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The Hunted
Ophelia Harris, a former CIA analyst who went to work for a private intelligence and security firm working in Afghanistan, has been trying hard to stay under the radar.
What seems like a lifetime ago and a world away, she disappeared from the sandbox after a raid on an insurgent money laundering operation went terribly wrong. Every operator on the team was killed save one.
Ophelia escaped. And she got away with two suitcases filled with cash.
Gerhard Mueller runs Grendel Security Group and is Ophelia’s former employer. He knows a traitor set up the ambush that killed his team and he believes he knows who that traitor is.
He wants Harris found – and he wants her dead.
Austin Medford, a former Army Ranger, is sipping a beer at an airport lounge when he runs into a woman he believes he’s seen before during his deployment overseas. A woman running from trouble.
Soon Harris and Medford find themselves being brutally hunted by forces known and unknown trying to take them off the board.
The rules of the game are simple – run, fight, or die.
What seems like a lifetime ago and a world away, she disappeared from the sandbox after a raid on an insurgent money laundering operation went terribly wrong. Every operator on the team was killed save one.
Ophelia escaped. And she got away with two suitcases filled with cash.
Gerhard Mueller runs Grendel Security Group and is Ophelia’s former employer. He knows a traitor set up the ambush that killed his team and he believes he knows who that traitor is.
He wants Harris found – and he wants her dead.
Austin Medford, a former Army Ranger, is sipping a beer at an airport lounge when he runs into a woman he believes he’s seen before during his deployment overseas. A woman running from trouble.
Soon Harris and Medford find themselves being brutally hunted by forces known and unknown trying to take them off the board.
The rules of the game are simple – run, fight, or die.
186 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 3, 2026
If you're looking for a kick-ass heroine and intense action, then Russo's latest thriller is your best best! Ophelia finds herself on the wrong end of the agency she used to work for and is running for her life. This quietly intense cat and mouse game will have you on the edge of your seat as you keep checking behind you to make sure no one is getting the drop on you. Russo writes with an efficiency of words that manages to ratchet up the thrills and the danger. A great read!
January 7, 2026
Solid Thriller Uses Guns Both Effectively And Not So Effectively. Seriously, this is one book that uses one particular gun *phenomenally* - one of the best uses I've ever seen of this particular gun, easily. But revealing that particular gun gets into spoiler territory.
Most of the rest of this tale is a really solid cat and mouse type thriller where danger lurks nearly behind every word and the action is of a sufficiently frenetic pace that fans of masters of balls to the wall action like Matthew Reilly and Jeremy Robinson will likely enjoy quite well. From the prologue through the epilogue, danger and intrigue is always *right there*, and we get several very satisfying action sequences and payoffs throughout. For the pure adrenaline action book this is, it really is quite a fun one.
But then we get to the issues where guns *aren't* used as effectively, and to be fair this is a touch of nitpicking where those "less familiar" with guns than I am likely wouldn't notice anything wrong at all... but readers anywhere near the level of proficiency with guns that these characters are supposed to have - all private military contractors of some form, many of them former special forces - are known to howl quite loudly about when they see these exact errors. Yes, I'm talking about Spec Ops/ PMC type characters referring to "magazines" as "clips". Every. Damn. Time. Once, hey, maybe Russo mistyped and simply missed it in editing. Every time? Seems Russo, who clearly thought out and perhaps even researched *so much else* from a tactical and even practical perspective about so very many of the action sequences here - up to and including specifying several different types of guns in several different situations and using them quite effectively and realistically... *kept referring to magazines as clips*. GAH! So yes, this was bad enough from these specific types of characters that I ultimately felt I didn't have a choice but to deduct a star for this reason. I always seek to be both as objective as possible and 100% honest in my reviews, and this was absolutely something that stuck out to me every time it happened. And yes, *for me*, it took me out of the scene every time. As noted earlier, for someone less familiar with guns - say non-American audiences, or maybe readers in the Northeast or Left Coast - some of the areas in even the US with the tightest gun regulations and thus far less general public familiarity with guns - hey, this particular thing may not be an issue for those readers. But for anyone even moderately familiar with a gun, yes, this will absolutely be an issue.
Another gun related issue - that only happened a couple of times, to be clear - is suppressors. Yes, Russo used the correct term here, which was great. But he also described them as taking the sound of a gunshot from an M40 sniper rifle down to "a bit louder than a pellet gun". No. Just no. The *best* suppressors currently on the market in 2026 reduce a shot by *maybe* 40 decibels - and I'm being generous there. They take it from standing beside the action end of a jet engine to standing beside the speakers at a Metallica concert. At best. Which, to be fair, *is* QUITE "a bit louder than a pellet gun". The way I typically describe it is that it takes the shot from being heard from 5 miles away (ish) to one mile away (ish), particularly in the relatively open fields of that particular scene. Yet again though, familiarity with guns. If you only know guns from entertainment and not from some form of actually having fired them, Hollywood in particular is *horrendous* about the suppressor issue specifically... but you wouldn't know any better as you read this book. But those with more familiarity and experience with guns... again, this is a significant issue for at least those readers.
But again, overall - outside of the "magazine" vs "clip" issue and the suppressor issue - this really was a very solidly written, very fun action thriller with balls to the wall action sequences and fairly realistic tactics based on the settings as described - up to and including a few critical mistakes made by both heroes and villains. Truly a fun read that a lot of guys in particular are going to love.
Very much recommended.
Most of the rest of this tale is a really solid cat and mouse type thriller where danger lurks nearly behind every word and the action is of a sufficiently frenetic pace that fans of masters of balls to the wall action like Matthew Reilly and Jeremy Robinson will likely enjoy quite well. From the prologue through the epilogue, danger and intrigue is always *right there*, and we get several very satisfying action sequences and payoffs throughout. For the pure adrenaline action book this is, it really is quite a fun one.
But then we get to the issues where guns *aren't* used as effectively, and to be fair this is a touch of nitpicking where those "less familiar" with guns than I am likely wouldn't notice anything wrong at all... but readers anywhere near the level of proficiency with guns that these characters are supposed to have - all private military contractors of some form, many of them former special forces - are known to howl quite loudly about when they see these exact errors. Yes, I'm talking about Spec Ops/ PMC type characters referring to "magazines" as "clips". Every. Damn. Time. Once, hey, maybe Russo mistyped and simply missed it in editing. Every time? Seems Russo, who clearly thought out and perhaps even researched *so much else* from a tactical and even practical perspective about so very many of the action sequences here - up to and including specifying several different types of guns in several different situations and using them quite effectively and realistically... *kept referring to magazines as clips*. GAH! So yes, this was bad enough from these specific types of characters that I ultimately felt I didn't have a choice but to deduct a star for this reason. I always seek to be both as objective as possible and 100% honest in my reviews, and this was absolutely something that stuck out to me every time it happened. And yes, *for me*, it took me out of the scene every time. As noted earlier, for someone less familiar with guns - say non-American audiences, or maybe readers in the Northeast or Left Coast - some of the areas in even the US with the tightest gun regulations and thus far less general public familiarity with guns - hey, this particular thing may not be an issue for those readers. But for anyone even moderately familiar with a gun, yes, this will absolutely be an issue.
Another gun related issue - that only happened a couple of times, to be clear - is suppressors. Yes, Russo used the correct term here, which was great. But he also described them as taking the sound of a gunshot from an M40 sniper rifle down to "a bit louder than a pellet gun". No. Just no. The *best* suppressors currently on the market in 2026 reduce a shot by *maybe* 40 decibels - and I'm being generous there. They take it from standing beside the action end of a jet engine to standing beside the speakers at a Metallica concert. At best. Which, to be fair, *is* QUITE "a bit louder than a pellet gun". The way I typically describe it is that it takes the shot from being heard from 5 miles away (ish) to one mile away (ish), particularly in the relatively open fields of that particular scene. Yet again though, familiarity with guns. If you only know guns from entertainment and not from some form of actually having fired them, Hollywood in particular is *horrendous* about the suppressor issue specifically... but you wouldn't know any better as you read this book. But those with more familiarity and experience with guns... again, this is a significant issue for at least those readers.
But again, overall - outside of the "magazine" vs "clip" issue and the suppressor issue - this really was a very solidly written, very fun action thriller with balls to the wall action sequences and fairly realistic tactics based on the settings as described - up to and including a few critical mistakes made by both heroes and villains. Truly a fun read that a lot of guys in particular are going to love.
Very much recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Victory Editing and Netgalley for this eARC.
Steven Max Russo’s The Hunted opens with a strong hook: Ophelia Harris, a former CIA analyst who once worked for a private intelligence firm in Afghanistan, is now living under the radar in a small New Jersey beach town, armed, wary, and eight months into running for her life. It’s a promising setup—lean, atmospheric, and ripe for a tense cat‑and‑mouse thriller.
But while the novel delivers bursts of sharp, neo‑noir energy, it doesn’t always sustain the momentum its premise promises.
What Works
- A compelling protagonist. Ophelia is the novel’s greatest asset. Russo writes her with a mix of competence and paranoia that feels earned. Her background in intelligence gives the story authenticity, and her constant vigilance creates a steady hum of tension.
- Strong sense of place. The fog‑shrouded seaside town of Manasquan, NJ, is vividly rendered. Russo uses the damp, gray atmosphere to mirror Ophelia’s isolation and the threat closing in around her.
- Tight, noir‑inflected prose. The book’s tone leans into neo‑noir—bleak weather, moral ambiguity, and a protagonist who knows danger is inevitable. When Russo leans into this style, the story feels sharp and cinematic.
Where It Falters
- A narrow emotional range. While Ophelia is intriguing, the novel doesn’t always explore her interior life deeply enough to elevate the stakes. We understand she’s hunted, but the emotional cost of that life is sketched rather than fully developed.
- Uneven pacing. The opening chapters are atmospheric and tense, but the middle section occasionally drifts. Scenes that should escalate the danger sometimes feel repetitive, diluting the urgency of Ophelia’s situation.
- Supporting characters lack dimension. The antagonists and side characters serve their narrative functions but rarely surprise. In a story built on paranoia and shifting loyalties, more complexity would have amplified the suspense.
The Hunted is a moody, compact thriller with a strong lead and a vividly bleak setting. Russo’s noir instincts are sharp, and the premise has a real bite. But the novel doesn’t always push its characters or plot far enough to fully capitalize on its potential.
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, character‑driven suspense will find plenty to appreciate, but those looking for layered psychological tension or intricate plotting may feel the story stops short of greatness.
Steven Max Russo’s The Hunted opens with a strong hook: Ophelia Harris, a former CIA analyst who once worked for a private intelligence firm in Afghanistan, is now living under the radar in a small New Jersey beach town, armed, wary, and eight months into running for her life. It’s a promising setup—lean, atmospheric, and ripe for a tense cat‑and‑mouse thriller.
But while the novel delivers bursts of sharp, neo‑noir energy, it doesn’t always sustain the momentum its premise promises.
What Works
- A compelling protagonist. Ophelia is the novel’s greatest asset. Russo writes her with a mix of competence and paranoia that feels earned. Her background in intelligence gives the story authenticity, and her constant vigilance creates a steady hum of tension.
- Strong sense of place. The fog‑shrouded seaside town of Manasquan, NJ, is vividly rendered. Russo uses the damp, gray atmosphere to mirror Ophelia’s isolation and the threat closing in around her.
- Tight, noir‑inflected prose. The book’s tone leans into neo‑noir—bleak weather, moral ambiguity, and a protagonist who knows danger is inevitable. When Russo leans into this style, the story feels sharp and cinematic.
Where It Falters
- A narrow emotional range. While Ophelia is intriguing, the novel doesn’t always explore her interior life deeply enough to elevate the stakes. We understand she’s hunted, but the emotional cost of that life is sketched rather than fully developed.
- Uneven pacing. The opening chapters are atmospheric and tense, but the middle section occasionally drifts. Scenes that should escalate the danger sometimes feel repetitive, diluting the urgency of Ophelia’s situation.
- Supporting characters lack dimension. The antagonists and side characters serve their narrative functions but rarely surprise. In a story built on paranoia and shifting loyalties, more complexity would have amplified the suspense.
The Hunted is a moody, compact thriller with a strong lead and a vividly bleak setting. Russo’s noir instincts are sharp, and the premise has a real bite. But the novel doesn’t always push its characters or plot far enough to fully capitalize on its potential.
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, character‑driven suspense will find plenty to appreciate, but those looking for layered psychological tension or intricate plotting may feel the story stops short of greatness.
January 3, 2026
Like Russo's previous works, which I have also reviewed, "The Hunted" is a sharp, fast-paced thriller that will keep the reader turning the pages. It follows Ophelia and Austin as they run from Ophelia's former colleagues, who are hunting her with intent to kill.
There's a mystery interwoven with the action, as we discover that Ophelia was an agent for a private intelligence company in Afghanistan, where she and Austin briefly crossed paths, and that she witnessed something she shouldn't have, and that multiple people within the company would like to silence her permanently for reasons of varying legitimacy. The story touches on sensitive topics relating to the US's various post-9/11 forever wars, but stays focused on keeping the reader guessing.
I recommend this book for fans of thrillers and high-action mysteries, especially with a political angle. It's crisp, clean, and moves briskly from the opening to the closing pages.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
There's a mystery interwoven with the action, as we discover that Ophelia was an agent for a private intelligence company in Afghanistan, where she and Austin briefly crossed paths, and that she witnessed something she shouldn't have, and that multiple people within the company would like to silence her permanently for reasons of varying legitimacy. The story touches on sensitive topics relating to the US's various post-9/11 forever wars, but stays focused on keeping the reader guessing.
I recommend this book for fans of thrillers and high-action mysteries, especially with a political angle. It's crisp, clean, and moves briskly from the opening to the closing pages.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
The Hunted is a nail-biter from the first pages to the last. This twisty novel starts in the mountains of Afghanistan as a military operation is taking place. A female soldier interrogator is facing down two captives while a Lone Ranger looks on with his sniper rifle in his hand.
The consequences of this incident parallel two lives, a Military investigation, and the possibility of death to those involved.
Our lead protagonist is Ophelia and she is running hard to get herself out of harms way since that fateful time. Ophelia has walked away like a “ghost”. But it’s not that easy to disappear in a world of technology and money these days. But either way she’s on the run and there are those who want that run to stop permanently - at any cost!
That fateful day brings two lives together and may very well bring death and destruction to all involved.
Fast paced with plenty of action will keep the reader at the edge of your seat. Excellent novel. 5 stars!
The consequences of this incident parallel two lives, a Military investigation, and the possibility of death to those involved.
Our lead protagonist is Ophelia and she is running hard to get herself out of harms way since that fateful time. Ophelia has walked away like a “ghost”. But it’s not that easy to disappear in a world of technology and money these days. But either way she’s on the run and there are those who want that run to stop permanently - at any cost!
That fateful day brings two lives together and may very well bring death and destruction to all involved.
Fast paced with plenty of action will keep the reader at the edge of your seat. Excellent novel. 5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the moment this adrenaline-fueled book takes off, there's not a moment to catch your breath! That's what I love about this author's books. First off, you never know what you're going to get, but you can rest assured it's going to be unique, action-packed and filled with a menagerie of characters that will do the most unexpected things. Secondly, you're not going to be able to stop as you go along on a thrill ride that will keep you turning pages long into the night.
What starts as a typical man, or in this case woman, on the run scenario quickly gets turned on its head as the hunted become the hunters. You won't know who to trust or who to turn to as there appears to be no way out of this dilemma, and as things close in, you'll be at the breaking point of tension and suspense, wondering if there is a light at the end of the tunnel or only a bullet.
This is so well-written and authentic that I'm actually questioning the author's bio, as the blurb about being in "advertising" surely must be a cover. This is so realistic that he had to have been with the Company himself. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. If you love action thrillers, do yourself a favor and start reading this author today!
What starts as a typical man, or in this case woman, on the run scenario quickly gets turned on its head as the hunted become the hunters. You won't know who to trust or who to turn to as there appears to be no way out of this dilemma, and as things close in, you'll be at the breaking point of tension and suspense, wondering if there is a light at the end of the tunnel or only a bullet.
This is so well-written and authentic that I'm actually questioning the author's bio, as the blurb about being in "advertising" surely must be a cover. This is so realistic that he had to have been with the Company himself. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. If you love action thrillers, do yourself a favor and start reading this author today!
January 3, 2026
Riveting thriller.
Ophelia and Austin are on the run from a private security black ops group that believes she sabotaged an Afghanistan op during the war days and stole money and weapons. Austin, a former Afghanistan military sniper, just happens along on the airport scene as she is being chased and fired upon after having been spotted trying to get away from a thwarted kill attack.
Taking off together, they go on the run from the security firm determined to find them and kill them, believing him to have been part of her team.
Great suspense and non stop action with characters that are well defined and interesting.
Terrific first thriller for 26.
Ophelia and Austin are on the run from a private security black ops group that believes she sabotaged an Afghanistan op during the war days and stole money and weapons. Austin, a former Afghanistan military sniper, just happens along on the airport scene as she is being chased and fired upon after having been spotted trying to get away from a thwarted kill attack.
Taking off together, they go on the run from the security firm determined to find them and kill them, believing him to have been part of her team.
Great suspense and non stop action with characters that are well defined and interesting.
Terrific first thriller for 26.
January 1, 2026
I'd rate it 4.5 if possible because there are more typos than I find acceptable. But this is a 5 star book. It has an interesting protagonist in analyst Ophelia Harris, and her alliance with sniper Austin Medford was interesting to follow.
Fast-paced and exciting, with a thrilling conclusion that kept me hooked. There are some twists and a resolution that I found wholly satisfying. There might be some pacing issues early in the book, but it soon moves at a very fast pace.
A real action-packed thriller.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fast-paced and exciting, with a thrilling conclusion that kept me hooked. There are some twists and a resolution that I found wholly satisfying. There might be some pacing issues early in the book, but it soon moves at a very fast pace.
A real action-packed thriller.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2026
I enjoyed The Debt Collector very much but this book by Steven totally blew that out of the water. It was so incredibly engaging. I was hooked right from the first few pages. If you are looking for a new thriller author Steven is a great choice. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews