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The Hunted
Her story sets off a violent spark.
His investigation puts them in the line of fire.
Journalist Erin McKenna is not only investigating a major defense contractor suspected of complicity in the international sex-slave trade but testifying against them in court. Her world collapses when that same firm buys her newspaper and she's fired without explanation. Her home is ransacked, her computer stolen and she is attacked.
FBI agent Jerod Westlake is haunted by the disappearance of his sister long ago, and has dedicated his life to ending the international sex-slave trade. When he discovers Erin wounded on the floor of her apartment, he swings into action to protect her as a witness--and as a woman.
Jerod needs to protect Erin's life and track down her source.
But once they start working as a team, the real danger begins....
His investigation puts them in the line of fire.
Journalist Erin McKenna is not only investigating a major defense contractor suspected of complicity in the international sex-slave trade but testifying against them in court. Her world collapses when that same firm buys her newspaper and she's fired without explanation. Her home is ransacked, her computer stolen and she is attacked.
FBI agent Jerod Westlake is haunted by the disappearance of his sister long ago, and has dedicated his life to ending the international sex-slave trade. When he discovers Erin wounded on the floor of her apartment, he swings into action to protect her as a witness--and as a woman.
Jerod needs to protect Erin's life and track down her source.
But once they start working as a team, the real danger begins....
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 25, 2008
12 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lee
370 books140 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 24, 2021
As story telling goes, this book keeps you moving, it keeps you turning the page. Despite the turmoil and hardships you will read through, which I warn greatly as a trigger for some, the book leaves a warm feeling in your chest as you the reader feel as lucky and heroic as the main characters. The book covers dark topics and you'll need thick skin and an iron stomach to get through some of the lesser character perspectives. While so, their perspectives are enriched with survival and keeping ones sanity. A hard thing to write about, hard to read about, but important in story that covers something as inhuman as human sex slaves. Once you get through the nitty gritty, the story of Jerrod and Erin is one that is purely human.
If you like high risk adventure, dashes of romance, and a heart provoking story I highly recommend this book. I greatly enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the overall theme of survival and doing the greater good.
If you like high risk adventure, dashes of romance, and a heart provoking story I highly recommend this book. I greatly enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the overall theme of survival and doing the greater good.
April 29, 2025
The set up and background were interesting, but I did get thrown off a few times because of how dated some things are. I don’t know why it jarred me so much (obviously it would be dated after this long), but it really did. Maybe it’s because so much of it felt so contemporary (like, the MySpace example is one that threw me for a loop).
That said, I am very confused why they kept calling it ‘white slavery’ (which ugh) when they constantly mentioned it happening to women in non majority white countries. Shouldn’t they just call it modern slavery or something?
The fact that it is very blunt in its criticism of so many powerful industries and their lobbying power was great to read, especially since it’s still so tragically relevant. From medical insurance to government contracting, it all gets skewered to some degree. I also like how it was very blatant in condemning those in power who see people as either acceptable sacrifices or pawns to play on the board of international intrigue/interests. It’s all pointed commentary, even years after it was written (which was more than a little depressing).
Lee also used a lot of great metaphors and allegories to set the tone and reinforce the themes, which worked really well. I really liked the deep dive into the psychology of someone who does terrible things to help others, and how it wasn’t solved in one conversation, but an ongoing theme.
The dynamics between characters were interesting, though at some points it got really jarring. The pace was drawn out in the last 50 or so pages, which killed tension and made me think ‘just get to the climax already.’
I like how it didn’t wrap things up in a nice bow where the world is just again, because that’s not how injustice and the corrupt system we live in work. Happy ever after everyone gets their punishment might be cathartic, but it’s not realistic, which this book was trying to respect in the over all themes.
That said, I am very confused why they kept calling it ‘white slavery’ (which ugh) when they constantly mentioned it happening to women in non majority white countries. Shouldn’t they just call it modern slavery or something?
The fact that it is very blunt in its criticism of so many powerful industries and their lobbying power was great to read, especially since it’s still so tragically relevant. From medical insurance to government contracting, it all gets skewered to some degree. I also like how it was very blatant in condemning those in power who see people as either acceptable sacrifices or pawns to play on the board of international intrigue/interests. It’s all pointed commentary, even years after it was written (which was more than a little depressing).
Lee also used a lot of great metaphors and allegories to set the tone and reinforce the themes, which worked really well. I really liked the deep dive into the psychology of someone who does terrible things to help others, and how it wasn’t solved in one conversation, but an ongoing theme.
The dynamics between characters were interesting, though at some points it got really jarring. The pace was drawn out in the last 50 or so pages, which killed tension and made me think ‘just get to the climax already.’
I like how it didn’t wrap things up in a nice bow where the world is just again, because that’s not how injustice and the corrupt system we live in work. Happy ever after everyone gets their punishment might be cathartic, but it’s not realistic, which this book was trying to respect in the over all themes.
April 21, 2019
A fast and easy read, like most pulp fiction. It’s interesting, but definitely shows it’s age in phrases like the “white” slave trade. Not positive why they needed to racialize the sex slave trade, when I’m pretty sure no one is excluded. The part that bothered me the most was the budding love story common in most fiction of this ilk, juxtaposed against scenes of women being brutalized, tortured, and raped. Not a good combination, and the only reason it didn’t kill the rating completely was because the romance was very minor.
June 3, 2018
Too bogged down with details.
March 18, 2020
This book was absolutely fantastic! It's action-packed and just all around amazing! I loved it so much!
July 24, 2022
Just an okay read. The first half is very slow moving, fortunately it does pick up. Didn’t find either main character particularly like able or personable
April 29, 2008
Not bad. Could have used a little more 'oomph', though.
I thought it wasn't bad. I through Erin to be a strong woman who keeps her head when her life spins out of control. She does what she needs to do, what needs to be done, and although the threat is that it will eat away at what's inside, she still does what needs to be done.
I found Jerrod to be somewhat pragmatic and cynical, more concerned about others than himself, and will stop at nothing if to rescue a child or friend, regardless of the situation. I'm glad that Erin showed him that there's more to what he does than he realizes.
I thought the actions scenes, what of them, where well played. But the plot seemed to lack somewhat for me. It's not that there were holes, but I believe there could have been more. I found the story to be a little slow at time, and while not completely boring, there could have been more to it. I found the ending okay, but I wasn't thrilled, and I found it rushed.
An okay, fast read, but not a run-to-the-store-the-second-it-came-out kind of book.
I thought it wasn't bad. I through Erin to be a strong woman who keeps her head when her life spins out of control. She does what she needs to do, what needs to be done, and although the threat is that it will eat away at what's inside, she still does what needs to be done.
I found Jerrod to be somewhat pragmatic and cynical, more concerned about others than himself, and will stop at nothing if to rescue a child or friend, regardless of the situation. I'm glad that Erin showed him that there's more to what he does than he realizes.
I thought the actions scenes, what of them, where well played. But the plot seemed to lack somewhat for me. It's not that there were holes, but I believe there could have been more. I found the story to be a little slow at time, and while not completely boring, there could have been more to it. I found the ending okay, but I wasn't thrilled, and I found it rushed.
An okay, fast read, but not a run-to-the-store-the-second-it-came-out kind of book.
December 5, 2014
3.5 STARS
"Her story sets off a violent spark.
His investigation puts them in the line of fire.
Journalist Erin McKenna is not only investigating a major defense contractor suspected of complicity in the international sex-slave trade but testifying against them in court. Her world collapses when that same firm buys her newspaper and she's fired without explanation. Her home is ransacked, her computer stolen and she is attacked.
FBI agent Jerod Westlake is haunted by the disappearance of his sister long ago, and has dedicated his life to ending the international sex-slave trade. When he discovers Erin wounded on the floor of her apartment, he swings into action to protect her as a witness—and as a woman.
Jerod needs to protect Erin's life and track down her source.
But once they start working as a team, the real danger begins.…
"Her story sets off a violent spark.
His investigation puts them in the line of fire.
Journalist Erin McKenna is not only investigating a major defense contractor suspected of complicity in the international sex-slave trade but testifying against them in court. Her world collapses when that same firm buys her newspaper and she's fired without explanation. Her home is ransacked, her computer stolen and she is attacked.
FBI agent Jerod Westlake is haunted by the disappearance of his sister long ago, and has dedicated his life to ending the international sex-slave trade. When he discovers Erin wounded on the floor of her apartment, he swings into action to protect her as a witness—and as a woman.
Jerod needs to protect Erin's life and track down her source.
But once they start working as a team, the real danger begins.…
August 1, 2008
Liking it so far. Action packed and the characters are extremely likeable. Very interesting and frightening story of what happens to many women and young girls who "vanish" into thin air and the frustration of the law enforcement agents who try to find the victims and bring closure to their families. Very educational about the international structure of the "pipeline" that transports these victims and the staggering amount of power and money that keeps this system alive. Read during daylight hours. I learned not to be teenage runaway.
April 27, 2016
The first 3/4 of this book are very boring. It was basically reading a conversation without much happening. It did pick up at the end which is why I gave it two stars rather than just one star. Some scenes were quite graphic and I felt that it didn't add much to the story and wasn't really necessary. The story had potential though and could have been a great read. Explanations were complicated and it was so boring that I would lose interest and therefore, lose track of some specific details. Don't waste your time on this one. I sure did.
September 17, 2015
THE HUNTED Journalist Erin McKenna investigates the international sex slave trade, testifying against a firm which buys her newspaper and she loses her job. FBI agent Jerod Westlake gets haunted by the disappearance of his sister and focuses on ending the international sex slave trade. When he and Erin meet, they work together through thick and thin to save one victim, a young girl named Georgie.
August 6, 2011
Interesting and the slave trade was woven into Erin's investigation from the very beginning, so all the loose ends were tide up very neatly by the end. It was a good read (read it in less than 20 hrs, including when I slept). Not completely romantic suspense, but there is some romance between the lead characters.
Want to read
July 18, 2010I wasn't in the mood to read a book about the female slave trade in the USA.
March 29, 2009
Thoroughly enjoyed.
March 2, 2011
Blah Blah Blah...predictable and not terribly exciting.
June 28, 2011
Good read, but a depature from his main character. Based on a true story about a Russian who made a ton of money but is swindled out of it.
March 23, 2008
I like the way this book was written. Lee kept things pretty interesting...
November 16, 2008
Though it was very predictable, I really liked this book.
August 4, 2016
Worst sex scene ever.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews