Title: THE NIGHT STALKER – Rober Hunter #3
Author: Chris Carter
ISBN: 9780857202987
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 453
Source: Private Copy
An unidentified female body is brought into the Los Angeles County morgue. The cause of death is still unclear. Her body bares no marks; except for the fact that her most intimate parts have been stitched shut. But what shocks the pathologist the most is that the killer had left something inside her. Something so monstrous Detective Robert Hunter, of the Los Angeles Homicide Special Section, has to be pulled off a different case to take over the investigation.
Within days a new body surfaces. Like the previous victim, she’s also been stitched shut and something has been left inside her. Something as ingenious as it is grotesque. And the killer isn’t done yet, not by a long shot.
When his inquiry collides with a missing persons’ case being investigated by the attractive, razor-sharp Whitney Meyers, Hunter suspects the killer might be keeping several women hostage. Soon Robert finds himself on the hunt for a murderer who is much more monstrous than he ever could have expected; a predator whose past hides a terrible secret, and who won’t stop until each of his victims has brought forth the awful truth.
Official Summary
18 September 2024
The Night Stalker by Chris Carter is an intense, pulse-pounding thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. Detective Robert Hunter returns in this dark, chilling instalment of the series and Carter once again proves he’s a master at crafting disturbing, yet intricately plotted crime fiction.
I am hooked! I cannot get enough. While it must be noted that these books are not for the faint-hearted, they are full of graphic violence, I cannot recommend them highly enough – if you have the stomach for the brutality, they just keep getting better.
The premise is immediately horrifying—a series of female victims, their bodies shockingly mutilated, with something grotesque left inside them. It’s the kind of detail that sets this book apart, making it as much a psychological horror as it is a detective thriller. Carter’s descriptive writing pulls no punches, but it’s never costless—every gruesome detail serves to heighten the urgency of Hunter’s investigation and the reader’s fear of what’s coming next.
What makes The Night Stalker stand out is Robert Hunter himself. His character is relentless, intelligent, and deeply human. The way his inquiry intertwines with Whitney Meyers’ missing person case is both natural and engaging, creating a dynamic between the two investigators that fuels the story’s momentum. Carter’s ability to blend personal stakes with professional tension is a key reason why this novel is so compelling.
The pacing is relentless, with each new revelation pulling you deeper into the case. As Hunter digs into the killer’s past, Carter constructs a chilling psychological profile that raises the stakes, making it more than just a hunt for a murderer—it’s a dive into the darkest recesses of human nature. The sense of urgency is profound, especially as Hunter begins to suspect the killer is holding multiple women hostage.
What makes this a 5-star read for me is how Carter expertly keeps the suspense taut without sacrificing character development or emotional depth. The shocking twists and turns are balanced by a deeper understanding of what drives both the killer and the investigators. The conclusion is as satisfying as it is terrifying and I was left thinking about it long after I turned the final page.
If you’re a fan of dark, psychological thrillers with a complex protagonist, The Night Stalker will not disappoint. It’s a gripping, novel that pulls you in with its gruesome mystery and keeps you hooked with its finely-tuned suspense. This is a book guaranteed to keep you up at night – there is no putting this one down.
Also by Chris Carter
THE EXECUTION – ROBER HUNTER #2
Imagine your worst fear – and then meet your worst nightmare…
Inside a Los Angeles church, on the altar steps, lies the blood-soaked, decapitated body of a priest. Carefully positioned, legs stretched out, arms crossed over the chest, the most horrifying thing of all is that the priest’s head has been replaced by that of a dog. Later, the forensic team discover that, on the victim’s chest, the figure ‘3’ has been scrawled in blood.
At first, Detective Robert Hunter believes that this is a ritualistic killing. But as more bodies surface, he is forced to reassess. All the victims died in the way they feared the most. Their worst nightmares have literally come true. But how could the killer have known? And what links these apparently random victims?
Hunter finds himself on the trail of an elusive and sadistic killer, someone who apparently has the power to read his victims’ minds. Someone who can sense what scares his victims the most. Someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his twisted aim.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
I was born in Brasilia, Brazil where I spent my childhood and teenage years. After graduating from high school, I moved to the USA where I studied psychology with specialization in criminal behaviour. During my University years, I held a variety of odd jobs, ranging from flipping burgers to being part of an all male exotic dancing group.
I worked as a criminal psychologist for several years before moving to Los Angeles, where I swapped the suits and briefcases for ripped jeans, bandanas and an electric guitar. After a spell playing for several well-known glam rock bands, I decided to try my luck in London, where I was fortunate enough to have played for a number of famous artists. I toured the world several times as a professional musician.
A few years ago I gave it all up to become a full time writer.
I have added the full Robert Hunter series to my TBR list and I am enjoying reading these books in order – something I do not always manage to do. It is worth mentioning that these books can be enjoyed as stand-alone reads. They are very dark and it may be difficult for some readers to endure the graphic brutality they deliver.
As always, thank you for supporting the blog and returning to read my reviews. I look forward to hearing if you have been enjoying the Robert Hunter series as much as I have. Please leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
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