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Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #27
The Hunt
Detective Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus return to Los Angeles when a kidnapping hits close to home—in this breathtaking new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Faye Kellerman.
Peter and his partner, Detective Tyler McAdams, are thrown into an unsolved case and propelled into action when a body is found in the very woods where a man previously went missing in upstate New York.
But that’s not the only crisis that Peter has to deal with.
Teresa McLaughlin, the biological mother of Peter and his wife Rina’s foster son, Gabe, has fled to Los Angeles with her two children in tow, hoping to avoid a court injunction amid a messy divorce. But LA is no escape from her problems—she is found by ruthless men and beaten mercilessly. When she wakes, barely conscious, Teresa discovers that both of her children are gone and frantically calls Gabe for help.
With his mother on the verge of death, Gabe contacts Peter and Rina, as well as his biological father, the notorious Christopher Donatti, a former hit man from a known criminal family who’s now a millionaire in Nevada. By bringing Donatti into the fray, Gabe, Peter, and Rina know they have made a deal with the devil—but they may not be able to recover the kids without him.
As these unlikely allies rally to find the kidnappers before things end tragically, they race headlong toward an explosive confrontation from which no one will emerge unscathed...
Peter and his partner, Detective Tyler McAdams, are thrown into an unsolved case and propelled into action when a body is found in the very woods where a man previously went missing in upstate New York.
But that’s not the only crisis that Peter has to deal with.
Teresa McLaughlin, the biological mother of Peter and his wife Rina’s foster son, Gabe, has fled to Los Angeles with her two children in tow, hoping to avoid a court injunction amid a messy divorce. But LA is no escape from her problems—she is found by ruthless men and beaten mercilessly. When she wakes, barely conscious, Teresa discovers that both of her children are gone and frantically calls Gabe for help.
With his mother on the verge of death, Gabe contacts Peter and Rina, as well as his biological father, the notorious Christopher Donatti, a former hit man from a known criminal family who’s now a millionaire in Nevada. By bringing Donatti into the fray, Gabe, Peter, and Rina know they have made a deal with the devil—but they may not be able to recover the kids without him.
As these unlikely allies rally to find the kidnappers before things end tragically, they race headlong toward an explosive confrontation from which no one will emerge unscathed...
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2022
756 people are currently reading
4218 people want to read
About the author
Faye Kellerman
179 books2,021 followersFaye Kellerman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. She earned a BA in mathematics and a doctorate in dentistry at UCLA., and conducted research in oral biology. Kellerman's groundbreaking first novel, THE RITUAL BATH, was published in 1986 to wide critical and commercial acclaim. The winner of the Macavity Award for the Best First Novel from the Mystery Readers of American, THE RITUAL BATH introduced readers to Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, termed by People Magazine "Hands down, the most refreshing mystery couple around." The New York Times enthused, "This couple's domestic affairs have the haimish warmth of reality, unlike the formulaic lives of so many other genre detectives."
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 613 reviews
August 20, 2022
3.5*
This is book 27 of one of my long-running favorite series. If you’re new to the series this may not be a good place to jump in for several reasons. With expansive back stories to every character I can’t imagine stepping in at this point and truly understanding or appreciating this series.
This latest release is truly two separate stories running concurrently.
Peter Decker is wrapping up his final case as a homicide detective before settling into retirement, and moving with his wife Rina to Israel.
As always, I would have enjoyed having more time with this amazing couple and their ever expanding family. The case Peter was working on simply didn’t hold my interest.
The second storyline revolves around Chris Donatti and his ex-wife Teresa. Both characters are from earlier in the series, who have since grown up with children of their own. Now Teresa needs help.
Her son was kidnapped and she, after a brutal beating escaped with her daughter. With nowhere else to turn, her ex is the only man powerful enough to bring her son home.
This storyline was shocking to read at times due to its graphic nature. I completely understand that it’s a prominent part of Chris’ character but it still felt a bit excessive.
Overall, I always enjoy my yearly visits with Rina and Peter. While this wasn’t a favorite,
I would never pass up my opportunity to spend time with one of my favorite fictional couples.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow
This is book 27 of one of my long-running favorite series. If you’re new to the series this may not be a good place to jump in for several reasons. With expansive back stories to every character I can’t imagine stepping in at this point and truly understanding or appreciating this series.
This latest release is truly two separate stories running concurrently.
Peter Decker is wrapping up his final case as a homicide detective before settling into retirement, and moving with his wife Rina to Israel.
As always, I would have enjoyed having more time with this amazing couple and their ever expanding family. The case Peter was working on simply didn’t hold my interest.
The second storyline revolves around Chris Donatti and his ex-wife Teresa. Both characters are from earlier in the series, who have since grown up with children of their own. Now Teresa needs help.
Her son was kidnapped and she, after a brutal beating escaped with her daughter. With nowhere else to turn, her ex is the only man powerful enough to bring her son home.
This storyline was shocking to read at times due to its graphic nature. I completely understand that it’s a prominent part of Chris’ character but it still felt a bit excessive.
Overall, I always enjoy my yearly visits with Rina and Peter. While this wasn’t a favorite,
I would never pass up my opportunity to spend time with one of my favorite fictional couples.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow
August 24, 2022
I loved this series. Until this one. I don’t know how much I skipped over, but it was making me sick to my stomach. I’m told this is the last one. Maybe just as well.
