The Red Hunter

February 13, 2017
One of the two deftly interwoven plot lines of this heart-stopping thriller from bestseller Unger (In the Blood) centers on Manhattan martial arts expert Zoe Drake. A decade after the horrific never-solved home invasion that left her parents dead and that she barely survived, Zoe craves answers—and revenge. The other concerns divorced domestic blogger Claudia Bishop and her defiant teenage daughter, Raven, who has been pressing for a paternity test to see whether she’s the product of the violent rape that shattered her parents’ marriage. Unknown to Claudia and Raven, they have a dangerous link to Zoe: the ramshackle New Jersey farmhouse whose renovation is the focus of Claudia’s blog was the site of Zoe’s nightmare. And, according to urban legend, it may still contain $1 million stolen from a local drug dealer shortly before the slaughter. Unger raises the suspense by letting the reader in on some secrets before her characters (while keeping a few shockers up her sleeve). Her theme of empowerment concerning identity and self-determination will resonate with many. Agent: Elaine Markson, Markson Thoma Literary Agency.

Starred review from June 5, 2017
A creaky old New Jersey farmhouse is the meeting place for Unger’s two cleverly interwoven plotlines. One involves new owner Claudia Bishop, a single mother who blogs about the farmhouse’s renovation while caring for her troubled teenage daughter, Raven. Plot two follows Zoey Drake, the vengeance-motivated hunter of the title, who’s planning to use her deadly martial arts expertise on the home invaders who murdered her parents and tortured her a decade ago when they lived in the farmhouse. The killers didn’t find any loot, but circumstances convince them it’s time to give the property one more search. Unger’s prose is fast-paced, and actor Whelan imbues Zoey’s revenge-charged chapters with passion and brings out the drama in the lives of Claudia and Raven and the suspenseful narrative following the killers as they make their move on the farmhouse. With her portrayals of gruff-voiced villains, defiant teens, and the determined Claudia, Whelan adds to the author’s creations. A Touchstone hardcover.

What's the difference between revenge and justice? That's the central question explored in this gripping audiobook, delivered by Julia Whelan. Narrating from multiple perspectives that span more than a decade, Whelan does a remarkable job of transitioning between the two storytellers, Zoe, who is seeking to avenge the murder of her parents, and Claudia, who is trying to rebuild her life. However, their worlds are about to collide as their quests to confront their pasts bring them to the same farmhouse in a quiet town with secrets and a history of its own. Additionally, Whelan expertly brings life to the many supporting characters who add authenticity and depth to this compelling story. K.S.M. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine