Hunting Delilah (A Delilah Thriller Book 1)

A disgustingly good thriller! Just the right amount of characters that it’s not hard to keep track. Continual suspense and action kept this story going for me. I cringe at some of the things the bad guys do to other humans, but that’s their thought process. And not just in a fictional story book. In real life. I usually read a book based on the worse reviews. But when the worse reviews complain of foul language for their rating, I ignore them. Where do those people live that no foul language is among them. Certainly not in the real world. And definitely not in the world of low life serial killers.

This book has a stand-alone story which includes descriptive violence and a callousness towards the victims that might shock some readers. Much of the violence was unnecessary, and could have been omitted without having negatively impacted the intensity of the story. Delilah, a flawed character with a failed marriage behind her, is a criminal with a heart. She steals and fences stolen material, primarily to provide financial assistance for treatment for her very sick daughter, but also per her choice. After breaking into the wrong home, Delilah finds herself on the run from a serial killer. The pros: This is an exciting and fast-paced story which flows well, despite quite a few content errors. The errors jumped out at me, so surely, at least some of them, could have been caught and corrected by someone - the author, an editor, a proof-reader, or just anyone reading it for the first time. Content Inconsistencies/errors: 1. Delilah, badly wounded and in pain, “dashes” through the rain into a bar but soon afterwards, and after having taken pain medication, has trouble moving and is in agony because of the pain. Not long afterwards “Walking fast hurts…” but before taking her pain medication she had been able to dash to the bar, with nothing then having been noted about her pain?????? 2. Killer on plane indicates that it would be too late at night to re-build his (kidnapping/killing) kit as hardware stores were all closed, but what about 24-hour stores? Later he refers to and purchases items from such a store. 3. Delilah later refers to Morales …as “the weird doctor”, although, when he had helped her (possibly saving her life) after her injury, he had been polite, had looked at her with gentle eyes, and had not then been described as weird. 4. No way that she could inform the cops because they’d never let her out? “…even though she had done nothing wrong that they could pin on her.” Absurd to the point of being humorous! 5. The killer considers, “He was sure she was injured.” He was the one who had stabbed her! 6. Delilah, aware that the serial killer is after both her and her those she cares about, leaves Jake’s bar without even looking around to see if the killer could be near??? 7. A person, in pain after having been repeatedly stabbed by a serial killer, refuses to give information leading to someone he loves, but then looks several times towards a big clue, and even looks after the killer asks what he is looking at. Absurd, and ridiculous that the killer was able to subsequently obtain a substantial lead so quickly. Author should have set up that clue better than in this simplified and seemingly both rushed and juvenile way. 8. A cop, following a serial killer, is unable to take a weapon on a plane, but does not try to obtain a weapon after exiting the plane. 9. A cop, following a suspected serial killer across state lines, decides that it is worth the risk of using his cell phone without lights while driving at night -even though it is unsafe and PROBABLY AGAINST THE LAW IN THAT STATE!!!! What????? That last one would have been the absolute least of his concerns and was so silly that it was laugh-out-loud funny! On the plus side, this story is fast-paced and intriguing enough to hold the reader’s interest. Additionally, although the final scene with the killer was resolved too quickly and simplistically, the book concluded with a couple of clever scenes. The actual story was engaging enough to enable a rating of 4 stars. Despite the author’s need for corrections and other revisions, I gave credit for her exciting story and interesting (although never fully developed) characters, resulting in my generous rating of 3 stars for her execution of the story, which enabled averaging-up to 4 stars for the book.

This story was unique and gripping. A getaway driver bails on a potential job; she turns her luck to burglary and things are going well until she runs into Ted. He comes home just as she is checking the freezer for hidden cash but finds a severed head instead. Yes isn't a typical homeowner - he is a serial killer with a predilection for using his victims to fertilize his passion- his fabulous garden. Delilah escapes with Ted not far behind and the deaths keep adding up. Super clever plot, well written with strong characters. Delilah is determined to stop Ted. Ted is obsessed with chasing down and killing Delilah. Wow.

This is an excellent book, superb writing style, and nonstop action and suspence/thriller. I almost passed over it because at the time it had no reviews and I didn't much care for the cover. I usually aim for 4 or 5* reviews on the books I pick up, if I had missed this gem it would have really been a shame for it's the best book I've read in ages. The author had me biting my lip and holding my breath as she made me feel like I was running with Delilah and looking over my shoulder. Loved the end although I was a little bit surprised by it. I believe this is a first book, so way to go and good luck with your next success.

I actually liked this book less than most other readers did. Yes, it was decently written and definitely exciting, if over-the-top bloody, but that was about it. It definitely felt like one brief episode in a life that would be filled with similar other episodes as long as the protagonist continued to make similar life choices. By basing the story in Delilah's consciousness, Baines does make the reader care about her survival, but what of all the killer's other victims? I saw no compassion for them; they were more just numbers inserted to prove the killer's viciousness. And to me, at least, that and the whole book were just not good enough.

It's intense. My shoulders were hunched most of the time I was reading it. But the thrills were worth it. It's about a con woman/thief who accidentally burglarizes the house of a serial killer. He comes home while she's there and then the real action starts. In his sick mind, she is the one who got away so he must kill her. And the people she cares about. Delilah is an interesting new character. She's not only a crook; she's a mother who gave up her child and never sees other friends and family because she is unable to connect to anybody. Yet somehow she's sympathetic and I wanted her to be okay-she gets run through the mill in this one. Would like to see more back story about her-there were hints about her past and how she became what she is but not enough to completely understand her. And I would have really liked to see more of the Sam character, a burnt out detective who comes slightly re-alive after he meets Delilah in a bar, but is never fully involved. He was so human and likeable. Hopefully there will be more of both these character's stories. From the author notes there is more Delilah coming in 2012. Can't wait!

Talk about going to the wrong house! The storyline starts with a lot of action and suspense! It's riveting with one scene after another, keeps you glued from beginning to end! Can you imagine a thief versus a serial killer? Anne Baines does not disappoint and I recommend this book, this is the first book of a three book series.

Feisty con-artist thief Delilah discovers a severed head in a freezer. Surprised by the all too smooth serial killer, she escapes, and the plot twists abound in a fast-paced, intense thriller. Sometimes the author’s look into the mind of a serial killer were gruesome, but Delilah’s creativity, stamina, and sly tricks made me want to read the next book in this stand-alone series, packed with details about lives on the edge as well as a believable profile of a serial killer. I’m hoping Sam the Detective and Max the dog show up in a future story.

I just finished Hunting Delilah, and it was outstanding! The first thing I need in a novel is that it be well written, and I got that in spades with this book. I read a lot of thrillers, and it's rare to discover a truly new and fresh character. Delilah is unique! She's a thief and a get-away driver, which gives her some interesting skills, and puts her in some truly perilous situations. I've already pre-ordered Delilah's second adventure, and am eagerly looking forward to it. Don't you just love discovering a new author that delivers a book you really enjoy? I do, so I hope you check out Hunting Delilah. It's outstanding! ==>Jim Van Wyck

I chose this book, not only for the great price, but the great story line. I was not disappointed It was very engaging, good character flow and kept me interested. Like every time I had to put down my kindle, it was like putting a good movie on pause, and I would be thinking of it, till I could get back to it to read more. I will be seeking out more great novels from this author 🙂🤔

From the start there is action and that's hows it is right to the end. Brilliant story and in-depth feeling of how each character is feeling. The thriller is one of the best I've read, not all romantic and fluffy like some can be. Worth the read of this book, I would recommend it to any thriller readers.

Enjoyed this book. The character development was very good. Delilah is a true anti-hero and an interesting, complicated character! She needs a hug!

Good