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Hunting Rabbits
Chief of police, Charlie Gates, is haunted by his sister’s decades-old unsolved murder. A native son of the small city of Williamsburg, Virginia, Gates has spent his entire adult life in pursuit of justice for his only sibling. When fingerprint evidence from a recent robbery is linked to the cold case, Gates taps a seasoned homicide detective, Luis Millares, to assist with the investigation. Given the personal nature of the case, Millares knows failure is not an option.
When the investigation takes a surprise turn and a new string of murders erupts, Gates and Millares realize they’ve stumbled upon a conspiracy where nothing is as it seems. Taunted by their suspect, the law enforcement duo races to piece together the clues from a number of unlikely sources including an elderly mechanic, a computer science professor, a pot farmer, a yoga mom, and a high school delinquent. Peeling back the layers of the case, Gates and Millares inch closer to the truth . . . a truth that may cost them, and innocent others, their lives.
When the investigation takes a surprise turn and a new string of murders erupts, Gates and Millares realize they’ve stumbled upon a conspiracy where nothing is as it seems. Taunted by their suspect, the law enforcement duo races to piece together the clues from a number of unlikely sources including an elderly mechanic, a computer science professor, a pot farmer, a yoga mom, and a high school delinquent. Peeling back the layers of the case, Gates and Millares inch closer to the truth . . . a truth that may cost them, and innocent others, their lives.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2022
175 people are currently reading
2217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 4, 2022
Slick, sharp, and well-crafted. This tale of justice, treachery, secrets, and deceit is also a story of persistence and hope.
The phrase "perception is reality" ran through my mind as I enjoyed this thriller. For Chief of Police Charlie Gates and his lead detective Luis Millares, fighting this concept just became a full-time job. Nothing can be taken at face value in this fast-paced thriller laced with deception, chicanery, and a shell game on a grand scale.
Chief Gates has been on a personal mission since his sister's brutal murder decades ago. He may have finally gotten the break he's been waiting for to bust this case wide open. So, he puts his best detective, a 15-year veteran as a Miami homicide detective, on the case. As Gates puts it,
"My wife says Millares working for the Williamsburg PD is like having a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store."
Hard work, experience, and determination pay off as Detective Millares, "Quags" to nearly everyone who knows him, uncovers one lead after another. But each new lead seems to take him down another rabbit hole.
As intriguing and intense as this story is, it was the characters that moved the novel from good to great. Chief Gates is a haunted man, plagued by his inability to bring justice to the murder victims of the serial killer that took his sister's life. He's strong, fair, and good at his job. But he's not perfect- and he's keenly aware of that fact.
Detective Millares, Quags, is savvy and hardened. His perspective and experience are vastly different from those of the Chief. He's proudly Puerto Rican and portrays a strong sense of self-worth while maintaining delightfully self-deprecating humor. In fact, much of the dialogue snaps with a vibrant sense of humor from many of the characters.
As leads begin to unravel, it becomes evident that the truth is tied to at least one resident of Camp Peary. Colloquially known as The Farm, it is the training ground for CIA operatives. Spooks. They play by their own rules, even when it comes to cooperating with local law enforcement. All of this makes a tough case virtually impossible to solve.
I highly recommend this read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller/suspense novel, spy story, or police procedural with genuine characters and a whip-smart storyline. This author deserves his own following. I think they just haven't discovered him yet. Perhaps the highest praise I can offer, is that I am now a fan and have already sought out other books to enjoy by Mark Gilleo.
Reviewed for Reedsy Discovery. Full review at: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/hun...
The phrase "perception is reality" ran through my mind as I enjoyed this thriller. For Chief of Police Charlie Gates and his lead detective Luis Millares, fighting this concept just became a full-time job. Nothing can be taken at face value in this fast-paced thriller laced with deception, chicanery, and a shell game on a grand scale.
Chief Gates has been on a personal mission since his sister's brutal murder decades ago. He may have finally gotten the break he's been waiting for to bust this case wide open. So, he puts his best detective, a 15-year veteran as a Miami homicide detective, on the case. As Gates puts it,
"My wife says Millares working for the Williamsburg PD is like having a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store."
Hard work, experience, and determination pay off as Detective Millares, "Quags" to nearly everyone who knows him, uncovers one lead after another. But each new lead seems to take him down another rabbit hole.
As intriguing and intense as this story is, it was the characters that moved the novel from good to great. Chief Gates is a haunted man, plagued by his inability to bring justice to the murder victims of the serial killer that took his sister's life. He's strong, fair, and good at his job. But he's not perfect- and he's keenly aware of that fact.
Detective Millares, Quags, is savvy and hardened. His perspective and experience are vastly different from those of the Chief. He's proudly Puerto Rican and portrays a strong sense of self-worth while maintaining delightfully self-deprecating humor. In fact, much of the dialogue snaps with a vibrant sense of humor from many of the characters.
As leads begin to unravel, it becomes evident that the truth is tied to at least one resident of Camp Peary. Colloquially known as The Farm, it is the training ground for CIA operatives. Spooks. They play by their own rules, even when it comes to cooperating with local law enforcement. All of this makes a tough case virtually impossible to solve.
I highly recommend this read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller/suspense novel, spy story, or police procedural with genuine characters and a whip-smart storyline. This author deserves his own following. I think they just haven't discovered him yet. Perhaps the highest praise I can offer, is that I am now a fan and have already sought out other books to enjoy by Mark Gilleo.
Reviewed for Reedsy Discovery. Full review at: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/hun...
