Title: The Hunted
Author: Steven Max Russo
Publication Date: January 7, 2026
Publisher: Steven Max Russo
Format Read: Kindle e-book
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Trigger Warnings: Violence, gore
The Hunted by Steven Max Russo was more of a rollercoaster ride than the thriller I recently read about a group of friends stuck on a rollercoaster. It was full of all the bim, bam, booms a thriller reader might hope to find.
Ophelia Harris, a former intelligence analyst for first the CIA and later a private security firm, was involved in an operation that went wrong in Afghanistan during the war. She managed to escape with two suitcases full of cash. Now, years later, Gerhard Mueller, the man in charge of the private security firm she once worked for, is convinced a traitor set up the ambush that doomed the mission. He’s certain it was Ophelia, and he wants her dead. Meanwhile, Austin Medford, a former soldier who was also in Afghanistan when it all happened, has just returned from a work trip and is having a drink in an airport lounge when he spots Ophelia. Convinced he knows her from somewhere, he soon finds himself running for his life alongside her.
I found the character depth to be about what I’d expect for this genre, with the exception of Gerhard. There was a factor that added an extra layer of depth to him, something that clouded his otherwise exceptional judgment. I really enjoyed that aspect of his character. Gerhard, Ophelia, Austin, and a few others serve as the third-person POV narrators, with the perspective shifts becoming more frequent as the story progresses. This might be confusing for some readers, although I didn’t have any trouble following it.
The story was engaging and a great length for an action-packed thriller with themes of trust and betrayal, survival, justice versus vengeance, and secrets and corruption. Russo’s writing is lean and cinematic. His clear, accessible prose is direct, suspense-driven, and immersive, making every scene easy to visualize.
The Hunted really surprised me. It hooked me early on, and there was definitely some past-my-bedtime reading. Russo’s writing falls somewhere between Brad Taylor’s and Jack Carr’s. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy military and espionage thrillers, tactical action, cat-and-mouse suspense, and fast-paced stories with capable protagonists.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— fast-paced and suspenseful
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Let’s Discuss:
If someone betrayed you, would you want justice or revenge?
I read a digital copy made available by Steven Max Russo, and this review reflects my honest opinion.