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Robert Hunter #0.5
The Hunter
A thrilling ebook exclusive short story from Sunday Timesbestselling author Chris Carter.
Meet Robert Hunter, the youngest Homicide Detective the Los Angeles Police has ever recruited, on his first day. As a rookie, he is given a simple suicide investigation to cut his teeth on. But when he arrives at the scene, he swiftly begins to suspect that something is not quite right.
Despite the fact that the door was locked from the inside, and there is no other way out of the apartment, Hunter has a hunch that the victim did not commit suicide. But with a new Captain to impress and the evidence stacked against him, Hunter has a lot to prove if he is to solve the case and keep his place on the team.
Meet Robert Hunter, the youngest Homicide Detective the Los Angeles Police has ever recruited, on his first day. As a rookie, he is given a simple suicide investigation to cut his teeth on. But when he arrives at the scene, he swiftly begins to suspect that something is not quite right.
Despite the fact that the door was locked from the inside, and there is no other way out of the apartment, Hunter has a hunch that the victim did not commit suicide. But with a new Captain to impress and the evidence stacked against him, Hunter has a lot to prove if he is to solve the case and keep his place on the team.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2013
269 people are currently reading
5647 people want to read
About the author
Chris Carter
21 books500 followersBiographies can be an absolute drag, so I won’t bore anyone with a long life story.
I was born in Brasilia, Brazil where I spent my childhood and teenage years. After graduating from high school, I moved to the USA where I studied psychology with specialization in criminal behaviour. During my University years I held a variety of odd jobs, ranging from flipping burgers to being part of an all male exotic dancing group.
I worked as a criminal psychologist for several years before moving to Los Angeles, where I swapped the suits and briefcases for ripped jeans, bandanas and an electric guitar. After a spell playing for several well known glam rock bands, I decided to try my luck in London, where I was fortunate enough to have played for a number of famous artists. I toured the world several times as a professional musician.
A few years ago I gave it all up to become a full time writer.
I was born in Brasilia, Brazil where I spent my childhood and teenage years. After graduating from high school, I moved to the USA where I studied psychology with specialization in criminal behaviour. During my University years I held a variety of odd jobs, ranging from flipping burgers to being part of an all male exotic dancing group.
I worked as a criminal psychologist for several years before moving to Los Angeles, where I swapped the suits and briefcases for ripped jeans, bandanas and an electric guitar. After a spell playing for several well known glam rock bands, I decided to try my luck in London, where I was fortunate enough to have played for a number of famous artists. I toured the world several times as a professional musician.
A few years ago I gave it all up to become a full time writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
December 12, 2017
I’ve been a fan of Chris Carter since I picked up The Crucifix Killer a few years back. Since then, I have jumped at each new Robert Hunter book, needing another fix. The entire time, The Hunter has sat on my to-read list. Earlier this year, I received an Amazon gift card – and, you guessed it. The Hunter was purchased and my need to read the book would finally be fulfilled. Unfortunately, I found myself buried under advance reads and forgot I’d purchased The Hunter. In my mind, I went back to the state of ‘need to purchase’.
My misinformed state was fixed when my Kindle decided to have a temper tantrum. Sadly, my Kindle is known to misbehave. Fortunately, through trying to get my Kindle working again I stumbled upon The Hunter sitting buried in my Kindle library. Joy ensued. A lot of joy, in fact. The excitement I had felt in the past whenever I thought about this short story was doubled when I realised I owned it. Aware of how often I find myself buried under advance reads, I jumped straight into The Hunter.
The Hunter is an extremely short read, one you can complete in under an hour, but it is a great little read. It may not have the twists and turns we’re accustomed to seeing in a Chris Carter book, it may not be as dark as the full-length novels, but it is the perfect story for any fan of Robert Hunter. Throughout the books we’ve got to know Hunter, we’ve slowly chipped away at his life and personality. In The Hunter we get to see how it all began.
