making this a gripping read that keeps you on the edge of your seat​.

[4.25 stars]

I love mysteries and thrillers that are heavy on the psychological angle and delve into how a killer’s brain works. And, The Hunter's Daughter does this. Anna is a Sheriff’s Lieutenant in a rural county in Ohio…but, she’s also the daughter of a notorious serial killer called the Forest Strangler and she’s now living under an assumed identity. Nobody in her current life or on the police force knows who she is. Bodies begin to turn up that closely resemble the Forest Strangler’s MO and Anna is thrust into the case and back into her childhood memories. This book is super dark and the author has a master’s in Criminology and years of experience working in criminal justice, so these parts of the book feel highly authentic. This story explores potential genetic markers for serial killers and the feelings that come along with being a child of a really bad person. There’s a slightly dreamy / hallucinatory / supernatural element of the story related to the woods (based on Slavic mythology), which had the potential to turn me off. I won’t go as far as to say it “worked” for me here, but it didn’t kill the book for me. Slovinic's fascinating exploration of a serial killer's genetics far outweighed it.

From the shelves

Through spring and summer, we now fall into reading


By Tom Mayer
tmayer@cullmantimes.com

So many books, so little time, so … let’s get to it. Here we offer two dozen titles that I’ve picked and plucked from the … more than a few dozen … I receive from publishers each year. From the best nonfiction (and a journey through history with Pope Francis), children’s fiction (just try to resist a story with the title, “Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week”) and fiction from acknowledged masters to masters-in-the-making, this list isn’t exhaustive — somewhere north of 1 million books are published each year — but I’m betting you’ll find more than few titles listed here to ignite your fall reading.

“Ferris” (Candlewick) by Kate DiCamillo: Introduce a ghost and a family of warring raccoons into Ferris Wilkey’s summer before fifth grade and it becomes a season of sheer pandemonium. As always, DiCamillo's writing shines with warmth and empathy.

“After Annie” (Random House) by Anna Quindlen: A poignant story of loss and the long road to healing following the death of Annie Bowen as her husband, children and closest friend are left to understand and repair the chasms left in their own lives and addictions. The novel is a beautiful exploration of love, grief and resilience.

“The Number One Lawyer” (Little, Brown and Company) by James Patterson and Nancy Allen: The authors team for a fast-paced legal thriller about a top lawyer who becomes a top murder suspect following the death of his wife. The novel is a gripping page-turner filled with unexpected twists and turns.

“Life: My Story Through History” (HarperOne) by Pope Francis, translated by Aubrey Botsford: Pope Francis shares his personal journey intertwined with pivotal moments in modern history, offering insights into his faith and leadership. This memoir is a deeply reflective and inspirational account of a life dedicated to service.

“Friends in Napa” (Mindy’s Book Studio) by Stella Yasmin Marikar with an introduction by Mindy Kaling: Marikar’s novel is a delightful exploration of friendship and wine in California's Napa Valley, where six old friends reunite to navigate life’s complexities … and the illusion of friendship. The story is filled with warmth, humor and a touch of nostalgia.

“Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week” (Peachtree) by Sarah L. Thomson, illustrated by Vin Vogel: Thomson presents a heartwarming tale of friendship, adventure and Otto the dog that turns two soon-to-be friends' world upside down. Those who loved “The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking” will relish this new tale.

“For Worse” (Blackstone Publishing, paperback) by L.K. Bowen: This dark thriller puts readers into intricate plots of marital revenge as Ellie tries to, again, leave her seemingly picture-perfect married life. A tale about a psychologically abusive, manipulative and cruel marriage keeps readers on the edge.

“The Forgetters” (Heyday) by Greg Sarris: Sarris delivers a compelling tale of memory and identity, as two crow sisters, Question Woman and Answer Woman, must work in tandem to recount the journeys of the Forgetters. The novel, told in the style of Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok creation stories, is a profound meditation on the power of storytelling.

“Lost to Dune Road” (Thomas & Mercer, paperback) by Kara Thomas: Pulled back into an unsolved murder after a mistake ruined her reporting career, Lee Ellerin finds a chance for redemption in finding the killer. Thomas weaves a tale of secrets buried along a road to vindication. The story is a haunting exploration of the past's grip on the present.

