Thank you, BooksGoSocial, for providing the copy of The First Hunt by Audrey J. Cole. I loved The Final Hunt and The Last Hunt so I was looking forward to reading this prequel. Of course you can read this as a standalone, but the reveals were probably more effective because I had read the other two books. I loved the tie-in with the real life Green River Killer. This is a fast and intriguing read, so go get it! 4 stars.

I really enjoyed the first two books of the series, so I was immediately curious when I saw this prequel being announced. Since this story is set before the first two books, The First Hunt can very easily be read as a stand-alone; this is basically what you can call a villian origin story focusing on John. While I was a bit sad not to have Cameron in the spotlight this time around, I can never say no to a serial killer thriller and this prequel has plenty to offer along the way. It turned out to be another very solid thriller indeed!

If you enjoy serial killer thrillers and true crime, you are definitely in for a treat with The First Hunt. Not only is one of the main characters a true crime author, but the plot also focuses on the Green River Killer; an actual serial killer active in Washington during the timeframe. I loved the incorporation of these true crime elements, and it definitely made the story stand out for me. It also helped me forget about the fact that Cameron wasn't present in this story... If you don't count the epilogue that is.

This book uses a multiple POV structure, switching between the different characters in play to help develop different storylines. Holly and John's POVs are the most important ones of course, and especially John's POV is fascinating. Then again, I always love a good serial killer POV... And it was interesting to learn more about how it all started. Holly's POV was great as well though, and she made for a solid main character. I loved the fact that she was a true crime author, and while she did make some very stupid mistakes, as a whole I can't deny it was easy to warm up to her.

I have a weak spot for serial killer thrillers, and having more than one in the spotlight in The First Hunt is without doubt a bonus. There is also the domestic abuse case of course, and the fact that you are never sure about the identity of the serial killer(s)... The building up of tension is very well done, and there are plenty of twists to keep you entertained. Sure, John's behavior doesn't exactly come as a surprise if you have read the other two books, but then again this is basically his origin story in the first place.

If you like fast-paced, engaging and suspenseful crime thrillers with a true crime element, I can definitely recommend this prequel. It is slightly different than the other two books of the series, but without doubt an excellent read!

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this book as an ARC

This was such an amazing book, before this I hadn’t read the other books yet in the series and honestly I’m happy I didn’t because everything was so fresh with it being a prequel. I became obsessed with Holly’s story and the ends of the earth she went through to try and solve her sisters murder, this had all the heart tugging feelings but kept you on your toes the entire time!

I need to know more of what happened after this so I’m off to go check out the rest of the books in the series because I’m hooked now!

Thank you, Audrey J Cole and Netgally for this ARC opportunity.

This book is actually the prequel to The Final Hunt series.
The story is set back in the 1980's where it deep dives into the rather eerie story of boy named John who discovers his father's deep, dark, secret life as a serial killer.
John is forced to confront his own natural instincts, with the possibility of inheriting his father's rather grotesque tendencies.


It really showcases the thin line of being the hunter or being hunted, it really blurs the narrative between predator and prey.
It shows how one can seem so normal on the outside but harbor deep darkness within.
Reminding us just how complex and multifaceted humans are.

Audrey Cole just can’t miss. Every book I’ve read by her has reignited my fire for thrillers. Her books are never boring, and have me hooked from the get go.

The First Hunt takes us back to 1985, back to the beginning. We get John’s origin story and find out how he got put on the path of becoming a serial killer.

I’m not a huge fan of prequels, but I absolutely loved the First Hunt. It was intriguing to bounce between perspectives and learn what made John into the killer he ended up as. We follow along with Holly, a crime reporter as she unravels the mystery of who murdered her sister.

When I started this book I did not realize it was a prequel and had no issues reading it first. I fairly enjoyed reading the prequel first and also think this book can be read as a stand-alone if you don’t read the others. If you like murder-mystery, this is a great book and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I also enjoyed that this referenced the Green River Killer which then sent me into a deep dive of researching the real life murders.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC to review!

I’ve really enjoyed this author’s work! Being from the Seattle area I am always looking for a thriller set in my home state and this one was! Great twists and turns and it kept me guessing until the end. I haven’t read the rest of the series so I’m glad I started with the prequel! I will continue the series!

This book was amazing. It was exactly what I was looking for in terms of pace, plot, and characters. I'm so glad to have read The First Hunt because now Audrey J. Cole is on my list of go-to Mystery and Thriller authors. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book (my first!) and for introducing me to the work of Audrey J. Cole.

The First Hunt follows crime reporter, Holly Sparks, who wants to find her sister's killer. While on this "hunt," Holly has a new theory... there are two killers in the city, and one of them murdered her sister. The tricky part? One of them wears a badge. Who can Holly trust? Can she help find both killers and bring closure to herself and the city?

Both the plot and character (Holly) kept me hooked till the end. I enjoyed the fast pace of this story and the brilliant plot twists Audrey J. Cole wove into it. There were multiple instances in the story where I could easily predict what would happen next. As a Mystery and Thriller reader, I usually prefer to have that limited to once (or twice at most) in a story. Successful foreshadowing, however, shows you how good of a writer Audrey J. Cole is. She coherently builds a story, immerses you in it, and gives you all the tools you need to figure it out. What I mostly enjoyed, however, were the plot twists. I have probably gasped and held my breath a few times while reading this book, and I loved it!

Overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced, adventurous, mysterious, and tense book, The First Hunt is for you. Although this is the third book in The Final Hunt series, I didn't feel like I missed anything by not reading the first two books. But what it did for me was add Audrey J. Cole's books to my (never-ending) TBR list! Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I've enjoyed the other two books in The Final Hunt series and was excited to read this prequel. It gives us the childhood and backstory of the character John. I find Cameron's character interesting and hope for more of her backstory in the future. Please keep giving us more of this series Audrey!

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.25/5 stars! I have really enjoyed the other Audrey Cole books I have read. This one was a bit different. It is an origin story of one of the series' main characters. I think my favorite thing about this book is the setting. Like a mystery book set in the 80s!?! Sign me up. The author did a great job of staying true to the era, even going so far as subtle nods to cinema of the time. I can't wait to see what is next for this series.

The First Hunt is another fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down thriller from Audrey Cole. It’s part of the Hunt series (with The Final Hunt and The Last Hunt), but you can read it on its own—and you’ll definitely want to read them all.

The story follows two separate paths that are on a crash course to collide. John has always known something was off about his dad. When the truth comes out—that his father is a serial killer—John is shocked... but also intrigued. Instead of running, he leans in, wanting to learn more. Maybe even follow in his father’s footsteps.

At the same time, Holly is an author who's spent years searching for the person who killed her sister. As she digs deeper, she finds herself getting too close to the wrong people. Could one of the killers she’s researching be the one who took her sister’s life?

Full of twists, dark secrets, and shocking moments, The First Hunt is a wild ride from start to finish. A must-read for thriller fans who love stories that keep you guessing until the very end.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Audrey Cole, and Rainier Publishing for the opportunity to read The First Hunt!

This book and author are must reads!

Audrey J. Cole wrote this book, The First Hunt with a surprise twist almost all authors just don’t do.
It was a twist I hated to see happen but at the same time it helped create the start of the next story if in fact there will be a series. I hope it will.

This novel is fantastic. I don’t have the ability to give half stars, but I’d give it 4.5 stars.

“The First Hunt” is a prequel to “The Final Hunt” series and takes readers to the beginning of it all. We follow Holly, an investigative journalist in 1980’s Seattle who’s been obsessed with finding her sister’s killer. Officially a “cold case,” her sister’s killer was never found, but Holly believes she may have been the first victim of the infamous Green River Killer. Her cop fiancé, who has serious anger management issues, doesn’t agree and isn’t kind about it.

We also follow a young boy, John, who witnesses his father brutally murder a young woman. John wonders about his father’s motives and actions. He also fears losing his father, his only parent, after his mother took her own life a few years prior. John will do anything to keep his father with him and out of jail.

As Holly investigates further and adds new information from new killings that seem to match her sister’s death, she notices slight deviations from the GRK’s normal pattern. The closer she gets to finding out the truth, the more danger she’s in.

I only realized this was a prequel after finishing this novel and doing some research. It was gripping from the first page and it was difficult to put down. Alternating between Holly’s and John’s viewpoints and fairly short chapters helps keep the pace quick. The writing is fantastic and the twist at the end is difficult to see coming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the other books in the series. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who likes crime thrillers.

I like this author! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!!

Audrey J. Cole delivers a chilling and atmospheric thriller with The First Hunt. Set in 1980s Seattle, the story follows crime reporter Holly Sparks as she digs into her sister’s unsolved murder, believing the infamous Green River Killer is responsible. But things get even more disturbing when Holly begins to suspect that there’s more than one killer—and one of them may be a cop.

Cole does a fantastic job layering the tension. Holly is a strong and determined lead, and I loved how the story explores her inner conflict between pursuing justice and protecting herself. The dual timelines—jumping from the original investigation to five years later—are well executed and kept the suspense high throughout.

The twists were sharp and unpredictable, and the emotional weight of Holly’s grief and trauma added real depth to the plot. I appreciated how the book blends real historical elements with fictional suspense, making it feel grounded but gripping.

This is a great pick for fans of psychological thrillers and true crime fiction. I’m looking forward to reading The Final Hunt next!

The prequel to The Final Hunt, although it's not necessary to have read it first.
This tells us the story of John as a child, the environment he grew up in, brought up by his dad after his mum died.
We also meet Holly, a crime journalist who immerses herself in The Green River killer case., the killer she suspects of murdering her sister Meg. She is engaged to one of the detectives on the case but he is horrified by her interest in the case, resulting in a serious assault.
Despite being a fairly short novel there is plenty of action and the story flows. There are a few tense moments which add to the suspense. There are a few surprises along the way as well.

Super fast-paced and easy to read! I finished it in about a day!

However...

I didn't love it.

The plot was fairly predictable, the dialogue felt cheesy, and I didn’t particularly like any of the characters… super easy to read, but the ending just made me feel icky.

That being said! I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I imagine if you had, this could be an interesting prequel!

Thanks NetGally for the free copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

This is my first time reading a book by this author and I was not disappointed. I prefer reading books in chronological order so when I saw this I just knew I had to read this first. This book was everything I wanted and more. Normally I am pretty good at predicting what is going to happen in books, and there were times I was able to do that here, but there were also a lot of surprises. I really loved the way that Holly is written, very strong, curious and determined.

I was hooked from the moment I started reading, could not put it down. Even though it is a short book, so much happens in it and there is never a dull moment. There are mentions/moments involving abuse, murder (that one is a given) and grooming. I personally do not think that last one was needed. I feel like so far out of all thriller/mystery books I have read this one felt the most intense and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Also the Rebecca pov confused me a little bit, I had to go back and see if I missed something before or not. It ended up making sense later in the book. Overall I enjoyed the book and will be adding the rest of the series to my tbr.


Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

NO SPOILERS
The First Hunt
By: Audrey Cole
Pub date: June 17, 2025
Publisher: Rainier Publishing
This is a fast paced edge of your seat thriller. I really enjoyed this. I can’t wait to read the other two. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you NetGalley and Rainier Publishing for this ARC.

Holly Sparks is still haunted by the death of her sister years later, and she’s convinced she was murdered by the Green River Killer (this part is set in 1985). Later, in 1990 (when the rest of the story is set), she has written multiple true crime thrillers and is a best-selling author, but is still obsessed with her sister’s unsolved case. Then her ex-fiancé is released from prison, and similar murders start occurring. Does that mean it was him all along? Or could her newest theory be the case – that there are two killers, and everyone just thinks it’s one very busy serial killer? She’s determined to find out before one or both of them come for her.

To start with, she never should have been engaged to her ex in the first place. He’s obviously a jerk and treats everyone badly, not just her. And it takes something horrible and tragic to get him gone for those few years. The concept of another killer operating at the same time as a famed one is not new, I guess, but it would be the perfect opportunity for some evil person to take advantage. So, I’m glad she kept pushing for that even though everyone acts like she has no clue.

I almost wish we didn’t have the scenes from the other point of view (not going to say who) because it took some of the suspense away. And then the ending was a bit shocking and then confusing because a lot was explained in a hurried epilogue. I guess this is part of a series and is the prequel? So maybe if you’ve read the other books in the series, the very last bit of this story makes sense. It was a good read overall and I think any true crime reader would be a fan.