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Jill Andersen #1
Bounty
This is an alternate cover edition for B00YNDZXX4
Jill Andersen is one of Baltimore's best and brightest detectives, but she harbors a dark secret -- a secret that threatens to come out when the body of Dr. Trent Roberts is pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Roberts' connection to Jill reveals a past that involves a tour in Iraq, a secretive cybernetic experiment, and a conspiracy that involves a native son.
Can Jill solve the case while still keeping her secret? Will her partners at the Seventh Precinct find out what she's so desperate to hide? What was Dr. Roberts looking into that led to his murder? And perhaps the biggest question of all...
Who is Bounty?
Jill Andersen is one of Baltimore's best and brightest detectives, but she harbors a dark secret -- a secret that threatens to come out when the body of Dr. Trent Roberts is pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Roberts' connection to Jill reveals a past that involves a tour in Iraq, a secretive cybernetic experiment, and a conspiracy that involves a native son.
Can Jill solve the case while still keeping her secret? Will her partners at the Seventh Precinct find out what she's so desperate to hide? What was Dr. Roberts looking into that led to his murder? And perhaps the biggest question of all...
Who is Bounty?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2015
20 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Cunegan
16 books143 followersFiction is the weapon I wield against an unjust world I am powerless to change.
J.D. Cunegan has a unique writing style that introduces the reader to his comic book-inspired storytelling and fast-paced prose. A lifelong storyteller with a passion for writing, Cunegan has an extensive background in journalism, media relations, and marketing. Cunegan currently lives in Hampton, Virginia, with his cat, and next to stories, his big passion in life in auto racing. When not hunched in front of a keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book, Cunegan can be found at a racetrack or watching a race on TV.
DISCLAIMER
None of my work contains material or content originating from Generative AI. My novels, short stories, non-fiction books, and the covers representing them were created solely by human writers and artists, and I do not condone or consent to the use of my material, or the material of the cover artists with whom I’ve worked, in training any Generative AI program.
Email: jdcunegan@gmail.com
J.D. Cunegan has a unique writing style that introduces the reader to his comic book-inspired storytelling and fast-paced prose. A lifelong storyteller with a passion for writing, Cunegan has an extensive background in journalism, media relations, and marketing. Cunegan currently lives in Hampton, Virginia, with his cat, and next to stories, his big passion in life in auto racing. When not hunched in front of a keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book, Cunegan can be found at a racetrack or watching a race on TV.
DISCLAIMER
None of my work contains material or content originating from Generative AI. My novels, short stories, non-fiction books, and the covers representing them were created solely by human writers and artists, and I do not condone or consent to the use of my material, or the material of the cover artists with whom I’ve worked, in training any Generative AI program.
Email: jdcunegan@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 8, 2024
This was book 1 in the Jill Anderson mystery series.
Imagine: The story of Captain America, with the technical makeup of the Terminator, plus the female badass kickass-ness of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you get Jill Anderson. Jill is part cyborg, derived from an experimental procedure done when she was in the US army. A troubling grusome murder happens and Jill had to use both her detective connections with the Baltimore PD and her superhero skills to find the killer.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7 - The characters are good but some feel a bit stereotypical.
Atmosphere/Setting: 8 - The atmosphere and setting were well written and especially helpful during chapters of flash backs (which happened often enough that you knew when we were but not too frequently that they interfered with the main story).
Writing Style: 7.5 - The writing style was easy to follow and read. it felt like a basic detective story, but with enhanced superhero qualities. As hinted at above, the use of flashback scenes and chapters were used well to further explain the story but they didn't feel like they got in the way of the story. There were a few typos/mistakes in grammar and writing but not enough to make it distracting.
Plot: 6 - I felt the plot was solid and effective, but maybe a bit too predictable?
Intrigue: 5 - Because Jill's tropes have been done before - both in print media and film - it felt a bit "I've been here before" and so there wasn't a whole lot of intrigue built up, other than how is she going to prove this and pull it all off?
Logic/Relationships: 8 - Everything made sense, a little too much, maybe. Relationships is where I think Cunegan thrived. All of the relationships were written believable and complex and compelling.
Enjoyment: 7.5 - Although it felt a bit predictable, I still enjoyed reading Bounty a lot. Sometimes my brain just needs the predictability without actually rereading a book I already read - and that was the feeling I got from Bounty, like I had already read this, even though it was my first time reading it. If that makes sense.
CAWPILE Total: 49/7 = 7 =4 Stars
Imagine: The story of Captain America, with the technical makeup of the Terminator, plus the female badass kickass-ness of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and you get Jill Anderson. Jill is part cyborg, derived from an experimental procedure done when she was in the US army. A troubling grusome murder happens and Jill had to use both her detective connections with the Baltimore PD and her superhero skills to find the killer.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7 - The characters are good but some feel a bit stereotypical.
Atmosphere/Setting: 8 - The atmosphere and setting were well written and especially helpful during chapters of flash backs (which happened often enough that you knew when we were but not too frequently that they interfered with the main story).
Writing Style: 7.5 - The writing style was easy to follow and read. it felt like a basic detective story, but with enhanced superhero qualities. As hinted at above, the use of flashback scenes and chapters were used well to further explain the story but they didn't feel like they got in the way of the story. There were a few typos/mistakes in grammar and writing but not enough to make it distracting.
Plot: 6 - I felt the plot was solid and effective, but maybe a bit too predictable?
Intrigue: 5 - Because Jill's tropes have been done before - both in print media and film - it felt a bit "I've been here before" and so there wasn't a whole lot of intrigue built up, other than how is she going to prove this and pull it all off?
Logic/Relationships: 8 - Everything made sense, a little too much, maybe. Relationships is where I think Cunegan thrived. All of the relationships were written believable and complex and compelling.
Enjoyment: 7.5 - Although it felt a bit predictable, I still enjoyed reading Bounty a lot. Sometimes my brain just needs the predictability without actually rereading a book I already read - and that was the feeling I got from Bounty, like I had already read this, even though it was my first time reading it. If that makes sense.
CAWPILE Total: 49/7 = 7 =4 Stars
June 10, 2019
I’ve been meaning to read this book for awhile, and I’m glad I finally did! Normally, I find mystery/detective stories to be somewhat cookie cutter-ish, but the sci-fi elements of the plot definitely make Bounty stand out, and it gives it that extra boost. I don’t know a *whole* lot about the franchise, I’ve only seen a couple of the films, but the backstory of Project Fusion almost reminds me of elements in X-Men. Jill’s background, in particular — as in, how she came to be half-cyborg — almooost reminds me of Wolverine’s backstory. (👀)
Also, this story has asexual rep!!! It’s not totally all in your face, it’s not a main plot point, but it’s featured more than once! It’s really, really nice to see a female detective who isn’t totally sexualized by her male co-workers.
I would definitely recommend this read to sci-fi and crime fans!
Also, this story has asexual rep!!! It’s not totally all in your face, it’s not a main plot point, but it’s featured more than once! It’s really, really nice to see a female detective who isn’t totally sexualized by her male co-workers.
I would definitely recommend this read to sci-fi and crime fans!
September 15, 2015
Tonight’s book review is a two-for-one special, since both the novel Bounty and the novella Boundless by J. D. Cunegan are very quick reads and part of the same series.
I really enjoyed both these books, in an adrenaline-saturated, violence-for violence’s-sake, action flick type of enjoyment. The narratives are one part police procedural, one part espionage thriller, two parts near-future science fiction suspense. The protagonist is snarky good fun, her personality somewhere halfway between Deadpool and Lara Croft, with a little Wolverine thrown in.
Sometimes the action scenes veer into the physically unrealistic, but the author largely accounts for these moments of creative physics, after the fact, with explanations that make them more plausible and less distracting for readers who don’t suspend disbelief as effortlessly as most. Sometimes the characters are a little more camp and reminiscent of film noir than I was expecting them to be, with how gritty and modern the action itself is, but I quickly found this to be really charming.
The editing is superb; the pace is rapid in a way that makes both works really easy to follow, without one’s attention drifting away during expository moments in dialogue. The stories wrap up their immediate plot arcs in really satisfying ways, yet they leave enough loose ends hanging open that one feels eager for the next book in the series. The secondary characters are really likable, and the antagonists are the kind I love to despise.
I’ll be honest, I read Boundless, which comes second, before I read Bounty.
You know what? That was actually pretty great. The novella makes a really fantastic, fast-paced, engaging introduction to the characters and plot, and while it definitely meant I ran across some major spoilers from the novel, it also meant I already knew I enjoyed these characters and wanted to know more about how they came to be where they are. If you’re not sure about this series, but you’re curious, don’t hesitate to pick up Boundless; it won’t diminish your enjoyment of Bounty, if you decide to get it later. It’s an all-around really great sample of this story universe and these characters, and it’s a quick enough read that you are unlikely to set it down unfinished, even if you find it takes a little more time for it to work its magic on you.
I recommend both books for fans of the action and detective story side of the early Anita Blake novels by Laurell K. Hamilton. Jill, the protagonist, will feel really familiar to you when she’s on the job, even if her private life has nothing in common with Anita’s. She’s very career-focused and tough as nails.
I also recommend both books for people who enjoyed James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series, or his When the Wind Blows & The Lake House. No, Jill doesn’t have giant bird wings, but her origin story and the ways she adapts to her altered life are going to ring familiar in an enjoyable way.
I really enjoyed both these books, in an adrenaline-saturated, violence-for violence’s-sake, action flick type of enjoyment. The narratives are one part police procedural, one part espionage thriller, two parts near-future science fiction suspense. The protagonist is snarky good fun, her personality somewhere halfway between Deadpool and Lara Croft, with a little Wolverine thrown in.
Sometimes the action scenes veer into the physically unrealistic, but the author largely accounts for these moments of creative physics, after the fact, with explanations that make them more plausible and less distracting for readers who don’t suspend disbelief as effortlessly as most. Sometimes the characters are a little more camp and reminiscent of film noir than I was expecting them to be, with how gritty and modern the action itself is, but I quickly found this to be really charming.
The editing is superb; the pace is rapid in a way that makes both works really easy to follow, without one’s attention drifting away during expository moments in dialogue. The stories wrap up their immediate plot arcs in really satisfying ways, yet they leave enough loose ends hanging open that one feels eager for the next book in the series. The secondary characters are really likable, and the antagonists are the kind I love to despise.
I’ll be honest, I read Boundless, which comes second, before I read Bounty.
You know what? That was actually pretty great. The novella makes a really fantastic, fast-paced, engaging introduction to the characters and plot, and while it definitely meant I ran across some major spoilers from the novel, it also meant I already knew I enjoyed these characters and wanted to know more about how they came to be where they are. If you’re not sure about this series, but you’re curious, don’t hesitate to pick up Boundless; it won’t diminish your enjoyment of Bounty, if you decide to get it later. It’s an all-around really great sample of this story universe and these characters, and it’s a quick enough read that you are unlikely to set it down unfinished, even if you find it takes a little more time for it to work its magic on you.
I recommend both books for fans of the action and detective story side of the early Anita Blake novels by Laurell K. Hamilton. Jill, the protagonist, will feel really familiar to you when she’s on the job, even if her private life has nothing in common with Anita’s. She’s very career-focused and tough as nails.
I also recommend both books for people who enjoyed James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series, or his When the Wind Blows & The Lake House. No, Jill doesn’t have giant bird wings, but her origin story and the ways she adapts to her altered life are going to ring familiar in an enjoyable way.
December 11, 2016
Bounty is a fast-paced mystery/thriller with an awesome female lead. Jill is a person that works tirelessly to make sure that justice is served. Her number one priority is her job and doing what is right. And when she can’t catch the bad guys with the law, she has another trick up her sleeve to catch them.
My biggest put off about this book is, honestly, the cover. It kind of goes back to that whole “I’m not too fond of sci-fi for these reasons” thing. I am slowly starting to get over it, but I still have that problem where, when I see a cover with something like robots or cyborgs I tend to just skip over it. I am glad I picked this one up though. While it didn’t pull me in like most fantasy novels, it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who likes mystery/thrillers and wants a great female lead.
My biggest put off about this book is, honestly, the cover. It kind of goes back to that whole “I’m not too fond of sci-fi for these reasons” thing. I am slowly starting to get over it, but I still have that problem where, when I see a cover with something like robots or cyborgs I tend to just skip over it. I am glad I picked this one up though. While it didn’t pull me in like most fantasy novels, it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who likes mystery/thrillers and wants a great female lead.
December 6, 2015
As a debut novel for J.D.Cunegan, it's a great start. His main character Jill Anderson, is a strong and forceful womman who has her own agenda.She also has a softness to her that will endear her to the reader. And a woman with a secret? Love it.
I don't usually read conspiracy ir cybernetic based book but this is not what I expected. I actually loved the cybentics in it and the author explains everything so well.
The plot has been planned out thoroughly and has it's twists and surprises. Although the timeline jumps back and forth the reader still knows where they are in the story - this shows talent in writing.
Bounty is character led and plot driven. I can't wait to see what J.D. Cunegan offers us next.
I don't usually read conspiracy ir cybernetic based book but this is not what I expected. I actually loved the cybentics in it and the author explains everything so well.
The plot has been planned out thoroughly and has it's twists and surprises. Although the timeline jumps back and forth the reader still knows where they are in the story - this shows talent in writing.
Bounty is character led and plot driven. I can't wait to see what J.D. Cunegan offers us next.
December 17, 2017
Jill Anderson had already spent three years serving the people of Baltimore, it had allowed her to build up a tolerance to crime scenes, but it took every ounce of her restraint not to react to this one. If her peers knew she had known the victim she would be off the case. But she knew her special insight would help to find the people responsible. The victim of the brutal murder was Trent Roberts. He was a recognised scientist, best known for his work in prosthetics and cybernetics. There was, however, another thing, something spoken of only as hushed rumours, and that was Project Fusion. Jill had first-hand knowledge of this secret undertaking, in fact, unbeknown to anyone, Trent had made her into the woman she was, and his dabbling could very well be the reason he lay there now. She wanted nothing more than to solve this case, but to do so must risk exposing a secret she has fought endlessly to conceal.
With a great strong female lead bursting with personality you'll find it easy to be swept up in a kick ass cybernetic mystery. J.D. Cunegan's Bounty is filled with suspense, action, and development. Police by day, vigilante superhero by night. A diverse plot with subplots carefully ingrained builds a brilliant setting and gives the world a fleshed out feel. A definite must read for Marvel/DC fans. It's an enjoyable and engrossing read, with enough twists and intrigue for mystery fans, and enough sci-fi for lovers of the genre. A perfect combination in a dazzling read.
With a great strong female lead bursting with personality you'll find it easy to be swept up in a kick ass cybernetic mystery. J.D. Cunegan's Bounty is filled with suspense, action, and development. Police by day, vigilante superhero by night. A diverse plot with subplots carefully ingrained builds a brilliant setting and gives the world a fleshed out feel. A definite must read for Marvel/DC fans. It's an enjoyable and engrossing read, with enough twists and intrigue for mystery fans, and enough sci-fi for lovers of the genre. A perfect combination in a dazzling read.
August 2, 2017
Jill Andersen is a cop. She's also a vigilante cyborg. If that piqued your interest, this book might be for you. It's not quite an origin story, though there is one mixed in. There's also a subplot concerning dirty cops and government cover ups.
The good:
Bounty has a lot of characters, giving you many perspectives on a complex crime. The world and characters presented are neither good nor bad, but mostly complex. The cast is diverse and I love that the plot doesn't fall into a hole, forcing two characters into a romance where there's no chemistry. I'm glad that Jill and Ramon can be partners without there being any kind of romantic love between them. That happens too much.
