His daughter Lynn is missing, and the FBI, with leads and time exhausted, is putting the case on the back burner. Now it's time for Edwin Kreiss to come out of retirement to find his daughter. A former intelligence operative who specialized in tracking and bringing in rogue agents, he has the knowledge and means necessary --- if only the government will get out of his way.

Kreiss wasn't just retired, he was forced out. While "sweeping" out a rogue agent, he uncovered evidence damaging to men in very high places. When he left, an agreement was struck: They'll leave his daughter alone as long as he doesn't become active in any way, no private detective stuff, no nothing. Kreiss keeps the damaging evidence to ensure they'll live up to their end of the bargain. When his daughter goes missing, Kreiss has no choice but to become the hunter once more; he's Lynn's last hope.

When "they" find out Kreiss is active once more, under the elaborate cover story of a bomb-making cell, they --- prominent people in high places of various governmental agencies in danger of losing everything from the evidence in Kreiss's possession --- put the FBI back on the case, specifically Special Agent Janet Carter. A novice in fieldwork, they feel sure she'll do as told. Naive about fieldwork she may be, but Janet has one powerful character trait they hadn't counted on: integrity. She won't play their game when lines are crossed, especially when they send Misty to hunt Kreiss and bring him in dead or alive, using Lynn as bait if necessary. One lie after another is told as everyone plays out his or her own, often secret, agenda.

"They" are surprised as anyone when the cover story proves to be true, and Edwin is the their last best hope in preventing a national tragedy --- but that doesn't mean Misty's orders will be rescinded. Protecting secrets is the ultimate goal and that means bringing Kreiss in, regardless of the consequences. From Virginia to Washington, DC, hunter and hunted, Kreiss's time is running out.

HUNTING SEASON is a riveting, action-packed political thriller. The pace never lets up as you become immersed in the palace games along with Kreiss and Carter. True to form, Deutermann develops believable, powerful primary and secondary characters, adding dimension to an intricate plot. The women are women of action, not just window dressing, distinctive in their differences. Physical action is described well; you can see it in your head as you read, like watching a movie. I wouldn't be surprised to see this book turned into a movie. Deutermann is one of the masters of political and military thrillers, and HUNTING SEASON is one of his best.