The Hunt by author Gregg Dunnett is the 3rd book in the thrilling DCI Erica Sands series. The hunt of the title is Erica trying to catch her father Charles Sterling, the serial killer who escaped from prison. He’s beyond dangerous and no one knows where he is. On the one hand, because he’s her father Erica might have some insight about where he is or what his plans are; on the other hand, he’s a serial killer, not a random dad. He’s unpredictable. Add in the fact that he won’t hesitate to harm or even kill Erica if she gets in his way and author Dunnett has created a spellbinding story that is non-stop action, full of unexpected twists and under a cloud of danger and evil from start to finish.

The pace of The Hunt is fast and exciting. Every time I thought I had finally guessed what Sterling’s next move would be and where Erica would have to dash off to next to try and intercept him, the story took another turn and I was back to square one with my guesses. Plan to be riveted to the book as soon as you start reading it; it will grab you and not let go right up until the shocking ending.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of The Hunt via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

This one was a surprise that snuck up on me and smacked me in the face. The ending of this book is something you will be talking about for a long time to come. No, I will not tell the end or any of it's tid bits. I will tell you that this is another book about Erica Sands who is a detective in England. She has another case that one of her detectives was in charge of. Detective Karim had a case of a woman who had fallen down the stairs at her home in the middle of the night and was now in a coma and had a broken back. Her neighbor said that she had heard a very loud argument between the two occupants. The case goes on from there. Next up was for her was to be drilled by her superintendent, Yorke. He is asking her about the case against Charles Sterling one of the worst mass murders ever caught in the UK. Unfortunately he had escaped from prison the year before. She then was told that interpol has the case and the name is officer Jonathan Briggs.

Sands takes a leave of obscene and goes out on her own to track down Charles Sterling. As she is getting very close she has been in contact with a bartender named Jacques. This turned into the meet and oh my gosh moment of Erica Sands' life or maybe her death...... you will have to read and find out for yourself!

Happy Reading!

THE HUNT - I missed the first two books of this series but I won't miss the next. Although Erica got a bit on my nerves, I understood her quest. Sometimes what you wish for is not something you should receive. Good characters. Interesting, intriguing and immersing story lines. A good, constant pace. Intense, but a cliffhanger. Source: Netgalley. 5*

THE LAKE HOUSE CHILDREN - A interesting and intriguing story with a twist or two. Well written story lines, good characters and a good pace makes this a one sitting read. Source: Netgalley. 4*

If only I had known this is one of those series where you need to read the books in order, and that each book ends with a cliffhanger. Overall, yes you can read this book as a standalone, however, it is unsatisfying in that you are left hanging as to what happens next. In reading this book the characters seemed a little underdeveloped but then I am guessing that if a person had read the first two books, they would have a better feel for the characters. For me, this is more of a serial installment than what I would consider a series (with a resolution at the end of each book).

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Hunt.

Detective Erica Sands gets word that the man who helped her father escape prison has been located. She goes to speak with him to try to get clues of where her father is. Then she is visited by an attorney who has informed her that her father died a few days ago. She does not believe him and is determined to find the truth. It comes at the cost of stepping down from her job to devote her time to finding out if he is really dead or not.

This is the third book in this series and I do recommend reading the previous books before this one to get all the background on the story. I enjoyed this book-the middle drug on a little but then picked up again towards the end. I have enjoyed this whole series and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

DCI Erica Sands is once again drawn into her mass murderer father's life, Charles Sterling after his daring escape! She finds a clue into his life since and tries to connect the dots into his whereabouts. Meanwhile, a French journalist is contacted by a source that tips him off to a fraudulent money trail and he realises that all is not what it seems and it leads him to a small French village, where he meets a mysterious Man and all is not right with him. This is a page turner, nail biting read with lots of suspense, action and thrilling moments. We are off on a rollercoaster adventure and it's so unputdownable.

The Hunt by Gregg Dunnett is the third book in the Detective Erica Sands series. I do recommend that you read the first two books in the series so you know the background of the characters and story.

Erica Sands is determined to find her father, infamous serial killer Charles Sterling, before he can kill again. After escaping from a max security prison no one has seen Charles. But Erica can feel his evil presence all around her. With her career, relationships and sanity at stake, will Erica finally come face to face with this vicious killer and stop his killing spree? Or will she be his next victim?

So I really think to actually understand all of the characters motivations and actions, you should read this series in order. This novel is told in four separate parts that all come together at the end. It does end in a cliffhanger so definitely be looking out for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Gregg Dunnett, and Storm Publishing for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 21st 2025.

Although there are no more leads to follow Erica keeps in touch with the Interpol agent in charge of her father's case and he has discovered the whereabouts of the guard who helped him flee from prison. After being able to contact the guard they have a new avenue to search but with so many possibilities they were proven to be a dead end until news arrive that her father died. Even after Erica received finger prints, DNA and dental proof of the deceased she's not convinced he has not staged his death and will keep on searching for the truth. Nobody believes her until a journalist dies in a small village in the north of France and the story unravels. The Hunt is well-written, fast-paced and engaging but it ends in a cliffhanger, therefore, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series asap.
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Hunt is the third in the Erica Sands crime series and I feel like I’ve been waiting ages for this book. I cannot describe how excited I was to read it and it did NOT disappoint!

This one has us travelling the world chasing Sterling after his escape from prison. The scenes are well set and I could easily picture where we were, from pretty French fishing villages to mansions in Brazil. The characters were well developed, the plot was easy to follow and truly gripping. I could not put it down!

It reads fine as a standalone, but I think at this point in the series, if you haven’t read the previous books, it would be beneficial to do so to really appreciate and understand the storyline.

It’s fast paced, there’s twists, there’s turns, there’s jaw droppers and there’s the biggest cliffhanger EVER at the end! How could you do that to us, Gregg?!?!? On the other hand though, it means there will be another in the series which makes me so happy, but I neeeeeeed to know what happens next now!!!

If you like your punchy crime thrillers, this series is perfect for you.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced copy.

Unfortunately I didn't know when I started this book that it was the third book in a series, my bad, but most importantly I didn't know that it would end in a cliffhanger, this is not really a deal breaker but I do like to have prior knowledge.
DCI Erica Sterling in unfortunate enough to be a police office who is also the daughter of a serial killer, not just any old serial killer but a highly intelligent, psychopathic killer, a killer who made multi billions with bitcom, a killer who, by bribing a warden, escaped from prison and disappeared.
Erica is a brilliant detective but her job was taking second place to her obsession in finding her father, Charles, and putting him back behind bars.
When Erica received a visit from a lawyer appointed by her father who informed her that her father had died of cancer, despite all the evidence that he provided, photographs, DNA, fingerprints and a very large inheritance for her, Erica didn't believe any of it. The police were happy to close the case but Erica was determined to prove that her father had tricked them once again......but she would find him.
This story follows the cat and mouse chase of a very elusive killer and his determined daughter.
This is a good story although I didn't find the main character likeable, Erica comes across as abrasive, opinionated and self serving, I also didn't like the fact that it ended on a cliffhanger, I now have no choice but to read the next book to see what happens.
Thank you Storm publishing for this ARC, my review is totally my own opinion.

I am really enjoying the Erica Sands books. This one had a very interesting premise and didn’t fail to deliver on it. Twists and turns aplenty. Very well written with well rounded characters. Only downside it was left on a cliffhanger. Very much looking forward to the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I've read other books in this series and this one didn't disappoint. There is the underlying thread of her father running between the books but I don't think you would necessarily have to read all of them to enjoy this one. No one believes her father is still alive, but Erica won't let it rest and sets off on her own investigation. My only complaint.... This book ended on a cliffhanger so I have to wait (extremely impatiently) for the next book!!

Erica Sands is a driven and intelligent detective; she finds relationships challenging, mostly because she can't see their point. Her continued pursuit of Charles Sterling impacts her role as a detective chief inspector even when the evidence points to his death. This story, book three in the series, begins with Erica and her current activities and state of mind and then moves on to a seemingly unconnected case. The connection is there, but it's cleverly hidden. Much of the story takes place in France, and the suspense increases with each part of the story. The conclusion is unexpected and shocking. I was so involved I didn't realise the book had ended. I like the atmospheric setting, the suspense building, the clever connections between the overriding story, the current cases, and the complex characters and relationships. The ending is unresolved but makes you want to read what, if anything, comes next.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

I've just finished 'The Hunt,' and let me tell you, this one really got under my skin. Gregg Dunnett has crafted a truly gripping thriller that delves deep into the complex and disturbing relationship between DCI Erica Sands and her notorious serial killer father, Charles Sterling.

The story opens with a chilling premise: Charles Sterling, Erica's father, has escaped from a maximum-security prison. The authorities believe he's vanished, but Erica, who knows her father better than anyone, feels his presence lurking in the shadows. This personal connection immediately raises the stakes, making this investigation incredibly intense.

The narrative weaves together two compelling storylines. Journalist Pierre Cloarec, investigating a massive financial fraud that mirrors Sterling's methods, hides out in a mysterious coastal village. His encounter with a seemingly harmless American takes a dark and disturbing turn, and Erica's instincts tell her it's connected to her father's escape.

I was immediately drawn into the psychological tension of the story. Erica's internal struggle, balancing her duty as a police officer with her complicated feelings about her father, was palpable. Dunnett does a great job of portraying her inner turmoil.

The investigation itself was well-paced and suspenseful. The gradual uncovering of clues and the increasing sense of dread kept me turning the pages. The connection between the financial fraud and Sterling's escape was cleverly revealed, and the coastal village setting added a sense of isolation and unease.

Dunnett excels at building suspense. Overall, 'The Hunt' is a thrilling and suspenseful read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and police procedurals.

The Hunt might say it’s a gripping thriller that will keep you up at night I can certainly say that it didn’t happen for me. Personally I found the story a little slow and confusing which I was unable to get a grip or sense of what was happening. Usually I enjoy reading about true crime, mystery and thrillers and general adult fiction but it didn’t seem to have the right balance and wasn’t quite gripping my attention to focus and follow what was happening.

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.
This is pet of a series but I found it could be read easily as a stand alone. It was a dark thriller with lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. I will be reading the others in the series.

This book was very complex and at times a little confusing. I think maybe you would be better off if you read books 1 and 2 in this series first. There are several stories going on at the same time, which do come together. However, I still had a hard time keeping up at times.

Erica Sands is really not a very likable character. She is abrasive and has a general bad attitude. However, I can only assume this is by design. After all, being a detective and the daughter of a famous serial killer has not been an easy life to live.

This is not a quick read because you need to pay attention to all of the moving parts. Erica is a good detective who is determined to find her murderous father. She is tenacious and extremely observant. The book ends with a cliffhanger, which I am not particularly a fan of. But I guess it leaves the reader wanting and waiting for more.

I conclude by stating it is not a bad book, but I would recommend reading books 1 and 2 first. I think the entire plot will make more sense with some more background.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

DCI Erica Sands is still hunting Charles Sterling following his escape from prison, working with Interpol they manage to trace the prison guard who helped him escape to Brazil. Following this lead they are able to establish how Sterling planned to leave the UK. However, the trail turns out to be false.
The story switches to France where a journalist is approached with data stolen from the Caymen Islands, is this a link to Sterling or another false trail.
Full of twists and with a cliffhanger of an ending the third book in the series is well worth a read.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

Gregg Dunnett delivers an electrifying thriller in The Hunt, a fast-paced and suspenseful story that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The novel follows an investigative team as they delve into the mysterious death of an escaped convict, uncovering layers of intrigue, danger, and deception along the way.

Dunnett masterfully weaves action and intensity throughout the narrative, ensuring that every chapter pulses with tension. The plot is multi-layered, demanding the reader’s full attention to keep up with its twists and turns. The complexity of the story adds to its appeal, making it an engaging read for those who enjoy intricate mysteries and high-stakes investigations.

The fast-moving pace and gripping storytelling make The Hunt a standout thriller. Fans of crime fiction and action-packed mysteries will appreciate Dunnett’s ability to craft a story that is as thrilling as it is immersive. With this installment, he continues to prove his talent for delivering compelling narratives, leaving readers eager to see what’s next.

Title: The Hunt
Author: Gregg Dunnett
Publication Date: Friday, February 21, 2025 by Storm Publishing
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🕵🏼‍♀️ DCI Erica Sands will stop at nothing to find Charles Sterling. Her career, her collegial relationships, as well as her own inner peace are all in jeopardy as she diligently is on the hunt for Charles Sterling, high-profile mass murderer. Charles Sterling, Erica’s father.

🔪 Erica knows Sterling is manipulative and capable of pulling off the greatest disappearing act of all time. How will she convince others that she is not following a “dead end?” She believes Charles Sterling will resurface, but where and when is the question. A question she wants answered before… before more blood is shed. Before more innocent lives are taken. Before the unthinkable happens.

😳🤯 The Hunt is book 3 in the Erica Sands series. I was completely gripped by this story from the very beginning and remained white knuckled all throughout. This novel was broken into four parts. Each part moved quickly, as Dunnett has the undoubtable gift of leaving chapters/parts off with quite a cliffhanger. I couldn’t put this book down because I had to see the result of the finishing chapters. At about 47% through this story, I COULD NOT take it anymore! I just had to purchase the other two novels that preceded this one! If you are looking for a quick moving, spine-chilling novel, then I suggest you check this book out as soon as possible. Even better? Do yourself a favor and start from the beginning. This book is out for publication on Friday, February 21st. If you begin reading the first two books now, I have no doubt you will be ready for publication day!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this stellar novel. All opinions are my own.