Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

I really enjoyed Audrey J. Cole's The Final Hunt and The Last Hunt and this prequel is a real page-turner. It's pretty short at 288 pages and I got through it in two days. In The Final Hunt, Cameron is a dentist living in Seattle whose first husband committed suicide. She finds out that her second husband John is a serial killer who supposedly was killed in a bear attack while hunting, but Cameron believes he's still alive. This book is serial killer John's origin story. His family history is scary, compelling, and fascinating. If you're interested in the psychopathy of serial killers, then this book is definitely for you. Audrey J. Cole's writing is very good and she keeps you guessing with lots of twists and turns. I look forward to reading her next book The Trip shortly. Thanks to #Netgalley and #RainierPublishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A dark, fast paced thriller with a gripping atmosphere and sharp, engaging writing. Audrey J. Cole skillfully blends psychological suspense with investigative drama, creating a story that’s both intense and emotionally grounded. This is a great prequal to The Final Hunt. The dual POV adds tension and perspective, keeping you invested as the stakes rise. Inspired by true crime events in the Seattle area, this was a quick read for me.

If you are looking for a dark, and twisted psychological thriller this series is a go to!

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an eARC of this book.

Talk about twists and suspense! I love dual POVs in thriller books, and this one changes your view of the characters the further you read. This was a solid mystery book that I couldn’t put down!

4 ☆.

This book got fully my attention. I couldn't stop reading until to know what happened. I'm still curious if Meg was really killed by that man. I want to know more about happened next.

It is my first time reading this author and I enjoyed very much her writing. I can't wait to read more of her books.

The First Hunt by Audrey J. Cole

This was my first read by Audrey J. Cole—and definitely not my last. Even though it’s book 3 in the series, it’s a prequel, so it works perfectly as a standalone. Fast-paced, twisty, and dark in the best way.

I had my heart set on one outcome… and Cole hit me with the exact opposite. It wasn’t the ending I thought was coming, but it was the ending that really F*CKS your mind—and it stuck with me. Solid 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pub date: June 16, 2025. Thank you @NetGalley for my #ARC #digitalcopy for an open, honest review.

Talk about twists and suspense! I love dual POV books, and this is one that changes your view of the characters the further you read. This was a solid mystery book that I couldn’t put down!

"𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍."

Special thanks to @amazonpublishing @audreyjcole & @netgalley for this #gifted eARC.

➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Utterly gripping. I was glued to the pages the entire book. Totally unputdownable! Must read!

So, in true me fashion, I grabbed this book off netgalley during a read now kick, and asked around about the order in which to read the series. Now im a stickler on reading series' in order, but this one spoke to me. And im so glad it did.

This follows a crime journalist turned true crime author in her search for , mainly her sisters killer, but the possibility it's also the Green River Killer. It has multiple POVs which bring the cat and mouse game to heights as you get farther into the book.

I dont want to spoil this, but I would say this could be read as a standalone, although of course im going to go read the other 2 books now and see how this all plays out!

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
June 17, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻
❓️⁉️❓️ Do you read series' ? Do you prefer them in order?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #thefirsthunt #audreyjcole #amazonpublishingpartner #partner #netgalley
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A great twist and amqzing build up. This book was one of the best books ive read this year. Absolutely loved it.

This is the sixth book I've read of Audrey's and the sixth book of hers that chilled me to the bone, made me want to keep all the lights on, and had me listening for any strange noises. She writes her novels with the perfect blend of scary tension mixed with the need to know and I couldn't stop turning the pages despite being almost frozen in fear. I loved the ending of this book and the culmination of the build up of all the clues dropped along the way. The teaser at the end is the perfect reason to go back and start this series again to pick up on all the little things I missed the first time around.

The First Hunt by Audrey J. Cole is a prequel in The Final Hunt series. The book is based on the Green River serial killer that terrorized Seattle in the early 1980's. This book is so unsettling that you'll be checking your surroundings when outside and checking the locks on your windows and doors when you're inside! Yes, I am serious. John is a teenaged boy who has to keep his father's secret or he could lose him. John's mother died by suicide the officials said, so it's just John and his Dad. John knows that his father kills women and saw him do it once. It makes John nervous because if his father gets caught, he has no one.

You will hunt for the serial killer with the police and with crime reporter, Holly Sparks. Holly is invested more than most because she lost her sister, Meg, at the hands of the Green River killer. The police aren't sure that Meg was one of the Green River killer's victims though. Holly has kept a wall of articles and facts about her sister's case. She follows each new victim in the press and tries to find a link between the cases. Holly is determined to help the police find the killer. Holly is also a famous author of crime books and is working on her next one. When Holly's fiance' shows signs of a bad temper and violence she begins to think he may be a suspect. Jared is a police officer who has been working the case. Could he be the killer? He gets angry when Holly brings up her theories on the case. Why?

The First Hunt is a fantastic thriller that you won't be able to put down. Only start this book if you've got a good block of time to devote to it. The First Hunt is fast-paced and has several twists you won't see coming. I loved this book and rate it 5 stars with my highest recommendation. The First Hunt is out now and should be devoured asap! Audrey J Cole has another huge hit on her hands and I can't wait for her next book! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Rainier Publishing for an advanced copy of The First Hunt in exchange for a fair review. #TheFirstHunt

The only thing more frightening than living in a city where a multiple murder is loose on the streets is the suspicion that you might be living with them. This is the thought which festers inside John, a young man living with his father. He's aware that his father leaves the house at night and comes back several hours later without accounting for where he has been. John also has vague recollections of being in the car with his dad and a young woman, but he doesn't want to remember what happened next. He's torn between loyalty to his dad and a need to know the truth. After all, his dad raised him alone, after his mum passed away. Sitting alongside John's story is that of Holly Sparkes. Holy works as a journalist and is investigating the murders - she also has a personal interest in this story as she believes here sister was murdered by the man thought to be responsible for multiple murders.

This dark, psychological thriller begins in Seattle in the 1980s and is told from John and Holly's points of view. The storyline is tightly written and the chilling atmosphere keeps you on your toes with a number of surprising twists along the way to keep you turning the pages. This book is the 3rd in this series, written as a prequel, and probably best read last, as intended, as it brings the backstory together. A recommended read for those who enjoy dark thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The First Hunt by Audrey J. Cole is a gripping thriller that blends suspense, mystery, and intrigue.
I really enjoyed this very fast paced suspense novel.
This book had me hooked from the start and I could not put it down. The story is suspenseful and twisty from the beginning to the end.

The First Hunt
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Audrey J. Cole
Publishing date: June 17, 2025

Thank you to netgalley for this arc. I am so grateful I got to read this book before the publishing date! This book weaves the tale of a villain’s dark past and what leads to making them a killer. I enjoyed this prequel and the dual POVs. Holly is a true crime reported haunted by her sister’s unsolved murder. Will she solve her sister’s murder or will she end up in danger herself?? Holly’s life is a bit rocky to begin with and add in a hunt for her sister’s killer and trouble is bound to follow! If you are looking for a good psychological thriller, then this is the book for you!

The First Hunt is a compelling and fast-paced thriller that delivers a solid blend of suspense, action, and emotional depth. Audrey Cole does a great job developing a strong female lead and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. The Alaskan setting adds a unique backdrop that enhances the tension throughout. While a few plot points felt slightly predictable, the overall story was engaging and well-executed. A gripping read that’s perfect for fans of crime thrillers with a fierce, determined heroin

This book gripped me right from the prologue! I have to admit, it was a TOUGH START for me personally. I mean, I actually had to put it down a few times before I could keep going. The initial scenes (I'm talking about John's early experiences) brought back some old memories from my own childhood. Nothing as extreme as what happens in the book of course. But it reminded me of a strange family friend who once gave me a big headset to wear so I couldn't hear what "they were doing." It was a weird, unsettling feeling... and this book just coincidentally tapped into that same kind of discomfort for me. Don't get me wrong. Definitely not a flaw in the writing at all! It was just a "personal connection" that made the story even more intense.

Audrey J. Cole does an incredible job of building suspense, especially with the backdrop of the Green River Killer in 1984 Seattle. The way John's ordinary life slowly gets twisted by the terrifying secret of his father's "uncomfortable" activities is truly chilling. You can feel John's growing fear and confusion as he starts to realize THE MONSTER isn't just "out there,"... but much closer to him.

TROPES:
- intelligent psychopath
- the monster next door
- psychological manipulation
- mind games
- family conflict

What I love about this book?
1. This book is great at showing how a dark secret CAN MESS with someone's mind.
2. You'll really feel John's trust break down and his STRONG NEED to understand what's happening.
3. You'll keep wondering who he can ask for help, and who else might already know the secret.
4. Last but not least, I absolutely loved following Holly's story in this book! I was totally hooked on her search for answers about her sister's murder. Her investigation takes a shocking turn when she starts to suspect there are two dangerous people out there. This book is a thrilling ride that will keep you guessing right up to the end! You'll be cheering for Holly through every twist and turn.

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NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective. Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of this book! I really enjoyed this one! I haven’t read the others in the series but I don’t feel like I was missing any key information. It was a fast paced and easy to read book.
I’ve read other books from this author and was looking forward to this one. It was fabulous as usual! The characters were developed well and the twists and turns were well written. I loved how everything came together leaving no unanswered questions. Can’t wait to read the other two in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Books Gone Social for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I'm really not sure how to describe this book without giving away spoilers but I can say that it was an amazing read.

It was very fast paced and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I did find myself checking the locks and looking over my shoulder at times.

Holly was a very likeable main character.

Highly recommend!

I didn't realize it was part of a trilogy, and I have to admit I felt a bit lost even at 35%! So i guess it was my fault!

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and it appears to be a prequel to the rest of the series. I was hooked from the first chapter by the characters and mystery. There is an authors note at the end that the serial killer in the book is real, which I found very interesting. I really enjoyed this book but thought it ended suddenly. I’ll have to read the rest of the series now!