Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Charly Cox returns with a chilling installment in her Alyssa Wyatt series, and The Hunting Grounds might be her most psychologically intense yet. Set against the stark backdrop of New Mexico’s desert, this novel plunges readers into a serial killer investigation that’s as emotionally harrowing as it is procedurally gripping.

When Jennie Killingbeck vanishes on her drive back to Albuquerque, Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her team mobilize quickly. But the case takes a sinister turn with the arrival of FBI Agent Ryker Newlin, who suspects the infamous “Sunset Slayer” may be behind the disappearance. Known for targeting red-haired women and leaving a grotesque signature—an “X” carved across their lips—the killer has haunted multiple states. Now, the hunt intensifies in Slaughterville, a town whose name feels disturbingly prophetic.

Alyssa Wyatt remains a compelling lead—resilient, intuitive, and emotionally grounded. Her dynamic with Ryker Newlin adds a fresh layer of tension and collaboration, as both wrestle with the psychological toll of chasing a predator who thrives on ritualistic brutality. Cox’s portrayal of law enforcement isn’t just procedural—it’s deeply human, exploring trauma, fear, and the moral weight of justice.

Cox’s prose is taut and evocative, with visceral imagery that doesn’t shy away from the horror of the crimes. Yet she balances this with empathy, especially in her depiction of victims and their families. Themes of vulnerability, obsession, and the fragility of safety in small-town America are woven throughout, making the novel resonate beyond its genre trappings.

The Detective Alyssa Wyatt is refreshingly unique in that the series depicts brutal crimes, yet somehow the author always germinates seeds of hope and renewal in this series - due to this aspect, this ardent fan hopes this stellar police procedural / psychological thriller series continues!

The Hunting Grounds is a meditation on the cost of justice and the shadows that linger in its pursuit. For fans of crime fiction that blends procedural precision with emotional intelligence, Cox delivers a standout entry that lingers like desert heat.