Hunter by Robert Bidinotto

Bueno

Hunter is the debut novel from a former crime journalist (Reader's Digest, among others). I first discovered it from Kindle Boards and have since tracked its success. It was chosen by Amazon as an Editor's Pick (or the like) and had sales that went through the ionosphere. Sales that were justified.

Overall, the book is an entertaining read. It has vigilantes, spooks (CIA, not goblins), and other assorted bad guys. Bidinotto does a good job with description (sometimes a little too much, but that's just me) and does a great job developing the characters.

As far as the plot, well, you've probably read it before (see my Prometheus Deception review). However, what Hunter has as its leitmotif is the flaws in the judicial system, which you will recall in my first paragraph, the author is a former crime journalist. But not just that, it seems that he has reported on (and been a proponent of) victim's rights, going so far as (if I infer correctly) breaking the story that stirred up the Willie Horton fiasco (think Dukakis' demise).

The flaws in the justice system ("rehabilitating" criminals instead of punishing them) are overt from the beginning, but you are not beaten over the head with them. He gets his point across smoothly and also presents the rehabilitation side, though, again, it is clear which side he favors. (He calls the soft-on-crime syndicate "enablers.") It was also refreshing to see the CIA in a better light than it is normally portrayed in thrillers: an easy scapegoat for unimaginative writers.

There is some romance in Hunter, probably more than my taste allows, but he does well bringing out the characters' motives and emotions.

The book runs over four hundred pages, which is a little longer than the thrillers we see nowadays. Cut out some of the romance, we're back down to three fifty and none the worse for wear.

Back to the plot: there aren't really any surprises. I knew who did what and figured out how it would end, but he built the suspense and it was a good ride. I'll read his next book - what better rec can I give? Great job, Roberto. Fo' Stars.

Don't forget to pick your wife up something on the way home or you'll be nailed to a tree. Happy Valentine's Day, Stonewallians.

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