"An atmospheric, intricate thriller . . . What an achievement." —Tana French
"I loved this novel. Excellent writing and really good character work." —George Pelecanos

Following a brutal rotation in Afghanistan and the untimely death of his former handler and lover, Helen Gray, security contractor Lachlan Smith is sent to Ethiopia to protect a wealthy criminal family. He arrives in Addis Ababa heartbroken and full of questions—about Helen’s death, about the mind-altering training they endured together, but most of all about the shadowy organization that recruited them both.  

As Smith navigates the increasingly frightening ambitions of the Sebadi family, he uncovers more secrets than answers—secrets that twist his relationship with Helen and challenge his understanding of his mission. Secrets that will change everything.

Josh Kendall’s electrifying debut novel is a love story wrapped in a spy thriller, set against the dazzling backdrop of Ethiopia. Atmospheric and emotionally resonant, I'm Not Here to Hunt Rabbits is a twisting puzzle of a novel, exploring the price of love, the weight of grief, and the brutal calculus of loyalty.