Book Review: Fox Hunter by Zoe Sharp

Fox Hunter
A Charlie Fox Thriller #12
Zoë Sharp
Pegasus, August 2017
ISBN 978-1-6817-7438-1
Hardcover

From the publisher:  Zoë Sharp’s tough-as-nails Charlie Fox returns this summer in the latest thriller in this energetic series:  Fox Hunter, which finds the indomitable ex-special forces soldier on a mission into the Iraqi countryside to track down a missing comrade-in-arms.  Special forces soldier-turned-bodyguard Charlotte “Charlie” Fox can never forget the men who put a brutal end to her military career, but a long time ago, she vowed she would not go looking for them.  Now she doesn’t have a choice.  Her boss, Sean Meyer, is missing in Iraq, where one of those men was working as a private security contractor.  When the man’s butchered body is discovered, Charlie fears that Sean may be pursuing a twisted vendetta on her behalf.  Charlie’s “close protection” agency in New York needs this dealt with – – fast and quiet – – before everything they’ve worked for goes to ruins.  They send Charlie to the Middle East with very specific instructions: Find Sean Meyer and stop him – – by whatever means necessary.  At one time Charlie thought she knew Sean better than she knew herself, but it seems he’s turned into a violent stranger.  He was always ruthless, but is he capable of such savage acts of slaughter?  As the trail grows ever bloodier, Charlie realizes that she is not the only one after Sean and, unless she can get to him first, the hunter may soon become the hunted.

In its early pages, this newest Charlie Fox novel describes a series of suspense-filled, exciting chase scenes, the initial outcome not a good one.  We are allowed to see occasional displays of Charlie’s vulnerability, especially apparent where Sean is concerned.

The only blurb on the front cover, from Lee Child, captures her completely:  “If Jack Reacher were a woman, he’d be Charlie Fox.”  What more can – or needs to – be said?

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Gloria Feit, September 2017.