The Trophy Hunter

by J.M. Zambrano

When attorney Diana Martin takes on a client referred by her best friend, PI Jessica Edwards, the case, a custody dispute, unexpectedly dredges up memories of childhood abuse that fuel Diana's resolve to protect the children involved. During their investigation, Diana and Jess cross paths with a group of hunters that includes the new client, his estranged son-in-law and three other long-time buddies who have more in common than hunting. Some of their women are disappearing. Unknown to Diana and Jess, a psychopath hides in plain sight within the band of hunters. For him, the thrill of big game has lost its savor. Now he collects beautiful, ethnically diverse women, and he's learned how to keep them beautiful forever. As Diana struggles with her self-image after a failed marriage and the stillbirth of her first child, she's tempted by the advances of her client's son-in-law, whose wife is one of the missing women. Ever practical and outspoken, Jess warns her of potential trouble. But neither woman is aware that more than a broken heart is at stake for Diana. In fact, both Diana and Jess have recently made the psychopath's acquisitions list.

Nook

First published May 16, 2010

About the author

I'm proud to be an indie author with an attitude.

Born in Los Angeles, CA, I now live and write on a small farm in Colorado.

Reviews

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main characters, Diana Martin and her investigator friend Jessica, are well defined - likeable, yet flawed enough to seem real. Martin has demons of her own that she must overcome as she peels away layer upon layer of secrets and deceit.

When a story takes places in a specific place, Denver and an unnamed town in the mountains of Colorado in this case, getting the details right are important. Zambrano does that. From the little things, like street names and the feel of certain neighborhoods, to the critical, such as the insular nature of small mountain towns, Zambrano’s portrayal rings true.

In a thriller characterization and other story elements matter, but are secondary to the plot. Luckily, "The Trophy Hunter" delivers in this area too. The twists and turns keep you guessing until the end with an intense climax you won’t see coming.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog.**

[Vicki Tyley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Where was the sun? That pale piece of cold light must’ve dropped into the lake and drowned. Why did Mother let him take me? Her other self, the wise-beyond-her-years one, already knew the answer. He took what he wanted.” – The Trophy Hunter

The prologue hooked me, but it was Zambrano’s spare yet visual writing style that carried me through to the end. A most enjoyable and well-crafted thriller that kept me flipping the pages into the wee small hours.

I look forward to reading more of J.M. Zambrano's work.

[Patty U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

I enjoyed this book a lot. Keeps your attention and on the edge of your seat suspense. The depravity of one man can ruin so many lives. It all comes together in the end. These two ladies can get into so much trouble your really trying. Not sure if this is a series, but it could lead in so many directions and be for more great reading.

[Craig Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read THE TROPHY HUNTER by J.M. Zambrano, I wanted to like the book quite a bit. After downloading a sample, I was sure I would.

The concept is intriguing, after all; a hunter who hunts humans? Sounds action-packed. Sign me up. Right?

Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to like the novel - which possesses a clean prose style and slick, short, easy-to-read chapters ala James Patterson - I found the book to be slow going. And for a while, I wasn't even sure why.

After all, Zambrano does some great character work in the book, and she has a decent ear for dialog. There's a lot to like.

But I finished the novel a while ago and was determined to either not review this book until I could pin down what prevented me from being enthralled, or I'd simply not review it at all if I couldn't. Because I don't enjoy writing reviews that aren't helpful in some way.

I finally nailed it down, though. With time to think back on the story and my reaction to it, I think for the most part, the reason I didn't get caught up in the novel in quite the way I hoped had more to do with plot pacing than anything else.

When one reads that this is a book about a hunter hunting humans, I came to expect a bit more concentration on that key concept. I wanted to see the protagonists threatened, running for their lives, doing whatever it took to survive a relentless onslaught from a guy with a gun determined to put a bullet in them.

That's not what THE TROPHY HUNTER delivers, at least not in large part. The climactic scene near the end comes closest to fulfilling these expectations, but ultimately this is not a novel that will give you that sort of thrill ride.

What THE TROPHY HUNTER is, however, is laudable. It's more of a private-eye procedural. The character work, as I've said, is solid; in fact, about the only aspect of the character work I had any reservations about was that sometimes I got confused which of the two female friends' minds I was in at a given point. Their almost-feud over the romantic focal-point of the novel seemed a bit forced at times, and his main appeal to each of them sometimes eluded me.

Those elements aside, there's a lot here that's done well. What was needed, I think, was either a slightly greater payoff on action, or perhaps a description that clarifies the novel is more of a character-driven procedural than an action-focused thriller.

In the end, I believe Zambrano has many of the tools to develop into a fine writer; this debut shows promise, but unfortunately still displays some unfulfilled potential. I expect to keep an eye out for the next one, to see how this writer grows over time. And I expect good things.

[Rhonda Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this over 2 days. My curiousity began with the prologue. When the actual story began, I wondered how the prologue would connect with the rest of it and I continued to wonder until the end where the 'OH' came in. It then made perfect sense.

There were several characters who could've been the bad guy and made me wonder, but my main 'suspect' did turn out to be the villain, so no big surprises there. This didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story because I did question myself throughout as to who it would be.

The premise was quite good and very well executed. The dialogue was natural. Character development was well done with likeable and believable characters, especially Diana. The narratives inspired visualization without being too wordy.

There was some coarse language, not overly used and appropriate to situations. There was no explicit sexual content. There was reference to sexual assault with very brief description. There was violence.

I quite enjoyed The Trophy Hunter, and thus, 5 stars.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but I thought it was a little slow during several parts. Maybe I was expecting more of an edgy thriller, and The Trophy Hunter turned out to be more like one part thriller, one part cozy mystery, one part romance, and one part feminist propaganda.

I like thrillers and mysteries, but I'm not a big fan of romance or feminist propaganda. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but nearly every male character in the story is a scumbag that treats women like garbage. I enjoy a good story with a strong, female protagonist, but I also like to think there are some decent, conservative men out there that have an appropriate amount of respect for women. They aren't found in this story.

As a mystery/thriller, this one kept me guessing until the end, which I enjoyed very much. I also enjoy how Zambrano used her regional knowledge to make the story more real. I find it much easier to get engrossed in a novel when the setting feels realistic.

For anyone who like thrillers and hates men, this book won't disappoint.

[Gerwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I totally did not like this book.