The idea is also really interesting. I don't read a lot of superhero novels, but if I did, this is the kind I would read: strong female leads with family ties and who get sick of the ways the legal system are broken. I think we can all sympathize with that. I also like the practical look at the investigation and vigilantism. It's not over-glorified.
The bad:
Bounty starts slow. Quite a few people find out who she is a little too soon and too easily for my liking, and there are places where flashbacks could have been cut to improve the pacing, but those aren't major problems for me. Where this one falls short is the many instances of telling, not showing and too many perspectives in one chapter. I'm not a fan of 3rd person omniscient story telling unless its a very close 3rd person because of how it lends itself to head hopping. Bounty head hops sometimes but doesn't at others. Common first book problems that got better as the book went on.
The summary:
The last third of the book was phenomenal and for me that bumped it from 3 stars to 4. The bones of Bounty are great and if the second book is as good as the end of the first, it'll be a great read.
The good:
Bounty has a lot of characters, giving you many perspectives on a complex crime. The world and characters presented are neither good nor bad, but mostly complex. The cast is diverse and I love that the plot doesn't fall into a hole, forcing two characters into a romance where there's no chemistry. I'm glad that Jill and Ramon can be partners without there being any kind of romantic love between them. That happens too much.
The idea is also really interesting. I don't read a lot of superhero novels, but if I did, this is the kind I would read: strong female leads with family ties and who get sick of the ways the legal system are broken. I think we can all sympathize with that. I also like the practical look at the investigation and vigilantism. It's not over-glorified.
The bad:
Bounty starts slow. Quite a few people find out who she is a little too soon and too easily for my liking, and there are places where flashbacks could have been cut to improve the pacing, but those aren't major problems for me. Where this one falls short is the many instances of telling, not showing and too many perspectives in one chapter. I'm not a fan of 3rd person omniscient story telling unless its a very close 3rd person because of how it lends itself to head hopping. Bounty head hops sometimes but doesn't at others. Common first book problems that got better as the book went on.
The summary:
The last third of the book was phenomenal and for me that bumped it from 3 stars to 4. The bones of Bounty are great and if the second book is as good as the end of the first, it'll be a great read.
September 4, 2017
I love the conversations and banter in this book. It flows well and you can feel the various relationships through how they talk to each other.
While reading, I discovered an amazing thing happening beneath the surface. I could feel the grit of the setting, the darkness or the light, even without any obvious scene descriptions. It's an amazing piece of writing to be able to convey the setting without saying it outright. I'm impressed!
This is a super-hero, sci-fi, crime thriller that kept my attention and kept me wanting more. With a strong female lead, who isn't like any other, Jill takes charge while allowing her friends to help her when she needs them. Thank goodness she isn't one of those unrealistic heroines who are too perfect.
A wonderful read! I'm so glad I picked up this one.
While reading, I discovered an amazing thing happening beneath the surface. I could feel the grit of the setting, the darkness or the light, even without any obvious scene descriptions. It's an amazing piece of writing to be able to convey the setting without saying it outright. I'm impressed!
This is a super-hero, sci-fi, crime thriller that kept my attention and kept me wanting more. With a strong female lead, who isn't like any other, Jill takes charge while allowing her friends to help her when she needs them. Thank goodness she isn't one of those unrealistic heroines who are too perfect.
A wonderful read! I'm so glad I picked up this one.
July 14, 2018
Gritty super hero, police drama rolled into one
Love the characters! Especially, Jill, Ramon and Juanita. You can picture the what front and Baltimore streets. Very descriptive. Good storyline.
Love the characters! Especially, Jill, Ramon and Juanita. You can picture the what front and Baltimore streets. Very descriptive. Good storyline.
September 10, 2016
View the full review here:
http://readcommendations.com/2015/09/...
If I had to write a one word review of Bounty, I would say this: Fun. This novel was pure fun, start to finish. You never really know what to expect when picking up a self published novel, but this one really grabbed me and would not put me down. I binge read this novel in about two hours, and loved every minute of it.
Jill is one of those characters you can’t help to love. Stubborn and headstrong, she is made up of 100% determination… and maybe some titanium, and a few other upgrades. Part of a secret semi-gorverment project which aimed into perfecting the soldier, Jill is not your average woman. Now a cop in Baltimore, she hides her secret well, while using her upgrades to close cases, and do a little vigilante work of her own.
She was the main reason I loved this novel so much. First of all, I need to mention – Asexual representation! Yes please! But other than that, her determination and smarts really make her a character to cheer for. You want her to succeed. In a way, she reminds me of Beckett in Castle – I actually pictured her as Jill for most of the novel.
Just because she’s quasi-indestructible doesn’t mean she can do everything herself, and she’s not afraid to ask for help from some great supporting characters. Her cop friends at the precinct are brilliantly written characters, bordering on the cliché, while still managing to hold their own and become unforgettable in their own right.
The fun also came from the well written action scenes, and the superb pacing of this novel. Whenever things turned slightly slow, the author would send you back in time to visit history spanning a lifetime. Scenes from a childhood, eye opening chapters revealing what a dead man had once seen and lived, heart-wrenching passages that made you connect with Jill like never before. Back in the present, you have action packed sequences in dark offices or on rooftops. Never a dull moment. And the twist – I should stop before I spoil anything.
I felt like the villains were not fleshed out a whole lot, but that’s possibly because there’s more to come in the sequel (Bloodlines, January 2016). It may be in need of a bit of editing polish, but overall I didn’t feel like it distracted from the reading experience. I was also surprised that a huge, underlying plot was being laid down, but didn’t seem to get fleshed out – again, I bet the sequel will take care of that.
http://readcommendations.com/2015/09/...
If I had to write a one word review of Bounty, I would say this: Fun. This novel was pure fun, start to finish. You never really know what to expect when picking up a self published novel, but this one really grabbed me and would not put me down. I binge read this novel in about two hours, and loved every minute of it.
Jill is one of those characters you can’t help to love. Stubborn and headstrong, she is made up of 100% determination… and maybe some titanium, and a few other upgrades. Part of a secret semi-gorverment project which aimed into perfecting the soldier, Jill is not your average woman. Now a cop in Baltimore, she hides her secret well, while using her upgrades to close cases, and do a little vigilante work of her own.
She was the main reason I loved this novel so much. First of all, I need to mention – Asexual representation! Yes please! But other than that, her determination and smarts really make her a character to cheer for. You want her to succeed. In a way, she reminds me of Beckett in Castle – I actually pictured her as Jill for most of the novel.
Just because she’s quasi-indestructible doesn’t mean she can do everything herself, and she’s not afraid to ask for help from some great supporting characters. Her cop friends at the precinct are brilliantly written characters, bordering on the cliché, while still managing to hold their own and become unforgettable in their own right.
The fun also came from the well written action scenes, and the superb pacing of this novel. Whenever things turned slightly slow, the author would send you back in time to visit history spanning a lifetime. Scenes from a childhood, eye opening chapters revealing what a dead man had once seen and lived, heart-wrenching passages that made you connect with Jill like never before. Back in the present, you have action packed sequences in dark offices or on rooftops. Never a dull moment. And the twist – I should stop before I spoil anything.
I felt like the villains were not fleshed out a whole lot, but that’s possibly because there’s more to come in the sequel (Bloodlines, January 2016). It may be in need of a bit of editing polish, but overall I didn’t feel like it distracted from the reading experience. I was also surprised that a huge, underlying plot was being laid down, but didn’t seem to get fleshed out – again, I bet the sequel will take care of that.
May 24, 2016
I am also interested in murder mysteries, they are my guilty pleasure, and this one did not disappoint.
J.D. Cunegan's writing is read with ease, and I found the tone and flow of the sentences to be poetic. He knows how to use similes and metaphors flawlessly, and doesn't over describe scenes or characters to the point of boredom. Instead, his plot focused more on the mystery at hand and I found myself guessing at answers throughout the novel.
The best thing about this novel was how Cunegan was able to describe the gruesome events and dead bodies in ways that weren't grotesque, but intriguing. I also enjoyed how he noted that the main character, Jill Anderson, was hardened to the point of not becoming disturbed by gruesome scenes anymore. I found this aspect of her character to be very real, and I looked up to her for her ability to harden herself against the terrible things that she saw on a regular basis.
Since I am going to school for social work and have worked in the criminal justice system, I related very well to Jill because of everything she has seen and gone through. I also enjoyed how Cunegan emphasized how victims ARE people and aren't just subjects in a crime scene. I think that in our criminal justice system the victims are often lost because of how much focus is put on the criminal, and Cunegan did a brilliant job at emphasizing the importance of victims as people.
With books that cover heavy matter such as Bounty, I often find that either the author doesn't fully understand what they are writing about, or they know just enough to make it brilliant, and this novel is of the latter. The writing does not come off as ill-informed, but instead knowledgeable, and I admire Cunegan's grasp on the scenes and world that he writes about. I am looking forward to jumping into the sequel, Blood Ties, and reading Cunegan's brilliant writing again.
This novel, and series, is perfect for those who want a better grasp on the criminal justice system and the truth about murder and victims without the fluff. Bounty is raw and real, and I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was a much needed breath of fresh air to read and earned a well deserved 5/5 rating, which is a rating that I don't give often.
J.D. Cunegan's writing is read with ease, and I found the tone and flow of the sentences to be poetic. He knows how to use similes and metaphors flawlessly, and doesn't over describe scenes or characters to the point of boredom. Instead, his plot focused more on the mystery at hand and I found myself guessing at answers throughout the novel.
The best thing about this novel was how Cunegan was able to describe the gruesome events and dead bodies in ways that weren't grotesque, but intriguing. I also enjoyed how he noted that the main character, Jill Anderson, was hardened to the point of not becoming disturbed by gruesome scenes anymore. I found this aspect of her character to be very real, and I looked up to her for her ability to harden herself against the terrible things that she saw on a regular basis.
Since I am going to school for social work and have worked in the criminal justice system, I related very well to Jill because of everything she has seen and gone through. I also enjoyed how Cunegan emphasized how victims ARE people and aren't just subjects in a crime scene. I think that in our criminal justice system the victims are often lost because of how much focus is put on the criminal, and Cunegan did a brilliant job at emphasizing the importance of victims as people.
With books that cover heavy matter such as Bounty, I often find that either the author doesn't fully understand what they are writing about, or they know just enough to make it brilliant, and this novel is of the latter. The writing does not come off as ill-informed, but instead knowledgeable, and I admire Cunegan's grasp on the scenes and world that he writes about. I am looking forward to jumping into the sequel, Blood Ties, and reading Cunegan's brilliant writing again.
This novel, and series, is perfect for those who want a better grasp on the criminal justice system and the truth about murder and victims without the fluff. Bounty is raw and real, and I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was a much needed breath of fresh air to read and earned a well deserved 5/5 rating, which is a rating that I don't give often.
August 21, 2015
I definitely have to say, this was a fun book to read. Jill Anderson reminds me of Kate Beckett from Castle. She is tough, no one is going to stand in her way, and she'll do what's right, no matter what. Jill's secret is given to the reader fairly early on in the book, so you don't need to wait long on that. How it plays out in solving Dr. Roberts' murder is fascinating. Unfortunately, it's the MAIN thing that fuels the entire story, so I can't say anything about it until you read it yourself. The mystery itself is well thought out, and even though you do know who the main bad guy is through the majority of the book, the not knowing if he'll be brought to justice or not hangs there until the end. There were a few twists and turns I didn't realize where going to happen, so it was enjoyable.
Is it realistic? Of course not, it's fiction. And this book embraces what indie books are all about. J.D. Cunegan gives readers something they'd never run into in the mainstream publishing world. This is why I love indie books so much. The unique ideas that don't fly anywhere else. A few things I will mention here are there are some errors in the book. I normally gloss over them if they don't interfere with my reading, but several did jump out at me. Also, the formatting of the ebook isn't "traditional" formatting. The author preserved the double-space format. I do not know if this was intentional or not. I will say I rather enjoyed it as it gave my eyes a rest, but others might be bothered by it. (Edit: I apparently had an old copy as this problem has since been fixed.) All in all, I quite enjoyed it because of how different it was. If you're willing to take a chance on something different and out of the ordinary, then jump on in!
Is it realistic? Of course not, it's fiction. And this book embraces what indie books are all about. J.D. Cunegan gives readers something they'd never run into in the mainstream publishing world. This is why I love indie books so much. The unique ideas that don't fly anywhere else. A few things I will mention here are there are some errors in the book. I normally gloss over them if they don't interfere with my reading, but several did jump out at me. Also, the formatting of the ebook isn't "traditional" formatting. The author preserved the double-space format. I do not know if this was intentional or not. I will say I rather enjoyed it as it gave my eyes a rest, but others might be bothered by it. (Edit: I apparently had an old copy as this problem has since been fixed.) All in all, I quite enjoyed it because of how different it was. If you're willing to take a chance on something different and out of the ordinary, then jump on in!
June 28, 2017
Bounty was a great read that kept me turning pages until the end. As Jill Andersen tries to balance her double life they start to bleed into each other and she must be sure she's being true to herself above all else.
Bounty is a thriller mystery about Jill Andersen, one of Baltimore's finest just trying to do her job, with a little cybernetic help. It was written by J.D. Cunegan and is available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and in paperback. It is part of my “support Indie Authors” pledge for this year.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the female lead and how I could relate to the struggles and choices she faced. I loved the relationship she shared with her partner, not a romantic one but close and loving none-the-less. As much I love romance it has a time and a place and that is definitely not within the confines of a partnership.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who needs an interesting beach or weekend read that they can feel free to pick up and put down without being lost when they return to it. Fulfilling and enjoyable all the way.
Bounty is the first of a series so if you love this one then there are more to enjoy. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on book two and sharing more of Jill's adventures.
Bounty is a thriller mystery about Jill Andersen, one of Baltimore's finest just trying to do her job, with a little cybernetic help. It was written by J.D. Cunegan and is available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and in paperback. It is part of my “support Indie Authors” pledge for this year.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the female lead and how I could relate to the struggles and choices she faced. I loved the relationship she shared with her partner, not a romantic one but close and loving none-the-less. As much I love romance it has a time and a place and that is definitely not within the confines of a partnership.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who needs an interesting beach or weekend read that they can feel free to pick up and put down without being lost when they return to it. Fulfilling and enjoyable all the way.
Bounty is the first of a series so if you love this one then there are more to enjoy. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on book two and sharing more of Jill's adventures.
June 21, 2015
Lately, I've been having trouble sitting down and focusing long enough to start a book, let alone finish one, but I had a lot of trouble putting Bounty down. The story sucks you in right away, and I found myself staying up late because I didn't want to stop reading.
The characters are wonderfully fleshed out, particularly Jill, and you'll definitely find yourself rooting for her, and feeling sympathy for her throughout the story. Her relationships with the other characters are wonderful to read, especially the partner dynamic between her and Ramon; you don't see many close female/male friendships that don't have romantic undertones these days, and to see Jill and Ramon have such a deep, close relationship that's pure friendship is really refreshing to see.
The story itself is intricate and captivating, with many different characters, all with different motivations, and is definitely an exciting read from beginning to end. Cunegan also has a knack for description, enabling the reader to really visualize the setting, and to feel what the characters are feeling, both physically and emotionally.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bounty, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
The characters are wonderfully fleshed out, particularly Jill, and you'll definitely find yourself rooting for her, and feeling sympathy for her throughout the story. Her relationships with the other characters are wonderful to read, especially the partner dynamic between her and Ramon; you don't see many close female/male friendships that don't have romantic undertones these days, and to see Jill and Ramon have such a deep, close relationship that's pure friendship is really refreshing to see.
The story itself is intricate and captivating, with many different characters, all with different motivations, and is definitely an exciting read from beginning to end. Cunegan also has a knack for description, enabling the reader to really visualize the setting, and to feel what the characters are feeling, both physically and emotionally.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bounty, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
February 8, 2017
Jill Anderson is a woman on the police force, Detective to be exact. She has a keen eye, when it comes to anything of what she does. She has a partner, that is practically like her best friend, and a boss that she thinks of as a second dad. She also has a double life that she keeps secret from everyone else. Everything is perfect for Jill right?
Jill comes to a crime scene and sees the victim missing a heart. She knows this man. This man was the same man, that turned her into her secret she keeps from everyone, distastefully known as "Patient Zero".
To really know Jill, you have to consider her past, her dad was the best detective on the taskforce until he was charged with murder, she knows he is innocent and has been trying to prove his innocents for years.
To block out the trauma, Jill had enlisted in the military and misses a vital moment in her brother's life. Can she save her relationship with her brother?
I rarely read crime solving books and I was quite pleased with this one. This book does end in a cliffhanger and I will be patiently waiting on the next book of the series. Rating five out of five hearts, pun intended :)
Jill comes to a crime scene and sees the victim missing a heart. She knows this man. This man was the same man, that turned her into her secret she keeps from everyone, distastefully known as "Patient Zero".
To really know Jill, you have to consider her past, her dad was the best detective on the taskforce until he was charged with murder, she knows he is innocent and has been trying to prove his innocents for years.
To block out the trauma, Jill had enlisted in the military and misses a vital moment in her brother's life. Can she save her relationship with her brother?
I rarely read crime solving books and I was quite pleased with this one. This book does end in a cliffhanger and I will be patiently waiting on the next book of the series. Rating five out of five hearts, pun intended :)
June 20, 2015
Great read. This story has it all. Action, drama, suspense, humour.
Jill Andersen a detective with the Baltimore Police Department is passionate about fighting crime in her city so much so that when she is off duty, she fights crime as the vigilantly Bounty, but she has a secret, she is part cyborg and a full-on superhero.
JD’s character development is brilliant. Every single one of his characters became very real to me but my favourite was hands down Jill. She is fiercely loyal, passionate, driven, frikkin funny and 100% badass. She also has a soft and good heart. She just rocks!
The story is a page-turner with flips from the past to the present bringing all the characters together in an intricate web.
The attention to detail cannot be faulted and I’m sure JD spent a great deal of time researching.
A job well done!!!
I am looking forward to the sequel.
Jill Andersen a detective with the Baltimore Police Department is passionate about fighting crime in her city so much so that when she is off duty, she fights crime as the vigilantly Bounty, but she has a secret, she is part cyborg and a full-on superhero.
JD’s character development is brilliant. Every single one of his characters became very real to me but my favourite was hands down Jill. She is fiercely loyal, passionate, driven, frikkin funny and 100% badass. She also has a soft and good heart. She just rocks!
The story is a page-turner with flips from the past to the present bringing all the characters together in an intricate web.
The attention to detail cannot be faulted and I’m sure JD spent a great deal of time researching.
A job well done!!!
I am looking forward to the sequel.
July 15, 2015
I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but I was very pleased. It was a very good read. It tells the story of a woman who is "modified" due to taking part in a hidden experiment. She is not only a cop, but a hidden vigilante.
This book is written well and is full of crime drama and suspense. I absolutely love Jill and find her strength honorable. She went through a lot when she was young, but never let it stop her. She continued to grow and now she is doing what it takes to help out her city, on the front lines and behind the scenes.
I want to say thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. It is definitely a good book and is one I'd highly recommend....Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
This book is written well and is full of crime drama and suspense. I absolutely love Jill and find her strength honorable. She went through a lot when she was young, but never let it stop her. She continued to grow and now she is doing what it takes to help out her city, on the front lines and behind the scenes.
I want to say thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. It is definitely a good book and is one I'd highly recommend....Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
January 19, 2016
Bounty was a really interesting take on the superhero story. I don’t want to reveal too much, but Bounty is basically a female version of DC’s Cyborg. While that particular character has always been kind of lame for me, Bounty was fresh and interesting. There’s a lot of really good humor and the relationship between Jill and her team is always entertaining. Bounty is a well told story that keeps you guessing until the very end. The action was well written and entertaining, and there was plenty of it.
This isn’t just for fans of superheroes, sci-fi, or mystery books. This is for anyone who like a well told story that’s an excellent start to a series.
This isn’t just for fans of superheroes, sci-fi, or mystery books. This is for anyone who like a well told story that’s an excellent start to a series.
June 16, 2015
I think that book is amazing.
I mean I would have been okay with a story about a homicide detective solving her cases and being awesome at that
but the cyborg thing was an added bonus I enjoyed way more than I first thought was possible
all in all I think this book deserves to be read and the characters are awesome and I have nothing more to say
I mean I would have been okay with a story about a homicide detective solving her cases and being awesome at that
but the cyborg thing was an added bonus I enjoyed way more than I first thought was possible
all in all I think this book deserves to be read and the characters are awesome and I have nothing more to say
November 15, 2015
This book was a lot of fun for me. I enjoyed the character of Jill very much. She is a great tough female character. There are many different elements in this book from mystery to action. This book has many things I enjoyed very much! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
September 28, 2016
Not bad at all for a debut novel. I really enjoyed the comic book feel in novel form -- it was colorful, fast-paced, full of rich characters and realistic dialogue. The time jumps were a little jarring at first, but not a deal-breaker. Great read for anyone who enjoys sci-fi, comic books, superheroes, and the like.
June 20, 2016
Fantastic!! A unique style, distinctive characters, a compelling mystery and superb storytelling makes this a definite win for fans of "crime-fighting vigilantes" and a heroine worth rooting for!
June 10, 2016
Female Super Hero!
Fast paced and fun to read. I'm not a fan of switching back in time, I found it unnecessarily distracting. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Fast paced and fun to read. I'm not a fan of switching back in time, I found it unnecessarily distracting. Looking forward to the next in the series.
June 6, 2016
1 part science fiction, one part murder mystery, one part thriller..all of it a pretty good story. bad guys, grey guys, betrayals of all sorts...a thirst for justice...
July 16, 2016
Just a fun, action-packed read from start to finish. Jill Anderson is a cross between Terminator and The Six Billion Dollar Woman. Great fun and on to the second book in the series.
February 17, 2023
Did not finish - read to 54% mark (chapter 34, page 146)
I had been uncomfortable with the actions of Bounty for a while. Her "interrogation" of a captured person with no remorse later. Her walking away with evidence. She is everything a bad cop wants to be and be able to do.
Then the total idiot move in chapter 34 "What are you, the sidekick?" ... "He's my partner."
Really, giving that information to a bad guy? And then taking the person in for questioning?
I can't ... really. I'm done.
Visual are great - and I would be ok with her being ex-military with her actions. It's the cop hat on top that takes it a step too far. That, and no detective should be as dumb as what happens in chapter 34.
Deleting book from my Kindle.
*** The review posted on Amazon.
Big action.
The POV switches are a little annoying, and the time jumps could be smoother.
Did not like the overt accepted violence of beating captured individuals (twice!) WITH NO REMORCE from the "good guys" ... maybe if they were straight military, but they are not soldiers, but detectives in the police force.
Then the too dumb to live move in chapter 34 "he's my partner." It was the 55% mark, but I've had enough.
I had been uncomfortable with the actions of Bounty for a while. Her "interrogation" of a captured person with no remorse later. Her walking away with evidence. She is everything a bad cop wants to be and be able to do.
Then the total idiot move in chapter 34 "What are you, the sidekick?" ... "He's my partner."
Really, giving that information to a bad guy? And then taking the person in for questioning?
I can't ... really. I'm done.
Visual are great - and I would be ok with her being ex-military with her actions. It's the cop hat on top that takes it a step too far. That, and no detective should be as dumb as what happens in chapter 34.
Deleting book from my Kindle.
*** The review posted on Amazon.
Big action.
The POV switches are a little annoying, and the time jumps could be smoother.
Did not like the overt accepted violence of beating captured individuals (twice!) WITH NO REMORCE from the "good guys" ... maybe if they were straight military, but they are not soldiers, but detectives in the police force.
Then the too dumb to live move in chapter 34 "he's my partner." It was the 55% mark, but I've had enough.
April 23, 2022
A 4.5 star read.
With her father sat on death row and counting down the days until his execution, Jill Anderson continues to work her job on the police force while trying to figure out a way to prove his innocence and set him free but Jill has a secret. In her life before the police Jill was in the army and took part in a top secret project where machine and human were fused but can this help her in her pursuit of justice or could this end up being something that makes her a target herself?
This is a well written book that has sci-fi at the core but yet feels in many ways like a crime novel and so this treading of the two worlds is something I have not really come across before but found a really interesting style in what can sometimes be a genre that is about being as "out there" as possible.
The author has put together a fine story here that sets things up for much more to come and the only slight mark down is a few editing issues. I have already got the second book in my to be read pile and so that tells you that this is worth checking out.
With her father sat on death row and counting down the days until his execution, Jill Anderson continues to work her job on the police force while trying to figure out a way to prove his innocence and set him free but Jill has a secret. In her life before the police Jill was in the army and took part in a top secret project where machine and human were fused but can this help her in her pursuit of justice or could this end up being something that makes her a target herself?
This is a well written book that has sci-fi at the core but yet feels in many ways like a crime novel and so this treading of the two worlds is something I have not really come across before but found a really interesting style in what can sometimes be a genre that is about being as "out there" as possible.
The author has put together a fine story here that sets things up for much more to come and the only slight mark down is a few editing issues. I have already got the second book in my to be read pile and so that tells you that this is worth checking out.
November 24, 2018
Definately a got-to read.
When I first startef reading this book, I really wasn't too sure about it
The outline sounded promising, but the readability went up & down a few times. Still, by the end I had to admit I really enjoyef it.
So, I have to really recomend that you get it and read it yourself.
When I first startef reading this book, I really wasn't too sure about it
The outline sounded promising, but the readability went up & down a few times. Still, by the end I had to admit I really enjoyef it.
So, I have to really recomend that you get it and read it yourself.
May 3, 2022
This is is the tradition of a rattling good yarn, a police procedural with a decent backstory and a futuristic tinge. There is also an element of vigilantism which for me was the least successful aspect of the book because it pushed the boundaries. However, the action is pacy and well-written, and Jill’s family background is interesting. It is setting up a very entertaining series.
December 14, 2016
A very interesting concept! I enjoyed one or two of the characters in particular, and already have two of Mr. Cunegan's other books in my TBR pile right now! Looking forward to the further adventures of Jill!
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