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Jonno Bligh #1
The Scoop
The fate of three strangers collide in a deadly game of cat and mouse
Journalist Jonno Bligh is flying high with a bestselling book and an Oscar for Best Screenplay. But along with the accolades he picks up a cocaine habit and a case of writers’ block.
Under pressure to deliver his next blockbuster, Jonno sails to the Indian Ocean in his beloved yacht The Scoop Jon B. When a violent storm cripples the boat he takes refuge on a beautiful remote island, where he vows to get clean. Little does he know that the murderous gangster BangBang Budiman uses the island to hide the spoils of his heists in the notorious Malaccan Strait.
Jonno watches in horror as BangBang and his crewmen brutalise two women on the beach before leaving them to die. He manages to rescue one, Annie Greenwood, whose husband has already been murdered. Together they flee the island with the stolen loot, relentlessly pursued by the vengeful BangBang.
As the killer hunts them down in the treacherous waters of South East Asia, Jonno and Annie are forced to come to terms with their own destructive demons – and a discovery that will change their lives forever.
The devil waits for you … even in paradise
Journalist Jonno Bligh is flying high with a bestselling book and an Oscar for Best Screenplay. But along with the accolades he picks up a cocaine habit and a case of writers’ block.
Under pressure to deliver his next blockbuster, Jonno sails to the Indian Ocean in his beloved yacht The Scoop Jon B. When a violent storm cripples the boat he takes refuge on a beautiful remote island, where he vows to get clean. Little does he know that the murderous gangster BangBang Budiman uses the island to hide the spoils of his heists in the notorious Malaccan Strait.
Jonno watches in horror as BangBang and his crewmen brutalise two women on the beach before leaving them to die. He manages to rescue one, Annie Greenwood, whose husband has already been murdered. Together they flee the island with the stolen loot, relentlessly pursued by the vengeful BangBang.
As the killer hunts them down in the treacherous waters of South East Asia, Jonno and Annie are forced to come to terms with their own destructive demons – and a discovery that will change their lives forever.
The devil waits for you … even in paradise
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2018
About the author
Terence J. Quinn
8 books14 followersTerence J. Quinn grew up in Scotland. He had a successful international career as a newspaper journalist, editor and publisher in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. He now lives in Noosa, Queensland. His first book in the Jonno Bligh series – The Scoop – was published by Simon & Schuster Australia in 2018; it was re-released in 2020 in ebook format as Dead in the Water. His second in the series – Deadline– was published by Simon & Schuster in February, 2020. His third – Deadbeat – was published on Amazon Kindle in December 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 21, 2019
An exciting thriller filled with pirates, luxury yachts, murder and mayhem. Successful journalist turned writer Jonno Bligh, high from both an Oscar win and a cocaine addiction, takes to the high seas on his luxury sloop with his childhood friend Cody. They make it as far as Jakarta when Jonno's addiction comes to light and Cody bails. On his own, with only a stray kitten for company, Jonno pushes on, sailing for Singapore.
After a massive storm, in which the sloop is incapacitated, Jonno finds safe harbour on an uninhabited island, and vows to clean up his act and write the next bestseller. His island Idyll is interrupted however when pirates come ashore, and Jonno witnesses the brutal attack of two women. After the pirates leave he is able to go down and rescue one of the women, find the stash of pirate loot, and take off to the high seas again, this time with pirates on his tail. Then it's a cat and mouse game of hiding and trying to outrun the pirates. Will Jonno and his damsel in distress make it to safety in time? Or will the pirates outrun them first?
I did really enjoy this book, reading it in a day. The excitement on the seas in a luxury yacht making a different tack to land based thrillers. I loved the developing relationship between the two main characters, and the tropical island setting, though I did think the pirates were a bit cliched. All in all I found The Scoop to be a very good debut and I will be looking for the next book in the Jonno Bligh series when it comes out. Recommended for all lovers of action and adventure.
After a massive storm, in which the sloop is incapacitated, Jonno finds safe harbour on an uninhabited island, and vows to clean up his act and write the next bestseller. His island Idyll is interrupted however when pirates come ashore, and Jonno witnesses the brutal attack of two women. After the pirates leave he is able to go down and rescue one of the women, find the stash of pirate loot, and take off to the high seas again, this time with pirates on his tail. Then it's a cat and mouse game of hiding and trying to outrun the pirates. Will Jonno and his damsel in distress make it to safety in time? Or will the pirates outrun them first?
I did really enjoy this book, reading it in a day. The excitement on the seas in a luxury yacht making a different tack to land based thrillers. I loved the developing relationship between the two main characters, and the tropical island setting, though I did think the pirates were a bit cliched. All in all I found The Scoop to be a very good debut and I will be looking for the next book in the Jonno Bligh series when it comes out. Recommended for all lovers of action and adventure.
February 5, 2020
3.5★
“A leader who had bad luck was not to be respected. It had not helped that, in anger and frustration, he had chopped off a crewman’s arm with his parang. The man had bled to death on the deck.”
Pirates! A raid had gone wrong, so this ‘punishment’ was to show his displeasure to his crew. It’s also a quick way for the author to show us exactly what kind of madman we are dealing with.
