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Patrick Bannister #1
The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted
SHE ONLY STEPPED OUTSIDE FOR A MINUTE...But a minute was all it took to turn Jean Kingsley’s world upside down—a minute she’d regret for the rest of her life.
STEPPING INTO HER WORST NIGHTMARE...Because when she returned, she found an open bedroom window and her three-year-old son, Nathan, gone. The boy would never be seen again.
A NIGHTMARE THAT ONLY BECAME WORSE.A tip leads detectives to the killer, a repeat sex offender, and inside his apartment, a gruesome discovery. A slam-dunk trial sends him off to death row, then several years later, to the electric chair.
CASE CLOSED. JUSTICE SERVED...OR WAS IT?Now, more than thirty years later, Patrick Bannister unwittingly stumbles across evidence among his dead mother’s belongings—it paints her as the killer and her brother, a wealthy and powerful senator, as the one pulling the strings.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO NATHAN KINGSLEY?There’s a hole in the case a mile wide, and Patrick is determined to close it. But what he doesn’t know is that the closer he moves toward the truth, the more he’s putting his life on the line, that he’s become the hunted. Someone’s hiding a dark secret and will stop at nothing to keep it that way.
The clock is ticking, the walls are closing, and the stakes are getting higher as he races to find a killer—one who’s hot on his trail. One who’s out for his blood.
This is a new release of a previously published edition.
STEPPING INTO HER WORST NIGHTMARE...Because when she returned, she found an open bedroom window and her three-year-old son, Nathan, gone. The boy would never be seen again.
A NIGHTMARE THAT ONLY BECAME WORSE.A tip leads detectives to the killer, a repeat sex offender, and inside his apartment, a gruesome discovery. A slam-dunk trial sends him off to death row, then several years later, to the electric chair.
CASE CLOSED. JUSTICE SERVED...OR WAS IT?Now, more than thirty years later, Patrick Bannister unwittingly stumbles across evidence among his dead mother’s belongings—it paints her as the killer and her brother, a wealthy and powerful senator, as the one pulling the strings.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO NATHAN KINGSLEY?There’s a hole in the case a mile wide, and Patrick is determined to close it. But what he doesn’t know is that the closer he moves toward the truth, the more he’s putting his life on the line, that he’s become the hunted. Someone’s hiding a dark secret and will stop at nothing to keep it that way.
The clock is ticking, the walls are closing, and the stakes are getting higher as he races to find a killer—one who’s hot on his trail. One who’s out for his blood.
This is a new release of a previously published edition.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2011
1065 people are currently reading
7744 people want to read
About the author
Andrew E. Kaufman
13 books647 followersNew Release: Son of the Sea Available Now
Andrew E. Kaufman
Andrew E. Kaufman is a broadcast journalist-turned-bestselling author, living in Southern California along with his chocolate Labrador retriever who thinks he owns the place.
After receiving his journalism and political science degrees at San Diego State University, he began his writing career as an Emmy-nominated writer/producer, working at the CBS affiliate in San Diego, and then in Los Angeles. For more than ten years, he produced special series and covered many nationally known cases, including the O.J. Simpson Trial.
His psychological thriller, THE LION, THE LAMB, THE HUNTED (Thomas & Mercer, 2012) was on Amazon's Top 100 for more than one-hundred days and went on to become a number one international bestseller.
His novel, WHILE THE SAVAGE SLEEPS (47North, 2012) made the Top 100 as well and was number one in its genre, passing up two of Stephen King's current releases at the time.
His novel, TWISTED (Thomas & Mercer, 2015) became the number one psychological thriller and number two overall bestselling novel in the US. His other novels,
DARKNESS & SHADOWS (Thomas & Mercer 2018) and WHAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW (Thomas & Mercer 2013), also spent time in the first five spots of Amazon’s top 100.
His latest novel, SON OF THE SEA (Straightline Press 2023), is a departure from his past works, moving into the literary fiction genre, and debuted at number one for New Releases in Contemporary Literature and Fiction.
Andrew has also been a contributor to the CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL books, where he wrote about his two-time battle against cancer and his early struggle to become a bestselling author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 605 reviews
May 4, 2016
When i started reading this i thought what was going on here then i found i had to get back to this quick smart after doing my house duties then all of a sudden WHAM BAM THANK YOU Andrew Kaufman for writing a solid plot which did my head in i was captured by the very first word written with a twist & turn i didn't see coming at the end.
Why i hadn't read Mr Kaufman before is beyond me i loved loved everything about this book there wasn't a flaw in any character & i liked his writing style, i have already bought the 2nd book in the Bannister series if all his books are like this one god help me i am in love!!
While reading i thought what a sick twisted chain of events a child could go through it pulled at my heart strings & had me thinking long after i had finished this 5 BIG FAT *s
Why i hadn't read Mr Kaufman before is beyond me i loved loved everything about this book there wasn't a flaw in any character & i liked his writing style, i have already bought the 2nd book in the Bannister series if all his books are like this one god help me i am in love!!
While reading i thought what a sick twisted chain of events a child could go through it pulled at my heart strings & had me thinking long after i had finished this 5 BIG FAT *s
December 23, 2011
Review to come when I pull myself together. :)
Another winner from Andrew E. Kaufman! The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted is the best written psychological thriller I've ever read. It's full of twists and turns and has a wonderful ending that will cause your jaw to drop!
I dare you to read this and not fall in love with Patrick Bannister. I've never connected with a character like I did with him and I still tear up and want to hug him whenever I think about his story. A lot of books have made me cry, but this one tugged at my heart in a way no other ever has. In fact, I've already read it three times and I'll read it many more. Definitely on the keeper and hug shelves. Andrew E. Kaufman is an automatic buy for me now! Highly recommended!
Another winner from Andrew E. Kaufman! The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted is the best written psychological thriller I've ever read. It's full of twists and turns and has a wonderful ending that will cause your jaw to drop!
