The most unlikely duo tackles the case of a missing child while exploring the mysteries of our own memories and the darkest puzzles of our society. A story that can be read in a couple of hours but that will stay with you forever.

Review

At first glance, Hugo Berenson is just an old man with a knack for fitness living in “the armpit of America”. But Hugo used to work for the Mossad hunting escaped Nazis, which makes him Rosa’s family’s best ally when Diamante, their young girl, is taken. He might also be Diamante’s kidnapper’s worst enemy. Who took Diamante and why? Will Hugo be able to get her back? Gray Hunter by Mark Rogers is a crime thriller novella that follows Hugo and Diamante’s sister, Maria, in their quest to find the poor lost girl. Much more than that, Gray Hunter is also

a commentary on age, the power of the past over our present, and families. The author aced it by pairing a young Latina lesbian with an old Nazi hunter. Not only do we always appreciate diversity but also I couldn’t picture a more unique, lethal, or memorable duo than Maria and Hugo.

Gray Hunter is a powerful novella that makes the case for brevity. Mark Roger proves we don’t need fancy purple prose or endless descriptions to perfectly convey a feeling. Take, for example, the following description: “The kind of man who walked from job to bed and back again on sore feet.” We can picture this man, his sour smell, and his broken dreams. He probably lives in a dingy flat that reeks of hopelessness. With short, powerful statements like this, we get a compelling story in about an hour and a half. Because let’s face it, we don’t all have the time to pick Proust-length novels every day. And isn’t it marvelous that it doesn’t limit our reading enjoyment?

In such a few pages, the author packed enough twists to keep us glued to the book but not that many to make the story unfathomable. On the contrary, I can actually see this happening. The fantastic, realistic dialogues help a lot in bringing this story to life. Furthermore, while thankfully we don’t all hunt ex-Nazis or have lost relatives, the struggles of the characters are relatable: family issues, grudges, and preconceptions are all things we experience. 

I appreciate the author’s reflection on how our past can influence future actions, but, even more interesting, the possibility that our present actions can influence how we feel about the past. 

The author, thankfully, didn’t need to resort to gruesome details to pack a punch. However, I feel compelled to warn sensitive readers and survivors of child abuse to carefully consider if and when to pick this book. This is a great novella for those interested in crime, gangs, and addictions, in exploring how past and present intertwine, how families can be either born in or created, and how people are not always what they seem. This novella is a noir-est version of a Liam Neeson movie, so if that’s your genre, you’ll love “Gray Hunter.” Readers pressed for time rest assured that, with Mark Rogers on the lead, quantity does not sacrifice quality.

Book Details

  • Title: Gray Hunter
  • Author: Mark Rogers
  • Gene: Crime Thriller
  • Theme: Noir, Novella, Thriller
  • Publication Date: February 8 2022
  • ISBN or ASIN: B09R6ZGQB4
  • Number of Pages: 95
  • Minimum Audience Age: 18

Book Themes

(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)

  • Sexual themes: 1
  • Religious themes: 1
  • Violence, self-harm, etc.: 3
  • Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 3
  • Other adult themes: 4

Rating

  • Content: 5 stars
  • Writing Style: 5 stars
  • Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
  • Uniqueness: 5 stars
  • Editing: 3 stars
  • Other factors: 5 stars
  • Overall: 4.67 out of 5

Featured Book: “Gray Hunter” by Mark Rogers

Book Details Synopsis Hugo Berenson has dedicated his life to tracking out former Nazis and seeing that they are brought to justice. He is now in his sixties and has a storied career behind him; nonetheless, he has gone underground in Jersey City, where he lives a life that is quiet and inconspicuous. Another elderly…


For more posts like this, here’s the link: https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/category/bookish-posts/.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

Product information and author’s profile write-ups are provided by authors, publishers, brand owners, or their authorised representatives. Views expressed in articles and book reviews are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the entire site’s. Our readers and writers are from diverse backgrounds.

Our website is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate program. Thus, at no extra cost to you, we may earn a commission when you click a link on our site and make a purchase.

Write with us

Do you love books? Do you have the natural flair for writing? Would you want to get published on our site and possibly get exposures to other top sites? Are you a seasoned writer who wants additional options? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then express your interest to become one of us.

It’s free to sign up! Plus, you’d get the perks and benefits.

Click here for more details about starting your journey with us.

By Fermosalua

B.A. in Literature and Linguistics. Professional daydreamer, reader, and art-lover. Amateur artist. Housewife in my spare time. Words are my life so I strive to encourage authors and readers alike.