Hunted by Abir Mukherjee Book Review

Released: 7th May 2024

Genre: Thriller, Action, Contemporary

Number of Pages: 496

After many efforts into historical fiction, Abir Mukherjee tackles a more contemporary topic with Hunted, a political thriller involving terrorist threats from multiple perspectives.

In the lead-up to a polarising election, the United States is rocked by a bomb attack in Los Angeles that kills many, including a young woman named Yasmin, one of the supposed perpetrators. The search is on for the homegrown terrorists, including an ex-military bomb specialist and British citizen Aliyah Khan who has snuck into the country. Hunted splits into three different perspectives. FBI agent Shreya Mistry, Aliyah’s father Sajid, and the American citizen Greg, a conflicted participant. Each has their own personal stakes and unique angle on the proceedings. Shreya puts up with bureaucratic friction, Sajid bends the rules in a bid to save his daughter and Greg questions his part in the devastation.

As a race against time, Hunted never lets up; the speed, tension and characterisation are all razor-sharp as the book makes use of action and suspense to tell the story. The sense of anxiety and fear is apparent in every major player. They cross paths, narrowly dodge the authorities and try to contain the situation. There is also a great sense of build-up as the election draws near and the true motives of the terrorists are brought to the forefront. Internal thoughts are key in getting the audience invested in each character; Sajid is easily the most effective; an ordinary man desperately trying to find his daughter and steer her away from death.

If there’s one fault, it’s the integration and inspiration of real-life political events. Greenwood and Costa have very clear parallels to American Presidential candidates from the Democrat and Republican parties. This backdrop to the wider narrative is the weakest element and sticks out when everything else is so tense and engaging.

Recommended?

YES: Aside from the politics being a bit on the nose, Hunted is a tense and unrelenting thriller. It swaps between perspectives seamlessly, delivering one twist after another and pulling you into a grounded tale that fits right into our chaotic and fragile society in the west. Anyone looking for a fast-paced ride won’t be disappointed.