I dare you to read this and not fall in love with Patrick Bannister. I've never connected with a character like I did with him and I still tear up and want to hug him whenever I think about his story. A lot of books have made me cry, but this one tugged at my heart in a way no other ever has. In fact, I've already read it three times and I'll read it many more. Definitely on the keeper and hug shelves. Andrew E. Kaufman is an automatic buy for me now! Highly recommended!
April 5, 2016
This is Kaufman's second book, and I think it is much better than the first, but there's still room for improvement.
A short way in, I thought I knew the secret. The further I read, I thought, "Whaaat?!" Read a little further, thought, "This is too far out there." Then, "What is going on here? Are these people real or figments?" What this tells me is that I didn't trust the main character, Patrick, enough to believe the narrative. This is probably intentional on the author's part; I just checked my review of Twisted, and I felt the same way, and I loved that book.
Now that I think I've got Kaufman figured out, let me read the third book, Darkness & Shadows, and see if that holds true. Patrick is the main character again, and I'll try to trust him this time.
A short way in, I thought I knew the secret. The further I read, I thought, "Whaaat?!" Read a little further, thought, "This is too far out there." Then, "What is going on here? Are these people real or figments?" What this tells me is that I didn't trust the main character, Patrick, enough to believe the narrative. This is probably intentional on the author's part; I just checked my review of Twisted, and I felt the same way, and I loved that book.
Now that I think I've got Kaufman figured out, let me read the third book, Darkness & Shadows, and see if that holds true. Patrick is the main character again, and I'll try to trust him this time.
March 3, 2012
A girl can only take so much angst, so realizing (2 days ago) that I have read WAY to many YA books lately, (and I’m starting to have horrendous HS flashbacks) I decided to jump back into an old favorite of mine…Psychological thrillers.
Back in December I left y’all hanging, (with what I’m now proclaiming to be a ridiculously tiny excerpt,) of Andrew’s Kaufman’s newest book “The Lion, The Lamb, The Hunted.” And since I too, was left hungry for more, I decided it was high time that I get to it.
I am not a newbie when it comes to Andrew’s work, as a matter of fact…I think I shamed myself in my review of his first book (While the Savage Sleeps) by admitting that I got a little choked up. (*hangs head*) but what I expected from his latest, (I’m just gonna say masterpiece) and what I got were to VERY different ends of the spectrum. To be honest, I loved “While The Savage Sleeps” (as totally completly messed up as it was) and I was certain (though I adore Andrew) that this book would pale in comparison. I was wrong. Dear Lord I was so wrong I’m willing to publicly humiliate myself to prove how wrong I actually was, (not that I don’t already do that…daily.)
So what made it so wonderful that I’m having a hard time forming a complete sentence? It embraced vulnerability.
“She only stepped outside for a minute…
But a minute was all it took to turn Jean Kingsley’s world upside down–a minute she’d regret for the rest of her life.
Stepping into her worst nightmare…
Because when she returned, she found an open bedroom window and her three-year-old son, Nathan, gone. The boy would never be seen again.
A nightmare that only became worse.
A tip leads detectives to the killer, a repeat sex offender, and inside his apartment, a gruesome discovery. A slam-dunk trial sends him off to death row, then several years later, to the electric chair.
Case Closed. Justice Served…Or was it?
Now, more than thirty years later, Patrick Bannister unwittingly stumbles across evidence among his dead mother’s belongings. It paints his mother as the killer and her brother, a wealthy and powerful senator, as the one pulling the strings.
What really happened to Nathan Kingsley?
There’s a hole in the case a mile wide, and Patrick is determined to close it. But what he doesn’t know is that the closer he moves toward the truth, the more he’s putting his life on the line, that he’s become the hunted. Someone’s hiding a dark secret and will stop at nothing to keep it that way.
The clock is ticking, the walls are closing, and the stakes are getting higher as he races to find a killer–one who’s hot on his trail. One who’s out for his blood. ”
One thing I find disconcerting about male leads in psychological thrillers is that they always lean towards that “Alpha Male” mentality. “Don’t worry Little Lady…hide behind me, I’ll protect you with my insanely disproportionate gun!” That was not the case with LLH. While Andrew (very easily) could have conformed to the standard, (the situations certainly called for it) he chose to present Patrick as a humble, slightly confused, extremely damaged, vulnerable, REAL PERSON. And his choice in doing so added significant weight to Patrick’s broken mental state, (don’t worry, he’s not crazy, just… ok, he’s a little crazy.) So instead of having to forcefully imagine Pat’s state of mind, (which again is usually implied in novels like these, it’s the killers that are usually quacks, not the heroes) it was right there, spelled out for you in brilliantly penned repetition. (unlovable…unlovable…unlovable.) And on a slightly different, (but completely relevant) note, I don’t think I have ever, in the existence of my extensive reading history EVER (<–yes, that is an all caps EVER) wanted to smack the piss out of someone more than I did Patrick’s mother (who in no way even deserves to be named.) Which only goes to show you that strong character development can induce strong feelings. (Very, very…strong feelings. *throws fist into the air*)
As for the plot. WOW. It was twisty, it was turny and right at the exact moment that I thought, (in all my stunning brilliance) that I had it all figured out, I was told, (very abruptly) that I was wrong. (This was also the exact moment that my husband decided to interrupt me and got a pillow chunked at his head.)
Wonderful descriptive passages, captivating dialogue, and a mound of heartbreaking moments aside, (because those obviously don’t matter. HA!) It was all that AND a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos. (That’s chunky girl code for awesome.) I highly recommend this for fans of thrillers, mysteries and, well….books. This one is worth every freaking dime!
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Who knew you could put a larynx there! Hmm.
Back in December I left y’all hanging, (with what I’m now proclaiming to be a ridiculously tiny excerpt,) of Andrew’s Kaufman’s newest book “The Lion, The Lamb, The Hunted.” And since I too, was left hungry for more, I decided it was high time that I get to it.
I am not a newbie when it comes to Andrew’s work, as a matter of fact…I think I shamed myself in my review of his first book (While the Savage Sleeps) by admitting that I got a little choked up. (*hangs head*) but what I expected from his latest, (I’m just gonna say masterpiece) and what I got were to VERY different ends of the spectrum. To be honest, I loved “While The Savage Sleeps” (as totally completly messed up as it was) and I was certain (though I adore Andrew) that this book would pale in comparison. I was wrong. Dear Lord I was so wrong I’m willing to publicly humiliate myself to prove how wrong I actually was, (not that I don’t already do that…daily.)