May 5, 2022
I have read every single one of Faye Kellerman's books and I love Rina and Pete. So I am always happy to see a new book in this series. However, this one is a total disappointment. I don't mind a little violence and sex, but this one is so filled with rape, repugnant sex and dehumanization that it totally turned me off. There are two stories going on and the other one was okay. But why oh why did the author decide to write scenes that will only alienate her readers? And is this really the last book in this series? Too much confusion here and I did not like this book at all.
August 27, 2022
What a huge disappointment!! Ms. Kellerman introduces this as the "last" Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novel, but then gives us a thoroughly disgusting and dissatisfying end to what was for many readers a beloved series with characters that you cared about. One thing that was special about this series is that Ms Kellerman, unlike most authors of detective stories, let her characters grow and age from book to book. We watched as they first met, worked out their relationship, raised their families and had grandchildren, retired, moved across the country and grew old. And what made the series most charming was he interjection of their Judaism and Rina's contributions to the solutions of the mysteries. This book, however, has little Peter and even less Rina. Most of it is the grueling and tasteless story of the dysfunctional and highly pornographic relationship between Chris Donatti and his ex-wife Terry. It is boring, almost unreadable, pointless and totally unrelated to our usual protagonists. It is as if it were even written by a different person.
The mystery that Peter is involved in is a carry over from the previous novel, confusing if it's been awhile since you read it. The denoument is too pat, as the suspect they are looking for just conveniently walks into the police station in time for a solution before Peter's last day on the job so that he can go out a "winner." There is very little Rina. She's in Florida visiting her mother. And there is hardly any Judaism except for Peter's care in eating kosher on the job, family holiday celebrations "bookending" the novel, and plans to take a sabbatical in Israel.
In the last twenty pages Ms Kellerman introduces a whole new surprise plot element which, I suppose, was intended to tie the two story elements together. It doesn't work and is very unsatisfying, even unbelievable to some extent.
This novel does not do justice to the characters we have been following for so long. A word to Faye Kellerman. I would suggest one more, a mystery/police procedural set in Israel concentrating on Peter and Rina perhaps interacting with some of he characters that her husband Jonathan introduced in "The Butcher's Theater."
The mystery that Peter is involved in is a carry over from the previous novel, confusing if it's been awhile since you read it. The denoument is too pat, as the suspect they are looking for just conveniently walks into the police station in time for a solution before Peter's last day on the job so that he can go out a "winner." There is very little Rina. She's in Florida visiting her mother. And there is hardly any Judaism except for Peter's care in eating kosher on the job, family holiday celebrations "bookending" the novel, and plans to take a sabbatical in Israel.
In the last twenty pages Ms Kellerman introduces a whole new surprise plot element which, I suppose, was intended to tie the two story elements together. It doesn't work and is very unsatisfying, even unbelievable to some extent.
This novel does not do justice to the characters we have been following for so long. A word to Faye Kellerman. I would suggest one more, a mystery/police procedural set in Israel concentrating on Peter and Rina perhaps interacting with some of he characters that her husband Jonathan introduced in "The Butcher's Theater."
September 1, 2022
Porn. Pure filth. Disgusting violence. Faye Kellerman should be ashamed of her last book. I read it all because her other books were wonderful, but this was disgusting!!!
October 6, 2022
Well I made it to the end and this book tug on my emotions. For a 26 books series, Rina Decker has been a character I wish I could sit down to tea with and just talk for hours. Although not the main character she is what had me coming back to this series for the long haul. Sitting down to one of these cases is like a meeting with old friends or family that I haven’t seen in a while and now that’s no more. Faye Kellerman has chosen to live her twilight years in Jerusalem and has decided to have the Deckers do the same thing. For years I had hope that she would write a spin-off series about one of the Decker offspring and while a few book series might still happen a long one most likely will not. Cindy has just been made homicide dec and Gabe is about to be married and is a concert pianist. And let’s not forget the stars of this book, his parents, who had my emotions everywhere. But good for Kellerman and the Deckers. I would live in Jerusalem too if I had the opportunity. I wish them nothing but the best in life and look forward to whatever adventures they have in store. But I am really going to miss these characters meaning it’s time for some rereads.
4 stars
4 stars
February 5, 2022
I have read a number of Faye Kellerman's books, Although I've liked some more than others, this title, "The Hunt', is way on the bottom of my list. I am not a prude, but there is an extreme amount of violent and degrading sex scenes written with extreme detail. The graphic descriptions did nothing to further the rather weak mystery in the book. The book begins with a violent scene, and for readers who have not read the previous books in this series, they will be totally confused.
I appreciate the opportunity given to me by Netgalley and the publisher to be able to read this and comment on the book.
I appreciate the opportunity given to me by Netgalley and the publisher to be able to read this and comment on the book.
September 3, 2022
This is the last installment of a once favorite series and a great disappointment. I agree with another reviewer who said this didn’t even seem like it had been written by Faye Kellerman. Two concurrent plots, the first a continuation of a case from the prior book “Lost Boys” which wasn’t very interesting and didn’t make a lot of sense. The second dealt with the tumultuous relationship between the parents of the Decker’s foster son Gabe. The focus on a dysfunctional, violent and highly sexualized relationship seemed like such an outlier for the author. I will miss Peter and Rina and wish they had the send off they deserved.
September 26, 2024
“Curtains down. House lights dimmed. Fade to black.”
This book says goodbye to the long running Decker/Lazarus series. So, definitely don’t start reading the series with this book. Always start a series at the beginning.
This book, to be honest, was a very painful reading experience. With its graphic violence, it made it quite a difficult read.
Some chapters were told in first person, when Terry, Gabe’s mother, (Donatti’s wife), shared her story, before moving back to regular narration to share Decker’s case.
Telling both stories fell flat, and it was difficult as a reader to feel connected to either story, especially with the graphic violence, and constant repetition. I found myself just wanting to skip read to the end.
I had a feeling I would know that eventually Peter and Rina were going to make some decision about their future (which they did). And, I would feel happy for them about where they landed. But I would also feel very sad that this was a dreadfully written story. Which makes this book an awful ending to a fairly good series.
Trigger warning: graphic violence, rape scene
This book says goodbye to the long running Decker/Lazarus series. So, definitely don’t start reading the series with this book. Always start a series at the beginning.
This book, to be honest, was a very painful reading experience. With its graphic violence, it made it quite a difficult read.
Some chapters were told in first person, when Terry, Gabe’s mother, (Donatti’s wife), shared her story, before moving back to regular narration to share Decker’s case.
Telling both stories fell flat, and it was difficult as a reader to feel connected to either story, especially with the graphic violence, and constant repetition. I found myself just wanting to skip read to the end.
I had a feeling I would know that eventually Peter and Rina were going to make some decision about their future (which they did). And, I would feel happy for them about where they landed. But I would also feel very sad that this was a dreadfully written story. Which makes this book an awful ending to a fairly good series.
Trigger warning: graphic violence, rape scene
August 21, 2022
I have been a fan of Faye Kellerman's since THE RITUAL BATH and have loved most everything she has written. However, I was not sure that I wanted to read THE HUNT, this 27th entry into the Decker/Lazarus series. The Deckers settled in a college town several books ago, Greenbury, hundreds of miles from Manhattan, and Decker's crime solving was becoming not interesting enough for me to want to read more. However, Faith Kellerman has done something amazing: she makes me care for her characters from the present and from the past; I’ve missed them.
Long-term readers will recognize Chris Donatti, former husband of Terry McLaughlin, an M.D. who ten years earlier fled to Mumbai because of her pregnancy. Chris will never accept another’s child and not wanting to have an abortion, Terry gets a divorce, marries Devek and has Juleen. Later she has Sanjay. Devek has an addiction to gambling, and he has put his entire family at risk to the point that he is willing to whore out Terry to his brother who will pay off his debts if Terry accommodates him. Terry’s son Sanjay is kidnapped; her daughter Juleen has escaped, and Terry has been beaten badly. She knows that she and her daughter are in danger. She calls Gabe, her musical savant son with Chris Donatti, and asks for help. Gabe says she must ask Chris for help. And so she does. And a love story started more than 20 years earlier is reignited.
A reader would have to go back to read the Chris and Gabe and Terry stories to fully appreciate how Kellerman has beautifully weaved their stories into this novel. And I envy you the reading. These characters are some of my favorites from Kellerman’s best novels.
I must admit, at the end of the novel, I did something I almost never do when reading fiction; I cried. THE HUNT is that good. Read Faye Kellerman.
Long-term readers will recognize Chris Donatti, former husband of Terry McLaughlin, an M.D. who ten years earlier fled to Mumbai because of her pregnancy. Chris will never accept another’s child and not wanting to have an abortion, Terry gets a divorce, marries Devek and has Juleen. Later she has Sanjay. Devek has an addiction to gambling, and he has put his entire family at risk to the point that he is willing to whore out Terry to his brother who will pay off his debts if Terry accommodates him. Terry’s son Sanjay is kidnapped; her daughter Juleen has escaped, and Terry has been beaten badly. She knows that she and her daughter are in danger. She calls Gabe, her musical savant son with Chris Donatti, and asks for help. Gabe says she must ask Chris for help. And so she does. And a love story started more than 20 years earlier is reignited.
A reader would have to go back to read the Chris and Gabe and Terry stories to fully appreciate how Kellerman has beautifully weaved their stories into this novel. And I envy you the reading. These characters are some of my favorites from Kellerman’s best novels.
I must admit, at the end of the novel, I did something I almost never do when reading fiction; I cried. THE HUNT is that good. Read Faye Kellerman.
September 2, 2022
I have read every Rina Lazarus and Peter Decker book since 1986. Since this is the last book in the series, I hoped that the book would be about two of my favorite protagonists. The audiobook is 17 hours long. Rina is part of the narrative for maybe 15 minutes. Peter solves a murder in about 2 hours. Much of the remaining 14 hours vividly describes graphic sexual violence wreaked by the psychopath Christopher Donatti on the woman he "loves". Again and again and again the reader is subjected to explicit abuse. The woman is so damaged that she still believes he "loves" her. I always thought Faye Kellerman was a class act. This horrible book proves me wrong. Kristi & Abby Tabby
September 4, 2022
I was so disappointed by Faye Kellerman's last book in the Peter Decker series. I've always enjoyed them but not this one. The mystery aspect was silly and convoluted and the majority of the book was centered on the unhealthy abusive relationship of two minor characters. The book was filled with more sexual detail than necessary that added nothing to the story. It certainly was not of the same standard of her other books.
September 17, 2023
I feel the need to comment on this one instead of just giving star rating.
I love Peter and Rina and have loved every one of the books dedicated primarily to them.
I can’t stand Donatti and Terry. He’s an abhorrent character and she’s a whiny submissive.
This book runs two stories concurrently, and that which focuses on Donatti and Terry is grim and contains graphic rape descriptions that go on and on for pages. Terry is not a gripping character either and their storyline has zero interest or thrills.
This is apparently Kellerman’s last Decker and Lazarus. I wish to the almighty that she had just focused on those two wonderful characters and written a final novel for them that was worthy of the 26 predecessors.
I thought from reading this that she was setting Donatti and Terry up for her next series of books. If so, I’ll sadly be saying goodbye to an excellent author who has been one of my top favorites for decades (better even than her husband!).
I love Peter and Rina and have loved every one of the books dedicated primarily to them.
I can’t stand Donatti and Terry. He’s an abhorrent character and she’s a whiny submissive.
This book runs two stories concurrently, and that which focuses on Donatti and Terry is grim and contains graphic rape descriptions that go on and on for pages. Terry is not a gripping character either and their storyline has zero interest or thrills.
This is apparently Kellerman’s last Decker and Lazarus. I wish to the almighty that she had just focused on those two wonderful characters and written a final novel for them that was worthy of the 26 predecessors.
I thought from reading this that she was setting Donatti and Terry up for her next series of books. If so, I’ll sadly be saying goodbye to an excellent author who has been one of my top favorites for decades (better even than her husband!).
January 13, 2022
I have been a fan of Rina and Peter Decker since “The Ritual Bath” so I found myself rather shocked finding a traditional Decker detective novel wrapped around a rather bizarre psychosexual love story. As a fan, I knew all the characters and their histories, but this was such a deviation from my expectations that I am not sure how to to react.
Long term readers will recognize Chris Donatti who plays an important part in this story. The Deckers raised his extremely gifted son Gabe after he was abandoned by his wife Terry. They are all back, surrounded by violence and sexual perversion.
As we left the previous novel, Peter was working on a case, in his sleepy college town. I looked forward to all the ends being pulled together. In fact, this book does return to that case and i was given closure.
However, this presents readers with a problem. This cannot be viewed as a stand-alone novel. It really is the continuation of many years of the Lazarus-Decker partnership. I fear that the cast of dozens of characters coming together might be a harbinger of ending this series, which has brought me so much joy.
So, with the understanding that this book should only be read by those of us with all the puzzle pieces in our background, I do recommend it to the loyal followers.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this most unexpected ARC in return for an honest review.
Long term readers will recognize Chris Donatti who plays an important part in this story. The Deckers raised his extremely gifted son Gabe after he was abandoned by his wife Terry. They are all back, surrounded by violence and sexual perversion.
As we left the previous novel, Peter was working on a case, in his sleepy college town. I looked forward to all the ends being pulled together. In fact, this book does return to that case and i was given closure.
However, this presents readers with a problem. This cannot be viewed as a stand-alone novel. It really is the continuation of many years of the Lazarus-Decker partnership. I fear that the cast of dozens of characters coming together might be a harbinger of ending this series, which has brought me so much joy.
So, with the understanding that this book should only be read by those of us with all the puzzle pieces in our background, I do recommend it to the loyal followers.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this most unexpected ARC in return for an honest review.
June 12, 2022
This is the last, LAST Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker book. Hard to believe, I remember reading them way way way back. I learned quite a bit about the Jewish faith reading those early books!
In this thriller, Gabe (Peter and Rina's adopted son) receives a call for help from his mother Terry. Rina and Peter are gearing up to move to Israel, and Peter is tied in to one last case. Peter calls Gabe's birth father, an incredibly wealthy criminal underworld type to step in to help. Much of the story is about Chris and his relationship with Gabe's mother, Terry.
The Hunt pulls in past characters and weaves together a story that will tie up all loose ends. I wouldn't recommend this for your first Kellerman read - many of the books can be read stand alone, but a lot of past characterizations and events are needed to make this a palatable book. Little is focused upon Rina and Peter, and much more on the ancillary characters.
It is well written and gripping. There are very graphic violence and sex scenes entwined with past abuse that turned me off. It's hard to say if the author ties this violence into true love and past abuse.
The true fans, however, will love this book and the send off it give the entire family. If you are a Rina Lazarus / Peter Decker fan, then The Hunt is for you! #WilliamMorrow
In this thriller, Gabe (Peter and Rina's adopted son) receives a call for help from his mother Terry. Rina and Peter are gearing up to move to Israel, and Peter is tied in to one last case. Peter calls Gabe's birth father, an incredibly wealthy criminal underworld type to step in to help. Much of the story is about Chris and his relationship with Gabe's mother, Terry.
The Hunt pulls in past characters and weaves together a story that will tie up all loose ends. I wouldn't recommend this for your first Kellerman read - many of the books can be read stand alone, but a lot of past characterizations and events are needed to make this a palatable book. Little is focused upon Rina and Peter, and much more on the ancillary characters.
It is well written and gripping. There are very graphic violence and sex scenes entwined with past abuse that turned me off. It's hard to say if the author ties this violence into true love and past abuse.
The true fans, however, will love this book and the send off it give the entire family. If you are a Rina Lazarus / Peter Decker fan, then The Hunt is for you! #WilliamMorrow
September 12, 2022
The last of the series and certainly the most emotional. I couldn't sleep thinking about it, I woke up thinking about it. If you've read the whole series in order, as I have, with Chris and Terry being your favorite characters, then be ready.
August 30, 2022
DNF. This book was such a disappointing and disgusting end to the series. If you are a fan of Peter and Rina, I recommend that you not read this one because it isn't really about them.
September 23, 2022
I was unaware the The Hunt is to be the last of the Decker/Lazarus series until I saw the notation at the beginning of the book.
The series has come a long way since a young Orthodox Jewish widow fell in love with non-Jewish detective. We followed them through that young love and raising a family as an observant Jewish couple, interspersed with fascinating crime cases.
If I were to have read The Hunt first, if I had read the first, five, ten or even twenty of the Decker/Lazarus series and then jumped to The Hunt, I would never have picked up another Faye Kellerman book and would have missed out on the enjoyment of thirty-one books over the span of 25 years.
The crime that Decker is trying to solve in The Hunt is a boring, useless appendix to the appalling rest of the story which instead features half-minor characters we've met before.
Decker and McAdams go in circles, again, chewing on scenarios in the death of a woman, three missing people, two of whom are developmentally disabled and how it's all connected. If you haven't read The Lost Boys before reading The Hunt you'd have no idea of any of this. And, like me, you wouldn't care.
The Hunt crosses the border into written pornography, not only with obscenity and violence but explicit, selfish sexual domination, rape, and the glorification of prostitution.
The Hunt defies everything I've ever thought about Faye Kellerman and her writing. In the morally and culturally unhealthy society in which we live, Rina and Peter were a welcome respite with their dedication to their faith, their welcoming family, and their generosity to even the undeserving.
I can't understand how she could write this on the back of the reputation of Rina Lazarus, who we've known all these years and whom Kellerman defiled with explicit descriptions she allowed the feature character, Chris Donatti, to dismiss as, 'I can't help it', 'men are pigs' and 'what happens in the privacy of a marriage'.
In doing so, with 384 pages, Kellerman sullied Peter and Rina and destroyed her own reputation. I'm ashamed for, and of, her. Frankly, I hope The Hunt is her last book as well as the last in the series.
1 gracious and generous star for a disappointing denouement of beloved characters who, along with their faithful readers, deserved far better than this pornographic tripe.
The series has come a long way since a young Orthodox Jewish widow fell in love with non-Jewish detective. We followed them through that young love and raising a family as an observant Jewish couple, interspersed with fascinating crime cases.
If I were to have read The Hunt first, if I had read the first, five, ten or even twenty of the Decker/Lazarus series and then jumped to The Hunt, I would never have picked up another Faye Kellerman book and would have missed out on the enjoyment of thirty-one books over the span of 25 years.
The crime that Decker is trying to solve in The Hunt is a boring, useless appendix to the appalling rest of the story which instead features half-minor characters we've met before.
Decker and McAdams go in circles, again, chewing on scenarios in the death of a woman, three missing people, two of whom are developmentally disabled and how it's all connected. If you haven't read The Lost Boys before reading The Hunt you'd have no idea of any of this. And, like me, you wouldn't care.
The Hunt crosses the border into written pornography, not only with obscenity and violence but explicit, selfish sexual domination, rape, and the glorification of prostitution.
The Hunt defies everything I've ever thought about Faye Kellerman and her writing. In the morally and culturally unhealthy society in which we live, Rina and Peter were a welcome respite with their dedication to their faith, their welcoming family, and their generosity to even the undeserving.
I can't understand how she could write this on the back of the reputation of Rina Lazarus, who we've known all these years and whom Kellerman defiled with explicit descriptions she allowed the feature character, Chris Donatti, to dismiss as, 'I can't help it', 'men are pigs' and 'what happens in the privacy of a marriage'.
In doing so, with 384 pages, Kellerman sullied Peter and Rina and destroyed her own reputation. I'm ashamed for, and of, her. Frankly, I hope The Hunt is her last book as well as the last in the series.
1 gracious and generous star for a disappointing denouement of beloved characters who, along with their faithful readers, deserved far better than this pornographic tripe.
September 27, 2022
This was really intense, sometimes a deeply unpleasant read, but there were twists and turns beginning to end, and I wanted to know what would happen next. I can't say much without spoilers, but it picks up where the last book left off (thank goodness, it left us hanging). It has a lot more about Donatti and fam than we have ever previously experienced -- hence the unpleasant parts of the read -- be prepared for rape and abuse, in addition to the usual murder/violence. Also, happily, some good family time for Peter and Rina, and a continuation of the plotline heading towards retirement, though like any Decker plan, it doesn't go as you might expect. Enthralling read, and I think (I hope?) gives us a peek into the future of the series.
*I have to say there were moments when I wondered what message Kellerman is sending -- Chris and Terry's relationship is so messed up, and it almost seems to justify extreme sexual demands as part of the package when dealing with men, especially men who have experienced abuse themselves. There's so much of it that it's hard to know if that's Donatti's character speaking or if there's some background agenda. Definitely something that Terry is struggling with in the book.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
*I have to say there were moments when I wondered what message Kellerman is sending -- Chris and Terry's relationship is so messed up, and it almost seems to justify extreme sexual demands as part of the package when dealing with men, especially men who have experienced abuse themselves. There's so much of it that it's hard to know if that's Donatti's character speaking or if there's some background agenda. Definitely something that Terry is struggling with in the book.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2022
Loved the series, but this is a no go 1/2 star
September 12, 2022
Four words for this last of a great series: boring, lengthy, disgusting and insulting. The first two are self explanatory; disgusting because of the gratuitous graphic sex; insulting because Kellerman sold out her loyal followers.
August 25, 2022
I was provided this book through Netgalley to get back an honest review. Reading this book was like pulling teeth. While I kept holding out hoping that something was going to happen that surprised me or grabbed me as a reader that just never happened. Honestly the two plot lines did not do a good job mirroring each other and both of them were drawn out to the point that it felt like the writer was just continuing to write in order to meet some sort of goal. Be that a word count or just to make the reader fall asleep. I loved the short blurb about this book. There is little to no hunt in this book. Unless you want to count the hunt for Teresa’s son, and honestly that was given such little space in this book that you can barely call it a hunt. I mean the kidnappers call and Christopher, he tells them hey I’ll pay you the money owed by the dad no problem. Let’s just draw this out over like five chapters where we have two pages of dialogue about the boy now and then and we will be good. Even just the toxic relationship between Teresa and Christopher is horrible. How to portray one of the most toxic relationships ever and then try to justify it at the same time was a goal this author struggled with. As for the other case. It was pretty none eventful. Honestly it could have been dropped. That and some of Teresa’s interactions with Christopher. Even the big reveals at the end were super lack luster. Overall, this book was not my cup of tea. I had never read anything by this author previously and I am sorry to say I doubt I will again.
November 6, 2022
I felt very disappointed and found myself speed reading a lot of it. Two seperate stories- one was a fairly mundane and boring crime story which was hard to engage with. Very poor quality crime writing. The other storyline was just a series of graphic rape scenes that were sickenly explained as the perpetrator was an abuse victim. Rather insulting to many abuse survivors. But worse there was something about the rape scenes that were gratuitous. They didn’t move the plot or character development along. I was left wondering if (a) Kellerman was hoping this gross, abusive porn would make her even more money or (b) she was just looking for any excuse to write about the anal rape of a middle aged mother of three. Made me really wonder about HER motivations and psyche, not just the rapists.
Either way the book turned me off her as a writer. I have felt her writing has been steadily declining as the series went on - and this was the nadir.
Just like Decker, it’s time for Faye Kellerman to retire.
So many better crime writers out there.
Either way the book turned me off her as a writer. I have felt her writing has been steadily declining as the series went on - and this was the nadir.
Just like Decker, it’s time for Faye Kellerman to retire.
So many better crime writers out there.
September 10, 2022
3.5 stars, actually.
That this reportedly is the final book in the Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker series makes me sad; after all, I don't think I've missed a single one since the first 26 books ago and have always looked forward to whatever's next. But what makes me sadder is that it just wasn't very satisfying. Yes, it wraps up things like Peter's last still-open case as a detective with the small-town Greenbury Police Department (New York) before the long-married couple embark on a previously announced phase of their lives. It's a leftover from an earlier book, but it's been too long since I read that one so I never quite reconnected.
But mostly, the focus is on recurring character Chris Donatti, the near sociopathic and sex-addicted birth father of the Deckers' musically talented foster son Gabe. His birth mother, a wacky physician named Terry, is missing; Peter ends up calling in Chris, who apparently never stopped loving his ex-wife (insofar as he's capable of loving). He finds her with her daughter, on the lam from her current husband in India - but her son seems to have been kidnapped and even though she claims to hate Chris, she tells him she'll do anything it takes to get him back. And what it takes, it seems, is catering to Chris's incessant sexual demands.
And therein lies one of my issues; given Chris's addiction, I "get" the incessant part, but the graphic descriptions that accompanied each and every encounter were over the moon (probably the only place they didn't do the nasty). Don't misunderstand - I'm no prude and read nothing that I've never heard of before; I also understand the relevance of sex to the complex relationship between Chris and Terry. But to my eyes it was more than a little too explicit more than a little too often.
Adding to my discontent is that while both Peter's investigation and Chris's attempts to rescue Terry's son and win her back, Rina's contributions are mostly missing; when she shows up - which isn't very often - it's mostly to hug and feed her kids and reassure her husband that retiring is the right thing for him to do. Peter swears he won't retire until he and his partner Tyler McAdams get to the bottom of the case they're working on, but even he seems to not have his heart in his work. In any event, way more time was spent on speculating what might have happened than on the actual investigation.
Peter's long-time LAPD partner, Marge, makes an appearance, as do all the Decker kids, grandkids and even their mothers (bless their nonagenarian hearts). As such, the ending brings closure to just about everything in mostly expected ways; the only question left in my mind is whether Gabe and/or others from the Decker family might find their way into a new series of their own. All in all, it's worth reading, but I just wish it had left me with a more upbeat attitude toward all those books I've read over the years.
That this reportedly is the final book in the Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker series makes me sad; after all, I don't think I've missed a single one since the first 26 books ago and have always looked forward to whatever's next. But what makes me sadder is that it just wasn't very satisfying. Yes, it wraps up things like Peter's last still-open case as a detective with the small-town Greenbury Police Department (New York) before the long-married couple embark on a previously announced phase of their lives. It's a leftover from an earlier book, but it's been too long since I read that one so I never quite reconnected.
