An Author approached me through email and asked if I wanted to read his newest book ‘The hunted’. The email included a synopsis of the book and it sounded really good!

The hunted was released this year and is the fourth novel written by Steven Max Russo; the action-packed book reminded me of Reacher which is a character I absolutely love. Violence first, ask questions later.

Ophelia Harris has the feeling she is being watched. There is one thing she’s learned over the years being an analyst and that is to trust your gut. Doing a little walk back the way she came towards her house and back again to where she was headed, the beach for her daily walk. She’s on edge and keeps searching for watchers or undercover agents. There is no one around except for a happy looking chatty couple that walks towards her, when they pass, Ophelia does a double take. The couple isn’t wearing suitable clothing for a walk on the beach and when she turns to inspect any further does she notice that the man is taking something out of his pocket. Without hesitation Ophelia fires her first shot, hitting the man square in the forehead but isn’t fast enough to shoot at the woman, the woman gets one shot out and Ophelia feels being hit near her shoulder and without thinking shoots at the woman who goes down. Happy she wore her Kevlar vest which is the only reason she’s still alive. She knows her location is compromised and goes on the run, again.

Gerhard is the boss at GTG, having lost his son months prior on Ophelia’s last mission where she is the only person alive and has gone underground leaving Gerhard to believe she’s set this up, killing his operatives and getting away with two suitcases filled with money. He issued directive 6 which is a kill order; no questions, just take her out.

Ophelia takes the rental car from the people she just killed and drives it to the airport in Newark where she’ll dump the car and regroup. Entering the bar at the airport where she takes a minute, there’s a man sitting near her nursing a beer. Thinking he could be a watcher she keeps her distance but this man named Austin looks at her and says ‘I’ve seen you before’. He was a sniper a couple of years back and one of their missions crossed, him being good with faces remembered her even though they haven’t formally met or talked. Still very wary of his attention they part ways after a meal was eten.

Outside of the airport all hell broke loose, Ophelia was spotted and with that a shooting began. Austin had picked up his car and was heading home but made a little detour, when he heard the gunshots, he didn’t hesitate and drove towards the commotion, throwing open his door and honking to get Ophelia’s attention; what he didn’t know was how deep Ophelia was in it, sealing his fate as an accomplice and having to go on the run alongside Ophelia. They had a couple of uneventful days until Austin got sick of being on the run and suggested that they should set up a trap and hopefully take down their opponent. The only other option would be to forever watch over their shoulders and, what kind of live is that?

What happened during the mission Gerhard’s son was killed and Ophelia went on the run? Was it a set up or did Ophelia organized it all, walking away with millions? Who will win in the end? Ophelia and Austin or the ones hunting them down?

It was a good fast paced book, there were some sentences that missed a word but overall, it was thrilling.

I’m giving this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars.