HUNT is the third book in the wonderful Detective bloom series, and it is – dare I say it, my favourite instalment to date!.

Bloom is enlisted to help the foreign secretary Gerald Potter who has been arrested under the Terrorism Act. He is accused of selling government secrets. On their first meeting, Gerald asks Bloom to try and locate the whereabouts of his niece Scarlett, who hasn’t been seen for ten years, after disappearing with two million pounds inheritance. He points Bloom in the direction of Artemis, the women’s rights and self help group that is run by American Paula Kunis.

Augusta and Marcus, her partner in the force, have fourteen days to locate Scarlett, but this is far from a straightforward task. Instead they find themselves being lead on a long winded journey, with the perpetrators playing mind games every step of the way and taking full advantage of the power they hold. The lengths in which these characters are prepared to go to is shocking and completely unexpected, and as things begin to intensify on their search, you find yourself on the edge of your seat.

This is a truly marvellous read. after reading Gone and Lost, I had been eagerly awaiting this latest addition to the series, and It certainly went above and beyond all of my expectations.

The characters, as always are well structured and relatable, each of them having their own individual voices and personalities which add so much depth to this story. I love the dynamics between Bloom and Jameson, from the witty banter, to the ways in which they brainstorm with one another. It is clear they have a strong bond, and this helps them work together on some of the most complex cases they find themselves presented with.

The storyline is well paced, with the perfect level of suspense building up as the story nears its climax. You are certainly left second guessing everything as the story unfolds, all of the assumptions you may have initially come to being blown out of the water as Bloom closes in on Scarlett’s whereabouts, and finally delivers the answers we are craving.

Brilliantly written, full of suspense and captivating to the very end, this is a remarkable story, and I certainly cannot wait for future additions to this series.

I love the Bloom Series of books by Leona Deakin so was really excited to receive a review copy!

And it did not disappoint, Bloom, Jameson and yes, you've guessed it Seraphine are back and this time there's a cult involved. I like the characters, the Villanelle-esque Seraphine and the almost-Villanelle Bloom are a great pairing with Jameson in the middle. The reader starts to learn more about Jameson in this book and it's well received. All I can say is more please! Really enjoyed it and will continue recommending the series to friends!

My Review

Absolutely loved this third installment in author Leona Hunt's series.
Dr Bloom's character I feel has such huge potential. The partnership between Augusta and Marcus is sometimes a work in progress though isn't it.
Marcus still feels incredibly hurt at how he was taken in by his love at the time Seraphine thinking in some way that Augusta had let him down.
Both have to work at their relationship to try fix it and in this new case Augusta needs to rely on Marcus much more. Marcus does get to use his skills from his previous work in the MI6 in this latest installment.
When Dr. Bloom is asked to look for a missing woman by her family, she knows that the young woman's disappearance is somehow related to a group called Artemis. A group that empowers and rallies women in their quest to bring peace to their lives. A group run by a lady called Paula Kunis who can do no wrong in the eyes of her followers.
Jam packed with excitement and twists and runs around every corner.
You won't want to miss this installment.
So very well worth your time

I have great respect for anyone who manages to put pen to paper to tell a story. More so when they manage to get what they have written published. This book left me confused , as it became so convoluted in both the detail it went into and the storyline. I haven't read the previous two books in the series, but given that there have been 2 previous stories about this investigative duo, it felt strange that there remained mysteries about their individual pasts and how well the knew each other. For me, it added unnecessary contortion. I read it, put it down, and thought that was almost like a Arthur Conan Doyle book, Clever investigator solves mysteries, for Bloom see (Sherlock) has trusted ex military sidekick for Marcus see (Watson) combating a devious and immensely clever foe, for Seraphina see (Moriarty) Not for me!!

This is the third instalment featuring Dr Augusta Bloom and Marcus Jameson, missing persons specialists. Dr Bloom is brought into Whitehall because the Foreign Secretary is being secretly held under the prevention of terrorism act and insists on seeing her privately before talking to anyone. He wants her to find his niece - missing for 10 years - but as you'd expect there's much more going on than a simple missing person case.

Dr Bloom must infiltrate an organisation that she suspects operates much like a cult, and use her psychological knowledge to investigate, observe and resist the techniques used by such organisations. I found these insights very powerful and learnt a lot about how cults can enmesh even the most strong-willed of people, and how the damaged or vulnerable are so quick and easy to ensnare. The plot references narcissistic personality disorder and social media manipulation, and the links to a certain former US president will cross every reader's mind.

We learn a little more about Marcus' background, but only enough to be intriguing. Seraphine Walker is back, interfering and causing trouble, and we see some new character flaws and her ability to make mistakes (as if being a ruthless psychopath wasn't enough!)

It does help if you've read the first two books in this series. I enjoyed the first two but this seemed even better - more action, more linear (with a few appropriate flashbacks) and some great settings, brilliantly described.

I've given this four stars because there are a few things which didn't make sense - the Foreign Secretary is missing for 2 weeks and no-one notices? The Prime Minister, BBC, Guardian, civil service, his constituents? Also the ending left me a bit confused. I can't say much for obvious reasons - just left with a feeling of 'why would she do that?' Don't let me put you off - it's a great book and perhaps my questions will be answered in the next book, which I will definitely read.

The foreign secretary Gerald Potter has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, accused of selling government secrets, and requests the help of Augusta Bloom. When they meet, he asks her to find his niece Scarlett, who has not been in touch with her family for almost ten years. She disappeared, taking 2 million pounds inheritance money with her. He points Augusta in the direction of Artemis, the women’s rights and self – help group led by the American Paula Kunis.
Augusta and her partner Marcus have fourteen days to find Scarlett, fulfilling that way Augusta’s obligations to Gerald Potter. Travelling from London to Edinburgh to the Highlands, she takes us on a journey full of mind games, power hunger, greed, delusionality and danger.

„Hunt“ is the third book in the Doctor Augusta Bloom series and I must admit that I’m loving it more and more and can’t wait to see what’s to come yet! It was a tense, gripping, unsettling and captivating thriller involving Augusta and Marcus and – yes! – Seraphine. It was full of twists and turns and all the time I had a feeling that I have to look over my shoulder – and I love it when the book makes me feel like this.

Augusta and Marcus still worked together brilliantly and they complemented each other, the banter and dynamics between them was natural and genuine. I liked how they are the main characters, yet they keep themselves to themselves and the author truly lets us to focus on the plot, letting us to lead the investigation together with them. We still don’t know much about their private lives, they feel like closed books but while it would probably bother me in other books, with different plots and stories, here it is simply acceptable and it works. I just enjoyed that Augusta and Marcus always have each other’s back and didn’t need anything more.

The writing style is chatty and engaging, down to earth and easy to follow and the plot was so imaginative, different and fascinating, and it was really refreshing to read this book.

The story goes deep into exploring Artemis, a group campaigning for women’s empowerment and oh my, what an exploration it was. Augusta, as usual, gives everything to solve a case and you have the feeling that actually everything can happen. I enjoyed how the author captured the essence of a cult, of its tactics and the way they manipulate people. On the surface it’s a very noble and worthwile institution but Augusta is quick in her thinking, questioning Artemis case. There is a secrecy surrounding the organization and you quickly get the feeling that nothing is, in fact, genuine about them and their esteemed leader. What our Augusta does, is to go undercover and infiltrate Artemis, and here starts the most crazy and full of tension roller – coaster ride you can expect.

Yes, I’d say that it was a slow – burner, especially at the beginning, and that sometimes the plot was too far – fetched – however it was a complex one that will need your full attention, filled with dangerous mind games, twists and turns - and that Seraphine seemed to know everything, but all in all it didn’t spoil the reading experience for me. Even if I wouldn't determine the pace of this book as quick, there are many twists and turns and questions that you desperately want to know answers to, so there is really not a moment that feels flat. I would also advise you to read „Gone“ and „Lost“ before you start „Hunt“, as the dynamics between the main characters were growing and changing and were affected by the previous investigations. What’s more exciting is the fact that the Foreign Secretary is one of Seraphine’s past recruits – but Augusta doesn’t know it, of course. Yes, please, read the previous books! Intense and claustrophobic, with characters that really develop, I truly enjoyed „Hunt“ and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Truly recommended!

When I first picked up Hunt by Leona Deakin I thought it might be a disappointment, how wrong I was. On starting the first chapter I was expecting a clunky superficial book this was a mistake, it crept up on me like the Kraken holding my attention so I couldn’t put it down until I was done! Will definitely be looking for more by Leona Deakin. #HuntBook #NetGalley

Hunt is the much awaited third book in the Augusta Bloom series and having enjoyed the previous two tremendously I was excited to reacquaint myself with the psychologist and her ex MI6 partner Marcus Jameson as they embark on their latest investigation. A word of warning here; you may find it worthwhile to read Lost and Gone before you dive into this storyline as the dynamics of their relationship have been affected by past investigations in which a third party, the brilliant psychopathic Seraphine Walker has played a crucial role. Expect her to make an appearance in what is a complex, intriguing, nerve wracking and creepy read.

The foreign secretary Gerald Porter has requested the help of Augusta Bloom in finding his niece Scarlett who has not had any contact with her family and friends in ten years. An only child of his sister Greta Marshall, he is keen to discover the whereabouts of Scarlett since her inheritance which has been kept in trust until she reaches the age of twenty one has disappeared. The only information he is in possession of is a possible link Scarlett has to the women’s rights and self help group Artemis headed by the American Paula Kunis. Currently being held by Westminster police for the next fourteen days under the Terrorism Act, accused of selling government secrets, Augusta Bloom only has a limited time to locate this young woman and reunite her with her mother and fulfill her obligations to the foreign secretary. Taking the reader from London to Edinburgh and the Highlands prepare to be outwitted in more highly dangerous and subversive mind games featuring the most delusional, power hungry individuals you are ever likely to meet. The lengths these characters are prepared to go to achieve their aims will astound you!

This is a creepy and unsettling storyline which will have you on the edge of your seat in anticipation of the next surprising twist. Augusta and Marcus aided by technical wizard Lucas George are facing their biggest challenge yet but with Augusta’s brilliant mind and powers of deduction and Marcus’s skills in espionage you can only hope they manage to remain one step ahead of any opponents who stand in their way. The only trouble is Bloom and Jameson, through no fault of their own tend to enter into investigations partially blindfolded, unsure of who or what they are up against which for the reader only adds to the sense of excitement and tension. Control of this particular game seems to switch hands constantly so you can never be entirely sure who has the upper hand!

Initial investigations reveal Artemis to be a group operating on the premise of empowering women, their main aim being to rectify the inequalities that exist between men and women in society. On the face of it a noble and worthwhile cause but Augusta is quick to question Artemis rhetoric, sensing there is a secrecy surrounding their esteemed leader and the way they operate giving rise to misgivings about how genuine this group really is and whether it’s a facade for something more sinister. It is highly possible their subtle methods of recruitment disguise their true intentions, preying on the vulnerable but the only way to confirm these gut instincts is to go undercover and infiltrate their organisation. Has Scarlett fallen victim to their persuasive and convincing dialogue and if so where is she? An invitation to spend a weekend at a retreat owned by Artemis located outside of Inverness provides the perfect opportunity to gather evidence and substantiate their concerns and hopefully find Scarlett but how dangerous will this undercover mission prove to be?

I love the pairing of Augusta and Marcus but these storylines have a greater focus on the complexities of the plot rather than giving the reader more insight into the personal lives of our two main characters. Augusta really is a closed book and I don’t feel I know her any better than when I was first introduced to her character. There are glimpses of a more human side in this narrative but they are kept to a bare minimum with Augusta portrayed as more robotic in her actions compared to partner Marcus whose flaws are more obvious. That’s not to say Augusta is immune to making errors because these events tell a different story and up against arch nemesis Seraphine you can spot her weaknesses. Thankfully Augusta and Marcus have each other’s backs as events take on James Bond style proportions.

I don’t suppose the plot line in Hunt is any more convoluted or far fetched than the ones in Lost and Gone but I’ll admit to finding my brain tied up in knots as the final big scenes play out. They will take your breath away in terms of how dramatic and heinous they are! Having read the final page I found myself mentally rewinding through these extraordinary events trying to process and make sense of how all these characters fit into this impossible puzzle. Once I saw the completed picture I think I finally grasped all the intricacies of the plot but again it is a complex one that requires your full concentration. As you’d expect from the author and this series there are surprising twists that leave you in awe of Ms Deakin’s creativity and ability to sweep the carpet out from under your feet, and with the hint that there will at least be one more book to come, these dangerous mind games are not over with yet. However unbelievable these plot lines may be I have fallen under the spell of Bloom, Jameson and Walker, a willing virtual onlooker to scenarios in which the author tests the theory of whether two heads are better than one in this ongoing quest for ultimate power and domination. Although I’ve decided to award Hunt 4 stars instead of the 5 I’ve given to the previous two books in the series I’m still excited to discover who will finally reign triumphant! If you love being in the company of psychopathic, unpredictable characters this series is one for you. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

Once again, Leona Deakin has hit the ball out of the park with this book.

I love her mixture of story and the technical knowledge that her characters have, and the way that information is passed to you, as a reader. It is done in a way that you can understand, and not done to make the reader feel stupid for not already knowing. Again, no character is perfect, they make mistakes, and then have to live with that. But none of the mistakes are to cover up stupid plot mistakes, or illogical to the character.

A great third book in the Dr Bloom series, and I can not wait for more!

Wowzer's what a gripping Book , so many brilliant twists & turns, & also giving the reader lots of things to contemplate & even re-evaluate their thoughts about very complex topic's.
Some terrific characters especially the lead the brilliant Augusta Bloom plus her partner Marcus.. Their Nemesis Paula Kunis turns out not to be completely who & what they believe & because of that the reader gets quite a shock by the final twist in the plot. So a fabulous gut gripping story which I will be very Highly recommending to both Family members & to friends . #NetGalley,#Goodreads,#FB,#Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk,#Waterstones, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/c566f42be23a0e25d120e78a3454e2d427c4beee" width="80" height="80" alt="50 Book Reviews" title="50 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

As the third in a series this is definitely a case where having read the first two would have been useful. I still have no idea how the three main protagonists came together and this is important in respect of their interactions. Augusta is a psychologist asked to find a missing niece - after she disappeared 10 years ago and emptying her bank account of two million quid.. Augusta and her partner Marcus, ex military and probably black ops "with a past" get enmeshed with a feminist group Artemis; Augusta going undercover to find herself and, hopefully, the niece. Although she knows the tricks used by these groups she herself starts to fall under their spell but not enough to make a total mess of things. Said group of course is a cult with attendant issues. The story was well-written and the context good - one could feel oneself being drawn into the cultish arguments and spells. The third protagonist, Seraphine, appeared with a bang and saved the day at one level although she's a mystery to me not having read the earlier books. Obviously I liked the setting in a remote part of Scotland for Artmesis' rural retreat although we leave out the wire fence and mesh to keep people in (just enough to keep Bambi out)! I think it could have made a 4* if I'd read the earlier books first and had a better idea of the history between the three main characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgally, Random house UK, Transworld publisher for allowing me this opportunity to read The Hunt by Leona Deakin.

From reading, which I hadn’t realised previously, it is part of a series about Augusta Bloom. So at parts I was confused as I didn’t know the back story, however this in no way impacted my read and it has made me want to seek out her other books.

As a stand alone book it’s a fabulous read! (Although knowing the back story would help) it’s fast paced and keeps you hooked! The storyline is very clever and at times I could feel my heart pounding as there was an element of danger.

I liked how Leona painted the scene and you could place yourself in the situation and I think this is why it created a danger feeling throughout the book.

The ending was slightly far fetched, but it’s a fictional book so why not haha! Although right at the end made me gasp! Wasn’t expecting the little twist.

I’d like to read more and find out who Serephine is and why their relationship is strained! I’d also like to find out more about Jameson and his passed!

Thank you once again for the amazing read!

Hunt by Leona Deakin is the third in the Doctor Augusta Bloom series and I have read the and enjoyed the previous two books and this is another gripping thriller from the author.
Foreign Secretary Gerald Porter has been arrested under the Terrorism act and he will only cooperate when he speaks to Dr Augusta Bloom. Augusta wonders what he wants with her, as they have never met.
When they meet Gerald asks her to find his estranged niece Scarlett who he has not seen for nine years. She disappeared taking her 2 million pounds inheritance money with her. The only correspondence he has had with her is that she is safe and well and staying with an organisation called Artemis. When Augusta and her partner Marcus delve deeper, they find that it is a cult which is run by Paula Kunis. They are all women feminist group. The only way that Augusta can connect with Scarlett is to go undercover as someone who wants to join Artemis to get anyway near her.
This is another great episode in the series involving Augusta, Marcus, and Seraphine. The story follows on from the previous two books. There is a lot of twists and turns and some surprises. But also, quite intense and felt quite claustrophobic, when Augusta visits Artemis and she loses all contact to the outside world. 4 stars from me.