“Pictures of Time” (Silver Street Media, large format) by David Alexander with graphic design by Tommy Steele: A tale of time is told through photographs as the book explores how art and science converge and cross. The book is rich with vivid descriptions and thought-provoking themes.

“Murder on Demand” (Blackstone Publishing) by Al Roker and Matt Costello: Book 4 in Roker’s The Morning Show Murders series takes place a decade after Billy Blessing’s adventure in Chicago. Much has changed for Blessing in the past 10 years, but when a woman walks into his life talking about murder, things start to seem very familiar. The novel is a clever, fast-paced thriller with a bookish twist.

“Matterhorn” (Mac Dekker Book 1) by Christopher Reich: Mac Dekker is living in an Alpine village, trying to put his past in the past — until he learns that his son, following in his footsteps, was killed in the Alps. Reich crafts a tense military thriller set against the backdrop of a high-stakes mission. The novel is packed with action, suspense and geopolitical intrigue.

“The Hunter’s Daughter” (Berkley, paperback) by Nicola Solvinic: Suppressed childhood memories return after Lt. Anna Koray kills a man in the line of duty. The novel is a haunting exploration of family as a serial killer emerges — and one who is both copying her father and seems to know way too much about her.

“The House That Horror Built” (Berkley, paperback) by Christina Henry: House cleaner Harry Adams tries to do her job, keep her head low and safeguard the employment she need to support her son. She maintains all of that until she hears noises from behind a locked door that sound like a human cry for help. The story is a spine-chilling mix of gothic horror and psychological suspense.

“In Our Stars” (The Doomed Earth Duology) (Ace) by Jack Campbell: Campbell’s space opera is an epic tale of love, loss, and interstellar conflict. The novel is a sweeping adventure that explores the human spirit's resilience in the vastness of space as the genetically engineered — and ostracized because of it — Lt. Selene Genji is thrust four decades into the past with a chance to save Earth from the annihilation she witnessed in her present time.

“Freeset” (The Four Cities Series Book 3) (Blackstone) by Sarina Dahlan: This sequel to “Reset” (“Preset” was the first in the series) continues the thrilling saga of a group of Dreamers fighting to find each other after Tabula Rosa — the process that wipes citizens’ memories every four years. The story is built on a foundation of family and hope … and fragile trusts.

“Camino Ghosts” (Doubleday) by John Grisham: The best of the Camino Island series to date (“Camino Island” and “Camino Winds” preceded), Grisham’s latest legal drama follows a seasoned lawyer on a quest for justice in a small coastal town. The justice here is social as the sole descendent of a community of runaway Black slaves must save a haunted island, and her heritage, from the hands and wallets of developers. The novel is a gripping exploration of corruption and redemption.

“Lake County” (Thomas & Mercer, paperback) by Lori Roy: Reimagining the life of Marilyn Monroe, aka Aunt Jean, involves a niece and her boyfriend, who also happens to be part of the illegal bolita he’s running on mob lands. When he’s forced to make a deal that could save both of their lives, worlds are altered in an atmospheric 1950s setting from the Edgar Award-winning Roy.

“Serendipity” (Dutton, paperback) by Becky Chalsen: Chalsen weaves a heartwarming tale of unexpected love and second chances set in the charming backdrop of a seaside town. The novel is a delightful mix of romance, humor and serendipitous moments as Maggie reconnects with her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend. In a summer share house named Serendipity, Maggie, with the help of her friends, will try to get her life back on track — if she can avoid the drama running on the rails.

“Shelterwood” (Ballantine Books) by Lisa Wingate: Exploring a centuries-old legacy of missing child cases, Wingate’s novel tells the story of a long-hidden burial site in the newly minted Horsethief Trail National Park. When a ranger’s quest for justice unearths more than the burials from a century ago, the book becomes a poignant exploration of memory, loss and the story of children abandoned by the law.

“The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra Needle” (Holiday House) by Dan Gutman: Gutman’s novel is a playful retelling of Cleopatra’s life, with a humorous twist that reimagines history: Could Central Park’s Cleopatra’s Needle have been built by thousands of people in 1461 BCE? The story is a fun and educational romp through the ancient world.

“Jackpot Summer” (Penguin) by Elysa Friedland: Born into a frugal family, the four Jacobson siblings have nonetheless made a mess of their adult financial lives. Whiles one declines to partake, the other three buy a (winning) Powerball ticket and soon find their lives really spiraling out of control. The story is a suspenseful exploration of greed, family, fate and drama.

“The Helper” (Blackstone) by M.M. Dewil: Written by a former monk from North India who is today an award-winning Hollywood director and director, Dewil’s novel is laced with lies, deceit, revenge and how one woman struggles to earn her own piece of the American Dream. The debut is a testament to the author’s biting wit and satirical commentary.

“Winter Lost” (Mercy Thompson, book 14) (Ace) by Patricia Briggs: Ancient and arcane magics are at work, as is Mercy Thompson Hauptman’s mate, a werewolf protector of the Tri-Cities of Washington State, and her brother, Adam, who needs a helping hand in Montana. “Winter Lost” is the 14th segment of this best-selling, highly rated urban fantasy series.

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THE HUNTER’S DAUGHTER is a debut novel and a fresh take on the police procedural. There is also a paranormal aspect that I found incredibly interesting, and the suspense was the perfect amount! You didn't know what to believe and Anna made for a bit of an unreliable narrator. The murders she has to investigate are disturbing and the story has a contemplative pacing as Anna wrestles with her past and seeks to find herself in light of her father’s crimes.

Very interesting thriller. I enjoyed reading this book. This is a debut novel by this author and it did not disappoint. DO not spoil it for yourself to try to find more about the novel before reading. The narrative is great, the build up is even better and the ending was fantastic.

What a fun, well-done detective story. From the description, I was concerned this was a horror novel. Really, it is on the calmer end of the thriller scale, so people who are twitchy like me can still read it. The mystery was good. The writing was fantastic. I liked the imagery. The dual timelines were interesting, though it seems that everyone is doing that right now.

I recommended this through a library program and purchased a copy. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙝𝙮𝙥𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘, 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧.

I had not heard of this book before reading it, but the premise had me so invested. I went into it with low expectations, but I actually really enjoyed it.

It’s best to go into this one without knowing too much… other than it following a detective who happens to be the daughter of a serial killer.

The premise of this book was so unique, which is what immediately caught my eye. The writing flowed so easily and I found myself flying through this book. Also, the main character in this book was super unreliable, but I was so invested I had to keep reading.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the actual police investigations… I don’t typically reach for detective stories. However, the twists and turns in this story had me so invested.

If you’re looking for an unputdownable and heart-pounding thriller, then look no further because The Hunter’s Daughter might just be for you!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copies in exchange for my honest review!

Anna Koray is a detective in the rural Midwest when she kills a perp in the line of duty. This event unlocks a trove of suppressed memories from her childhood. It turns out Anna was the daughter of a notorious serial killer known as the Forest Strangler. Now a copycat killer has emerged, staging the same type of elaborate crime scenes the Forest Strangler was famous for, forcing Anna to deal with the darkness of her past that threatens to consume her.

I was absolutely blown away by Nicola Solvinic’s debut novel! It has so many of my favorite thriller elements but woven together in a way that is completely fresh and captivating. It’s a stellar combination of twisty thriller, police procedural, supernatural spookiness, psychological trauma, and mental health rep. Anna is such an intriguing character, with her childhood memories surfacing and her complex feelings toward her once-beloved father. The prose is compelling and an homage to nature; even the crime scenes are eerily beautiful. I highly recommend this tense and atmospheric thriller and can’t wait to see what this author writes in the future!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Boom! That is how a psychological thriller is written! As far as I can tell this is a new author and she is definitely throwing down the gauntlet and saying read this! Berkley definitely nabbed a good one with this book! A hard-working sheriff's officer who only wants to make sure her community is safe, but when it appears a serial killer has either been resurrected or a darn good copycat has come about, cracks in her psyche start to show up that may lead her to find that she isn't who she thought she was! So many great twists and turns in the plot keep you up late at night turning pages as you need to know what happens next. The characters are extremely thoughtfully written in a manner that shows their flaws, emotions and strengths so that they truly feel like real people. You will start to suspect everyone that Anna comes in contact with from her shrink to her boyfriend to the other police officers around her. I'll clue you in on one thing and that is, don't settle on the "suspect" to early or you'll miss other clues in the writing that will lead you a totally different way......probably more than once! This book is definitely going on my top books of 2024 list! If you like a good cop drama with a serial killer vibe and a psychological mindtwist, then this book is the next one that you should be reading!

