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Charlie Jones #1
B.U.G.
A Kurdish traffic cop hiding out in Australia may be the key to finding a long-missing Delta Force soldier in this thriller that introduces Australian Security Service officer Charlie Jones.
B.U.G. is the first of three volumes in the Charlie Jones series. Volume II, Cloister, just won the Publishers Weekly BookLife Fiction Prize Mystery/Thriller category.
BUG is no longer available on Amazon but you can get a print on demand paperback copy here:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/tj-slee/bug/...
B.U.G. is the first of three volumes in the Charlie Jones series. Volume II, Cloister, just won the Publishers Weekly BookLife Fiction Prize Mystery/Thriller category.
BUG is no longer available on Amazon but you can get a print on demand paperback copy here:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/tj-slee/bug/...
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 12, 2017
Test your language skills while you laugh your way through this spy thriller from Australia. It's an excellent spy novel as current as can be, but sometimes the dialect spins you around as strangely as listening to a cabbie from the Bronx driving in NOLA. The publisher's blurb gives hints and there is no need for spoilers, but know that this is a fast paced thriller with lots of snarks, situational and verbal humor. Now I have to buy the next one!
February 6, 2017
This book was a Goodreads Giveaway. At first I thought it wasn't really my cup of tea and that maybe I shouldn't have gone in the Giveaway. After only a few pages though, I started to enjoy it and by the end I'm a definite fan of Charlie Jones.
The plot seemed authentic and credible; although not being a reader of spy thrillers I'm probably not the best judge of this. What I can say is that it was well paced with punchy action packed scenes interspersed with slower, more introspective passages giving you time to get your breath back.
The characters were also authentic and credible and I do rate myself as a good judge of this. I really enjoyed the Aussie humour and the identifiable traits and types portrayed. I was also impressed that the characters weren't just one dimensional stereotypes, but had light and dark and depth.
While not wanting to give a spoiler, I feel a bit smug that from the start I had sussed the twist at the end of Book 1. Maybe it was because of this, but I didn't have any difficulty with the narrator's reliability and just enjoyed the journey. In retrospect, I don't actually think the narrator's reliability was questionable even after the reveal.
I look forward to reading more of Charlie's adventures and hope to reencounter some of the other characters that I came to like; Karn, Jenno and Money.
Thank you T J for introducing me to Charlie Jones.
The plot seemed authentic and credible; although not being a reader of spy thrillers I'm probably not the best judge of this. What I can say is that it was well paced with punchy action packed scenes interspersed with slower, more introspective passages giving you time to get your breath back.
The characters were also authentic and credible and I do rate myself as a good judge of this. I really enjoyed the Aussie humour and the identifiable traits and types portrayed. I was also impressed that the characters weren't just one dimensional stereotypes, but had light and dark and depth.
While not wanting to give a spoiler, I feel a bit smug that from the start I had sussed the twist at the end of Book 1. Maybe it was because of this, but I didn't have any difficulty with the narrator's reliability and just enjoyed the journey. In retrospect, I don't actually think the narrator's reliability was questionable even after the reveal.
I look forward to reading more of Charlie's adventures and hope to reencounter some of the other characters that I came to like; Karn, Jenno and Money.
Thank you T J for introducing me to Charlie Jones.
February 6, 2017
I read the first three books about Charlie Jones in the wrong order (3, 1, 2), but there are enough details given by T.J. Slee that each book can be read as stand alones. Besides, based on what I read in book 3 it was more than enough for me to check out books 1 and 2.
All that being said, Charlie Jones book 1 'B.U.G.' is a brilliantly well paced read, with a central character that is down to earth, tough and easy to relate to.
There's lots of witty (dark) humour, plenty of action scenes (without descending into Bond/Bourne territory), and a plot that keeps you guessing as well as on the edge of your seat.
This is a top,top series and I highly recommend it.
All that being said, Charlie Jones book 1 'B.U.G.' is a brilliantly well paced read, with a central character that is down to earth, tough and easy to relate to.
There's lots of witty (dark) humour, plenty of action scenes (without descending into Bond/Bourne territory), and a plot that keeps you guessing as well as on the edge of your seat.
This is a top,top series and I highly recommend it.
July 18, 2016
Was sent this by a friend last month because it is set in Australia, and she knows I like spy thrillers. You don't see too many Australian spy novels so I was pleasantly suprised. Cool plot, believable, great characters. Yes the plot twist surprised me (I can usually see them coming but didn't see this one). Recommend to any Australian who is sick of reading about Brits and Yanks saving the day...
July 13, 2016
A lot of things seem to start with a piece of paper. Something you get in the mail, a note your spouse leaves you, the memo you read upside down on your boss's desk, the file page that got left in the copier. Charlie Jones, Australian Security Service, case officer for the PKK, finds an unfamiliar name in the Office of National Assessments Report. "Associated with PKK" it says. Charlie doesn't know the name: Merdeem Barrak. But it will be mighty familiar by time things get rolling.
The crows begin to flock. Barrak is a refugee from Syria who works at an auto repair company. He apparently saw an American Delta Force soldier the Americans have been looking for for a while. So when Charlie sees "Opium," senior American Defense Clandestine Services operations officer arrive at the Sydney airport as a "civilian," he assumes the two are connected and wonders why Australian Security hasn't been informed,
And when Charlie does a routine visit to another refugee who has been sending large sums of money back home, the plot thickens.
Soon we have the PKK, the Peshmerga, Turkish MIT, Kurds, Iraqis, Australian Security Services, covert American ops (unofficially in the country) and all sorts of other terrorist or intelligence groups in a huge rugby huddle. (I could have used a roster just to keep all the organizations straight.)
The plot is twisted and, just as in real life, nothing goes as planned. Just when one can of worms has been sifted and seems to be calming down, another connection pops up and here we go again. And Charlie's in the middle of it all.
The plot "blurb" on the book doesn't really give a good idea of what you'll find. It's impossible to put it in a short statement. It's much too intricate and exciting. And the plot's not the most important part, anyway. The characters are.
Charlie is cheeky. There's no other way to put it. Off the cuff remarks stream out of him like water off a duck. It's like being on a roller coaster of the mind. Americans don't get irony? Charlie answers, "George Bush Snr., George Bush Jnr., Jeb Bush... and Donald Trump." When things get messy, Charlie divides the confusion into, "to misquote a famous sociopath," "Known knowns, Known unknowns and Unknown unknowns." And you gotta love him.
Coworkers are given great nicknames - Speed, Teflon, Witless.... You know exactly what these people are like. The technicalities of the service are incredibly well detailed and not obtrusive. The story moves along at a rapid pace until ------- well, until the second half.
The end of the first part holds a stunner.
Many people have a life-changing moment and Charlie has his in the second part. Although the story is still concerned with events from the first part, the pace is slower, more meditative. There are more instances of a third person view than Charlie's own cheeky wit. And Charlie makes a hard decision at the end.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book, even the stunner. But the second half fell flat for me. I want Charlie to stay the Charlie of the first part and watch a series grow around Jenno (second only to Hugh Jackman in good looks - remind me to spend a long romantic evening with him when I'm next in Sydney), George, Witless, Teflon, Speed, Money and Opium. They all have SUCH potential to grow into memorable and delightful characters it seems a shame to leave them behind. But characters don't always do what you want them to.......
Two extremely small things bothered me. The Arab characters use "youse" several times when speaking. As an American, that conjures up Chicago gangsters of the 20s and struck a wrong note in the rest of the speech. Also, one of the characters uses the term "y'alls" which is incorrect. Y'all is already plural. Such small things!!!!
This is a must read, but having seen the way the series is moving (from an excerpt of the second book at the end of this one), I doubt I'll follow the rest of the series.
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this great book!
The crows begin to flock. Barrak is a refugee from Syria who works at an auto repair company. He apparently saw an American Delta Force soldier the Americans have been looking for for a while. So when Charlie sees "Opium," senior American Defense Clandestine Services operations officer arrive at the Sydney airport as a "civilian," he assumes the two are connected and wonders why Australian Security hasn't been informed,
And when Charlie does a routine visit to another refugee who has been sending large sums of money back home, the plot thickens.
Soon we have the PKK, the Peshmerga, Turkish MIT, Kurds, Iraqis, Australian Security Services, covert American ops (unofficially in the country) and all sorts of other terrorist or intelligence groups in a huge rugby huddle. (I could have used a roster just to keep all the organizations straight.)
The plot is twisted and, just as in real life, nothing goes as planned. Just when one can of worms has been sifted and seems to be calming down, another connection pops up and here we go again. And Charlie's in the middle of it all.
The plot "blurb" on the book doesn't really give a good idea of what you'll find. It's impossible to put it in a short statement. It's much too intricate and exciting. And the plot's not the most important part, anyway. The characters are.
Charlie is cheeky. There's no other way to put it. Off the cuff remarks stream out of him like water off a duck. It's like being on a roller coaster of the mind. Americans don't get irony? Charlie answers, "George Bush Snr., George Bush Jnr., Jeb Bush... and Donald Trump." When things get messy, Charlie divides the confusion into, "to misquote a famous sociopath," "Known knowns, Known unknowns and Unknown unknowns." And you gotta love him.
Coworkers are given great nicknames - Speed, Teflon, Witless.... You know exactly what these people are like. The technicalities of the service are incredibly well detailed and not obtrusive. The story moves along at a rapid pace until ------- well, until the second half.
The end of the first part holds a stunner.
Many people have a life-changing moment and Charlie has his in the second part. Although the story is still concerned with events from the first part, the pace is slower, more meditative. There are more instances of a third person view than Charlie's own cheeky wit. And Charlie makes a hard decision at the end.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book, even the stunner. But the second half fell flat for me. I want Charlie to stay the Charlie of the first part and watch a series grow around Jenno (second only to Hugh Jackman in good looks - remind me to spend a long romantic evening with him when I'm next in Sydney), George, Witless, Teflon, Speed, Money and Opium. They all have SUCH potential to grow into memorable and delightful characters it seems a shame to leave them behind. But characters don't always do what you want them to.......
Two extremely small things bothered me. The Arab characters use "youse" several times when speaking. As an American, that conjures up Chicago gangsters of the 20s and struck a wrong note in the rest of the speech. Also, one of the characters uses the term "y'alls" which is incorrect. Y'all is already plural. Such small things!!!!
This is a must read, but having seen the way the series is moving (from an excerpt of the second book at the end of this one), I doubt I'll follow the rest of the series.
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this great book!
February 6, 2017
Buggered Up Good. This is the first book in the Charlie Jones Series. I actually read the second book first. I got this from the author. He was asking for people who wanted to read his book. I replied to his post on Goodreads that I read Cloister and wanted to read how the series started. End of story, he gave me a paperback. Thank you again, T J Slee.
After reading Cloister, I was not sure if I liked Charlie Jones. She was vulgar and too brash and she was a novice at that time in the nunnery. But after reading this book, I came to understand where Charlie Jones came from. This book made me like her. I think she is really a good secret service agent with a lot of spunk and sarcasm.
This was a marvelous start to a series. It has introduced and built the character of Charlie Jones as a person and as a spy. Her smart ass comments and banter with Jenno always generates a smile from me. I really love the back and forth between them. I also liked that Jones loves to give his officemates and friends nicknames which are really witty and also sarcastic. What made me soften to Jones was her brutal honesty and being unassuming. She knows herself and the limits of her abilities. She is aware that she doesn't know and understand everything all the time. She admits to her frailties and acknowledges the mountain of challenges that she faces.
The best part of this book is the unconventional confessional conversations between Jones and her confessor priest. They are outrageously hilarious and I can feel the holy father's utmost effort in being patient with Jones. Often times, the holy father is on the verge of his irritation with Jones but because it is Jones, he has to reign in it as though dealing with a petulant and stubborn child. Jones, on the other hand, does not hide that fact that she is testing the limits of the priest's self-control every time.
I give this book 4/5 cups of black coffee. Though Jones has the propensity to get hurt and end up in the hospital most of the time, she is shaping up to be a really valuable spy. I think she is slowly worming her way to becoming my second favorite spy after of Mrs. Emily Pollifax.
The only call I hear right now is the call of nature, Father. So, it's three Hail Marys and join an order?
- T J Slee, B.U.G. -
After reading Cloister, I was not sure if I liked Charlie Jones. She was vulgar and too brash and she was a novice at that time in the nunnery. But after reading this book, I came to understand where Charlie Jones came from. This book made me like her. I think she is really a good secret service agent with a lot of spunk and sarcasm.
This was a marvelous start to a series. It has introduced and built the character of Charlie Jones as a person and as a spy. Her smart ass comments and banter with Jenno always generates a smile from me. I really love the back and forth between them. I also liked that Jones loves to give his officemates and friends nicknames which are really witty and also sarcastic. What made me soften to Jones was her brutal honesty and being unassuming. She knows herself and the limits of her abilities. She is aware that she doesn't know and understand everything all the time. She admits to her frailties and acknowledges the mountain of challenges that she faces.
The best part of this book is the unconventional confessional conversations between Jones and her confessor priest. They are outrageously hilarious and I can feel the holy father's utmost effort in being patient with Jones. Often times, the holy father is on the verge of his irritation with Jones but because it is Jones, he has to reign in it as though dealing with a petulant and stubborn child. Jones, on the other hand, does not hide that fact that she is testing the limits of the priest's self-control every time.
I give this book 4/5 cups of black coffee. Though Jones has the propensity to get hurt and end up in the hospital most of the time, she is shaping up to be a really valuable spy. I think she is slowly worming her way to becoming my second favorite spy after of Mrs. Emily Pollifax.
The only call I hear right now is the call of nature, Father. So, it's three Hail Marys and join an order?
- T J Slee, B.U.G. -
January 6, 2017
I got this one for free off an author promotion after a friend's suggestion. I'm not actually a giant fan of spy thrillers. That said this one was pretty well written and I might have rated it slightly higher if not for the last 30% of the book.
I don't get to read a lot of stuff set in Australia for some reason and definitely not about their Spooks so that was different. I did like Charlie Jones, the main protagonist. Charlie is a spy who gets tangled up with a Kurdish traffic cop hiding out in Australia who might be the key to finding out what happened to an American Delta Force soldier whose brother (also a spook) is in Oz looking for him. So are Islamic terrorists among others.
Charlie has a knack for getting hurt and for calling up a Catholic priest to confess almost daily (there's a whole story behind that I don't want to spoil). Karn, an exotic dancer, seems to be the love interest though the relationship has more bumps than it does anything resembling functionality.
The trail leads Charlie all the way to the mining town of Coober Pedy and to even more shady characters.
Honestly I didn't care that much for the ending but it does work with this.
What bothered me about this is the twist and I don't want to spoil that but at the 70% mark the story reveals something that I hadn't expected (okay there will be minor spoilers so...). Charlie is...I don't want to say unreliable narrator. It's more like Charlie is a deceptive narrator, hiding something major by exclusion and to get that far into the book and have it revealed wasn't a 'wow, isn't that fun' moment for me. It was more like a poke in the eye irritating as hell moment, especially when a) you realize the Catholic Priest was there to deepen Charlie's deception and b) once it was revealed you get hit over the head with this hidden tidbit from then to the end.
That said, I would probably read another in the series.
I don't get to read a lot of stuff set in Australia for some reason and definitely not about their Spooks so that was different. I did like Charlie Jones, the main protagonist. Charlie is a spy who gets tangled up with a Kurdish traffic cop hiding out in Australia who might be the key to finding out what happened to an American Delta Force soldier whose brother (also a spook) is in Oz looking for him. So are Islamic terrorists among others.
Charlie has a knack for getting hurt and for calling up a Catholic priest to confess almost daily (there's a whole story behind that I don't want to spoil). Karn, an exotic dancer, seems to be the love interest though the relationship has more bumps than it does anything resembling functionality.
The trail leads Charlie all the way to the mining town of Coober Pedy and to even more shady characters.
Honestly I didn't care that much for the ending but it does work with this.
What bothered me about this is the twist and I don't want to spoil that but at the 70% mark the story reveals something that I hadn't expected (okay there will be minor spoilers so...). Charlie is...I don't want to say unreliable narrator. It's more like Charlie is a deceptive narrator, hiding something major by exclusion and to get that far into the book and have it revealed wasn't a 'wow, isn't that fun' moment for me. It was more like a poke in the eye irritating as hell moment, especially when a) you realize the Catholic Priest was there to deepen Charlie's deception and b) once it was revealed you get hit over the head with this hidden tidbit from then to the end.
That said, I would probably read another in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2016
"B.U.G" is the first installment of TJ Slee's Charlie Jones series of books. Charlie Jones works for the secret intelligence service as a spy. Charlie is tough, a little crazy, and just plain good at the job, although ending up in the hospital on a quite regular basis.
We follow follow along with Charlie as the service chases terrorists and tries to find one of their informants who has gone missing. Charlie is also dating a beautiful girl named Karn and trying to juggle all these things at once.
About three quarters of the way through the book, I realized I had made an error in judgement about Charlie. And I bet I'm not the only one who has. No spoilers here, but I did NOT see that coming! So much for my powers of observation.
I rated "B.U.G." five stars because I absolutely loved this book. Non-stop action, with a side of intrigue, really evil bad guys, and slice of mystery for dessert...delicious! Thank you TJ Slee for a great read!
We follow follow along with Charlie as the service chases terrorists and tries to find one of their informants who has gone missing. Charlie is also dating a beautiful girl named Karn and trying to juggle all these things at once.
About three quarters of the way through the book, I realized I had made an error in judgement about Charlie. And I bet I'm not the only one who has. No spoilers here, but I did NOT see that coming! So much for my powers of observation.
I rated "B.U.G." five stars because I absolutely loved this book. Non-stop action, with a side of intrigue, really evil bad guys, and slice of mystery for dessert...delicious! Thank you TJ Slee for a great read!
September 12, 2016
Ok, So I will admit I had a hard time getting into it at first. I received this book as part of a Giveaway and the format was different than most of the books I have been reading lately. As I figured out what was going on, it was easier to read and really funny. Charlie is a great character and got better as the book progressed. The "Sucker punch with a twist" blew me away. My favorite parts are the discussions with the priest. a Very fun book and I expect to enjoy the other books as well. The excerpt at the end for "Cloister" has me intrigued and I'd like to hang out with Charlie again. Maybe have a beer.
I have to add that I was searching on Goodreads again for another Giveaway and came across a book that looked equally exciting. The Vanirim looks really good. I didn't enter, because I feel one free book from an author I like is enough and I should start buying them to support them. Keep up with the books T.J.
I have to add that I was searching on Goodreads again for another Giveaway and came across a book that looked equally exciting. The Vanirim looks really good. I didn't enter, because I feel one free book from an author I like is enough and I should start buying them to support them. Keep up with the books T.J.
July 10, 2016
I received B.U.G. from the Author to read and do an honest review.
A very entertaining book with a rare insight into the world of Australian Intelligence/ Secret service.
T.J. Slee entertains you with wit and a story that may hold a lot of truth, it is ours to guess which parts are true.
Do not expect everything to go smoothly as it doesn't and there are a few surprises along the way. One huge 'wow' moment that ties a lot of the story together once it surfaces, and will leave you thinking to yourself 'how did I get that so wrong?'
this is the first of T.J. Slee's works I have read and I will definitely be on the lookout for more works by this Author.
A very entertaining book with a rare insight into the world of Australian Intelligence/ Secret service.
T.J. Slee entertains you with wit and a story that may hold a lot of truth, it is ours to guess which parts are true.
Do not expect everything to go smoothly as it doesn't and there are a few surprises along the way. One huge 'wow' moment that ties a lot of the story together once it surfaces, and will leave you thinking to yourself 'how did I get that so wrong?'
this is the first of T.J. Slee's works I have read and I will definitely be on the lookout for more works by this Author.
August 20, 2016
Irreverent aussie spy Who takes no prisoners ends up in hospital several times and still gets the girl!! Gives 21st century bond a run for his money and has the humour of Jack which bond has lost!!
The author definitely has served at some time
The author definitely has served at some time
May 24, 2020
4/5 stars! I love the main character & loved the twist about charlie at the end! Very thrilling book, definitely want to read the full series! Perfect action book!
Only question is, did Kern not tell them Harith shot himself?! In the end, it seemed Charlie was still looking for him?!
Only question is, did Kern not tell them Harith shot himself?! In the end, it seemed Charlie was still looking for him?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2017
I don't usually read spy thrillers but a friend suggested this one and it was set in Australia so I thought, why not? It was actually pretty good. Charlie Jones, our spy, is a fun character though the twist 70% into the story when we suddenly learn Charlie is an unreliable narrator just didn't work for me. (personal taste, I don't like unreliable narrators).
That aside I did enjoy it and would probably read another one.
That aside I did enjoy it and would probably read another one.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews