The Hunt - Allison Brennan

Synopsis:
Twelve years ago, Miranda Moore miraculously survived the torture of a serial killer who was never caught.  Since then, Miranda, a former FBI trainee and now a member of a local search and rescue squad, has witnessed with horror the recovery of the mutilated bodies of seven young women, all victims of her tormentor, known as The Butcher.  When another beautiful Montana college student goes missing, the Feds get involved, and an agent, a man Miranda once trusted with her heart, arrives to take over the investigation, forcing her toward a painful choice.  Now, while Miranda battles her demons, while friends, lovers, and traitors are caught up in a frantic race against time, a killer hides in plain sight, waiting to finish the one hunt he has left undone.

Review:
Miranda had been through so much and was trying so very hard to move on with her life while trying to catch the one person that had haunted her dreams.  She was betrayed by the one person she trusted more than anyone, Quinn who helped her get in to the FBI program, decided she wasn't ready to graduate with her peers thus sending her back to her hometown and the lodge with her father and far away from Quinn.  Miranda heads up the search and rescue team for her best friend and former flame, Nick, who is now the sheriff.  When another woman goes missing, Nick feels it is best to call Quinn and ask for help, Quinn being a Fed, would have more resources then the sheriff's department.  Through many twists and turns the story comes to life.  The torment that is put upon these victims is spelled out in excruciating detail, and made me feel so much hurt, just by reading the words.  I loved that Miranda had so much strength, but that it was a struggle for her daily to put her past behind her.  Some of the book was in way to much detail and I found myself skipping over the descriptions of the woods, since they were described several times.  I wish there had been a conclusion for Nick, it was kind of left hanging, only hoping he finds himself in the next novel.

Notable Quote:
We all have choices, they chose to be evil.

Rating:
3 out of 5...while I enjoyed the story line, it was a bit to descriptive for my tastes.  There was a lot left unsaid at the end, and I felt it left the story unfinished.  Nick was a big part of the book, and then at the end, it was just kind of done.

The Prey - Allison Brennan

Synopsis:
Rowan Smith is living in a borrowed Malibu beach house while her bestselling novel is made into a Hollywood movie.  A former FBI agent with a haunted past.  Rowan thinks she has outrun her demons.  But fiction and reality collide when a dismembered body is found in Colorado the real-life victim had the same name, occupation and looks as a character in Rowan's novel.  By the time the FBI, the LAPD and her pen private bodyguard gather around her, another person is killed - again, the murder is ripped from the pages of Rowan's book.  In the company of a former Delta Force officer with secrets of his own.  Rowan faces and excruciating dilemma: the only way to chase down the tormenting killer is by revisiting the darkness of her past and praying for some way out again.

Review:
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book.  It is full of action and detective work. There was so much emotion brought on by this book, I was crying then I was angry, then I was contemplative.  You think you have it figured out then, you are let in on another piece of the puzzle.  The villain is twisted beyond words and the hatred he feels for Rowan comes through in every word that is written.  The chemistry between Rowan and her leading man is evident, and while there are some romance scenes, this book it truly about the crimes that are being committed and getting them solved before he strikes again.

Notable Quotes:
"You do have sulking down to an are.  I don't think I have ever been around a woman who could be quiet for three solid hours"  John talking to Rowan on a drive.

Rating:
I gave this book a 4 1/2 out of 5. I loved the story, the characters and how it all played out.  I can't wait for the next book in this series..."The Hunt"