I loved this one more than I thought I would. Sheriff's deputy who's also the daughter of a serial killer who's been framed. I finished this one in one day.

Great book! It was not a super predictable thriller, but it was still believable. There were elements of family relationships that made this book have more depth than other thrillers I have read in the past.

The plot of this book is so intriguing. It brings out the premise of someone who is a decorated police officer but at the same time is also the daughter of a serial killer but no one knows that she is the daughter. Very interesting to see Anna‘s journey, as she tries to stop seemingly copycat killer at the same time, she’s stealing all her memories from the past. The book has you guessing from start finish and you really don’t know where it’s going, but it’s a great ride until the end.

Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for an advance copy of this book!

This book was never on my radar until I attended a zoom with a bunch of authors including Nicola Solvinic. And her talking about the book made me very intrigued!

"She knew what I was - my father's daughter - and she could no longer stand to look at me."

As with any thriller, it's hard to describe what all happens in this book because I think going in blind would be the best option! Anna Koray is a detective and keeps it a secret that her father was a serial killer. I thought her backstory was interesting and there was a part later in the book that was connected to her past that I was *hoping* we would get more. There was a few times where I did not know where the story was going to go or who did it. The string of killings that were similar to her dads has Anna going in a tailspin and things just started to snowball from there.

This book did seem to cover a bunch of tropes used microly within the thriller genre - true crime, paranormal, horror, unreliable narrator. And even with the different elements occurring, I did not find that it was too much or too little. The pacing throughout the book was good and kept me on edge the closer I got to the end.

One thing that I found difficult was that when it was a flashback, there was no indication that it was a flashback. It just sort of happened as you were reading. Sometimes there were page indicators but it was not always consistent. The flashbacks tapered off as the book went on so then it was okay.

I thought this was such a strong debut! And I'm anxious to see what other stories Nicola has for us.

4.5 Stars

I couldn’t put this one down. It wasn’t fast paced or slow, but it was just filled with tension especially as Anna’s memories started to evolve. It was very atmospheric with a lot of descriptions of the woods and nature. I found the stories of the present serial killer and the past of her father intriguing. I honestly didn’t know where the story was heading but I enjoyed the ride and didn’t expect the ending at all. If you enjoy psychological thrillers this one is a must!

Wow, this book took me by surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book but I definitely wasn't expecting to be as enthralled as I was. This book gripped me from the very beginning with all of its mystery and intrigue and especially the mystery surrounding Anna's dad. I was not expecting the touch of fantastical fiction thrown in with the forest but I didn't mind it one bit, it added a lot to the story and I really enjoyed it. I loved the character Detective Anna and everything she went through trying to solve the murder cases and trying to determine if it's her dad or not. There were so many great twists that I honestly didn't see coming and the ending blew me away. It was so well done and concluded everything perfectly. I'm blown away that this was the author's debut novel and I am so excited to read whatever she comes up with next!

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for my review copy!

Another smashing debut. This one isn't as much plot driven as character driven, so it has more of a tense slow burn than an action-packed twisty thriller.

I was pleased to learn the author actually has a background in criminology, which I felt added a level of authenticity to this story. She was also able to weave supernatural elements into this without it ever feeling out of place, but more eerie. I love a good family backstory and when the copycat murders start to happen, I was ready to solve the mystery. Is it her notorious murderer father or the work of another depraved mind?

I will definitely be recommending this to my murder mystery book club!