So what made it so wonderful that I’m having a hard time forming a complete sentence? It embraced vulnerability.
“She only stepped outside for a minute…
But a minute was all it took to turn Jean Kingsley’s world upside down–a minute she’d regret for the rest of her life.
Stepping into her worst nightmare…
Because when she returned, she found an open bedroom window and her three-year-old son, Nathan, gone. The boy would never be seen again.
A nightmare that only became worse.
A tip leads detectives to the killer, a repeat sex offender, and inside his apartment, a gruesome discovery. A slam-dunk trial sends him off to death row, then several years later, to the electric chair.
Case Closed. Justice Served…Or was it?
Now, more than thirty years later, Patrick Bannister unwittingly stumbles across evidence among his dead mother’s belongings. It paints his mother as the killer and her brother, a wealthy and powerful senator, as the one pulling the strings.
What really happened to Nathan Kingsley?
There’s a hole in the case a mile wide, and Patrick is determined to close it. But what he doesn’t know is that the closer he moves toward the truth, the more he’s putting his life on the line, that he’s become the hunted. Someone’s hiding a dark secret and will stop at nothing to keep it that way.
The clock is ticking, the walls are closing, and the stakes are getting higher as he races to find a killer–one who’s hot on his trail. One who’s out for his blood. ”
One thing I find disconcerting about male leads in psychological thrillers is that they always lean towards that “Alpha Male” mentality. “Don’t worry Little Lady…hide behind me, I’ll protect you with my insanely disproportionate gun!” That was not the case with LLH. While Andrew (very easily) could have conformed to the standard, (the situations certainly called for it) he chose to present Patrick as a humble, slightly confused, extremely damaged, vulnerable, REAL PERSON. And his choice in doing so added significant weight to Patrick’s broken mental state, (don’t worry, he’s not crazy, just… ok, he’s a little crazy.) So instead of having to forcefully imagine Pat’s state of mind, (which again is usually implied in novels like these, it’s the killers that are usually quacks, not the heroes) it was right there, spelled out for you in brilliantly penned repetition. (unlovable…unlovable…unlovable.) And on a slightly different, (but completely relevant) note, I don’t think I have ever, in the existence of my extensive reading history EVER (<–yes, that is an all caps EVER) wanted to smack the piss out of someone more than I did Patrick’s mother (who in no way even deserves to be named.) Which only goes to show you that strong character development can induce strong feelings. (Very, very…strong feelings. *throws fist into the air*)
As for the plot. WOW. It was twisty, it was turny and right at the exact moment that I thought, (in all my stunning brilliance) that I had it all figured out, I was told, (very abruptly) that I was wrong. (This was also the exact moment that my husband decided to interrupt me and got a pillow chunked at his head.)
Wonderful descriptive passages, captivating dialogue, and a mound of heartbreaking moments aside, (because those obviously don’t matter. HA!) It was all that AND a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos. (That’s chunky girl code for awesome.) I highly recommend this for fans of thrillers, mysteries and, well….books. This one is worth every freaking dime!
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Who knew you could put a larynx there! Hmm.
November 8, 2016
I gave this book 5 stars because of the characters. Each was believable and fit together perfectly, thus making it more interesting and suspenseful. The story was intriguing even though I knew in some parts what was going on before the main character. I think that this may be part of Andrew E. Kaufman's writing style, which in that case I liked it. The mystery was good and fast moving, however, just a warning, there is child abuse. Some of the action at the ending was a little far fetched, but was made up for by the outcome of the mystery. I'm so glad that there is another book, "Darkness and Shadows", because one string was not cleared up..."they will never find the body"....whose body? A fun romp that vasillated between a light saga and a very serious dark drama. Luke Daniels narrative was excellent, as always.
February 8, 2013
At the time I downloaded this Kindle book at Amazon, 251 readers had awarded it a 5-star rating. I also read that author Andrew E. Kaufman's debut forensic paranormal novel, While the Savage Sleeps, was ranked No. 1 on two of Amazon's best-sellers lists. So, I wasn't overly concerned about wasting my time (I already knew I wasn't wasting money; it was free when I snagged it and it's only $3.99 as I write this).
Now that I've finished, I'm happy to say I've added another vote for the 5-star list. At 291 pages, it's on the short side for a novel; but at twice that, I'd have been hard-pressed to put it down until I finished the whole thing.
The story centers on Patrick Bannister, a news reporter for a national publication whose mother - easily the Mother from Hell - has died. When he reluctantly returns home for the funeral, he begins to suspect that his mother and her still-alive brother, a wealthy senator, may have been involved in the kidnapping of a three-year-old boy more than 30 years ago. Although the body was never found, a man was convicted for the murder and sent to the electric chair.
Determined to ferret out the truth, Bannister returns to the scene of the crime, joins forces with a local reporter and the two set out to revisit the evidence and interview anyone who was around at the time of the kidnapping. Early on, clues surface that all wasn't what it should have been back then; but just as early on, it becomes clear that someone, or several someones, aren't happy that doors to the past are being opened. And every now and then, a chapter returns to recollections from Patrick's horrendous childhood - events which have haunted him ever since and add a touch of fuel to his desire to get to the truth.
I do want to go on record as saying an "Aha!" moment hit me as I finished Chapter 10 - a light bulb suddenly went on and I was certain I'd correctly guessed a key piece of the plot's puzzle. Exactly how that would play into the ending I didn't know, but it sure gave me an extra motivator to get to the last page as fast as I could (which I was doing anyway just because the book is so good). And also for the record, I was absolutely right.
Now that I've finished, I'm happy to say I've added another vote for the 5-star list. At 291 pages, it's on the short side for a novel; but at twice that, I'd have been hard-pressed to put it down until I finished the whole thing.
The story centers on Patrick Bannister, a news reporter for a national publication whose mother - easily the Mother from Hell - has died. When he reluctantly returns home for the funeral, he begins to suspect that his mother and her still-alive brother, a wealthy senator, may have been involved in the kidnapping of a three-year-old boy more than 30 years ago. Although the body was never found, a man was convicted for the murder and sent to the electric chair.
Determined to ferret out the truth, Bannister returns to the scene of the crime, joins forces with a local reporter and the two set out to revisit the evidence and interview anyone who was around at the time of the kidnapping. Early on, clues surface that all wasn't what it should have been back then; but just as early on, it becomes clear that someone, or several someones, aren't happy that doors to the past are being opened. And every now and then, a chapter returns to recollections from Patrick's horrendous childhood - events which have haunted him ever since and add a touch of fuel to his desire to get to the truth.
I do want to go on record as saying an "Aha!" moment hit me as I finished Chapter 10 - a light bulb suddenly went on and I was certain I'd correctly guessed a key piece of the plot's puzzle. Exactly how that would play into the ending I didn't know, but it sure gave me an extra motivator to get to the last page as fast as I could (which I was doing anyway just because the book is so good). And also for the record, I was absolutely right.
March 16, 2017
2.5 stars
Passable thriller. The story was decent enough, but something about the writing style failed to really hold my attention and I found I was skimming through parts of the second half. I found some of the dialogue between characters felt forced and unconvincing.
Patrick is a journalist with a past history of being abused by his mother. When she dies, he finds items in a box linking her and his uncle to a case of a child abduction years ago. Dogged researcher that he is, he can't leave the mystery alone and goes off investigating, hitting brick walls and uncovering more and more mysteries about his mother and her involvement in the case.
I found the backstory of Patrick's abuse often more intriguing than the main plot line, which is perhaps why this book just didn't grip me all that much. This wasn't a bad story by any means, but there are better writers of this ilk out there.
Passable thriller. The story was decent enough, but something about the writing style failed to really hold my attention and I found I was skimming through parts of the second half. I found some of the dialogue between characters felt forced and unconvincing.
Patrick is a journalist with a past history of being abused by his mother. When she dies, he finds items in a box linking her and his uncle to a case of a child abduction years ago. Dogged researcher that he is, he can't leave the mystery alone and goes off investigating, hitting brick walls and uncovering more and more mysteries about his mother and her involvement in the case.
I found the backstory of Patrick's abuse often more intriguing than the main plot line, which is perhaps why this book just didn't grip me all that much. This wasn't a bad story by any means, but there are better writers of this ilk out there.
May 20, 2016
I read this via audio and have never known such an enthusiatic and full-on narrator - excellent!
So yes, this is a damaged man solving a mystery that involes his own mother who was horrid!
I liked the story and the characters - I think I would read more in this series - especially if this narrator is involved! Absolutely loved his accent and delivery.
Would I have liked it as much had I read the book? Not sure quite honestly, all I can say that is that it was enjoyable but not ground-breaking.
(I need to do some kind of experiment because I am definitely swayed by the narrator)
So yes, this is a damaged man solving a mystery that involes his own mother who was horrid!
I liked the story and the characters - I think I would read more in this series - especially if this narrator is involved! Absolutely loved his accent and delivery.
Would I have liked it as much had I read the book? Not sure quite honestly, all I can say that is that it was enjoyable but not ground-breaking.
(I need to do some kind of experiment because I am definitely swayed by the narrator)
February 4, 2017
Solid plot, great characterization, psychological suspense. First book I've read by Andrew E. Kaufman and I look forward to more.
October 6, 2019
wow what a great and yet totally disturbing story so interesting completly addictted the more you read the more the plot thickens and the end will blow you away loved it.
November 1, 2013
I had the amazing thrill of not only reading Andrew's first book, "While the Savage Sleeps", but to also get the the chance to talk to him often through GR. I thought "Savage..." was damned near perfect and since I've enjoyed getting to chat with Drew....I looked forward to this new book...but let me just say WOW!!!
This isn't just a good book folks....IT ROCKS!!!
Drew has a way of making you feel the pain he so deviously puts his character characters through. And the shocking end! As a rule I'm pretty good and figuring out 'who done it' and even though I may have had a sniggle of an idea about what was going on I was sooooooo wrong! Ya won't figure this out! Ya just won't!!!!
Andrew is an amazing story teller!
If his mojo keeps rolling, the next book Drew writes will be so good I won't be able to stand for it to end....wait....that was this book....bring on another Drew!!!
I can't hoot nearly loud enough....READ THIS BOOK!!! You won't regret it and more likely than not you will be joining me in the realization that Andrew E. Kaufman sits pretty high up on their list of favorite authors.
This isn't just a good book folks....IT ROCKS!!!
Drew has a way of making you feel the pain he so deviously puts his character characters through. And the shocking end! As a rule I'm pretty good and figuring out 'who done it' and even though I may have had a sniggle of an idea about what was going on I was sooooooo wrong! Ya won't figure this out! Ya just won't!!!!
Andrew is an amazing story teller!
If his mojo keeps rolling, the next book Drew writes will be so good I won't be able to stand for it to end....wait....that was this book....bring on another Drew!!!
I can't hoot nearly loud enough....READ THIS BOOK!!! You won't regret it and more likely than not you will be joining me in the realization that Andrew E. Kaufman sits pretty high up on their list of favorite authors.
May 5, 2012
Why did I not read this sooner!!!?? WOW what a very suspenseful ride this was! It was action packed from the first chapter! I loved every minute of reading this book. I do have to admit that I did catch on the some of the ending while reading the book, however there was a twist that I was not expecting! The only complaint that I have is that it was so good I felt the action that happened at the end could have lasted longer! I was disappointed that the build-up throughout the whole book, should have been reason enough to have made the climax of the whole story a few chapters longer. But, that’s because I just loved it so much! I loved the Texas setting the deserted towns and the characters. The first Sherriff that Patrick spoke too was a smart ass but was very funny with his smart remarks. Jean was very creepy when she was at the Psych Ward. Her behavioral towards the end of her life was indeed very disturbing and it spooked me out! I must say I loved the gore in the crimes that were described. Maybe my mind is just twisted like that…..
I can’t wait to read more of this author’s books! I hope they are all as suspenseful as this!
I can’t wait to read more of this author’s books! I hope they are all as suspenseful as this!
February 13, 2012
I received this book from Librarything in exchange for an honest review.
I have a backlog of books that I have to read and review and really was just trying to skim the first few pages of several books to see what I was in for. I started this novel and after about two pages, I was hooked. It is dark, many times frightening, crisply written and fast paced. I enjoyed getting to know the narrator, the other reporter that he meets, and the unveiling of his past at the same time as the mystery was unfolding. Well written and the pace never lets up.
The reason I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because after the mystery is introduced in the first two chapters, I knew the answer to the mystery. However, that didn't stop me from reading the rest of it! A must read for those who enjoy psychological thrillers!
I have a backlog of books that I have to read and review and really was just trying to skim the first few pages of several books to see what I was in for. I started this novel and after about two pages, I was hooked. It is dark, many times frightening, crisply written and fast paced. I enjoyed getting to know the narrator, the other reporter that he meets, and the unveiling of his past at the same time as the mystery was unfolding. Well written and the pace never lets up.
The reason I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because after the mystery is introduced in the first two chapters, I knew the answer to the mystery. However, that didn't stop me from reading the rest of it! A must read for those who enjoy psychological thrillers!
March 25, 2012
"Love me. How come you can't." She let out an exasperated sigh, "Because Patrick....quite simply, you can be rather unlovable. "
"But what if I get caught?" "Don't be ridiculous. You won't get caught. Nobody even notices you. It is like you're invisible."
It is no wonder Patrick didn't shed a tear at his mother's funeral. When he returns to his childhood home he says "it seemed as if nothing here was meant to survive. Odd though how distance doesn't always separate us from the bad memories and associations as much as we'd like."
This was a good mystery, thriller that kept my interest all the way through despite having figured out the twist in the very beginning. It was beyond predictable but it was an enjoyable, quick read. I liked the main character Patrick and felt bad for him having had a terrible mother and childhood. That left him unable to trust people so he lived a lonely, boring life. But he grew up to be a functional, successful reporter for a national magazine and he wrote about crime stories. This time he was in one.
There was only one symbolic piece in the book. The author had a clever way of portraying the abuse of Patrick's dead mom. At the beginning of the chapters that featured flash backs of his mom, there was a piece of paper with one word Patrick wrote on it compulsively in response to whatever abuse his mother inflicted upon him in that chapter. Some of these included: "Unlovable, Invisible, Shattered". Patrick had developed OCD in response to his mother's abuse and had to write things out many, many times. Each of the titles of these flash back chapters was an abusive statement his mother spoke to him Some of these included: "You don't matter, You shouldn't be here, You have no redeeming qualities".
The story progressed nicely and there was a lot of action. It added to the suspense of the story. It seemed to end rather quickly though and I was shocked that it was over so fast. The answers were spelled out too easily and quickly after all that suspense. It was a disappointing end because of this and seemed like it could have resolved itself in a more satisfying way letting the reader fill in the pieces. But that is what always leaves me disappointed with mystery, thrillers. They are not written with any deep meaning. Afterwards I feel like I haven't gained anything from the story other than a few good hours of reading. I won't think about this afterward at all. This wasn't particularly memorable especially with how predictable it was. It was just a good afternoon read. Too bad I still feel like I missed reading something more meaningful and insightful.
October 19, 2018
Patrick Bannister is a crime reporter with a tragic past. His mother was extremely abusive and he grew up not knowing love. When she dies, he finds a strange letter and necklace that leads him to believe that she was involved in a murder of some kind. His reporter nature kicks in as he follows the leads to a tiny Texas town where the only newsworthy thing to happen in decades was the kidnapping and death of a 3 year old boy. Patrick begins to interview the people involved and learns of a second possible victim. As he tries to piece together the clues in his investigation, it becomes clear that he has gone from the hunter to the hunted.
I listened to this one on audio, and it took me a while to get into it but once I did it was pretty good. The flashbacks to the abuse he suffered from his mother were a little tough to take, but the crime/mystery itself was well laid out. While I did have some suspicions about the outcome, I didn't see the connections between the characters until the end. I liked it.
I listened to this one on audio, and it took me a while to get into it but once I did it was pretty good. The flashbacks to the abuse he suffered from his mother were a little tough to take, but the crime/mystery itself was well laid out. While I did have some suspicions about the outcome, I didn't see the connections between the characters until the end. I liked it.
November 20, 2019
Meh. I found it predictable and the background story was not all that interesting to me, so it was a bit of a drag to get through it. Clearly it's very popular, so I am just not the intended audience. I think if you like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, you'll like this writer as well. It's just not my cup of tea.
November 12, 2019
5 stars audio
3 entertaining, I was able to figure out the "mystery" almost right way stars story.
3 entertaining, I was able to figure out the "mystery" almost right way stars story.
March 16, 2012
There are horror stories filled with blood and gore, fantastical creatures and dismal endings, but inevitable "risen from the dead" sequels. And then there are mysteries with an element of horrific behavior best left to the reader's imagination. This is the sort of psychological mystery that Andrew Kaufman offers in The Lion The Lamb The Hunted.
Subtle in the telling of emotional abuse, the nuances of which are difficult to describe and more difficult to rationalize, Kaufman skillfully builds a quiet understanding with the reader: there are horrible things happening to the character, frightening events that defy description, and yet the reader comes to realize these as the story unfolds.
Kaufman's main character is a journalist/investigator who writes for a national weekly. With his mother's funeral opening the story, the tone is set for a retrospective look back at a mother/son relationship. It is one that is made more clear in a series of flashbacks carefully written as haunting dreams. Patrick has a medical issue that is disclosed through one of these dream sequences ... two conditions that are unrelated but equally life threatening. One is genetic, and unavoidable. The other is behavioral, and cruel in its origin.
The settings of the story range between the states of Georgia and Texas, well-described without needless description, a careful balancing act that Kaufman has done well. Subordinate characters are sometimes main characters in the dreams, and the reader comes to know them through their actions rather than through lengthy details. All of this adds to the quick pace of the story, which closes with a scene that would satisfy both the enthusiastic horror reader and the more skittish mystery reader who might close eyes during a movie's horror scenes.
There were portions of the story that made me wipe tears away, and others that made me sit up in indignation at what people can do to each other. This story invites the reader into the mind of a grown man who is struggling with untold childhood events, invoking this reader's empathy for the character and appreciation of the author's storytelling skill.
Within the genre of horror and mystery, famed author Stephen King's books have a following due to name recognition more than to continued quality. I enjoyed King's early work. But I would not put King and Kaufman in the same genre. Kaufman's books, too, will gather momentum and more respect in time, due to his subtle style and his avoidance of gratuitous, graphic gore.
The best horror writers allow a role to the reader in creating the scenes implied ... Edgar Allen Poe, long considered one of the greatest horror writers, never had to resort to exposing the beating heart buried deep in the floor ... the reader knew it existed in the character's mind. Kaufman has the same skill. Definitely, a Five Star read!
Subtle in the telling of emotional abuse, the nuances of which are difficult to describe and more difficult to rationalize, Kaufman skillfully builds a quiet understanding with the reader: there are horrible things happening to the character, frightening events that defy description, and yet the reader comes to realize these as the story unfolds.
Kaufman's main character is a journalist/investigator who writes for a national weekly. With his mother's funeral opening the story, the tone is set for a retrospective look back at a mother/son relationship. It is one that is made more clear in a series of flashbacks carefully written as haunting dreams. Patrick has a medical issue that is disclosed through one of these dream sequences ... two conditions that are unrelated but equally life threatening. One is genetic, and unavoidable. The other is behavioral, and cruel in its origin.
The settings of the story range between the states of Georgia and Texas, well-described without needless description, a careful balancing act that Kaufman has done well. Subordinate characters are sometimes main characters in the dreams, and the reader comes to know them through their actions rather than through lengthy details. All of this adds to the quick pace of the story, which closes with a scene that would satisfy both the enthusiastic horror reader and the more skittish mystery reader who might close eyes during a movie's horror scenes.
There were portions of the story that made me wipe tears away, and others that made me sit up in indignation at what people can do to each other. This story invites the reader into the mind of a grown man who is struggling with untold childhood events, invoking this reader's empathy for the character and appreciation of the author's storytelling skill.
Within the genre of horror and mystery, famed author Stephen King's books have a following due to name recognition more than to continued quality. I enjoyed King's early work. But I would not put King and Kaufman in the same genre. Kaufman's books, too, will gather momentum and more respect in time, due to his subtle style and his avoidance of gratuitous, graphic gore.
The best horror writers allow a role to the reader in creating the scenes implied ... Edgar Allen Poe, long considered one of the greatest horror writers, never had to resort to exposing the beating heart buried deep in the floor ... the reader knew it existed in the character's mind. Kaufman has the same skill. Definitely, a Five Star read!
April 12, 2018
So, I hate books written in the first person, as I’ve told you all time and time again. It’s just a lazy way for an author to write a book. No worries in having to write about someone else’s thoughts or feelings or having to go see another person’s actions. And, OMG, all the I, I, I, I’s. No him, her, them, they, nothing except “I” and that’s boring as hell. However, I have read a few first person books and I’ve found one interesting thing about them. Women authors use a helluva lot more I’s than men do. So, I wasn’t nearly as bothered by this book as I’ve been in the other books written by women. The thing to do, I guess, is read first person books written by men. And that’s my opinion.
This was about Patrick, a crime reporter, who was looking into a 30 year kidnapping and murder. Needless to say, someone wasn’t crazy about that so he was threatened then almost killed for his nosiness. There were quite a few people in this book and they were all pretty interesting so that made the book worth continuing with. I couldn’t wait for the end so I could see what went on with his evil mother. Patrick’s memories of her were pretty brutal.
Patrick wasn’t an alpha male, by any stretch of the imagination, and I didn’t like that too much but the story was good enough that I could look past that. AND the last sentence of chapter 52 was an absolute shock! It was worth the little bit that bothered me. My mouth fell open! I never could have imagined that happening.
My only real problem with this book is that I had no idea what Patrick looked like, or for that matter I didn’t know what anyone else looked like either: tall, short, thin, fat, ugly, handsome, straight hair, curly, pink, blue, green hair? Nothing. All I can suggest to the author is to give your characters some kind of face and body. It helps us to imagine everything about them.
BTW… One reviewer said this was a cliffhanger. It was in no-way no-how such a thing. EVERYTHING was all wrapped up at the end of this book. I have no idea what that reviewer read but it wasn’t this.
As to the narration: WOW! Luke Daniels did an awesome job on the narration, especially for it being a 2013 audio. I’ve never heard such emotions being read. He really was outstanding.
This was about Patrick, a crime reporter, who was looking into a 30 year kidnapping and murder. Needless to say, someone wasn’t crazy about that so he was threatened then almost killed for his nosiness. There were quite a few people in this book and they were all pretty interesting so that made the book worth continuing with. I couldn’t wait for the end so I could see what went on with his evil mother. Patrick’s memories of her were pretty brutal.
Patrick wasn’t an alpha male, by any stretch of the imagination, and I didn’t like that too much but the story was good enough that I could look past that. AND the last sentence of chapter 52 was an absolute shock! It was worth the little bit that bothered me. My mouth fell open! I never could have imagined that happening.
My only real problem with this book is that I had no idea what Patrick looked like, or for that matter I didn’t know what anyone else looked like either: tall, short, thin, fat, ugly, handsome, straight hair, curly, pink, blue, green hair? Nothing. All I can suggest to the author is to give your characters some kind of face and body. It helps us to imagine everything about them.
BTW… One reviewer said this was a cliffhanger. It was in no-way no-how such a thing. EVERYTHING was all wrapped up at the end of this book. I have no idea what that reviewer read but it wasn’t this.
As to the narration: WOW! Luke Daniels did an awesome job on the narration, especially for it being a 2013 audio. I’ve never heard such emotions being read. He really was outstanding.
October 5, 2013
As another reviewer said, I really wasn't sure what Mr. Kaufman would come up with as an act capable of following While the Savage Sleeps. But he did. Boy, did he EVER!!! What an awesome thriller!! I've been waiting for its release for the last 2 months and it was worth every minute of the wait. The characters are so believable, the plot sucks you in from the first page and then holds you there, continually increasing both the pressure and the pace until the riveting end.
Five stars isn't enough but I'm afraid it will have to do.
P.S. And he even knows how to spell y'all correctly, something a lot of real Texans can't do. :)
Five stars isn't enough but I'm afraid it will have to do.
P.S. And he even knows how to spell y'all correctly, something a lot of real Texans can't do. :)
December 17, 2011
I loved Andrew E. Kaufman’s book! An excellent, suspenseful story that I found difficult to put down! It is Andrew’s second novel, and he has another best-seller for sure with this one. I loved the first-person narrative and it worked so well with his protagonist reporter, Patrick Bannister. Andrew’s characterizations, dialogue, suspense, and intrigue will keep you turning the pages of his book to see where he takes you next. An enjoyable, great read. Andrew will again hit the best-seller lists with The Lion, The Lamb, The Hunted, as he did with While the Savage Sleeps.
August 4, 2015
I read this in two sittings. It moves along very quickly and kept me entertained throughout the entire book. It is a mystery about what happened to a boy that was kidnapped years ago whose body was never found. However, a man was executed for kidnapping and murdering the child. It is also about the man looking into the mystery of this missing child, and his life of hardship with having a mother who not only never gave a damn but emotionally and physically mistreated him. In many ways it is a sad story of never being loved and always feeling alone.
August 13, 2017
Why did I read this?
June 29, 2012
Part 2: Now that I've finished the book, I can finish my "review." (It's not much of one.) I'm giving this four stars out of five for the simple fact that I tore through it: I wanted to know what happened next (and read more of Patrick's back-story). There's something a little misleading in the book that made me reject the early notion that Patrick was Nathan. Patrick mentions something about writing professionally for 20 years, so I figured he couldn't be Nathan since I doubted that he was writing professionally at thirteen. Such a switch was also too Mary Higgins Clark and an overused plot device. That's the only reason it didn't get 5 stars.
The descriptions of abuse and gaslighting were tough to read, but were well done, based on discussions I've had with people who had batshit crazy parents (although not as crazy as Camilla). I also liked that there was a female partner who didn't become a love interest.
--------------
Part 1: I'm just at the halfway point and will come back to finish & add my star rating.
The description of this book (either on Amazon or Pixel of Ink, where I found it) really made it sound like the reader was going to have to endure the story of a kidnapping and murder of a child, then jump 30 years forward to present day to meet the actual main character. The rest of the description was intriguing: Patrick finds evidence that his recently deceased mother was very likely involved in the child's death (or was the killer herself).
However, I really didn't want to read that first part - I don't have kids, but have had kids in my life that I loved very much, so reading about such things is something I avoid when I can. Instead of buying the book, I found that I had a chance to borrow it via Amazon Prime, so I took advantage of that opportunity.
I don't think this is a spoiler, but I"m hiding it just in case. The book starts out with the funeral of Patrick's mother, and there are flashbacks of his life with this evil bitch scattered throughout. Patrick is an investigative reporter, exactly the wrong kind of person you want to find evidence of a past crime. I'm so relieved that there wasn't an introduction with the kidnapping - it will probably be covered later in the book, but it didn't start on that note, making it a much more enjoyable read.
The descriptions of abuse and gaslighting were tough to read, but were well done, based on discussions I've had with people who had batshit crazy parents (although not as crazy as Camilla). I also liked that there was a female partner who didn't become a love interest.
--------------
Part 1: I'm just at the halfway point and will come back to finish & add my star rating.
The description of this book (either on Amazon or Pixel of Ink, where I found it) really made it sound like the reader was going to have to endure the story of a kidnapping and murder of a child, then jump 30 years forward to present day to meet the actual main character. The rest of the description was intriguing: Patrick finds evidence that his recently deceased mother was very likely involved in the child's death (or was the killer herself).
However, I really didn't want to read that first part - I don't have kids, but have had kids in my life that I loved very much, so reading about such things is something I avoid when I can. Instead of buying the book, I found that I had a chance to borrow it via Amazon Prime, so I took advantage of that opportunity.
I don't think this is a spoiler, but I"m hiding it just in case. The book starts out with the funeral of Patrick's mother, and there are flashbacks of his life with this evil bitch scattered throughout. Patrick is an investigative reporter, exactly the wrong kind of person you want to find evidence of a past crime. I'm so relieved that there wasn't an introduction with the kidnapping - it will probably be covered later in the book, but it didn't start on that note, making it a much more enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2012
This was my first mystery/suspense novel, and I have to say, it was very enjoyable. Ok, so it was a little predictable, I figured out the "surprise ending" in the beginning, but it was entertaining enough for me to read through the whole book just to see if I was right. I think the characters are what made the difference for me. I found the main character to be a very well developed, likeable and realistic character. The fact that he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, for example, made him feel real. I was rooting for him the whole time. Same thing with his female companion, though the bad guys were notably less developed and one-dimensional.
There was also something that bothered me about the interaction between the "hunters" and the "hunted" in this book. In one scene in particular, I just kept thinking of that brilliant line in the Austin Powers movie:
Dr. Evil: Scott, I want you to meet daddy's nemesis, Austin Powers
Scott: What? Are you feeding him? Why don't you just kill him?
Dr. Evil: I have an even better idea. I'm going to place him in an easily escapable situation involving an overly elaborate and exotic death.
And:
Dr. Evil: All right guard, begin the unnecessarily slow-moving dipping mechanism. Close the tank!
Scott: Wait, aren't you even going to watch them? They could get away!
Dr. Evil: No no no, I'm going to leave them alone and not actually witness them dying, I'm just gonna assume it all went to plan.
Ya... some of it just seemed a little hokey. Like, the guy has a gun, but he refuses to use it on the main characters. The secondary characters, sure, he'll kill them without hesitation. It just annoys me when the bad guys in every suspense movie/book know who the main characters are, and they treat them differently than everyone else.
Despite all this, I still truly had a hard time putting this book down, and I even cried at one scene. I would definitely recommend it to a friend.
There was also something that bothered me about the interaction between the "hunters" and the "hunted" in this book. In one scene in particular, I just kept thinking of that brilliant line in the Austin Powers movie:
Dr. Evil: Scott, I want you to meet daddy's nemesis, Austin Powers
Scott: What? Are you feeding him? Why don't you just kill him?
Dr. Evil: I have an even better idea. I'm going to place him in an easily escapable situation involving an overly elaborate and exotic death.
And:
Dr. Evil: All right guard, begin the unnecessarily slow-moving dipping mechanism. Close the tank!
Scott: Wait, aren't you even going to watch them? They could get away!
Dr. Evil: No no no, I'm going to leave them alone and not actually witness them dying, I'm just gonna assume it all went to plan.
Ya... some of it just seemed a little hokey. Like, the guy has a gun, but he refuses to use it on the main characters. The secondary characters, sure, he'll kill them without hesitation. It just annoys me when the bad guys in every suspense movie/book know who the main characters are, and they treat them differently than everyone else.
Despite all this, I still truly had a hard time putting this book down, and I even cried at one scene. I would definitely recommend it to a friend.
October 13, 2012
Now this,
THIS
is a thriller.
The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted (TLTLTH) is a very well written novel with tension and suspense positively oozing from it's pages (well, my copy didn't have pages, I read it on Kindle, but you know what I mean). The characters are great, the plot is gripping and the twists were excellently executed.
The story is told in a 'kind of' dual time style, with chapters seeming to alternate between present happenings and the protagonist's musings and recollections of his abusive childhood at the hands of his twisted mother. It is not usual for me to be affected by writings of child abuse (they usually leave me quite apathetic), but Kaufman managed to write this in a way that had a profound effect on me and made me feel sick to the core.
The entire novel is written in the first person, a perspective I do not usually enjoy. At first, I was annoyed by the fact that often the word 'I' seemed to be missed from the beginnings of sentences, but as the plot thickened and developed, I found myself not even noticing this, never mind being annoyed by it, as the whole thing ploughed along at a terrific pace.
The plot is exciting, with twists and turns in abundance; I have to confess that I did have a good idea of what the main twist would be (and I was right), but I hadn't anticipated how all the threads would weave together and all would be revealed - it was handled very well and made a very satisfying conclusion.
I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy a good thriller; it will not leave you disappointed.
The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted (TLTLTH) is a very well written novel with tension and suspense positively oozing from it's pages (well, my copy didn't have pages, I read it on Kindle, but you know what I mean). The characters are great, the plot is gripping and the twists were excellently executed.
The story is told in a 'kind of' dual time style, with chapters seeming to alternate between present happenings and the protagonist's musings and recollections of his abusive childhood at the hands of his twisted mother. It is not usual for me to be affected by writings of child abuse (they usually leave me quite apathetic), but Kaufman managed to write this in a way that had a profound effect on me and made me feel sick to the core.
The entire novel is written in the first person, a perspective I do not usually enjoy. At first, I was annoyed by the fact that often the word 'I' seemed to be missed from the beginnings of sentences, but as the plot thickened and developed, I found myself not even noticing this, never mind being annoyed by it, as the whole thing ploughed along at a terrific pace.
The plot is exciting, with twists and turns in abundance; I have to confess that I did have a good idea of what the main twist would be (and I was right), but I hadn't anticipated how all the threads would weave together and all would be revealed - it was handled very well and made a very satisfying conclusion.
I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy a good thriller; it will not leave you disappointed.
February 14, 2012
Andrew E. Kaufman is a relatively new author whose novels I've recently had the pleasure of discovering. I've read both of the two he's published, and I can emphatically say, this is a special author with a slant and perspective I've not encountered in many decades of constant and voracious reading. Well-written, intensely convoluted, and riveting, Mr. Kaufman's novels are not to be missed-or you will miss a special treat. These are exceptional books which, once read, will not be forgotten for a very long time. Part-mystery, part-thriller, and always with incredibly deep delineation of his characters, these novels might earn that often-used but seldom accurate term "unforgettable." In this case that adjective would be true!
"The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted" presents one of the most convoluted plot Gordian knots I've ever read; but author Kaufman doesn't have to cut through it blindly-he unravels carefully so that all is eventually brought to light, and in a way that recognizes the suspension of disbelief-and the acknowledgment that yes, Virginia, this really could have happened.
"The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted" presents one of the most convoluted plot Gordian knots I've ever read; but author Kaufman doesn't have to cut through it blindly-he unravels carefully so that all is eventually brought to light, and in a way that recognizes the suspension of disbelief-and the acknowledgment that yes, Virginia, this really could have happened.
December 27, 2011
Sometimes an author's first book is such perfection, you wonder if he/she is capable of creating another book that even comes close. Andrew Kaufman had no such problem with his second book. This novel of psychological suspense is a masterpiece.
This story reached into the depths of my emotions, squeezed, and didn't let go. The main character is slightly damaged, fallible and lovable, with an inner strength that keeps him moving forward despite the challenges he faces at each turn. The plot moves at a good pace, with a few unexpected twists. While the subject matter is relatively dark and there is a bit of violence, there is not a lot of gore or strong language to make you flinch. The gasping you'll do will come from the way Kaufman steps into your mind and takes control.
My only complaint is that it had to end.
This story reached into the depths of my emotions, squeezed, and didn't let go. The main character is slightly damaged, fallible and lovable, with an inner strength that keeps him moving forward despite the challenges he faces at each turn. The plot moves at a good pace, with a few unexpected twists. While the subject matter is relatively dark and there is a bit of violence, there is not a lot of gore or strong language to make you flinch. The gasping you'll do will come from the way Kaufman steps into your mind and takes control.
My only complaint is that it had to end.
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