I haven't seen this done before, but in an author's note at the beginning of Hunting Evil, Chris Carter advises readers that while Hunting Evil is the tenth novel in the series featuring Robert Hunter, it doesn't follow on from the ninth novel in the series, Gallery of the Dead. Instead, Hunting Evil is a sequel to the sixth novel in the series, An Evil Mind.

This information put me into an immediate spin, as I hadn't read the sixth novel in the series. I procrastinated a while about whether I needed to go back and read An Evil Mind first, but after learning it wasn't at my local library I decided to forge ahead and try it anyway. Thankfully I was able to piece together enough of the back story that I didn't experience any obvious problems with the plot.

Robert Hunter is head of the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit and in the beginning of the book his nemesis Lucien Folter has escaped from prison. Lucien is the most dangerous serial killer the FBI has ever known and three years ago he was locked away in solitary confinement in a high security prison. In an effort to study him, protocols were regretfully relaxed, Lucien has escaped and he has unfinished business with Robert.

What ensues is a dark psychological crime thriller with plenty of suspense and a considerable body count. Robert Hunter's qualifications (PhD in Criminal Behaviour Analyses and Biopsychology) and experience are put to the test as he leads a taskforce set up to track down Lucien. However, Lucien was also one of the brightest students to ever graduate from Stamford Psychology University, so it isn't easy to stay one step ahead of his evil plans.

Garcia's sense of humour in Gallery of the Dead wasn't evident here, which was a minor let down. Notwithstanding, Hunting Evil is a hard hitting crime thriller, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you can get away with reading it as a stand alone.

* Copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster * ( )

In Chris Carter’s tenth instalment of his series featuring Robert Hunter, the head of LAPD’s Ultra Violent Crimes Unit, is once again pitted against his psychopathic nemesis, Lucien Folter. In An Evil Mind (Robert Hunter #6) Robert Hunter found himself in a battle of wits with his former college roommate, and the nation’s most prolific serial killer. Now, in Hunting Evil, after having spent three and a half years locked in solitary confinement, Lucien has escaped, and the only thing on his mind is vengeance.

Hunting Evil is action packed as Lucien initiates the most sadistic of games with Hunter in a bid to destroy him. With an intelligence that rivals Hunters’s, an ability to disguise every facet of himself, and having had years to plan, Lucien seemingly has the upper hand.

Sharp short chapters contribute to the quick pacing as Carter switches between the perspectives of Robert and Lucien. Hunter is struggling with this cat and mouse game, and Carter shows his increasing feelings of frustration and guilt. Lucien’s mind is an uncomfortable place to be in, a psychopath whose goal is to commit and document every variation of murder his inhumanity is chillingly portrayed by Carter.

Hunting Evil is a gripping psychological thriller, and though I thought there were some small flaws in the story, (for example, Hunter failing to provide protection to his love interest despite her obviously being at risk), I enjoyed it, much as I have others in the Robert Hunter series. ( )