Chaser

Jinx Ballou, Bounty Hunter #1

by Dharma Kelleher

Why did Holly Schwartz murder her mother? And where is she now?

On the sun-scorched streets of Phoenix, Arizona, bounty hunter Jinx Ballou is hot on the teenage murder suspect's trail, determined to return her to custody. But new evidence leads Jinx to question whether Holly is really a ruthless killer or just another victim.

Jinx's investigation puts her on the radar of a sadistic human trafficker. To bring in Holly and get out alive, Jinx must push her skills, her body, and her luck to the limit.

"Dharma Kelleher delivers badass, blue-collar crime fiction with a snappy sense of humor and a lot of heart."
--Thomas Pluck, Anthony-finalist author of BAD BOY BOOGIE

"Chaser is a delightful and suspenseful page-turner with heart."
--Janet Mason, reviewer for THIS WAY OUT

"Dharma Kelleher has created one of the most unique characters in crime fiction. Bounty hunter Jinx Ballou is a creation of contrasting parts. She's tough but compassionate, profane but sensitive, butch but feminine--and there's no dark alley she won't walk down."
--Renee James, author of SEVEN SUSPECTS

"With CHASER, Dharma Kelleher breaks new ground and breathes new life into a great genre. Jinx Ballou is the best thing to happen to crime fiction since V. I. Warshawski."
--Greg Barth, author of SELENA

Genres: Mystery, LGBT, Thriller, Queer, Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

332 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2018

About the author

Dharma Kelleher writes crime thrillers with diversity and heart, including the Jinx Ballou Bounty Hunter series and the Shea Stevens Outlaw Biker series.

Dharma is one of the only openly transgender authors in the crime fiction genre. Her action-driven thrillers explore the complexities of social and criminal justice in a world where the legal system favors the privileged.

She lives in Arizona with her wife and a black cat named Mouse.

Learn more about Dharma and her work at https://dharmakelleher.com.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dharma Kelleher returns with this debut novel in her new series, one that is sure to pique the interests of those readers who enjoy something a little grittier. Jenna Christina ‘Jinx’ Ballou is a well-respect bounty hunter in Phoenix. With eight years experience and time working for Phoenix PD, she has the intuition needed to hunt down criminals of all stripes and colours. She’s quite excited to be featured in a local news magazine, sure to highlight all her accomplishments. However, the journalist spins the article to reveal a personal matter she has kept under wraps for close to two decades; that she is transgender. While this has not proven to impede her abilities to work, it would seem that many in her line of work are a little less than accepting. Having been blackballed by many, Jinx is forced to peddle her wares and is given a one-time chance to locate a significant bounty in only five days. A teenage girl has been charged with murdering her mother and, while out on bail, has disappeared from her aunt’s custody. While the aunt vows that she has no idea where she might have gone, Jinx is not too sure. Rumour has it, she’s been scooped up by some random man, though details remain sketchy. Working with her boyfriend and fellow bounty hunter, Conor, Jinx uses all her contacts to locate this young woman, which takes her to the darkest parts of the city. Risking her life and limb every day, Jinx must juggle her work and background as she faces people with little regard for respect and responsibility. Time is running out and Jinx has to secure this bounty or face dire consequences in all parts of life. Kelleher does a fantastic job opening the reader’s eyes to the world of bounty hunting and acceptance of people in all walks of life. Those who have enjoyed Kelleher’s past work will likely find this piece of great interest.

While I do not usually read the type of books that Kelleher pens (bikers and bounty hunters), I find the quality and ease of understanding to be highly addictive. Kelleher invests time and energy to ensure that the reader, no matter their walk of life, can feel comfortable reading this material and, at times, develop an affinity for the genre. Jinx Ballou is a character that is sure to prove curious to the attentive reader. She is filled with layers of personality traits that complement one another, while also bringing much backstory to keep things from getting too mundane. A bounty hunter in a male-dominated field, she has grit and determination to differentiate herself from others, without going over the top. Kelleher handles the transgender angle respectfully and offers the reader education rather than feeling as through they are being inculcated with information. There is a delicate mix and Jinx juggles all parts of her life while also keeping the story moving forward. Some of the other characters serve to accentuate differentiate varying aspects of the story’s plots, be they the world of bounty collection, sexual acceptance, or personal growth. Kelleher has shaped these secondary characters as effective vessels to speak to the perspectives she wishes to portray throughout. Turning to the story, it is gritty and does not slow down at any point, but does alternate between plot and characters development. This is important, particularly if Kelleher wants to create a series, for it is connection to both that will have the reader wanting more. Pulling no punches, Kelleher tells things as they are, injecting saucy dialogue to create a degree of realism to the character interaction. This will surely offend or upset some readers, but that would likely be the crowd who’d not return nonetheless, so there is little lost keeping them on the wayside. I have been happily surprised to see all the pieces Kelleher has presented to date and hope she has more in store for her fans, no matter the topic.

Kudos, Madam Kelleher, for another winner. I can see so much potential and hope you’re getting the support from readers and writers alike to keep pushing forward with this venture.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

I really liked this one. It was different from what I generally read. It explores quite a lot of themes pretty well. Would recommend!

Content/ Trigger Warnings- Ableism, Abusive Parents, Alcohol, Alcohol consumption during pregnancy, Assuming People's Gender and Sexuality, AIDS, Bars, Being outed and loosing a job because of it, Being Closeted & Struggles of Being Closeted, Blood & Blood Descriptions, Bombs, Bomb Threads, Bruises, Bullying, Bullets, Bullet Wounds & Being Shot by a Bullet, Blackmail, Child Grooming, Claustrophobia & Mention of Claustrophobia, Domestic Abuse, Death, Dead Bodies & Descriptions of Dead Bodies, Death Threats, Discussion on not being able to Medically Transition and Privileges of 'passing', Discrimination (on the bases of gender, sexuality, race & religion), Drugs and Drugs Consumption, Genocide, Going off hormones as a trans woman temporarily due to other medical reasons (and effects of it physically and mentally), Guns, Hate Crime, Hate Crime towards Trans Women, Handcuffs, Homicide, Homophobia, Homophobic Slurs, Hospitals & Fear of Hospitals, Jail, Loosing a job because of being trans, Murder & Murder Descriptions, Misgendering (intentional), Panic Attacks, Physical Abuse, PTSD (including flashbacks), Racism, Sex trafficking & Human trafficking, Sexual Assault & Attempted Rape, Mention of Sex between a Minor and an Adult & Dubious Consent Sex, Sexism, Suicide and Attempted Suicide (using pills, in depth recount), Swearing & Cursing, Threats of Murder & Shooting, Transphobia & Transphobic Slurs, Toxic Parents, Uncomfortable comments & implications on how being 'out and proud' is the only 'proper way' to be LGBT+, Vomiting

Note- I have tried to include all the content warnings that I noticed, but there is no guarantee that I haven’t missed something.

Review written on 17th November 2024

DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.

How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/ new favourite

[Paula Berinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This crime novel featuring a transgender bounty hunter operating in Phoenix, Arizona kept me spellbound from beginning to end. A classic mystery with plenty of twists and turns, it's full of action, suspense, and characters with secrets. While I very much liked the protagonist, Jinx, I was even more intrigued by her target: a developmentally disabled teenage girl accused of killing her mother. How could authorities even think of considering her a suspect? What a great concept! I also must mention that the writing is perfect and the editing excellent. Highly recommended.

Note: I received a complimentary review copy from the author.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75*

[Gale Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jinx Ballou, the compelling main character in this action-packed novel, transitioned from being a cop to a bounty hunter. Her larger transition, though, is being transgender, a fact that gives credence to some of her actions and deepens the strength of her character. Gender issues are described in this book, along with the difficulties of living in a world that isn’t yet completely accepting, but they do not drive the story. The action and plot are great, making this book a page-turner that will keep you up at night wanting “just one more chapter.”

The right amount of detail about the surrounding city and desert landscape brings the setting to life. Even if you’ve never been to Phoenix in the summertime, you’ll feel the heat and eat the dust. Jinx is definitely the spotlight character, but her crime-stopping partner, Conor, and other friends and family are also enjoyable and round out the flavor of the story.

The book is well written, and the plot is well thought out, with just enough twists to satisfy. I look forward to reading more of Jinx’s adventures in the future.

[Entazis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember the last time I read a crime thriller. But when I heard about this book I was intrigued and knew I want to try it out.

Chaser is a book about a trans woman bounty hunter who has to deal with the fallout of someone outing her without her permission. This job, which was already a male-dominated space, becomes even more difficult to navigate when her secret gets out. But Jinx Ballou is nothing but competent and resourceful and she doesn't let the transphobes or a particularly difficult case put a stop to her carrier or wishes.

It was a very interesting book to read and Jinx is a fun character. However there was a point nearing the end where I felt the book started to drag a bit because of too many subplots, and then all of that points rushed to the end. The ending was a great thought, I really liked it. And I think I liked the most the moments that explored her, her family, and her relationships. I'm more mixed about the case. On one hand, the case was interesting, but there was something I didn't particularly like and I think it could've gone without it. Or at least I think that it would've been better if that subplot was a part of another book and a whole case, not just a part of this one.

All in all - I would say a solid book, 3.5 rounded up.

[Elizabeth Kral · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just picked this book up on Wednesday night. I read the first page, the second, third, fourth and fifth. I couldn't stop. I rarely use the term "Page Turner", but . . . reading author, Dharma Kelleher's latest book, CHASER, is like being on a roller coaster. This book is 292 pages of rough and tough! It will not appeal to the Cozy lovers. Dharma places characters in settings and situations that convey that intangible aura of trouble. It is only Saturday and I am already praising how Kelleher pesents a transgender main character and deals with sensitive issues like child abuse and human trafficking.

[Si Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, compelling, and (mostly) easy read. The central character, Jinx, faces some horrific transphobic abuse but she rises above it. The story itself was well-crafted and well-edited. The characters were flawed, believable, and wonderfully diverse.

The one thing that, for me, made me question whether I'd continue with the story was the violence. Not violence observed by the MC or against the MC, violent acts committed by the MC. Jinx defends herself with crippling or deadly force on multiple occasions – without any remorse or self-questioning. She's just, like, 'well, he was a bad guy, so too bad' or 'it was him or me, so too bad.'

Anyway, if you enjoy fast-paced thrillers and don't mind main characters who routinely carry and use guns, give this one a try.

[Nicole Bøe · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 Reasons to Read CHASER by Dharma Kelleher

So many are looking for the newest thing in popular culture, and if you are one one of those people, then I have got a novel for you. Dharma Kelleher is an author that does not fit into the stereotypical idea of what an author should be, nor would she choose to be there anyway. As such, she also writes adventure books with non-traditional characters which will hopefully come to be the new norm. Jinx Ballou is one such character. Jinx is a strong, vibrant and beautiful woman that is a skilled and successful bounty hunter, with a team of other bounty hunters working under her. If this was not enough to pique your interest, take a look at these 6 reasons why this work sets itself apart from the rest and see if you can resist making a purchase afterwards.

Flash Fiction Chapters — Oh my goodness. Everyone I know is super busy. They have (a) job(s). Most have children and/or pets. They have outside responsibilities to families, organisations, to the future. The decreasingly amount of free time alloted to individuals on a global level is becoming and increasingly important health concern which, since we live in a capitalistic world, also affects economics. It is no wonder why Netflix and Candy Crush have become so popular: they offer a great amount of entertainment in exchange for very little energy output. It is also understandable why chapters which are more than 20 pages long seem daunting and impossible to swallow in the current climate. Kelleher attacks this problem head on. While it might be argued that her chapters don’t technically qualify as flash fiction, they definitely come close. Each chapter is a scene which is fast moving, interesting and contains crucial information for the overall plot. Upon discovering this, I actually began to really look forward to reading Chaser. I knew that no matter how tired I might be after a long day, even when lying horizontally in bed late at night, I could read at least one chapter before calling it a day. For this I was ever so grateful.

Awesome Editing — As independent publishing becomes a greater option for more and more authors, varying qualities of writing is to be found on the market. This is not a bad thing and we justifiably find pleasure in culture types that are not deemed “professional” by the powers that be. We do not attend our children’s recitals and school plays for quality. We don’t use the same criteria to judge blockbuster movies as we do long researched documentaries. It is possible to enjoy both traditional cuisine that took hours to make as well as fast food. As someone who reads more and more independent authors, I can easily accept that great ideas might come from someone who does the best they can and is on the road to becoming better. Having said that, it is obvious that Kelleher is a fabulous author who spends just as much if not more time on the craft of writing as she does on telling a story. The structure has been created to aid the reader. It is grammatically flawless. And beyond this, Kelleher is simply good at painting pictures. As someone who has lived in Northern Canada and Norway all her life, I could feel the Arizonian heat hit me as I exited buildings and cars with the main character, Jinx Ballou. I could feel Jinx’s headaches and body pains from her injuries. All of this made the story very accessible and very real.

LGBT people are normal! — If you have not already read other reviews of CHASER, Jinx Ballou is transgender, but does not want this aspect of her person to be her sole identity. Neither does the author. Instead, Jinx is presented as a beautiful, functioning woman with a lovely boyfriend and a supportive family. Jinx is also a hard working bounty hunter with the bodily strength and knowledge to not only be a successful bounty hunter, but to also be a leader in the business. And because this character is presented as completely “normal” (because she is!) by the author for the first few chapters, her experience of being outed against her will and the discrimination the comes afterwards becomes palpable and understood by the reader. And though it appears that the LGBT community is gaining more acceptance in American/international society at large, even during the present democratic political states, this is just a general trend. Political institutions exist internationally that continue to work against the inclusion of the LGBT community as well as other minorities and the writings by Kelleher and her contemporaries are vitally important.

Jinx is flawed — The aspect that makes the main character identifiable to the reader — aside from the facts she can pass for a cis-gendered woman in society, that she’s smart and strong, that she has a network willing to help her — is the fact that she is a flawed individual. All great characters are flawed and in this case Jinx is a little arrogant concerning her own abilities, does not assess all threats on her life accurately and does not always ask for help when she should. As someone who is a cis-gendered woman and has only experienced the regular amount of misogyny in my lifetime, I try to place myself in the character’s position. I can only assume that during her childhood and later during her transition (which is not written about in Chaser), there must have been many times that she had to face discrimination and threats alone, despite the fact she has a loving family that surrounds her. So when she does not take seriously the threats of a Russian Crime Boss, or when she pushes away her supportive boyfriend during a heated argument, it is easy for the readers to accept that these events would fall into the realm of normalcy even though Kelleher has also used these same events to put fear into the readers’ stomachs.

Kelleher is able to maintain the readers’ suspention of disbelief — Okay, okay, okay — I live where Nordic Noir and Dark Crime Fiction reign supreme. And I’ve also consumed vast amounts of crime fiction television series from Europe and the United States. There are certain situations that I just know cannot take place in real life, or in fiction that portrays “real life”. Such was the case when Jinx and her boyfriend knowingly entered a situation that could not possibly have ended with both of the characters continuing to be alive at the end. And I will admit as I was reading I was admonishing Kelleher in the back of my mind, shouting things like, “How could you write this? What are you doing? This is completely unbelievable! I’m starting to lose my respect for you!” But I was wrong. I was very wrong. Kelleher pulled off this scene in an unexpected way that made the entire story more complicated and intriguing. And I will never doubt her abilities as an author again.

Price — This is a sticky issue and everyone has their opinions on the matter. I for one think that authors should be making around 5.00 – 7.00 USD for their novels, though I see the intelligent marketing of having a first book of a series priced significantly lower or even free in order hook the reader into fandom. I am also quite aware that there are a number of people who feel that there should be no difference in the pricing between ebooks and hard books. Regardless, I am in the category of population who is a student, part time worker, has two teenagers, a house and responsibilities, all of which results in me having less “fun money” than I wish I had. For this reason I very much appreciate Kelleher’s price points on her work, all of which can be found on Amazon, Kobo as well as directly from her website.

In conclusion, Chaser was an incredibly fun read and was written by an author who seemed to have tailor-written the novel just for me. I have no bad things to complain about. My advice is to yourself a favour and buy this book. You will not regret it.

[Maxine · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I went back and forth over whether to give this book 2 stars or 3 because the truth is I enjoyed the beginning of it quite a lot. The problem is it went downhill for me and it went downhill fast. I really wanted to enjoy this because I am desperate for LGBT stories that don't focus entirely on their being LGBT and this book does that brilliantly but I'm afraid it really let me down hard in the end.

I always like to get the bad out of the way so let's start with my issues and end on the good stuff.

Quite honestly, I struggled so much to read after Volkov started to get involved in the story. His weird interest in Jinx felt incredibly forced to me. I tried to shrug it off because there are the some people in the world who act and talk like that to trans people. However the more it was forced into the story, the more it bothered me. And then it just got worse.

I could be way off with this. I obviously do not have any first hand knowledge in human trafficking operations but from the little I do know, they're pretty careful about who they bring in to work for them in certain areas. Like security for example. I really can't see the head of the operations bringing in a random person with half his reasoning being that he has a hard on for her.
And his other half was really weak too. This is where Jinx goes from a really interesting character to one of those perfect-at-everything-she-does characters. Apparently Jinx is such an amazing fighter (except when plot conveniences decides she suddenly isn't) he desperately wants her to join his business. Ignoring the part where nothing Jinx did especially stood out (she took out a couple of guards with her boyfriends help - the latter of whom Volkov has no interest in) if I had an illegal business, I wouldn't decide to put a reluctant person in charge of pretty much my entire main security system. Apart from making it seem like we have to make the main character super special and important even if its somewhat unrealistic and cringey, it also makes Volkov look utterly stupid for a guy who avoided the FBI for all these years.

And it's not just with Volkov. Ever since his introduction, Jinx in general went from an interesting character to a unstoppable machine who can take out human traffick rings while also catching two rogue bounties she just so happens to get word about in between hunting down a single near impossible main bounty at the same time. This might be an entirely personal problem and not a story issue but this really put me off.
This and the fact that towards the end of the book, it became like an over the top Hollywood film that keeps trying to up the stakes. Now, I like a build up to a big climax, but when you keep uping the stakes every other chapter, it no longer feels special and in the end just becomes annoying and boring.

That was how I felt at the end of this book. Annoyed and bored. Which is a shame because it really did start well.

The characters were all fun and interesting. The original story (looking for a single troublesome bounty) was entertaining and I liked the drama that came in between that - like her struggles with being outted as trans. I especially liked the relationship between Jinx and Connor where they have a bit of drama but otherwise are a healthy couple who happen to be working together.

In general I just think it tried to add too much towards the end. Rather than be a simple bounty hunter story that slightly ups the stakes for the climax at the end, it tried to make it into something so much grander and more life threatening which was actually offputting and I was more relieved to just be done with it by the time I got to the final chapter.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Chaser" features a transgender Bounty Hunter and former cop, Jinx Ballou, who is outed very publicly, loses most of her work as a result, and, along the way, attracts the very much unwanted attention of a Chechen crime boss.
She's got one job - find a handicapped teenage girl who is accused of murdering her mother. Standard procedures lead Jinx to an entirely incorrect conclusion but, ultimately, everything ties together to lead her to the truth.
I'm Irish, retired, but used to be a reporter and journalist, and the 'outing' shocked me - it simply would not have happened without the consent of the interviewee during my career (but I have also met journalists who would sell their own granny for a headline.)
Jinx's boyfriend, Conor, is ultimately revealed as having a very large secret of his own and, while the explanation makes some sense, it is not one that excuses his crimes.
I've never read a book where the main character was transgender and, to be perfectly honest, I had to Google quite a bit to figure it out. The author, Dharma Kelleher, obviously has a lot of aggression towards society and its attitude toward transgender people, but I can't relate to it because it is simply not something that concerns me.
That said, live and let live - it ain't my business and I don't want it to be.
Jinx is an angry and mostly potentially violent person - she may be a woman in her mind but she's always aware of what she once was. There seems to be an element of chaos around her.
The addition of the Chechen crime boss was a mistake - the book would have worked quite well without it. It does up the danger factor and leads to a satisfying finale but it is a case of overworking the plot.
And, right at the end 'cisgender' - gimme a break!
It was close to 4 Stars but it ended up somewhere between 3 and 4 - 3 Stars.

[ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

entertaining, if a little ah, i don't want to say shallow, because that isn't necessarily right. bounty hunter stories feel like detective stories written with a female audience in mind. there's just a quality to them that feels fluffier and less grimy - instead they're sexy. stephanie plum is this way, too.

but this one was pretty unique. i appreciated the depth of all the characters, and the diversity of backgrounds (also, yes, us gay/disabled/trans/etc folks do tend to surround ourselves with folks that also fall into the oppressed categories. it's easier to do that than try to decipher which friends actually think you're nasty for liking women, or which think you're faking needing the wheelchair if you can stand sometimes).
also a perk, the writing style was light and fast.

didn't like:
inconsistent skill levels. she couldn't take a nurse and his brother with a teammate, but she could take like 3 gangsters at once, and then their boss, alone? ok
overexplanation of what i feel are basic things. so like, spoons. oppression. i didn't like the basic, almost hand-holdy explanations of these and similar topics. they happened both in the text and between characters. and i'm sure they were new to some reading this! but they weren't to me, and so much media i consume just repeats these basic explanations, and it is quite annoying. it took me out of the story a bit.

solid book, i will check out number 2.

[Sari Taurez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jinx is on the case! This page-turning thriller by Dharma Kelleher follows this Arizonan bounty hunter as she faces her most difficult target yet.

Now, I’m all about the action and adventure. But I need the characters to be interesting and well rounded as well. That’s where Chaser really takes the cake. Jinx is a powerful transgender woman with a strong sense of loyalty and a well woven backstory. Her colleague and boyfriend Conor is charming and mysterious. And each supportive character, regardless of “screen time”, is fresh and interesting (a restaurant owner named Grumpy is one of my favorites).

Kelleher balances brawn with heart, and exposition with white-knuckle action. The mystery surrounding Jinx’s most vital target Holly provides the reader with a string of questions, each with answers more quizzical than the last.

Near the end all the story’s mysteries and plot lines come to a head, many interesting in ways I couldn’t have predicted. If there is one downside to this book, I feel that the climax resolved itself too quickly. However I had so much fun getting there that this is only a small complaint.

I enjoyed the excellent ride provided to me by this story! Chaser kept me guessing what was going to happen next, rooting for Jinx all the while. I see that Jinx has two more adventures already written - I look forward to joining her on more adventures!

[Gracchus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finished "Chaser" by Dharma Kelleher. The novel is a fast-paced and action-packed crime thriller. The protagonist is a transgender woman with the profession of bounty hunter. She is very hardboiled. We learn about her transgender history in interesting flashbacks. You also learn a little bit about the LGBTQ group and their issues in this novel, but not too much. The main part is still the plot. Disabled people are also a topic of this novel.
For example, she has a friend who has chronic fatigue. The author writes in a way that a topic like the disablement of her friend fits lightly into the story. She uses just one or two comments which describe the crucial things. The story became very action-packed, and exaggerated and had unbelievable twists at the end. But I liked it. The thrill was sometimes unbearable. The novel reminds me a little bit of the TV series "The Fall Guy" with the actor Lee Majors and the work of the author Sara Paretsky. I watched the series when I was a child. Dharma Kelleher donates 10% of her revenue to a transgender-helping organization.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy Kelleher's stories, especially since they take place where I live. Jinx Ballou is a dark character who makes her living as a bounty hunter and spends her days running from her demons. In this story she demonstrates her heart as she runs down a young woman who has killed her abusive mother. Her team in the business, her boss and some of her friends turn on her as she is "outed" in a newspaper article. Jinx is transgender, and I find it difficult to understand the hostile reactions this causes in people. Not having experienced it, I can only imagine the prejudice that drives the attitude. As in her other books, the writing is beautiful and carries the story well. I will keep this in my library and read it again.

[Thomas Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dharma Kelleher's Chaser is a thrilling read about a professional bounty hunter who just happens to be transgender. The plot is fast-moving, exciting and full of unexpected twists and the ending is satisfying. Along the way, the reader learns much about the realities of a bounty hunter's life from this obviously well-researched story. The reader also learns about the realities of a transgender person's life, which is not as different from anyone else's as one might think. Kelleher uses her fine story as a vehicle to show us that trans people are first and foremost, people.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first type of book that I have read in this particular genre (transgender crime fiction) and it did not disappoint. From the first page, the reader gets the impression that this story/book is full of surprises. From the snarky, anti hero with her dry iconic sense of humor to her adoring boy friend who's her steadying force, and to the steadying building of the action, the reader is mesmerized from page one. A very very good beginning to what promises to be a good series.

[Will Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story with a lot of emotion and frustration. At times, I couldn't help but feel the heroine was lacking as I expected more from her, both mentally and physically. Yet, it's a good suspenseful thriller that thoroughly entertains from beginning to end. Kelleher is a talented writer that knows how to bring life to complicated characters and draw empathy from the reader. Clean editing, fast paced plot with lots of twists and turns. Well done!

[Raberta Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with action !

Loved this book- surprised at the issues of transgenders...They just want a happy life like everyone else,and I’ve ALWAYS said that they have to be born that way,because who would be crazy enough to go through the changes ( mental/ physical) if they didn’t have to!! I think Jinx has a fine life.She’s a great partner with Conor,hoping to read more about them !

[Robert C. smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely Entertaining!

Not many author's can provide such a high level of reading enjoyment where readers want to turn pages faster to find out what happens next, and ironically hope the story doesn't end because it's so entertaining! Kelleher does a great job of portraying real life characters who are comfortable accepting others for who they are, not what they wear! Great jib!

[K-BRC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jinx Ballou is my kind of shero! This former cop turned bounty hunter just gets the job done with a true heart and a desire to protect those who need it. If you like fast action with a deep gritty plot, pick this up. Jinx is the bounty hunter we didn’t know we needed. This is an LGBTQ+ character and will appeal to the masses! And Kelleher is not afraid to dig into deep subjects. She leaves you thinking. Great read!

[Laurie Rockenbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jinx Ballou is a badass cosplaying bounty hunter who doesn't take crap from anyone. This book has a lot of action in it, and, just when you relax for a second thinking things are over, some new twist hurtles Jinx onto a new challenge. I can totally see this as an action-packed thriller on the big screen.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably good with nonstop action that keeps you turning pages long past when you should stop. The storyline is solid and the characters are unique beyond simple quirks. I love that the heroine is a strong woman blazing her path as a transgender and also as a bounty hunter.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read with action and humor.Jinx Ballor is a sex trans bounty hunter. She and her friend Conor had a good working realtionship until a newspaper reporter put in local paper that she was transgender. She was then out of work since noone wanted to hire her. Finally she got a break and a new Agent said she would consider her if she could find a young girl who had broken bail. The chase was on.

[Sandi Faulconbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Fabulous characters (even the dodgy ones), great plot, lots of action, and showing the biases that exist in our society & struggle to be accepted for who you are. It’s great to have a book whose main character is transgender.

[Kelly Blomme · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was all right. I have come to realize that don't like books written in first person. I got tired of the I am such a badass let me tell you about it stuff. It was too much like 40's and 50's noir stories. Glad I read it but ready for the next book.

[Marty Langenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new kind of wonder woman

A bounty hunter with a difference. She's tough, stubborn, crazy, and determined to make it in a man's world. She's also clever, loves parkour, and cares about people. A great story, a page turner to the end.

[Anita L. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of plot twists

Jinx Ballou is a well developed, interesting and intriguing character. Her trans status gives a whole new perspective which I throughly enjoyed. Can’t wait to start on the second book.

[Heather Henkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I found this story really interfering. I really liked the characters and I liked that it was gritty not fluffy!

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.