But mostly, the focus is on recurring character Chris Donatti, the near sociopathic and sex-addicted birth father of the Deckers' musically talented foster son Gabe. His birth mother, a wacky physician named Terry, is missing; Peter ends up calling in Chris, who apparently never stopped loving his ex-wife (insofar as he's capable of loving). He finds her with her daughter, on the lam from her current husband in India - but her son seems to have been kidnapped and even though she claims to hate Chris, she tells him she'll do anything it takes to get him back. And what it takes, it seems, is catering to Chris's incessant sexual demands.
And therein lies one of my issues; given Chris's addiction, I "get" the incessant part, but the graphic descriptions that accompanied each and every encounter were over the moon (probably the only place they didn't do the nasty). Don't misunderstand - I'm no prude and read nothing that I've never heard of before; I also understand the relevance of sex to the complex relationship between Chris and Terry. But to my eyes it was more than a little too explicit more than a little too often.
Adding to my discontent is that while both Peter's investigation and Chris's attempts to rescue Terry's son and win her back, Rina's contributions are mostly missing; when she shows up - which isn't very often - it's mostly to hug and feed her kids and reassure her husband that retiring is the right thing for him to do. Peter swears he won't retire until he and his partner Tyler McAdams get to the bottom of the case they're working on, but even he seems to not have his heart in his work. In any event, way more time was spent on speculating what might have happened than on the actual investigation.
Peter's long-time LAPD partner, Marge, makes an appearance, as do all the Decker kids, grandkids and even their mothers (bless their nonagenarian hearts). As such, the ending brings closure to just about everything in mostly expected ways; the only question left in my mind is whether Gabe and/or others from the Decker family might find their way into a new series of their own. All in all, it's worth reading, but I just wish it had left me with a more upbeat attitude toward all those books I've read over the years.
October 19, 2022
Where do I begin? I guess at the beginning, Justice, when Kellerman introduced one of the most complicated, sympathetic and simultaneously repulsive characters that I've ever read.
The Hunt ties up a case that Peter Decker is working on before his retirement. He and Rina will be miles away when they receive an SOS from Gabe, the man they have raised like a son after he was left in their care by his dysfunctional parents, one who deals with mental health and addiction issues.
Gabe's father is a criminal who is called upon to rescue his ex wife whom walked out on him years previously when she became pregnant by another man. Desperate times call for desperate measures and she reaches out to Chris after she is attacked and her son stolen. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, but this time will the flames consume Terry?
Chris has never gotten over his obsession with his ex wife and agrees to help her with strings attached leading to tragic circumstances.
We also follow Decker as he closes his case and we are given updates on the Decker clan who come together as a family for a tragic event.
To be honest, the Decker story did not hold my attention. No character in this series, including Peter and Rina, has interested me like Donatti. I wrote to the author almost every year with two requests, and she fulfilled one, while crushing the other.
I have wanted a more "Chris" centered book since he was first introduced, and I finally got my wish. Although I understand why some people are upset about the violence, for me it is a part of the story she was trying to tell with this character who has layers and demons. Peter has always been the man Chris wanted to be, and Chris' arc has never been one of redemption, but of understanding and acceptance as well as incredible resiliance considering his psycological diagnosis. The inclusion of how he built and ran his empire is fascinating and makes logical sense.
There is a part in the book where Chris explains his personality and what drives him that is just brilliant while at the same time heartbreaking. The concept of nuture vs. nature came to mind, and there is a moment when Terry acknowledges that with the hand he was dealt, in many ways he did the best he could.
I, for one, feel like I am losing old friends with the closure of this series. It may not be for everyone but it was a winner for me! My only complaint was I wish we would have had a part where Chris played the cello again, with or without his son. That would have been a five star for me, along with information about the aftermath.
After all the books that have entertained me, Peter and Rina deserve their happy ending, and Mrs. Kellerman deserves her accolades and rest.
The Hunt ties up a case that Peter Decker is working on before his retirement. He and Rina will be miles away when they receive an SOS from Gabe, the man they have raised like a son after he was left in their care by his dysfunctional parents, one who deals with mental health and addiction issues.
Gabe's father is a criminal who is called upon to rescue his ex wife whom walked out on him years previously when she became pregnant by another man. Desperate times call for desperate measures and she reaches out to Chris after she is attacked and her son stolen. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, but this time will the flames consume Terry?
Chris has never gotten over his obsession with his ex wife and agrees to help her with strings attached leading to tragic circumstances.
We also follow Decker as he closes his case and we are given updates on the Decker clan who come together as a family for a tragic event.
To be honest, the Decker story did not hold my attention. No character in this series, including Peter and Rina, has interested me like Donatti. I wrote to the author almost every year with two requests, and she fulfilled one, while crushing the other.
I have wanted a more "Chris" centered book since he was first introduced, and I finally got my wish. Although I understand why some people are upset about the violence, for me it is a part of the story she was trying to tell with this character who has layers and demons. Peter has always been the man Chris wanted to be, and Chris' arc has never been one of redemption, but of understanding and acceptance as well as incredible resiliance considering his psycological diagnosis. The inclusion of how he built and ran his empire is fascinating and makes logical sense.
There is a part in the book where Chris explains his personality and what drives him that is just brilliant while at the same time heartbreaking. The concept of nuture vs. nature came to mind, and there is a moment when Terry acknowledges that with the hand he was dealt, in many ways he did the best he could.
I, for one, feel like I am losing old friends with the closure of this series. It may not be for everyone but it was a winner for me! My only complaint was I wish we would have had a part where Chris played the cello again, with or without his son. That would have been a five star for me, along with information about the aftermath.
After all the books that have entertained me, Peter and Rina deserve their happy ending, and Mrs. Kellerman deserves her accolades and rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2022
In these days of self-publishing and e-books, it's hard for authors to find and keep an audience. Competition for attention is harsh and cutthroat. For every one positive review, it seems like there are twenty others that are harshly negative.
I've been trying hard to be more positive in my reviews. Honest, yet positive.
And honestly, I can't recommend this book to anyone.
This novel is really two in one. There's a police procedural story, where an aging detective works to close a missing person case before he retires. And then there's a kidnapping story, where a mother is assaulted and her five year old son is taken. The two stories are very loosely connected. The police procedural story goes by the numbers: there are no big surprises, and nothing problematic in the plot.
The problems- all of them- come with the kidnapping story. The assaulted mother is taken in by her abusive ex-husband. In the course of the novel, he rapes her multiple times and then justifies himself after. All of his justifications come down to "this is who I am. Give me what I want and it won't be rape." I kept reading because I thought the author was going to bring in a redemptive plot twist where the mother is vindicated and the abuser comes to justice. That never happened. Instead, the abuser is portrayed in a sympathetic light. He was abused as a youth. He isn't as bad as he used to be. He's sorry. And in the end, he dies on his own terms without ever having to face consequences for what he did.
Add to this that very little happens in the kidnapping narrative. There's some action at the very beginning when the mother escapes, but later, after she is taken in by the abuser, events settle into a pattern: He abuses her. They fight. She ponders her powerlessness and gives in. He justifies himself and then promises not to hurt her again. There's 200 or so pages of this.
I expected an entertaining crime novel. I got this instead.
Don't read. It's not worth the time.
I've been trying hard to be more positive in my reviews. Honest, yet positive.
And honestly, I can't recommend this book to anyone.
This novel is really two in one. There's a police procedural story, where an aging detective works to close a missing person case before he retires. And then there's a kidnapping story, where a mother is assaulted and her five year old son is taken. The two stories are very loosely connected. The police procedural story goes by the numbers: there are no big surprises, and nothing problematic in the plot.
The problems- all of them- come with the kidnapping story. The assaulted mother is taken in by her abusive ex-husband. In the course of the novel, he rapes her multiple times and then justifies himself after. All of his justifications come down to "this is who I am. Give me what I want and it won't be rape." I kept reading because I thought the author was going to bring in a redemptive plot twist where the mother is vindicated and the abuser comes to justice. That never happened. Instead, the abuser is portrayed in a sympathetic light. He was abused as a youth. He isn't as bad as he used to be. He's sorry. And in the end, he dies on his own terms without ever having to face consequences for what he did.
Add to this that very little happens in the kidnapping narrative. There's some action at the very beginning when the mother escapes, but later, after she is taken in by the abuser, events settle into a pattern: He abuses her. They fight. She ponders her powerlessness and gives in. He justifies himself and then promises not to hurt her again. There's 200 or so pages of this.
I expected an entertaining crime novel. I got this instead.
Don't read. It's not worth the time.
October 23, 2022
Faye Kellerman’s Decker/Lazarus novels have always been in my top ten reads, but this one, said to be her last, was a huge disappointment. Most of the way through I was thinking she did not write this one, and why is she allowing someone else to pass it off as hers. There were two stories going on simultaneously, and they were both annoying, with back and forth maddening plot responses, and ridiculous solutions. One story was a cold case that Decker was trying to tie up before his retirement, and the other story involved the Deckers adopted son Gabe’s real parents- his porno-king psycho father, and his estranged, obtuse, remarried wife who has been horribly beaten and her son taken from her. I’m sorry that this series ended like this.
December 3, 2022
How disappointing. What a horrible addition to the series. The Chris character is abhorrent and some of the scenes were graphic and unnecessary.
I honestly thought this was terrible, quite sickening and I don’t understand how this went so far away from her usual books which I love.
Chris has been in other books, kind of a somewhat mysterious and dangerous man. The deep delve into his psyche and relationship with Terri was too much.
Time to end the series. Even though it’s on a very sour note
I honestly thought this was terrible, quite sickening and I don’t understand how this went so far away from her usual books which I love.
Chris has been in other books, kind of a somewhat mysterious and dangerous man. The deep delve into his psyche and relationship with Terri was too much.
Time to end the series. Even though it’s on a very sour note
December 8, 2022
I have long been a fan of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. The mystery elements were well done, and the insights into Judaic traditions were always fascinating. So I was sorry to hear this would be the last book in the series. I am even sorrier I read it. It is vulgar and repulsive, with a wafer-thin dual plot line.
October 19, 2022
If i could give it 1/2 star, i would. Having read all of the rina/decker series, this was really atrocious. It read more like a rambling tale of A sadistic rapist/narcissistic with a weak mystery woven in from the previous novel. I am disappointed as the series was deserving of a much better ending that this.😔😞
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