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The Huntsman

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In this AWARD WINNING thriller, the tranquility of a small New England town is shattered when a ruthless serial killer strikes. The HUNTSMAN’s calling the victims’ hearts, cleaved from their young bodies, and a poisoned apple. The abductions seem to pause when the prime suspect, Lincoln Raider, falls and lands in a coma at a local hospital.
ICU nurse Max Mason reads nightly to the helpless patient. It is not a kindness, for Max is sharing his own murderous thoughts.
When Lincoln awakens Max is drawn into a whirlpool of terror, deception, and violence, ultimately pulling Lincoln's wife and daughter into the vortex. And the clock is ticking down on the life of another woman, held captive by THE HUNTSMAN.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2022

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Judith Sanders

11 books3 followers

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5 stars
27 (61%)
4 stars
10 (22%)
3 stars
6 (13%)
2 stars
1 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Harper S..
4 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2026
This book completely surprised me in the best way. I expected a dark serial killer thriller, but what I got was something much more psychological and character driven. The tension around Lincoln Raider kept me constantly questioning who could actually be trusted, and Max Mason honestly made me uncomfortable in a way that felt very intentional and well written. His obsession added such a disturbing layer to the story.

What I appreciated most was that the suspense didn’t rely only on violence or twists. The atmosphere, the fear spreading through the town, and the emotional pressure on the characters made everything feel more real. There were moments where I genuinely thought I had figured things out, only for the story to pull me in another direction. The ending was especially satisfying because it stayed unpredictable without feeling forced.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that slowly get under your skin and keep you second guessing everyone, this is definitely worth reading.
Profile Image for Clara.
7 reviews
May 30, 2026
What I found most interesting about The Huntsman was how much it made me question my own assumptions as a reader. Early on, I thought I had a fairly clear idea of who I could trust and where the story was heading, but the more I read, the less certain I became. The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader just off balance enough to stay fully engaged.

I particularly enjoyed the psychological complexity of the characters. Nobody felt entirely straightforward, and that added a lot of depth to the mystery. Max Mason was especially memorable because his actions and motivations kept me wondering what was really going on beneath the surface. The tension surrounding Lincoln Raider also kept the story moving at a steady pace.

What stayed with me after finishing the book wasn't just the mystery itself but the atmosphere of unease that runs through the entire story. It's a well-crafted thriller that combines suspense, intriguing characters, and enough surprises to keep the pages turning. A very enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Profile Image for Ashley Turner.
4 reviews
May 18, 2026
The Huntsman was one of those thrillers that became harder to put down the deeper I got into it. The small town setting worked perfectly because it created this constant feeling that danger could be hiding behind anyone. I really liked that the story focused heavily on the minds of the characters instead of just the crimes themselves.

Max Mason was such an interesting character to follow because you never fully know where his thoughts are leading. The scenes between him and Lincoln had this quiet intensity that made me keep turning pages. I also liked how the story balanced suspense with emotion, especially when Lincoln’s family became caught in everything happening around them.

A lot of thrillers lose momentum halfway through, but this one kept building steadily until the end. It felt dark, tense, and genuinely unpredictable. Definitely a strong read for anyone who enjoys crime fiction with psychological depth.
Profile Image for Smith Lauren.
33 reviews5 followers
May 21, 2026
What I enjoyed most about The Huntsman was the way the suspense kept building without ever feeling repetitive. Every time I thought the story was finally pointing toward the truth, another layer opened up and changed the direction completely. The psychological side of the book was much stronger than I expected, especially through Max Mason’s character. There was something deeply unsettling about him that made every scene involving him feel tense.

I also appreciated how the town itself almost became part of the story. The fear, suspicion, and uncertainty surrounding the murders created an atmosphere that felt heavy in the best possible way. Lincoln Raider’s situation kept me questioning everything, and I liked that the story never rushed to give easy answers.

This is the kind of thriller that keeps your attention because it focuses just as much on the minds of the characters as it does on the mystery itself. Definitely a memorable read for psychological thriller fans.
Profile Image for Liora S..
6 reviews
May 21, 2026
The Huntsman pulled me in almost immediately because it created such an uneasy feeling from the very beginning. The combination of the murders, the strange behavior surrounding Lincoln Raider, and Max Mason’s growing obsession made the story feel constantly unpredictable. I liked that the suspense came from both the investigation and the psychological conflict between the characters.

One thing that really stood out to me was how the author avoided making the story feel one-dimensional. There were moments where the characters felt vulnerable and human, which made the darker scenes more impactful. The twists were handled well because they felt connected to the story instead of being there just for shock value.

By the end, I was completely invested in finding out the truth. This was a tense, atmospheric thriller that kept me engaged the whole way through and left me thinking about the characters even after finishing it.
Profile Image for Kendra Lawson.
6 reviews
May 23, 2026
One of the things I appreciated most about The Huntsman was how it balanced psychological tension with an actual emotional story underneath. The mystery alone was enough to keep me invested, but the complicated personalities and relationships made it feel much deeper than a standard thriller. Max Mason was especially fascinating because every interaction involving him carried this unsettling feeling that something was always slightly off.

I also liked how the author slowly revealed information instead of forcing dramatic twists every few pages. It made the suspense feel more natural and believable. The small town atmosphere added a lot to the story too because it created this sense that fear was spreading through everyone, not just the main characters.

This book kept me curious the entire time, and by the end I realized I had become fully attached to uncovering the truth alongside the characters. Definitely a thriller that stays in your mind after finishing it.
Profile Image for Lauren Mitchell.
5 reviews
May 25, 2026
What made The Huntsman work so well for me was the constant feeling of uncertainty throughout the story. Just when I felt confident about where the investigation was heading, something would happen that completely changed my perspective. The psychological tension was done really well, especially through the interactions involving Max Mason. He was the kind of character that made every scene feel uncomfortable in the best possible way.

I also liked that the story focused on emotional pressure and fear instead of relying only on graphic moments. The small town setting added a lot to the atmosphere because it felt like suspicion was slowly spreading through everyone. Lincoln Raider’s situation kept me invested the entire time because there were so many questions surrounding him.

This book managed to stay suspenseful while still giving depth to its characters, which made it feel more memorable than a lot of thrillers I’ve read recently.
Profile Image for Modesty Mark.
9 reviews
May 29, 2026
The Huntsman was a really satisfying psychological thriller because it kept me interested through both the mystery and the characters themselves. The story had this constant tension running underneath everything, and I liked that it never became predictable. Every time I thought I understood where things were going, another detail would completely shift my perspective.

What stood out most to me was the way the author handled Max Mason’s character. There was something deeply unsettling about him, but also strangely fascinating, which made his scenes some of the strongest in the book. I also appreciated that Lincoln Raider’s storyline stayed layered and mysterious throughout instead of becoming too obvious too quickly.

The pacing, atmosphere, and emotional tension all worked really well together. This was one of those thrillers that keeps pulling you back in because you genuinely need to know the truth.
Profile Image for Sandra Charles.
1 review
June 2, 2026
One of my favorite things about The Huntsman was how it gradually drew me deeper into the story without me even realizing it. It started as an intriguing murder mystery, but as the characters became more developed and the secrets began to unfold, I found myself completely invested in what was really happening beneath the surface.

The author does a great job creating a sense of tension that lingers throughout the book. I especially enjoyed how the story explored obsession, suspicion, and the psychological impact of fear on both individuals and a community. There were several moments where I stopped to rethink everything I thought I knew, which is exactly what I hope for in a thriller.

This is the kind of book that rewards paying attention to the details. By the end, I felt like I had been taken on a carefully crafted journey that was both suspenseful and satisfying. Definitely one of the more memorable thrillers I've read recently.
Profile Image for Jane K..
1 review
June 2, 2026
I picked up The Huntsman because I enjoy psychological thrillers, but what kept me reading was the strength of the storytelling. The mystery itself was compelling, but the real highlight for me was how the characters were written. Their fears, doubts, and decisions felt believable, which made the suspense much more effective.

The story has a slow-building intensity that I really appreciated. Instead of rushing from one shocking moment to the next, it takes time to build an atmosphere where every new revelation matters. I found myself becoming more curious with each chapter, especially as the lines between truth, suspicion, and deception became increasingly blurred.

By the time I reached the final stretch of the book, I was completely hooked. It delivered the suspense I was looking for while also giving me characters and situations that felt genuinely engaging. A very enjoyable read and an easy five stars from me.
Profile Image for Savanna Grace.
11 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2026
The Huntsman did a great job creating tension without overdoing it. From the very beginning, there was this constant feeling that nobody truly understood what was happening, and that uncertainty made the story incredibly engaging. I found myself constantly changing my opinion about certain characters, especially Lincoln Raider.

The psychological aspect of the book was what really pulled me in. Max Mason’s obsession and the strange connection forming around Lincoln created some of the most intense moments in the story. I also appreciated that the emotional stakes felt real, especially when Lincoln’s family became more involved in the danger surrounding the murders.

What made this book stand out for me was how smoothly the suspense unfolded. It never felt rushed, but it also never lost momentum. A really enjoyable read for anyone who likes dark, character focused thrillers.
Profile Image for Carole B..
11 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2026
I started The Huntsman expecting a typical serial killer mystery, but it turned out to be much more psychological and layered than I anticipated. The story constantly played with trust and perception, which kept me fully invested from beginning to end. I loved how the author made certain characters feel suspicious without making things too obvious.

The scenes involving Max Mason were some of the strongest in the book because there was always this uneasy tension surrounding him. At the same time, Lincoln Raider’s condition added another level of mystery that kept me guessing throughout the story. I also thought the pacing was handled really well because the suspense kept building naturally.

This was the kind of thriller where I kept telling myself I would stop after one more chapter, but I ended up continuing because I needed answers. Very gripping and atmospheric overall.
Profile Image for Claire Veronica.
55 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2026
What really impressed me about The Huntsman was the atmosphere. The author created this dark, uneasy feeling that stayed consistent throughout the entire story. Even during quieter moments, there was always this sense that something dangerous was waiting beneath the surface.

I enjoyed how the mystery unfolded gradually instead of revealing too much too quickly. The uncertainty surrounding Lincoln Raider made the investigation feel more complex, and Max Mason added such an unpredictable energy to the story. Their dynamic was honestly one of the most interesting parts of the book for me.

The emotional side of the story also worked well because the characters actually felt affected by everything happening around them. That made the suspense feel more personal and believable. Overall, this was a strong psychological thriller that kept me engaged all the way to the final chapters.
Profile Image for Mary Sophia.
4 reviews
May 25, 2026
I really enjoyed how layered The Huntsman felt. On the surface, it’s a dark murder mystery, but underneath that there’s a strong psychological story about obsession, fear, and manipulation. The author did a great job creating characters that felt unpredictable without making them unrealistic.

Max Mason honestly carried some of the strongest moments in the book for me because his behavior always felt slightly unsettling. I never fully understood his intentions, which made his scenes impossible to skim through. I also appreciated how the suspense kept building naturally instead of depending on constant twists.

By the final chapters, I was completely hooked because I genuinely wanted to understand the truth behind everything happening in the town. This was a tense and engaging thriller that definitely kept me turning pages.
Profile Image for William Rosser.
3 reviews
May 25, 2026
The Huntsman was one of those books where the atmosphere pulls you in almost immediately. There’s this steady sense of dread hanging over the story that made even the quieter scenes feel important. I thought the mystery was handled really well because it kept introducing doubt and suspicion without becoming confusing.

The relationship between Lincoln Raider and Max Mason was probably the most interesting part of the story for me. There was so much tension and unpredictability surrounding them that I constantly wanted to know what would happen next. I also liked that the story gave emotional weight to the danger instead of making it feel purely dramatic.

Overall, this was a very immersive psychological thriller with strong pacing, memorable characters, and enough suspense to keep me invested until the end.
Profile Image for Yarelis Nicole.
60 reviews7 followers
May 27, 2026
I was honestly impressed by how immersive The Huntsman turned out to be. The story builds tension slowly, but in a way that keeps you completely invested because every chapter adds another layer of uncertainty. I liked that the mystery wasn’t just about finding a killer but also about understanding the people caught in the middle of everything.

Max Mason was such a compelling character because there was always something unsettling beneath his actions. His growing obsession created some of the strongest moments in the book for me. I also appreciated how Lincoln Raider’s storyline kept shifting my assumptions throughout the story.

The atmosphere felt dark and emotionally heavy without becoming overdramatic, which made the suspense much more effective. Definitely a thriller that keeps you thinking long after finishing it.
Profile Image for Koby Hudson.
3 reviews
May 29, 2026
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in The Huntsman. From the beginning, the story creates this dark sense of uncertainty that never fully lets up. The small town setting made the fear surrounding the murders feel even more believable, and I liked how suspicion seemed to affect almost everyone involved.

The psychological elements were what made the book memorable for me. Max Mason’s obsession and Lincoln Raider’s complicated situation added so much tension to the story without needing constant action scenes. The author gave the characters enough depth that their choices and emotions actually mattered.

What I liked most was that the twists felt earned instead of forced. The suspense built naturally, and the ending left a strong impression. Definitely a gripping read for fans of dark psychological thrillers.
Profile Image for Sophia Ennis.
5 reviews
May 27, 2026
What I enjoyed most about The Huntsman was how unpredictable it stayed from beginning to end. A lot of thrillers become easy to figure out halfway through, but this one kept introducing enough doubt and tension to hold my attention the entire time. I genuinely kept questioning who could be trusted.

The psychological side of the story was especially strong. Max Mason’s behavior made every interaction feel intense, and the uncertainty surrounding Lincoln Raider added another layer of suspense that kept everything interesting. I also liked that the story focused on the emotional effects the murders had on the town and the families involved.

This felt like a thriller that cared about atmosphere and character depth just as much as the mystery itself, and that made it stand out for me.
Profile Image for Thomas McCarthy.
4 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2026
The Huntsman pulled me in because it balanced mystery, suspense, and psychological tension really well. The story constantly created this feeling that something darker was happening beneath the surface, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to understand the truth behind the characters.

One thing I appreciated was how believable the emotional reactions felt. Fear, obsession, and suspicion all played a huge role in the story, and that made the danger feel more real. The scenes involving Max Mason were especially memorable because there was always this uneasy energy surrounding him.

By the final chapters, I was completely invested in the outcome. This was a gripping and atmospheric thriller that managed to stay tense without losing focus on the characters themselves.
Profile Image for Jolie Chaelen.
27 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2026
Plot wise, I think this book was quite brilliant. The writing was hard to get through at some points and would benefit from more nuance when describing characters and avoiding certain clichés, especially regarding women, but I ultimately enjoyed it and look forward to seeing it on film! Also, it gets an extra star just for the final chapter.
Profile Image for Bob Kochinskas.
235 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2023
Got this at a yard sale, not all that far from where the book takes place, for $1. Glad I didn't pay more for it, but maybe wish I had spent the time reading a better book. This one was kind of all over the place, and the surprise ending stopped being a surprise about half way through.
Profile Image for Deborah  Bernal .
9 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2026
I’ve read a lot of psychological thrillers, but The Huntsman managed to stand out because of how emotionally tense it felt. The mystery itself was strong, but the real hook for me was watching the characters slowly unravel under pressure. Max Mason was written in such a disturbing yet fascinating way that I never really knew what to expect from him.

The pacing worked really well because the suspense kept growing chapter after chapter instead of relying on nonstop action. I also liked that the story gave enough attention to Lincoln’s family, which added real emotional weight to everything happening around the investigation.

What made this book enjoyable for me was how unpredictable it stayed all the way through. Even when I thought I had pieced things together, the story still managed to surprise me. A very solid psychological thriller with a dark atmosphere and strong tension throughout.
Profile Image for Josie Spencer.
23 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2026
I picked up *The Huntsman* expecting a fast paced murder mystery, but what really hooked me was the psychological tension running through the entire story. Judith Sanders did a great job creating characters that feel damaged, complicated, and believable. Nobody felt completely safe or fully innocent, which made the mystery even more engaging.

The relationship between Max Mason and Lincoln Raider was probably the strongest part of the book for me. There’s this constant uncertainty surrounding both characters that creates such an uneasy atmosphere. I also liked that the story didn’t rush its twists. It slowly built suspense while dropping enough clues to keep me invested.

The darker moments were balanced with emotional stakes, especially involving Lincoln’s wife and daughter, which made the danger feel personal instead of just dramatic. Overall, this was a really gripping psychological thriller with enough mystery and tension to keep thriller fans fully invested.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews