Bronco Buster: A "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery

by A.J. Devlin

“Hammerhead” Jed is back! And this time, he’s gone a little bit country…




SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 CRIME FICTION LOVER BEST INDIE NOVEL AWARD

NOMINATED FOR A 2025 LEFT COAST CRIME "LEFTY" AWARD FOR BEST HUMOROUS MYSTERY

After a lumberjack games competitor is found floating face down in a pool with an axe buried in the back of his head, former pro wrestler-turned-P.I. “Hammerhead” Jed Ounstead is on the case. Investigating the Colossal Cloverdale Rodeo and County Fair with his ne’er do well cousin Declan, Jed finds that he will need all of his skills to find out what happened to a man they’d just spent the previous night drinking with. Along the way, these two city boys will need to reckon with the raucous world of the rodeo, dodging homicidal clowns, betting on cow pie bingo, riding bucking broncos and more in their attempt to solve the case over the course of one crazy day. 




Bronco Buster is the ferociously funny fast-paced fourth instalment in A.J. Devlin’s award-winning mystery series.

Genres: Mystery

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

A.J. Devlin grew up in Greater Vancouver before moving to Southern California where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from Chapman University and a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from The American Film Institute. After working as a screenwriter in Hollywood, he moved back home to Port Moody, BC, where he now lives with his children.

Cobra Clutch, the first book in the "Hammerhead" Jed professional wrestling mystery-comedy series, was released in spring 2018 and nominated for a Lefty Award for Best Debut Mystery and won the 2019 Crime Writers Of Canada Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel.

The highly acclaimed sequel, Rolling Thunder, was released in spring 2020 and featured in the Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Globe and Mail, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal Reviews, Mystery Tribune Magazine, CrimeFictionLover.com, 49thShelf.com, and CBC Radio's The Next Chapter.

The third book in the series, Five Moves of Doom, was published in September 2022 by NeWest Press and featured on The House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC. It won the 2022 Crime Fiction Lover Editor's Choice Award for Best Indie Crime Novel, was selected by The Globe and Mail as one of the Best Books of 2022, was a finalist for the 2023 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery, shortlisted for the 2023 Crime Writers of Canada Howard Engel Award of Excellence for Best Novel Set in Canada, and nominated for the 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Comedic Mystery.

For more information on A.J. and his books, please visit ajdevlin.com.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After making a splash with the first novel, this series seems to have fallen off the radar for some reason.

"Hammerhead" Jed is wrestling for his indy federation at a rodeo. He meets a lumberjack, competing in logging sports, who is soon enough offed. There's a smorgasbord of suspects, including a rodeo clown, a rival lumberjack, and assorted others. This one really leans into the humor, we're almost in Shell Scott territory.

One of the better new-ish series today.

[Jeff DeHaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I remembered when diving into Bronco Buster after the time since finishing Five Moves Of Doom is how much I love these characters and their relationships within the pages. The chemistry between Jed and his cousin Declan is as sharp as ever and this fourth book really showcases the collection of supporting characters in Jed's life. AJ Devlin knocked it out of the park (or out of the ring) again with Bronco Buster and the new location gave it a fresh feel. If you're a fan of any of his previous "Hammerhead" Jed Mysteries then Bronco Buster will not disappoint. If you haven't read any of them, now is the time to catch up and enjoy a fantastic pro wrestling mystery series while I wait eagerly for the next chapter in the life of my favourite pro wrestler P.I.

[Katreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRONCO BUSTER by A. J. Devlin
The Fourth "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery

A routine wrestling match at the Colossal Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair becomes anything but for Jed "Hammerhead" Ounstead when the body of a lumberjack games competitor is found floating in a shallow pool with an axe buried in his head. Realizing the victim is a man he considered a friend means that Jed has a new case. With his reckless cousin Declan by his side the pair will use any means, mostly unconventional, to get to the truth before the Mounties even arrive.

BRONCO BUSTER is another journey for Jed. What starts as a simple matinee wrestling match at a country fair and rodeo turns into a quest for truth, a question of his own morality, and the ultimate decision of life or death. As usual, Hammerhead's path is more circuitous than straight and his desire to help others puts him in more danger. This path of self discovery is full of outrageous situations bringing plenty of humor from cow-pie bingo, lusty senior citizens, the unique use of an ostrich, to a guru with hardware jewelry, not to mention logging games and wrestling moves that are a bit personal! Working at breakneck speed Jed strives to right a wrong as he grapples with existential crises.

Bronco Buster is a fast paced mystery with a myriad of moving parts. Never one to shy away from unique characters and situations we soon discover many characters with things to hide. The attentive reader will find subtle clues all while being led on a merry chase as Jed and Declan investigate their new friend’s murder. Could the solution be the obvious one?

A. J. Devlin has the unique ability to blend laugh out loud comedy with heartfelt pathos. More than a mystery BRONCO BUSTER is a meaningful work about life, love, and banana milkshakes.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the books in this series. Action packed and fun.

[Shelly Cassivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bronco Buster is the best of the four Hammerhead series! AJ Devlin has really come into his own as he leans into everything that makes him unique and special with a voice that’s loud and proud! It was like getting on a bullet train that I didn’t want to get off of. I loved the dynamic duo of Hammerhead and Declan especially. All of it! Really well done! 👏👏👏

[Dave Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic “Hammerhead” Jed mystery by the talented AJ Devlin, Canada’s answer to Carl Hiaasen. This is a rollicking story with as many unexpected twists and turns as there are belly laughs. Devlin continues to delight his readers with Jed and his crazy sidekick Declan, and this fourth in the series is no exception. Well done, AJ!

[Mac Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! My favorite spandex wearing, banana milkshake drinking, wrestling champ, PI is back! This time he's headlining at a rodeo/wrestling/lumberjack extravaganza. When his new friend, Jasper ends up deceased, Jed is suspicious. Admittedly, the precision ax throwing competition can be dangerous, but contestants don't usually end up with the ax in the back of their skull.

The mystery get's Jed's PI juices flowing and he sets out to discover which of the rodeos many quirky characters is responsible. Of course, he helped in this venture by his cousin Declan. While Declan is not exactly a meet the parents type of guy, there is no on better to back you up in a precarious situation.

Filled with humor, danger and a bit of romance, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jed and friends. I'm also thinking a trip to the rodeo could be fun, though I think I'll avoid events that involve throwing deadly weapons.

[Ludvica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun 1 day ride! If you've read the series and loved cousin Declan then this is for you. Personally I wanted more Declan and I was not disappointed. Although the mystery didn't have as many twists and turns as his last book, it is fully equipped with Devlin's signature humor and 80/90 references, which always make laugh.
I am looking forward to the next installment.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series, which features areas & events mostly in the lower mainland areas of British Columbia. This one features the Cloverdale Rodeo, a multi-day big entertainment and action fest. The novels may be a bit raunchy and irreverent, but entertaining & informative amid the action. Actually read it in e-book format, not kindle.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devlin provides a wide assortment of characters in this ensemble cast. Although I cannot say I liked every one, they were all fun and had a specific purpose in the overall story. This is the first book I have read in the series, so I am out of order. I hope I have not spoiled anything reading out of order as I do plan on going back to the first and reading the rest from there.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry the story was Ok, but the set up at the rodeo was not my cup of tea.