This book is unlike any crime/mystery novel that I have ever read it was so good and had so many twists and turns in the plot. I hope this will be a series as I am not done with the main characters yet. Unfortunately I wasted time and only read this with one day left until it expired so I was up into the small hours of the morning reading this book, however I don't regret reading it from start until end and only getting 4 hours sleep. So good keep up the good work Miss Deakin.

I was delighted to be given the chance to read this third book in the Augusta Bloom series having thoroughly enjoyed the previous two and I wasn't disappointed .Augustas,Marcos and Seraphine are the main characters and this time the story centres around a Cult .Though a little slow to begin with the pace soon quickened and the story became a really intense and gripping read .I can't wait to read the next book in the series .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

An accomplished and well-written thriller with both a believable female protagonist in Dr Augusta Bloom and formidable villain in Seraphine. I received an advance reading copy without having read the previous two books in the series and although it does stand alone as a good story in its own right there were some plot spoilers for at least one of the previous two books, so would recommend that new readers start at the beginning of the series. That said, it was a highly compelling and action packed plot with plenty of intrigue, twists and psychological mind games as the pursuit of the disgraced Foreign Secretary’s missing niece leads Dr Bloom to infiltrate a feminist cult. Thank you to Net Galley for the advance e-book to review.

Dr Augusta Bloom is called to a mysterious meeting with the British Foreign Secretary who is secretly being kept under arrest by the police.
Sounds far fetched - yes it is. Enjoyable- yes it is if you suspend belief.
A bit slow at the start but picks up pace halfway through and then hurtles at breakneck speed towards a climactic ending which also sets it up for the next instalment.
Once I got over the premise of the storyline I enjoyed the book.
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review .
3:5 Stars ⭐️

Hunt by Leona Deakin. This is the third book by this author with Augusta Bloom at the helm.

Ms. Bloom is asked by the Foreign Secretary to investigate his niece, Scarlett’s disappearance. She seems to have disappeared into thin air a few years ago. He asks Bloom to investigate her disappearance. With very little to go on, the search leads her to Artemis, an all-female cult full of secrets. She has to go undercover if she needs to find out more information about Scarlett.

With a bit of help from Marcus and Seraphine, they try to solve the puzzle. I loved the twists and turns in this and the mystery which kept me reading late into the night!

Many thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC.

Thank you Leona Deakin, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Netgalley for the digital copy of HUNT.

This is the third book in the Augusta Bloom series and having read the previous two novels in the series i was glad that this one picked up pace half way through after a slow start

The three main characters in this series, Augusta, Marcus and Seraphine carry on their psychological relationship when Augusta is called in to help the Foreign Secretary whose niece Scarlett who went off the grid 9 years ago and emptied her back account of over 2 million pounds of her inheritance money.

What Augusta doesnt know is that the Foreign Secretary is one of Seraphines past recruits - you would have to have read the other two books to know the history of the characters.

Agusta's investigation leads to Scarlett possibly being in a cult, and this leads to her having to go undercover as someone wanting to become a member of Aremetis, an all female group that does not need men in their life.

Plenty of twists and turns, after a slow start, but it starts to pick up pace once Augusta enters the realms of the HQ in Scotland for a weekend break, and then you start to gain access to how a cult is worked- quite scary if it is based on fact.

Certainly a page turner

Buckle up and enjoy the twisted trip, just make sure that you have read the first two books in the series before departure.
This third book involves a very scary cult and a missing relative thought to be in its clutches. Augusta Bloom goes under cover and it soon becomes clear that this mystery has links to Seraphine's cabal of psychopaths. It's a faster than the speed of light read, with plenty of guns, blood and some confusing sleights of hand performed by both Seraphine and the foreign secretary. The somewhat fragile relationship between Marcus and Dr Bloom is what keeps the book grounded and provides a good central core to the series and new facets of their characters and their friendship are revealed in this instalment.
All in all it's an absolute riot of a book and I am on tenterhooks to see where the twisted mind of Seraphine takes the pair next.