October 6, 2022
Engrossing and captivation read
This is the first novel of Mr. gilleo that I've read. It won't be the last. I rarely read police procedurals, but this one was exceptionally well written and thought out. The fact that the CIA was an integral part of the plot, made it all the more interesting. Mr Gilleo clearly has great knowledge of both police procedure and that of the CIA, making the details presented totally believable. My only, and very slight complaints, is that while some of the characters were exceptionally well drawn, the chief of police was always somewhat difficult for me to visualize, as I don't recall him being drawn very descriptively, in comparison to some of the other main characters. Again, a very minor glitch in the writing, in my opinion.
Overall though, an 'A' level novel, and I really look forward to reading more from this author.
This is the first novel of Mr. gilleo that I've read. It won't be the last. I rarely read police procedurals, but this one was exceptionally well written and thought out. The fact that the CIA was an integral part of the plot, made it all the more interesting. Mr Gilleo clearly has great knowledge of both police procedure and that of the CIA, making the details presented totally believable. My only, and very slight complaints, is that while some of the characters were exceptionally well drawn, the chief of police was always somewhat difficult for me to visualize, as I don't recall him being drawn very descriptively, in comparison to some of the other main characters. Again, a very minor glitch in the writing, in my opinion.
Overall though, an 'A' level novel, and I really look forward to reading more from this author.
December 11, 2025
I truly enjoyed this book. It had a lot of twists and turns is the story and just when you though you had it all figured it out, you DIDN'T.
Also, I found the playful banter between the two main characters very fun and realistic. After spending 44 years in the construction trade, I thought to myself that the banter would have been completely normal on the job-site.
I felt that Mark Gilleo crafted a suspenseful, BELIEVABLE story!
My ONLY criticism was an inordinate number of typographical errors. I reported those that I noticed (and there were MANY), but I couldn't help but think that SOMEONE was paid to edit this otherwise great story. This, of course, does not, and SHOULD NOT reflect on the author, but on his editor.
Also, I found the playful banter between the two main characters very fun and realistic. After spending 44 years in the construction trade, I thought to myself that the banter would have been completely normal on the job-site.
I felt that Mark Gilleo crafted a suspenseful, BELIEVABLE story!
My ONLY criticism was an inordinate number of typographical errors. I reported those that I noticed (and there were MANY), but I couldn't help but think that SOMEONE was paid to edit this otherwise great story. This, of course, does not, and SHOULD NOT reflect on the author, but on his editor.
December 19, 2025
Well written thriller!
The author did a very good job weaving the characters into the story. Plenty of twists and turns, and the style of writing flowed very well.
Overall it was a story that was told with an easy to read, and captivating manner. At times it was hard to put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and story!
The author did a very good job weaving the characters into the story. Plenty of twists and turns, and the style of writing flowed very well.
Overall it was a story that was told with an easy to read, and captivating manner. At times it was hard to put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and story!
December 20, 2025
Awe..what a great hunt!
I do love to fish and this one was such a great read and even better hunting and fishing storyline. So fun and determined on both sides. Think FBI, CIA, CITY, STATE.
So much intriguing insight.
It's likely closer to the truth than anyone wants to think about. So, personally, I don't and go on to the next book.
I do love to fish and this one was such a great read and even better hunting and fishing storyline. So fun and determined on both sides. Think FBI, CIA, CITY, STATE.
So much intriguing insight.
It's likely closer to the truth than anyone wants to think about. So, personally, I don't and go on to the next book.
August 13, 2022
Impressive
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Great flow, depth in characters and a story that made it difficult to put it down. Without knowing anything about the author, I will be reading his stories now with anticipation.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Great flow, depth in characters and a story that made it difficult to put it down. Without knowing anything about the author, I will be reading his stories now with anticipation.
December 8, 2025
Hunting Rabbits is a story of Police Chief and his newly hired investigator looking into a 35 year old string of murders as some new evidence comes to light. They go after the case as they discover additional clues. The story is well told with several twists to the story.
December 12, 2025
excellent read. suspense throughout.
Gates and Quag make a great team. The government /CIA personnel were well inserted into the thrilling story. Lots of twists and turns. Hunting Rabbits is a defined term as you’ll see.
Gates and Quag make a great team. The government /CIA personnel were well inserted into the thrilling story. Lots of twists and turns. Hunting Rabbits is a defined term as you’ll see.
December 18, 2025
Hunting rabbits
Love love loved this. The humour was sprinkled in a tense and different story line. Hope there are similar stories I have to come across
Only niggle was some of the legal jargon went over my head possibly as story based on USA
Love love loved this. The humour was sprinkled in a tense and different story line. Hope there are similar stories I have to come across
Only niggle was some of the legal jargon went over my head possibly as story based on USA
December 21, 2025
A real puzzler
This story had an inordinate number of twists and turns in it. I imagine this is what it must be.like dealing with the CIA. I will definitely read more from this author.
This story had an inordinate number of twists and turns in it. I imagine this is what it must be.like dealing with the CIA. I will definitely read more from this author.
January 1, 2026
Great mystery, with very good realistic character and plot development. Subject matters is CIA clandestine operative training facility, The Farm, and local police trying to investigate a decade old serial killer. Author is an excellent writer, and keeps your attention.
August 6, 2022
A winner
Mr Gilleo delivers a first rate novel. Intrigue around every corner, characters who title with secrets, deceit and occasional humor. A thoroughly delicious read.
Mr Gilleo delivers a first rate novel. Intrigue around every corner, characters who title with secrets, deceit and occasional humor. A thoroughly delicious read.
April 22, 2023
An intriguing detective story with believable characters, excellent pacing and the expected surprise ending.
Recommended
Recommended
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews