Review – The Hunted

Hide and seek, an innocent game kids play, right? Right. Until a bizarre animal joins in the fun and viciously attacks one of the players. In The Hunted, young Caleb Sanders learns this lesson the hard way. He sneaks into an abandoned basement, the perfect place to hide from his buddies, and is brutally mauled by an unidentified animal. At first it appears as if he is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, but soon you begin to ask if there is more to Caleb’s attack. Has God put him in the beast’s path for a special purpose? A purpose beyond belief and one that only Caleb’s uncle can figure out?

When Joe Sanders learns of his nephew’s attack, Joe rushes to Caleb’s side. The boy sinks into a coma and Joe vows to find the animal that hurt Caleb no matter the cost. Has Joe spoken too soon? Can he imagine the cost that will be exacted? Does he have the internal fortitude to confront his past, confront his guilt over his brother’s death, and finally unload his emotional baggage in time to save Caleb?

And just as important, how will he face the woman he’d left behind years ago without any explanation? Not that he has a choice. He has to see her again as she is now the Chief of Police and is in charge of figuring out what kind of animal is running wild in Dark Hills. In a search for the beast, Maggie and Joe are thrown together and buried feelings rise to the surface. But Maggie holds a secret that stands in the way of rekindling their relationship and in the way of finding the beast that is now attacking and killing other residents of the small town.

Can Joe unlock Maggie’s secret before other’s are killed? Can he find and stop the beast? And can he forgive himself and learn to trust God again, even when faced with his own mortality? Oh, and does Caleb survive-come out of his coma? These are all questions that you will want the answers to once you start reading The Hunted.

Mike Dellosso has penned a supernatural thriller that is as much spellbinding as it is a study in human frailties and the need for God. The plot is simple really-animal attacks, man searches for and hunts down animal. It is the powerful human struggles over faith, past mistakes, and forgiveness that really makes this a special book. One that even those who don’t enjoy supernatural stories should take the time to read.

Dellosso’s writing is strong, exceptional really, even more so as this is his first book. His descriptions, similes and metaphors are unique and worth savoring. His characters are deep, have individual voices and are so real that you are certain you personally know them by the time the story ends. And the author’s faith and relationship with God comes shining through his characters.

When I read fiction, I read with two hats on. One a reader, the other a writer. It is not often when both sides of me are not only satisfied by a book, but excited about it as well. The Hunted is one of those rare books that met and exceeded the expectations of both sides. This is especially surprising, as I never read supernatural stories. And for those of you out there who don’t read fantasy or visionary books because you can’t wrap your head around such a world, trust me. You can be a full-fledged skeptic and still enjoy The Hunted. Pick it up now. You won’t be disappointed.