The Hunter is more about detailing the issues Robert Hunter faced on his first case and less about some big evil tormenting the city. It makes it the perfect read for fans of the series, although I would not recommend using it as an introduction to Robert Hunter. The full impact of this little story comes from already knowing Robert Hunter. To read this story without having read The Crucifix Killer will leave you unaware of the amazing heights Chris Carter can reach – so much so, this almost feels like fluff in comparison to the main Robert Hunter books. Fluff in the sense it is not an overly grizzly tale, not in the sense that this is bad (in case the four stars failed to show you that).
Overall, well worth a read if you’re a Robert Hunter fan.
My misinformed state was fixed when my Kindle decided to have a temper tantrum. Sadly, my Kindle is known to misbehave. Fortunately, through trying to get my Kindle working again I stumbled upon The Hunter sitting buried in my Kindle library. Joy ensued. A lot of joy, in fact. The excitement I had felt in the past whenever I thought about this short story was doubled when I realised I owned it. Aware of how often I find myself buried under advance reads, I jumped straight into The Hunter.
The Hunter is an extremely short read, one you can complete in under an hour, but it is a great little read. It may not have the twists and turns we’re accustomed to seeing in a Chris Carter book, it may not be as dark as the full-length novels, but it is the perfect story for any fan of Robert Hunter. Throughout the books we’ve got to know Hunter, we’ve slowly chipped away at his life and personality. In The Hunter we get to see how it all began.
The Hunter is more about detailing the issues Robert Hunter faced on his first case and less about some big evil tormenting the city. It makes it the perfect read for fans of the series, although I would not recommend using it as an introduction to Robert Hunter. The full impact of this little story comes from already knowing Robert Hunter. To read this story without having read The Crucifix Killer will leave you unaware of the amazing heights Chris Carter can reach – so much so, this almost feels like fluff in comparison to the main Robert Hunter books. Fluff in the sense it is not an overly grizzly tale, not in the sense that this is bad (in case the four stars failed to show you that).
Overall, well worth a read if you’re a Robert Hunter fan.
September 12, 2024
This was the only Robert Hunter thriller I hadn't read yet. I should have read it first bcz its a prequel and great way for new readers to get acquainted with Detective Hunter, but oh well😅
This was a quick, smart and fun read. This series is one of my all time favorite series and as long as Chris Carter keeps writing about my favorite genius detective, I will keep reading🙌
This was a quick, smart and fun read. This series is one of my all time favorite series and as long as Chris Carter keeps writing about my favorite genius detective, I will keep reading🙌
February 28, 2017
Interesting and short.
We are introduced to Detective Hunter, the youngest detective in the history of LAPD.
This is his first case and his first day on the job . He gets sent to a suicide crime scene but with his sharp eyes he realize it is a homicide.
Could a great introduction for this series.
We are introduced to Detective Hunter, the youngest detective in the history of LAPD.
This is his first case and his first day on the job . He gets sent to a suicide crime scene but with his sharp eyes he realize it is a homicide.
Could a great introduction for this series.
May 2, 2025
Нищо особено като криминален случай, запознава ни с началото на кариерата на детектив Хънър, която продължава в следващите книги от поредицата.
Надявам се те да са по -интересни, но поне за сега няма да направя проверка.
Надявам се те да са по -интересни, но поне за сега няма да направя проверка.
July 15, 2019
This is a short-story introduction to the Hunter series by Chris Carter.
We meet Detective Robert Hunter on his first day as the youngest person ever to join the Robbery and Homicide Division of the LAPD. Before he's even assigned a desk, he's sent out on his first case; an apparent suicide on the 28th floor of a residential tower. It's meant to be an open and shut case, with RHD attending simply to confirm that it is in fact a suicide, then complete the reams of paperwork that go along with it. But when Detective Hunter arrives at the dead woman's apartment, he quickly realises the scene looks all wrong, despite the safety chain on the door still being engaged when the body was first found. Hunter spends the next couple of hours searching for evidence of homicide and wrapping up the case.
Loved it! I'm in!
We meet Detective Robert Hunter on his first day as the youngest person ever to join the Robbery and Homicide Division of the LAPD. Before he's even assigned a desk, he's sent out on his first case; an apparent suicide on the 28th floor of a residential tower. It's meant to be an open and shut case, with RHD attending simply to confirm that it is in fact a suicide, then complete the reams of paperwork that go along with it. But when Detective Hunter arrives at the dead woman's apartment, he quickly realises the scene looks all wrong, despite the safety chain on the door still being engaged when the body was first found. Hunter spends the next couple of hours searching for evidence of homicide and wrapping up the case.
Loved it! I'm in!
January 11, 2025
The Hunter is a short story that introduces us to Robert Hunter as he investigates his first case as homicide detective with LAPD.
Brilliantly written, intricate, gripping from start to finish it's a short but a very satifying read.
Brilliantly written, intricate, gripping from start to finish it's a short but a very satifying read.
January 20, 2019
5/97.
Great little short story intended to be a quick intro to a new crime fighter!
I love Chris Carter’s books and, having only discovered him a short while ago, am a fairly new fan. He’s among the best of the best and well worth a look at if you haven’t yet read him.
Great little short story intended to be a quick intro to a new crime fighter!
I love Chris Carter’s books and, having only discovered him a short while ago, am a fairly new fan. He’s among the best of the best and well worth a look at if you haven’t yet read him.
October 21, 2020
بد نبود. صحنهسازی جالبی داشت، چیزی که یه خودکشی حتمی بود به یه قتل تبدیل شد.
January 20, 2019
Savršen uvod u serijal o genijalnom Robertu Hunteru! Kratko, jasno, pametno, domišljato, kao i svaka iduća. Preporuka za sve redom!
January 21, 2019
I needed a bit of Chris Carter in my life, it’s been too long. Now I’m all ready and excited for his new book coming out in the next few months, Hunting Evil!
Chris wrote this short story perfectly, he managed to write a full crime investigation out in 80 pages and he didn’t miss one bit of detail out. I always find myself thinking “how’s he going to figure this one out?” but he always does, he’s very clever and knows what he’s talking about.
Chris wrote this short story perfectly, he managed to write a full crime investigation out in 80 pages and he didn’t miss one bit of detail out. I always find myself thinking “how’s he going to figure this one out?” but he always does, he’s very clever and knows what he’s talking about.
January 25, 2019
I grabbed this short story after reading and reviewing another of Chris Carter's novels in the Robert Hunter series, I was keen for more brilliant writing and crime solving.
This is a short ebook, 80 pages long, so I read it really quickly. Robert Hunter is sent to investigate what has been reported as a suicide, but with his keen eyes of deduction and ability to think outside the box, Robert sees more at the scene that doesn't add up.
I can't say TOO much about this short book as obviously it would spoil it, but it's well written, I really am a new fan of Chris Carter and think he writes this genre really well. If you are a fan also, or are just looking for a short, solid, interesting crime thriller then grab this one, you won't be let down.
Keep up the great writing Chris! 4 Stars.
This is a short ebook, 80 pages long, so I read it really quickly. Robert Hunter is sent to investigate what has been reported as a suicide, but with his keen eyes of deduction and ability to think outside the box, Robert sees more at the scene that doesn't add up.
I can't say TOO much about this short book as obviously it would spoil it, but it's well written, I really am a new fan of Chris Carter and think he writes this genre really well. If you are a fan also, or are just looking for a short, solid, interesting crime thriller then grab this one, you won't be let down.
Keep up the great writing Chris! 4 Stars.
October 30, 2017
Gewohnt klasse Schreibstil und wirklich fein für zwischendurch. Natürlich darf man auf 60 Seiten keinen krass außergewöhnlichen Fall erwarten, aber mir hat's gefallen und Robert Hunter ist einfach cool ☺️
April 6, 2019
I was going with a 4 stars-rating initially, but the book ends at 57% and the rest is a sneak preview for
The Crucifix Killer
. And since this isn't a freebie, I'm taking half a star off for that.
~ 3.5 stars ~
~ 3.5 stars ~
March 8, 2020
The Hunter series has now reached 10 books.
Chris Carter wrote The Hunter, a prequel introducing his rookie detective in 2013 just before the fifth book was published. This short story tells of LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division and Robert Hunter’s first day in that team.
He is assigned a relatively easy assignment. Suicides require a homicide detective to rule no suspicious circumstances. No great stress just a ton of paperwork an ideal job for the newbie. Unfortunately, Hunter has a hunch looking at the body of the unfortunate woman that foul play may be involved. His captain rings him after he learns Hunter has called for a forensics team since the initial reports suggested the flat was locked from the inside.
Well who does not enjoy a locked room mystery? With his own sharp observation and methodical methods Hunter quickly discovers that the crime scene is wrong and evidence points to murder.
His gut instincts ensure a warrant is obtained and a suspect can be arrested. He quickly goes up in his Captain’s estimation and as the books that have followed show he has had an interesting career.
At the time of publication this short story was able to preview book one and give a brief taster to the next book in the series.
There is much here to recommend this series. The youngest officer to make detective and his reasons for wanting to join the police department and become a detective. All this will be played out in the books in print and that journey is one I expect to take having now been acquainted with this driven detective whose past and future must some day collide.
Chris Carter wrote The Hunter, a prequel introducing his rookie detective in 2013 just before the fifth book was published. This short story tells of LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division and Robert Hunter’s first day in that team.
He is assigned a relatively easy assignment. Suicides require a homicide detective to rule no suspicious circumstances. No great stress just a ton of paperwork an ideal job for the newbie. Unfortunately, Hunter has a hunch looking at the body of the unfortunate woman that foul play may be involved. His captain rings him after he learns Hunter has called for a forensics team since the initial reports suggested the flat was locked from the inside.
Well who does not enjoy a locked room mystery? With his own sharp observation and methodical methods Hunter quickly discovers that the crime scene is wrong and evidence points to murder.
His gut instincts ensure a warrant is obtained and a suspect can be arrested. He quickly goes up in his Captain’s estimation and as the books that have followed show he has had an interesting career.
At the time of publication this short story was able to preview book one and give a brief taster to the next book in the series.
There is much here to recommend this series. The youngest officer to make detective and his reasons for wanting to join the police department and become a detective. All this will be played out in the books in print and that journey is one I expect to take having now been acquainted with this driven detective whose past and future must some day collide.
February 25, 2021
Hat mich nun nicht vom Hocker gehauen, aber es ist der 1. Fall als Novelle. Von daher muss ja noch Luft nach oben sein.
Hoffentlich 😉 Der 1. Band liegt schon bereit......
Hoffentlich 😉 Der 1. Band liegt schon bereit......
July 2, 2025
So I started reading The Crucifix Killer and 30 pages in I rememberd I had purchased this prequel novella so I put that aside and dove right in. I think i enjoyed it more than I would have because I had already read the 'background' part of the 1st book and so already had some insight into what made Robert Hunter, Robert Hunter as the novella doesn't go into that but rather just provides us the story of his first ever case in the RHD.
Ticked the boxes for a prequel novella. Now back to the real thing!
Ticked the boxes for a prequel novella. Now back to the real thing!
February 28, 2020
3,5 Sterne (= gut, solide, empfehlenswert)
Super strukturiert, guter Einstieg, um Robert Hunter kennenzulernen, macht Hoffnung, dass die Sequenzen mit Ermittlungsarbeiten in der Reihe nicht gähnend langweilig werden..
Super strukturiert, guter Einstieg, um Robert Hunter kennenzulernen, macht Hoffnung, dass die Sequenzen mit Ermittlungsarbeiten in der Reihe nicht gähnend langweilig werden..
December 2, 2023
Chris Carter can do no wrong! That’s it! I absolutely love this series! 🖤
November 25, 2022
4.5 stars
My only point of critique: it way waaaaay too short! (Yes, it is a short story and I should have known better. Still. Also: Half the ebook is sneek peaks into other books.) I wanted more! More of young Robert who isn't into Whiskey. More of his start in the LAPD.
My only point of critique: it way waaaaay too short! (Yes, it is a short story and I should have known better. Still. Also: Half the ebook is sneek peaks into other books.) I wanted more! More of young Robert who isn't into Whiskey. More of his start in the LAPD.
December 4, 2025
A locked-room murder case? With a young Robert Hunter at the center of it? Count me in.
It feels a bit weird reading this. It was so short that I was expecting a more elaborate twist. Haha. But anyway, it was still a fun read.
It feels a bit weird reading this. It was so short that I was expecting a more elaborate twist. Haha. But anyway, it was still a fun read.
May 21, 2023
The beginning of Hunter's career!!! Never thought how much he had to proof, being so young and all. And he didn't like whisky!? Shame on you, Robert!!
June 12, 2016
It was just alright, nothing much, nothing less.
Story started with a suicide case. Young detective Hunter just came to join the department and on his first day he gets to go, look into the case and give his assessment. Then write some papers to declare it was suicide officially. But naturally our hero gets to the scene, finds loopholes and announce it's a murder. The only problem remains, door was locked from inside. That's the real mystery to solve.
It was short. I didn't hate Detective Hunter, but I am not a fan yet. I did like the parts where Captain of LAPD talked, he was funny (but serious). Locked room thingy was not bad either. But apart from that everything was too linear. I guess there wasn't enough space to scramble up clues and make it a complex mystery.
Last part of the book contains preview from another book! I was sad, I though the story would cover that space too and hence will be bigger.
Anyways, it was sweet and short, old school, and introduced a new hero. That's all to earn a solid 3 stars (even a 3.5 is possible!).
Story started with a suicide case. Young detective Hunter just came to join the department and on his first day he gets to go, look into the case and give his assessment. Then write some papers to declare it was suicide officially. But naturally our hero gets to the scene, finds loopholes and announce it's a murder. The only problem remains, door was locked from inside. That's the real mystery to solve.
It was short. I didn't hate Detective Hunter, but I am not a fan yet. I did like the parts where Captain of LAPD talked, he was funny (but serious). Locked room thingy was not bad either. But apart from that everything was too linear. I guess there wasn't enough space to scramble up clues and make it a complex mystery.
Last part of the book contains preview from another book! I was sad, I though the story would cover that space too and hence will be bigger.
Anyways, it was sweet and short, old school, and introduced a new hero. That's all to earn a solid 3 stars (even a 3.5 is possible!).
November 17, 2015
Verdammt, noch ne neue Reihe zum lesen. ;)
June 25, 2015
Fand ich cool den ersten Fall von Detective Hunter zu lesen. Ich mag ihn!
3,5 Sterne.
3,5 Sterne.
July 31, 2019
Cartera ili voliš ili ne. Ja ga obožavam.
April 22, 2024
So after hearing amazing things about this series I decided to bite the bullet and buy them all so I started with this one (0.5) as a tasty appetiser to wean me in. Here we are introduced to Detective Robert Hunter on his first day with LAPD robbery and homicide division, being the youngest to ever reach this level he is a bit of a prodigy. Thrown in with his first case to sign off that a young womans suicide is an actually suicide and not a homicide.
Looking forward to getting my teeth into the rest of the series! Exactly the kind of crime thriller I enjoy.
Looking forward to getting my teeth into the rest of the series! Exactly the kind of crime thriller I enjoy.
February 8, 2021
Great short story that told us the first case of Robert Hunter.
The muder were exciting and we got to see, the way a young Robert worked.
The muder were exciting and we got to see, the way a young Robert worked.
August 19, 2022
Short and sweet. Nice introduction of Robert Hunter. I'm looking forward to reading next book with more details. 🤩
October 28, 2017
A nice introduction to Robert Hunter, the youngest detective on LAPD. Young, competant and confidant Detective Hunter is given a simple case of suicide on his first day. But is it really suicide? Hunter with his sharp, deducting mind instantly feels that something's missing. Looks like a promising start to the Robert Hunter Series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews