When I started this book I did not realize it was a prequel and had no issues reading it first. I fairly enjoyed reading the prequel first and also think this book can be read as a stand-alone if you don’t read the others. If you like murder-mystery, this is a great book and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I also enjoyed that this referenced the Green River Killer which then sent me into a deep dive of researching the real life murders.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC to review!

I’ve really enjoyed this author’s work! Being from the Seattle area I am always looking for a thriller set in my home state and this one was! Great twists and turns and it kept me guessing until the end. I haven’t read the rest of the series so I’m glad I started with the prequel! I will continue the series!

This book was amazing. It was exactly what I was looking for in terms of pace, plot, and characters. I'm so glad to have read The First Hunt because now Audrey J. Cole is on my list of go-to Mystery and Thriller authors. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book (my first!) and for introducing me to the work of Audrey J. Cole.

The First Hunt follows crime reporter, Holly Sparks, who wants to find her sister's killer. While on this "hunt," Holly has a new theory... there are two killers in the city, and one of them murdered her sister. The tricky part? One of them wears a badge. Who can Holly trust? Can she help find both killers and bring closure to herself and the city?

Both the plot and character (Holly) kept me hooked till the end. I enjoyed the fast pace of this story and the brilliant plot twists Audrey J. Cole wove into it. There were multiple instances in the story where I could easily predict what would happen next. As a Mystery and Thriller reader, I usually prefer to have that limited to once (or twice at most) in a story. Successful foreshadowing, however, shows you how good of a writer Audrey J. Cole is. She coherently builds a story, immerses you in it, and gives you all the tools you need to figure it out. What I mostly enjoyed, however, were the plot twists. I have probably gasped and held my breath a few times while reading this book, and I loved it!

Overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced, adventurous, mysterious, and tense book, The First Hunt is for you. Although this is the third book in The Final Hunt series, I didn't feel like I missed anything by not reading the first two books. But what it did for me was add Audrey J. Cole's books to my (never-ending) TBR list! Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I've enjoyed the other two books in The Final Hunt series and was excited to read this prequel. It gives us the childhood and backstory of the character John. I find Cameron's character interesting and hope for more of her backstory in the future. Please keep giving us more of this series Audrey!

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.25/5 stars! I have really enjoyed the other Audrey Cole books I have read. This one was a bit different. It is an origin story of one of the series' main characters. I think my favorite thing about this book is the setting. Like a mystery book set in the 80s!?! Sign me up. The author did a great job of staying true to the era, even going so far as subtle nods to cinema of the time. I can't wait to see what is next for this series.

The First Hunt is another fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down thriller from Audrey Cole. It’s part of the Hunt series (with The Final Hunt and The Last Hunt), but you can read it on its own—and you’ll definitely want to read them all.

The story follows two separate paths that are on a crash course to collide. John has always known something was off about his dad. When the truth comes out—that his father is a serial killer—John is shocked... but also intrigued. Instead of running, he leans in, wanting to learn more. Maybe even follow in his father’s footsteps.

At the same time, Holly is an author who's spent years searching for the person who killed her sister. As she digs deeper, she finds herself getting too close to the wrong people. Could one of the killers she’s researching be the one who took her sister’s life?

Full of twists, dark secrets, and shocking moments, The First Hunt is a wild ride from start to finish. A must-read for thriller fans who love stories that keep you guessing until the very end.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Audrey Cole, and Rainier Publishing for the opportunity to read The First Hunt!

This book and author are must reads!

Audrey J. Cole wrote this book, The First Hunt with a surprise twist almost all authors just don’t do.
It was a twist I hated to see happen but at the same time it helped create the start of the next story if in fact there will be a series. I hope it will.

This novel is fantastic. I don’t have the ability to give half stars, but I’d give it 4.5 stars.

“The First Hunt” is a prequel to “The Final Hunt” series and takes readers to the beginning of it all. We follow Holly, an investigative journalist in 1980’s Seattle who’s been obsessed with finding her sister’s killer. Officially a “cold case,” her sister’s killer was never found, but Holly believes she may have been the first victim of the infamous Green River Killer. Her cop fiancé, who has serious anger management issues, doesn’t agree and isn’t kind about it.

We also follow a young boy, John, who witnesses his father brutally murder a young woman. John wonders about his father’s motives and actions. He also fears losing his father, his only parent, after his mother took her own life a few years prior. John will do anything to keep his father with him and out of jail.

As Holly investigates further and adds new information from new killings that seem to match her sister’s death, she notices slight deviations from the GRK’s normal pattern. The closer she gets to finding out the truth, the more danger she’s in.

I only realized this was a prequel after finishing this novel and doing some research. It was gripping from the first page and it was difficult to put down. Alternating between Holly’s and John’s viewpoints and fairly short chapters helps keep the pace quick. The writing is fantastic and the twist at the end is difficult to see coming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the other books in the series. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who likes crime thrillers.

I like this author! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!!

Audrey J. Cole delivers a chilling and atmospheric thriller with The First Hunt. Set in 1980s Seattle, the story follows crime reporter Holly Sparks as she digs into her sister’s unsolved murder, believing the infamous Green River Killer is responsible. But things get even more disturbing when Holly begins to suspect that there’s more than one killer—and one of them may be a cop.

Cole does a fantastic job layering the tension. Holly is a strong and determined lead, and I loved how the story explores her inner conflict between pursuing justice and protecting herself. The dual timelines—jumping from the original investigation to five years later—are well executed and kept the suspense high throughout.

The twists were sharp and unpredictable, and the emotional weight of Holly’s grief and trauma added real depth to the plot. I appreciated how the book blends real historical elements with fictional suspense, making it feel grounded but gripping.

This is a great pick for fans of psychological thrillers and true crime fiction. I’m looking forward to reading The Final Hunt next!

The prequel to The Final Hunt, although it's not necessary to have read it first.
This tells us the story of John as a child, the environment he grew up in, brought up by his dad after his mum died.
We also meet Holly, a crime journalist who immerses herself in The Green River killer case., the killer she suspects of murdering her sister Meg. She is engaged to one of the detectives on the case but he is horrified by her interest in the case, resulting in a serious assault.
Despite being a fairly short novel there is plenty of action and the story flows. There are a few tense moments which add to the suspense. There are a few surprises along the way as well.

Super fast-paced and easy to read! I finished it in about a day!

However...

I didn't love it.

The plot was fairly predictable, the dialogue felt cheesy, and I didn’t particularly like any of the characters… super easy to read, but the ending just made me feel icky.

That being said! I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I imagine if you had, this could be an interesting prequel!

Thanks NetGally for the free copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

This is my first time reading a book by this author and I was not disappointed. I prefer reading books in chronological order so when I saw this I just knew I had to read this first. This book was everything I wanted and more. Normally I am pretty good at predicting what is going to happen in books, and there were times I was able to do that here, but there were also a lot of surprises. I really loved the way that Holly is written, very strong, curious and determined.

I was hooked from the moment I started reading, could not put it down. Even though it is a short book, so much happens in it and there is never a dull moment. There are mentions/moments involving abuse, murder (that one is a given) and grooming. I personally do not think that last one was needed. I feel like so far out of all thriller/mystery books I have read this one felt the most intense and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Also the Rebecca pov confused me a little bit, I had to go back and see if I missed something before or not. It ended up making sense later in the book. Overall I enjoyed the book and will be adding the rest of the series to my tbr.


Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

NO SPOILERS
The First Hunt
By: Audrey Cole
Pub date: June 17, 2025
Publisher: Rainier Publishing
This is a fast paced edge of your seat thriller. I really enjoyed this. I can’t wait to read the other two. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you NetGalley and Rainier Publishing for this ARC.

Holly Sparks is still haunted by the death of her sister years later, and she’s convinced she was murdered by the Green River Killer (this part is set in 1985). Later, in 1990 (when the rest of the story is set), she has written multiple true crime thrillers and is a best-selling author, but is still obsessed with her sister’s unsolved case. Then her ex-fiancé is released from prison, and similar murders start occurring. Does that mean it was him all along? Or could her newest theory be the case – that there are two killers, and everyone just thinks it’s one very busy serial killer? She’s determined to find out before one or both of them come for her.

To start with, she never should have been engaged to her ex in the first place. He’s obviously a jerk and treats everyone badly, not just her. And it takes something horrible and tragic to get him gone for those few years. The concept of another killer operating at the same time as a famed one is not new, I guess, but it would be the perfect opportunity for some evil person to take advantage. So, I’m glad she kept pushing for that even though everyone acts like she has no clue.

I almost wish we didn’t have the scenes from the other point of view (not going to say who) because it took some of the suspense away. And then the ending was a bit shocking and then confusing because a lot was explained in a hurried epilogue. I guess this is part of a series and is the prequel? So maybe if you’ve read the other books in the series, the very last bit of this story makes sense. It was a good read overall and I think any true crime reader would be a fan.

Crime reporter Holly Sparks is haunted by her sister’s unsolved murder from 10+ years ago. While trying to solve this case and work, she catches onto patterns and hints that the police don’t. However, the police don’t necessarily believe her theories.
Quickly she realizes there is more than one type of killer, and sometimes they are hiding in your own backyard or house.
This was my first Audrey Cole book, and I will definitely be adding more to my TBR list. So many twists and turns, and shocking moments. I had my jaw on the floor by the end of this story. Great work, Ms. Cole. I can’t wait to read more of your books!

** Spoilers ahead**
The First Hunt is a chilling and atmospheric prequel that expertly sets the stage for a dark, addictive serial killer series. As a long-time true crime fan, I was immediately pulled into the twisted narrative—and I didn’t want to look away.

The story centers on Holly, a true crime writer with a haunted past and a violet cop fiancee. When bodies begin to surface, all signs point to him as the possible killer. But nothing in this book is as it seems.

What unfolds is a disturbing and fascinating look at the making of a serial killer—or in this case, two. The reveal of a father-and-son killing duo is as horrifying as it is compelling. The psychological dynamic between them is one of the most gripping parts of the novel. You’re not just watching a crime unfold—you’re watching a legacy of violence take root.

Knowing the son becomes the killer in The Final Hunt (which I absolutely loved) made this origin story all the more impactful. There are moments in The First Hunt that hit differently once you realize where he ends up. It adds a chilling sense of inevitability to the whole thing.

My only critique is that some timeline shifts were a bit jarring at first, but once the story found its rhythm, I was hooked. The pacing is tight, the tension palpable, and the psychological undercurrents run deep. Also, I wish we would have dove into Tanner more.

Highly recommend reading The Final Hunt first before diving into this. You'll appreciate the darkness and connecting the dots even more.

The First Hunt
By: Audrey J. Cole
Pub date: June 17. 2025
Publisher: Rainier Publishing
I really love this series by Cole. Another fast paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller about a serial killer. The other two in the series are The Final Hunt and The Last Hunt. They can be read as stand-alone, but they are both must reads as well.
Imagine finding out your father is a serial killer and you aspire to be just like him! John knows things about his dad and his father starts to share some of his secrets.
The other part of the story finds an author looking for the killer of her sister. As the years go by, she finds herself way to close to at least one serial killer! Could one of them committed the heinous crime?
This book has you looking over your shoulder and making you more aware of your surroundings even AT HOME!!!
Than you Rainer Publishing for this e-ARC. I have already pre-ordered this book to add to my others by this author.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to read The First Hunt by Audrey J. Hunt before it is released. I loved this book. The author takes the serial killer genre and injects some new life into it.

Its propulsive plot is rocketed along by populating the story with flesh-and-blood characters with believable backstories. I felt like I knew these characters and was invested in them to the point that I wanted to know their fates.

I don’t want to give away any of the surprises that the author has for readers. Highest marks from me and I look forward to her next book! Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to get my hands on The First Hunt. Ms. Cole has done a phenomenal job.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Audrey J. Cole for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The First Hunt. Be sure to check content warnings before diving in.

This was my introduction to Cole’s work, and I had no idea it was part of a series going in but it absolutely works as a standalone. Now I’m eager to read more from her, even if it means going out of order. She definitely deserves more recognition!

The First Hunt is a fast-paced, twisty, and suspenseful thriller with strong character development and a plot that pulls you in right away. It checks all the boxes for what I love in the genre. My biggest complaint? I wanted more of it. The chapters we do get are great, but I found myself wishing there were more of them, especially in Part 1. Some of the time jumps felt too big, and Rebecca’s brief POV felt unnecessary it could have easily been folded into Holly’s perspective.

If certain events had been shown instead of summarized, the epilogue wouldn’t have needed to tie up quite so many loose ends. There were moments that felt rushed because of the limited space, which took a little away from the overall impact.

That said, I really enjoyed the forensic elements and the way the plot unfolded it gave me crime TV vibes in the best way. While that added to the entertainment factor, it also made some twists predictable, and a few police scenes stretched believability. Still, I was fully engaged throughout.

I’d definitely recommend this one and look forward to diving into more of Cole’s books!