The promotional material reveals a lot of the story about Oscar-winning author (turned coke-head) Johnno Bligh buying a fancy boat and sailing off with an old mate to write his next book. His mate is Cody, whom he sailed with for years when they were boys south of Sydney. Cody is the one who really knows how things work, and he’s been a commercial skipper for a long time.
Good choice for a sailing partner. But – no drugs. Cody is adamant. They are headed towards Indonesia, and they don’t mess around with drug-runners up there. It’s lock-you-up and, if you’re lucky, ask-questions-later. So no way is Johnno going to carry anything stronger than some booze.
So he tells us. Johnno narrates his chapters while those with the pirates and the characters from another boat are in the third person. A couple of times, the viewpoint switched awkwardly, but it didn’t slow the story down.
Needless to say, Johnno did take more than Traditional Coke on the boat; he had stashes of his favourite “Charlie” to keep him happy and carefree and not stressing about his looming book deadline. But Cody badly wants to believe him – the boat is just too beautiful and the trip too tempting to pass up. It’s all state-of-the-art electronic and automatic.
“Cody pressed a button and the mainsail automatically glided up the mast like a ruched cinema curtain.”
Even I could push a button (if I weren’t so likely to be seasick). Too easy. Meanwhile, two couples are taking off on a yacht for a similar journey, one married, one together for only a few months, and the wife hasn’t met the others. There is the obligatory sexual tension and jealousy and showing off.
Chapters move back and forth. We’ve seen the pirates led by BangBang, as Bambang Budiman is known, and they are enough to terrify anyone. We see them spot the boat with the couples and have a good idea what’s coming. In fact, throughout the book I was mostly waiting for the obvious to happen. But sometimes it’s the wait that’s so terrifying.
Cody finds Johnno's stash and spits the dummy in Jakarta, leaving Johnno (and a kitten!) to continue the trip alone. Of course it’s not all smooth sailing. Of course there’s a horrific storm, which Quinn writes well. I was nearly seasick just reading about it. Of course things break and he has to find a safe harbour.
Cut to a beautiful, deserted island, which he dubs Rehab Island where he rests and decides he’s going to find inspiration and write at last. The place seems untouched except for the remnants of a few old fires on another beach.
“Masked and flippered, I swam to the rock in the middle of the lagoon. In the water I spotted grouper, trevalla, barracuda, stingrays, and a shoal of small wrasses; clinging to the rock were sea fans and sponges, sea cucumbers and large clams. A lugubrious-looking turtle swam by nonchalantly.”
Sounds great, but his lack of cocaine has left him in bad shape mentally.
“Alas, the euphoria didn’t last. In the dark velvet embrace of night, my crippling paranoia returned.”
Remember those old fires? When one day he hears sounds of people, he climbs a tree to have a look on the other beach, and . . . PIRATES! WITH TWO WOMEN!
That’s enough. It’s got all the hallmarks of a boys-own-adventure with some philosophising and a story that’s frighteningly current. I won’t be taking to the high seas anytime soon, that’s for sure.
BangBang is desperate and not interested in anything except loot and appeasing his own boss. A truly horrifying bad guy.
“Sucking on a clove cigarette, his thoughts turned to the communication he’d received a short time ago from his Chinese masters – a big heist in five days time. The syndicate had, as usual, managed to place one of their men on the crew of an oil tanker in Oman. This spy was now relaying critical information back to his bosses about the ship, its route and the captain and crew.”
With guys like that roaming around out there, you wonder how people can enjoy cruise ships! I guess they are pretty big, eh? But not for me.
As I mentioned, so much of this seemed to unfold as I expected it to, that I found myself skimming to see if I really wanted to know what happens next. I realise many readers were really caught up in the story, but it didn’t grab me quite the same way. Still, it’s a thrilling tale and a worrying thought if you’re ever planning a sailing holiday.
“A leader who had bad luck was not to be respected. It had not helped that, in anger and frustration, he had chopped off a crewman’s arm with his parang. The man had bled to death on the deck.”
Pirates! A raid had gone wrong, so this ‘punishment’ was to show his displeasure to his crew. It’s also a quick way for the author to show us exactly what kind of madman we are dealing with.
The promotional material reveals a lot of the story about Oscar-winning author (turned coke-head) Johnno Bligh buying a fancy boat and sailing off with an old mate to write his next book. His mate is Cody, whom he sailed with for years when they were boys south of Sydney. Cody is the one who really knows how things work, and he’s been a commercial skipper for a long time.
Good choice for a sailing partner. But – no drugs. Cody is adamant. They are headed towards Indonesia, and they don’t mess around with drug-runners up there. It’s lock-you-up and, if you’re lucky, ask-questions-later. So no way is Johnno going to carry anything stronger than some booze.
So he tells us. Johnno narrates his chapters while those with the pirates and the characters from another boat are in the third person. A couple of times, the viewpoint switched awkwardly, but it didn’t slow the story down.
Needless to say, Johnno did take more than Traditional Coke on the boat; he had stashes of his favourite “Charlie” to keep him happy and carefree and not stressing about his looming book deadline. But Cody badly wants to believe him – the boat is just too beautiful and the trip too tempting to pass up. It’s all state-of-the-art electronic and automatic.
“Cody pressed a button and the mainsail automatically glided up the mast like a ruched cinema curtain.”
Even I could push a button (if I weren’t so likely to be seasick). Too easy. Meanwhile, two couples are taking off on a yacht for a similar journey, one married, one together for only a few months, and the wife hasn’t met the others. There is the obligatory sexual tension and jealousy and showing off.
Chapters move back and forth. We’ve seen the pirates led by BangBang, as Bambang Budiman is known, and they are enough to terrify anyone. We see them spot the boat with the couples and have a good idea what’s coming. In fact, throughout the book I was mostly waiting for the obvious to happen. But sometimes it’s the wait that’s so terrifying.
Cody finds Johnno's stash and spits the dummy in Jakarta, leaving Johnno (and a kitten!) to continue the trip alone. Of course it’s not all smooth sailing. Of course there’s a horrific storm, which Quinn writes well. I was nearly seasick just reading about it. Of course things break and he has to find a safe harbour.
Cut to a beautiful, deserted island, which he dubs Rehab Island where he rests and decides he’s going to find inspiration and write at last. The place seems untouched except for the remnants of a few old fires on another beach.
“Masked and flippered, I swam to the rock in the middle of the lagoon. In the water I spotted grouper, trevalla, barracuda, stingrays, and a shoal of small wrasses; clinging to the rock were sea fans and sponges, sea cucumbers and large clams. A lugubrious-looking turtle swam by nonchalantly.”
Sounds great, but his lack of cocaine has left him in bad shape mentally.
“Alas, the euphoria didn’t last. In the dark velvet embrace of night, my crippling paranoia returned.”
Remember those old fires? When one day he hears sounds of people, he climbs a tree to have a look on the other beach, and . . . PIRATES! WITH TWO WOMEN!
That’s enough. It’s got all the hallmarks of a boys-own-adventure with some philosophising and a story that’s frighteningly current. I won’t be taking to the high seas anytime soon, that’s for sure.
BangBang is desperate and not interested in anything except loot and appeasing his own boss. A truly horrifying bad guy.
“Sucking on a clove cigarette, his thoughts turned to the communication he’d received a short time ago from his Chinese masters – a big heist in five days time. The syndicate had, as usual, managed to place one of their men on the crew of an oil tanker in Oman. This spy was now relaying critical information back to his bosses about the ship, its route and the captain and crew.”
With guys like that roaming around out there, you wonder how people can enjoy cruise ships! I guess they are pretty big, eh? But not for me.
As I mentioned, so much of this seemed to unfold as I expected it to, that I found myself skimming to see if I really wanted to know what happens next. I realise many readers were really caught up in the story, but it didn’t grab me quite the same way. Still, it’s a thrilling tale and a worrying thought if you’re ever planning a sailing holiday.
January 13, 2019
This is the first book in the Jonno Bligh series by Aussie author Terrence J. Quinn and what a thrilling start it was. Action packed story with plenty of mystery, murder, suspense and on the edge of your seat reading that had me turning the pages rather quickly wanting to know what was going to occur next.
You know a book is going to be good if it grabs your attention from the first few pages and this book most definitely caught my attention and kept me intrigued right to the end. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, something tells me it’s going to be one hell of a series. Highly recommended. With thanks to the publishers for my ARC to read and review.
You know a book is going to be good if it grabs your attention from the first few pages and this book most definitely caught my attention and kept me intrigued right to the end. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, something tells me it’s going to be one hell of a series. Highly recommended. With thanks to the publishers for my ARC to read and review.
December 27, 2019
This swashbuckling tale of piracy and adventure on the high seas made for perfect holiday reading. Plenty of thrills, narrow escapes, some very nasty pirates, hidden treasure and a damsel in distress in this page turner- what more could you want?
This is the first in a series featuring journalist and author Jonno Bligh. After writing a bestseller and winning an Oscar for the script of the movie, Jonno returned to Sydney from sampling the highlife in LA, bringing with him a nasty drug habit. Buying himself a luxury yacht, he invites a childhood sailing friend to accompany him to Hamilton Island and on to Singapore. However, when his friend discovers he has not stopped taking drugs on the trip as promised, putting them in danger of arrest and imprisonment in Indonesia, he returns home, leaving Jonno in Jakarta to go on alone. After surviving a cyclonic storm off Sumatra Jonno discovers a hidden, idyllic beach and lagoon and decides to stay hide away from the world while he kicks his habit. Meanwhile, a party of four on a pleasure trip has crossed the path of a band of ruthless pirates and with their kidnapped victims in tow the pirates are headed for the very island where Jonno is enjoying his little slice of paradise.
With a well written, engaging plot this was easy to enjoy, although it would make me think twice about embarking on a sailing holiday in South East Asia. The main characters, Jonno and Annie were easy to like and I hope to get to know them better in the next book of the series (due to be published in 2020). The vicious, psychopathic leader of the pirates BangBang Budiman was truly scary and I'll be happy not to come across him again.
This is the first in a series featuring journalist and author Jonno Bligh. After writing a bestseller and winning an Oscar for the script of the movie, Jonno returned to Sydney from sampling the highlife in LA, bringing with him a nasty drug habit. Buying himself a luxury yacht, he invites a childhood sailing friend to accompany him to Hamilton Island and on to Singapore. However, when his friend discovers he has not stopped taking drugs on the trip as promised, putting them in danger of arrest and imprisonment in Indonesia, he returns home, leaving Jonno in Jakarta to go on alone. After surviving a cyclonic storm off Sumatra Jonno discovers a hidden, idyllic beach and lagoon and decides to stay hide away from the world while he kicks his habit. Meanwhile, a party of four on a pleasure trip has crossed the path of a band of ruthless pirates and with their kidnapped victims in tow the pirates are headed for the very island where Jonno is enjoying his little slice of paradise.
With a well written, engaging plot this was easy to enjoy, although it would make me think twice about embarking on a sailing holiday in South East Asia. The main characters, Jonno and Annie were easy to like and I hope to get to know them better in the next book of the series (due to be published in 2020). The vicious, psychopathic leader of the pirates BangBang Budiman was truly scary and I'll be happy not to come across him again.
July 26, 2018
Annie and her husband Martin flew from Sydney to join Gary and his girlfriend Dani, for a few weeks on a charter yacht from Singapore, sailing the seas and dropping anchor near an island to celebrate Christmas. They took a different course after learning of pirates in the Malaccan Strait. Life on board was relaxing, with plenty of booze, sun and relaxation. Annie felt a bit uncomfortable with what was going on although everyone else was enjoying themselves.
Meanwhile Jonno Bligh was sailing in his recently purchased yacht which he’d named The Scoop Jon B. But Jonno had recently left LA after his bestselling book was made into a film – and where Jonno was introduced to cocaine. Completely addicted, and with his best friend Cody on board, Jonno continued to use – until Cody found out. With Cody’s fury resonating, Jonno set sail for the Indian Ocean and islands beyond. But a violent storm put paid to his plans. As he nursed The Scoop into a lagoon on the shores of an island, Jonno vowed he would go cold turkey.
Some time later Jonno heard noise from the next bay across and was shocked and horrified at what he saw when he climbed the hill overlooking the beach. With murder the pirate’s favourite past-time, Jonno’s decision that day would come back to haunt him. His rescue of one of the victims and their subsequent escape across the ocean in a limping yacht was the stuff of nightmares. What would be the outcome? The danger of modern-day pirates had never entered their minds – but now it filled them…
The Scoop by Aussie author Terence J. Quinn is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller which I enjoyed very much. Set in Sydney and Indonesia as well as the vast ocean, I found the scenery, especially the lagoon, beautiful. The storms, the pirates, the horrors – all set the scene for a gripping and intense suspense thriller which I have no hesitation in recommending.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
Meanwhile Jonno Bligh was sailing in his recently purchased yacht which he’d named The Scoop Jon B. But Jonno had recently left LA after his bestselling book was made into a film – and where Jonno was introduced to cocaine. Completely addicted, and with his best friend Cody on board, Jonno continued to use – until Cody found out. With Cody’s fury resonating, Jonno set sail for the Indian Ocean and islands beyond. But a violent storm put paid to his plans. As he nursed The Scoop into a lagoon on the shores of an island, Jonno vowed he would go cold turkey.
Some time later Jonno heard noise from the next bay across and was shocked and horrified at what he saw when he climbed the hill overlooking the beach. With murder the pirate’s favourite past-time, Jonno’s decision that day would come back to haunt him. His rescue of one of the victims and their subsequent escape across the ocean in a limping yacht was the stuff of nightmares. What would be the outcome? The danger of modern-day pirates had never entered their minds – but now it filled them…
The Scoop by Aussie author Terence J. Quinn is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller which I enjoyed very much. Set in Sydney and Indonesia as well as the vast ocean, I found the scenery, especially the lagoon, beautiful. The storms, the pirates, the horrors – all set the scene for a gripping and intense suspense thriller which I have no hesitation in recommending.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
June 9, 2021
This has been sitting on my TBR list for awhile and I have to admit that I wasn't overly keen on reading it, in retrospect I am not sure why.
It took a little while to get into the story with the main character Jonno initially being quite unlikeable and coming across as very egotistical. The story quickly moves on and Jonno becomes quite human although still with his demons to deal with, the primary issue being his addiction to cocaine. Having pulled off a best seller book, he indulges in a luxury yacht and sails from Sydney to Singapore with an old sailing friend.
Jonno's 'habit' quickly ends any companionship for the trip and Jonno finds himself alone in Indonesia and with his drug stash gone. He sets off by himself and the trip quickly goes pear shaped as he encounters going 'cold turkey', a storm and modern day pirates.
The story when it took off was very hard to put down and I raced through it and am quite looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
It is quite a violent book and deals with some rape and torture, so will not be to everyone's taste.
It took a little while to get into the story with the main character Jonno initially being quite unlikeable and coming across as very egotistical. The story quickly moves on and Jonno becomes quite human although still with his demons to deal with, the primary issue being his addiction to cocaine. Having pulled off a best seller book, he indulges in a luxury yacht and sails from Sydney to Singapore with an old sailing friend.
Jonno's 'habit' quickly ends any companionship for the trip and Jonno finds himself alone in Indonesia and with his drug stash gone. He sets off by himself and the trip quickly goes pear shaped as he encounters going 'cold turkey', a storm and modern day pirates.
The story when it took off was very hard to put down and I raced through it and am quite looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
It is quite a violent book and deals with some rape and torture, so will not be to everyone's taste.
June 12, 2019
Book 1 in the Jonno Bligh series.
Not a bad start to a series from new Aussie author, Terence J. Quinn.
It was an entertaining and easy book to read.
Whilst the plot was good I though that the two main characters were a bit under developed. Hopefully as the series progressed Jonno and Annie, Jonno’s damsel in distress, will have a bit more flesh.
There was certainly enough thrills and spills with high sea piracy and rape and pillage being on the menu. There’s also more than a few by the skin of your escapes, which all adds up to a bloody good page turner.
The end, whilst it rounded off the book nicely, I could think of other scenarios that would have made for interesting reading in the future.
But all in all a good read.
A recommended 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars read.
Not a bad start to a series from new Aussie author, Terence J. Quinn.
It was an entertaining and easy book to read.
Whilst the plot was good I though that the two main characters were a bit under developed. Hopefully as the series progressed Jonno and Annie, Jonno’s damsel in distress, will have a bit more flesh.
There was certainly enough thrills and spills with high sea piracy and rape and pillage being on the menu. There’s also more than a few by the skin of your escapes, which all adds up to a bloody good page turner.
The end, whilst it rounded off the book nicely, I could think of other scenarios that would have made for interesting reading in the future.
But all in all a good read.
A recommended 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars read.
June 5, 2023
Trouble on the high seas. The Scoop is a dramatic maritime thriller set in and around the Indonesian islands. Jonno Bligh, a kinda washed up writer is sailing alone, four young holidaymakers are on another yacht and a band of the most ruthless pirates are looking for victims in the same seas. All the ingredients for an edge of the seat thriller of the highest order.
Jonno Bligh had success as a journalist when he broke a huge story. The story became a bestselling book and that was turned into an award-winning movie that earned him an Oscar for his screenplay. From there he had a huge fall from grace thanks to an addiction to cocaine which prompted a massive spiral. Now, after hearing of the death of his former boss, friend and mentor, he has vowed to get himself right. He has the spectre of his publishing company on his back. They’ve paid him a huge advance and are expecting his next book to be written in the next few months. His plan, though, is to get away from it all on his yacht with a planned sailing trip through the Indonesian islands.
Four friends are also on a sailing adventure in Indonesia. Husband and wife Martin and Annie flew from Sydney to meet up with friends Gary and his girlfriend Dani for their trip starting from Singapore. They’re cruising around enjoying the tranquility, beautiful weather and glorious sights. Nothing could be more idyllic than lazing on the foredeck in the sunshine, drinking until all hours and taking it one day at a time.
When Indonesian pirates cross paths with the cruising holiday makers, the results are disastrous. A horrific few hours follow that end with Annie and Dani tied up below decks on the pirate’s ship heading to a deserted island for an unimaginable nightmare that is to come.
The paths of Jonno and the two women inevitably cross and what follows is a desperate chase where capture can only mean a slow and horrible death. Adding to the jeopardy of the situation is the fact that Jonno’s boat has been seriously disabled after a massive storm making him completely dependent on the wind and his sailing expertise to make good his escape.
There is a terrible juxtaposition between the beautiful surroundings of the islands and seas of Indonesia and the ruthless cut-throats sailing on them. The seeming tranquility that Jonno finds himself luxuriating in on his newly discovered island is shattered by the arrival of the pirates and their terrible debauchery. It creates an even sharper edge to the danger that is soon to follow.
The Scoop hits the mark in many ways as a completely engrossing thriller. This is largely a story of redemption and of heart breaking regret mixed together with a hell for leather chase and fight for survival. All in all, I thought it marked a fine debut and signals that Terence J. Quinn is an author to look out for.
Jonno Bligh had success as a journalist when he broke a huge story. The story became a bestselling book and that was turned into an award-winning movie that earned him an Oscar for his screenplay. From there he had a huge fall from grace thanks to an addiction to cocaine which prompted a massive spiral. Now, after hearing of the death of his former boss, friend and mentor, he has vowed to get himself right. He has the spectre of his publishing company on his back. They’ve paid him a huge advance and are expecting his next book to be written in the next few months. His plan, though, is to get away from it all on his yacht with a planned sailing trip through the Indonesian islands.
Four friends are also on a sailing adventure in Indonesia. Husband and wife Martin and Annie flew from Sydney to meet up with friends Gary and his girlfriend Dani for their trip starting from Singapore. They’re cruising around enjoying the tranquility, beautiful weather and glorious sights. Nothing could be more idyllic than lazing on the foredeck in the sunshine, drinking until all hours and taking it one day at a time.
When Indonesian pirates cross paths with the cruising holiday makers, the results are disastrous. A horrific few hours follow that end with Annie and Dani tied up below decks on the pirate’s ship heading to a deserted island for an unimaginable nightmare that is to come.
The paths of Jonno and the two women inevitably cross and what follows is a desperate chase where capture can only mean a slow and horrible death. Adding to the jeopardy of the situation is the fact that Jonno’s boat has been seriously disabled after a massive storm making him completely dependent on the wind and his sailing expertise to make good his escape.
There is a terrible juxtaposition between the beautiful surroundings of the islands and seas of Indonesia and the ruthless cut-throats sailing on them. The seeming tranquility that Jonno finds himself luxuriating in on his newly discovered island is shattered by the arrival of the pirates and their terrible debauchery. It creates an even sharper edge to the danger that is soon to follow.
The Scoop hits the mark in many ways as a completely engrossing thriller. This is largely a story of redemption and of heart breaking regret mixed together with a hell for leather chase and fight for survival. All in all, I thought it marked a fine debut and signals that Terence J. Quinn is an author to look out for.
August 6, 2018
The Scoop is the first book in the Jonno Bligh series by Scots-born Australian journalist, editor, publisher and author, Terence J. Quinn. In Los Angeles, award-winning journalist turned author turned cocaine-addicted Oscar-winning screen-playwright, Jonno Bligh has just learned of his Sydney mentor’s death. He indulges his low mood with the purchase of an expensive sloop, The Scoop Jon B.
In Sydney, Annie Greenwood has allowed her husband to convince her to join another couple on a charter cruise around the Malaysian Islands. In the Malacca Strait, blood-thirsty pirate Bambang Budiman is under pressure from his Chinese syndicate bosses to deliver the goods. How their paths chance to initially cross form the first chapters of Quinn’s dramatic thriller.
It’s not a pretty picture: Jonno’s mate Cody leaves him at Jakarta when it turns out Jonno has cocaine on board. In extreme withdrawal, Jonno heads out alone, is caught in a cyclone, loses all power, comms and navigation, and ends up on an unknown tropical idyll. Meanwhile, Bambang spots a sleek charter boat with two white couples on board and decides they will do as recreation for his crew as they head towards their little island hideaway.
Quinn’s debut gives the reader an exciting tale that features brutal murders, rapes, a cat-and-mouse sea chase, a hidden cave with pirate loot, a stint in a Javan jail, an audacious escape and a cute kitten. Parts of the plot may require a good deal of suspension of disbelief, and Jonno starts off as rather annoying, while Bambang is quite the stereotype.
Annie certainly shows strength of character, while Jonno does display sensitivity, unselfishness and courage when it is really needed. By the next instalment, The Editor, his newfound responsibility may make him an interesting character. A map of the general area would certainly have been appreciated by most readers
This unbiased review from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Simon & Schuster Australia.
In Sydney, Annie Greenwood has allowed her husband to convince her to join another couple on a charter cruise around the Malaysian Islands. In the Malacca Strait, blood-thirsty pirate Bambang Budiman is under pressure from his Chinese syndicate bosses to deliver the goods. How their paths chance to initially cross form the first chapters of Quinn’s dramatic thriller.
It’s not a pretty picture: Jonno’s mate Cody leaves him at Jakarta when it turns out Jonno has cocaine on board. In extreme withdrawal, Jonno heads out alone, is caught in a cyclone, loses all power, comms and navigation, and ends up on an unknown tropical idyll. Meanwhile, Bambang spots a sleek charter boat with two white couples on board and decides they will do as recreation for his crew as they head towards their little island hideaway.
Quinn’s debut gives the reader an exciting tale that features brutal murders, rapes, a cat-and-mouse sea chase, a hidden cave with pirate loot, a stint in a Javan jail, an audacious escape and a cute kitten. Parts of the plot may require a good deal of suspension of disbelief, and Jonno starts off as rather annoying, while Bambang is quite the stereotype.
Annie certainly shows strength of character, while Jonno does display sensitivity, unselfishness and courage when it is really needed. By the next instalment, The Editor, his newfound responsibility may make him an interesting character. A map of the general area would certainly have been appreciated by most readers
This unbiased review from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Simon & Schuster Australia.
March 24, 2019
Australian journalist Jonno Bligh has hit the jackpot, a best-selling novel adapted for the screen has won an Oscar, but the high life has come at a cost: cocaine addiction. Back in Australia he uses an advance on his second book to buy a yacht at the Whitsundays boat fair which he names the Scoop Jon B (a play on his name, the book and the Beach Boys classic). He teams up with boyhood mate Cody to sail to Singapore. The pair fall out over Jonno’s addiction, Cody leaving the vessel telling Jonno to get his s*it together.
Sydney-based English couple Annie and Martin Greenwood fly to Singapore with another couple for an idyllic cruise on a private yacht around the Malaccan Straits; Martin has a drinking problem and wandering hands – but these issues are nought when they are targeted by pirates.
Author Terence J Quinn has produced a heart-warming romance of two people brought together by circumstances, but what sold it for me was the locations - particular the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra, and the villain Bangbang Budiman’s background, brutal childhood, escaping the poverty and squalor of the Jembatan Besi slum in Jakarta, stealing bags by motorbike from tourists in Kuta, rising to captain of a pirate vessel under the directions of triads.
A few faux pas - since when has Hamilton Island been near to the northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef???? How did a man of Budiman’s appearance pass the scrutiny of Border Security (unless he came by illegal fishing vessel???), and how can you nick a kidney when someone falls on top of you when you are face up?
Verdict: overall, a good, easy read with many moments of humour and some pathos.
Sydney-based English couple Annie and Martin Greenwood fly to Singapore with another couple for an idyllic cruise on a private yacht around the Malaccan Straits; Martin has a drinking problem and wandering hands – but these issues are nought when they are targeted by pirates.
Author Terence J Quinn has produced a heart-warming romance of two people brought together by circumstances, but what sold it for me was the locations - particular the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra, and the villain Bangbang Budiman’s background, brutal childhood, escaping the poverty and squalor of the Jembatan Besi slum in Jakarta, stealing bags by motorbike from tourists in Kuta, rising to captain of a pirate vessel under the directions of triads.
A few faux pas - since when has Hamilton Island been near to the northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef???? How did a man of Budiman’s appearance pass the scrutiny of Border Security (unless he came by illegal fishing vessel???), and how can you nick a kidney when someone falls on top of you when you are face up?
Verdict: overall, a good, easy read with many moments of humour and some pathos.
June 7, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up. I enjoyed reading this sea-faring thriller by Australian author Terence J. Quinn.
Former tabloid journalist Jonno Bligh is attempting to write a follow-up to his bestseller, The Scoop, for the screen adaptation of which he has recently been awarded an Academy Award. He is riding high on fame and success, but has succumbed to the temptations of cocaine use, is mourning the recent death of his mentor and father figure and is struggling to come up with ideas as his publisher's deadline looms. On a whim, he blows most of his savings on an expensive luxury ocean yacht, which he names The Scoop Jon B, and sets out into the Timor Sea, north of Australia with a longtime buddy, Cody, in search of adventure and inspiration.
After narrowly avoiding being apprehended with drugs on board the yacht in Indonesia, Jonno is abandoned by a furious Cody and sets sail solo into the Java sea, now accompanied by a kitten named Wagga (after the hometown of his previous owner, a one-night-stand Jonno picked up in Bali). He's decided the time has come to follow the advice of his deceased mentor and wean himself off the drugs before they kill him. For days, he suffers the agony of going cold turkey as The Scoop Jon B traverses the calm seas between uninhabited tropical islands. Then the engine stops working and Jonno is forced to tow the yacht by dingy into a secluded bay on a deserted landmass he names "Rehab Island".
Meanwhile, Sydney-based UK expats, Martin and Annie, fly to Singapore to rendezvous with Martin's friend Gary and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Dani, for a boozy sailing holiday on board a hired luxury yacht of their own. After departing Singapore, the party endure a terrifying crossing of the busy sea-lanes of the Malacca Strait, before finding sanctuary, also in the seas north of the Indonesian island of Java. Copious drinking and sexual hi-jinks ensue, leaving Annie feeling disgusted and angry. However, before she has a chance to take any action, their yacht is boarded by a band of modern-day south-east Asian pirates, led by the brutal "BangBang" Budiman. The men are murdered and the women taken captive by the pirates, their yacht scuttled in deep water.
This is where the two storylines converge, as the pirates return to their home base, none other than Jonno's apparently uninhabited "Rehab Island". Now clean of drugs and almost enjoying his isolation, he witnesses the pirates' brutal treatment of the captive women and attempts to help them after the pirates have again set sail.
He's too late for Dani, but Jonno gradually nurses the wounded and emotionally-fragile Annie back to health on The Scoop Jon B. While exploring the island, they discover BangBang's cache of treasure and hatch a plan to leave the island, taking the cash and valuables with them.
What follows is a heart-pounding sea chase from the island back to civilisation, with Jon and Annie relying on their wits to outpace the vicious pirates.
This adventure-thriller will have wide appeal in the mainstream market, although its narrative voice is decidedly masculine. It's not particularly literary, but has a fast-paced and engrossing plot, relatively complex central characters and snappy dialogue.
The Scoop has also been published under the title Dead in the Water and has since been followed up with a second book featuring Jonno Bligh, Deadline.
Former tabloid journalist Jonno Bligh is attempting to write a follow-up to his bestseller, The Scoop, for the screen adaptation of which he has recently been awarded an Academy Award. He is riding high on fame and success, but has succumbed to the temptations of cocaine use, is mourning the recent death of his mentor and father figure and is struggling to come up with ideas as his publisher's deadline looms. On a whim, he blows most of his savings on an expensive luxury ocean yacht, which he names The Scoop Jon B, and sets out into the Timor Sea, north of Australia with a longtime buddy, Cody, in search of adventure and inspiration.
After narrowly avoiding being apprehended with drugs on board the yacht in Indonesia, Jonno is abandoned by a furious Cody and sets sail solo into the Java sea, now accompanied by a kitten named Wagga (after the hometown of his previous owner, a one-night-stand Jonno picked up in Bali). He's decided the time has come to follow the advice of his deceased mentor and wean himself off the drugs before they kill him. For days, he suffers the agony of going cold turkey as The Scoop Jon B traverses the calm seas between uninhabited tropical islands. Then the engine stops working and Jonno is forced to tow the yacht by dingy into a secluded bay on a deserted landmass he names "Rehab Island".
Meanwhile, Sydney-based UK expats, Martin and Annie, fly to Singapore to rendezvous with Martin's friend Gary and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Dani, for a boozy sailing holiday on board a hired luxury yacht of their own. After departing Singapore, the party endure a terrifying crossing of the busy sea-lanes of the Malacca Strait, before finding sanctuary, also in the seas north of the Indonesian island of Java. Copious drinking and sexual hi-jinks ensue, leaving Annie feeling disgusted and angry. However, before she has a chance to take any action, their yacht is boarded by a band of modern-day south-east Asian pirates, led by the brutal "BangBang" Budiman. The men are murdered and the women taken captive by the pirates, their yacht scuttled in deep water.
This is where the two storylines converge, as the pirates return to their home base, none other than Jonno's apparently uninhabited "Rehab Island". Now clean of drugs and almost enjoying his isolation, he witnesses the pirates' brutal treatment of the captive women and attempts to help them after the pirates have again set sail.
He's too late for Dani, but Jonno gradually nurses the wounded and emotionally-fragile Annie back to health on The Scoop Jon B. While exploring the island, they discover BangBang's cache of treasure and hatch a plan to leave the island, taking the cash and valuables with them.
What follows is a heart-pounding sea chase from the island back to civilisation, with Jon and Annie relying on their wits to outpace the vicious pirates.
This adventure-thriller will have wide appeal in the mainstream market, although its narrative voice is decidedly masculine. It's not particularly literary, but has a fast-paced and engrossing plot, relatively complex central characters and snappy dialogue.
The Scoop has also been published under the title Dead in the Water and has since been followed up with a second book featuring Jonno Bligh, Deadline.
August 25, 2018
Here at last is a new-found local author who won’t disappoint. Quinn has written a pacy, adrenalin-fuelled thriller in the traditional genre set against the backdrop of modern-day South-East Asia, with piracy on the high seas, a cast of highly-credible characters, a plausible plot, and an edge-of-the-seat climactic ending. He has shown himself to be a master storyteller who walks in the footsteps of those old-school action-adventure thriller writers - Alistair MacLean, Hammond Innes, Desmond Bagley, et al. I can’t remember the last time I couldn’t put a book down and finished reading it in one sitting! Now eagerly awaiting number 2 in the Jonno Bligh trilogy!
September 22, 2018
Serendipity means I picked this book up at the airport to pass the time on a 12 hour flight.
Finished it in one reading...3 hours uninterrupted.
A great read.One of the best when it comes to a page turner.
Can't wait until the sequel....Jonno may yet appear on Netflix!
Watch for this uthor...he is the real thing.
Finished it in one reading...3 hours uninterrupted.
A great read.One of the best when it comes to a page turner.
Can't wait until the sequel....Jonno may yet appear on Netflix!
Watch for this uthor...he is the real thing.
October 19, 2020
Read this slowly online as my 'stuck somewhere with just my phone and need something to read' book. It was great in that the storyline was so memorable you can pick it up any time and know where you're at. At times gruesome, it was a gripping read that made it difficult to put down when your name's called in the waiting room.
September 24, 2018
The thriller genre is a tough nut to crack, but in Jonno Bligh this swashbuckling debut novel has created a central character who seems destined for a long shelf-life. The flawed journalist-turned-movie-scriptwriter goes from hate figure to hero in dramatic, breathtaking style on the high seas off Indonesia and Australia. And in an ending that promises new beginnings, it's obvious that Jonno's story is far from over…
September 10, 2018
The author gets you involved from the outset, setting a good pace, as the characters emerge to take their place in the unfolding intrigue! The use of short sharp paragraphs increases the pace and helps draw the story lines together, as the book progresses. A very good and easy read complimented by the authors descriptive and well researched content.
September 23, 2018
A great first novel which I quickly devoured. Good storyline which moved along at a rapid pace and kept me hooked until the end. Clearly very well-researched, bringing this yachting drama vividly to life in a fascinating part of the world. Looking forward to the next instalment of Jonno Bligh's adventures.
August 25, 2018
Great read. Fast paced, with as many twists and turns as the high seas. Wonderfully descriptive and great characterization. Can't wait for next in the series.
September 17, 2018
Good story line...good pace...consistent characterisation...look forward to Terrence's next book.
Philip Morgan
Philip Morgan
July 26, 2019
I picked up a copy of The Scoop whilst on holiday in Australia. It had me gripped! A well written, fast paced novel that is difficult to put down. Plenty of action, tension and suspense. Each chapter leaves you wanting to read more to see what is coming next. If you like Lee Child, you'll love this.
January 30, 2021
I stumbled on the second book in the series before this one which took some of the pleasure out of reading this as some of the story was repeated in book 2. However it was an adventurous romp . I look forward to more from this author.
January 1, 2023
Excellent. A bit slow at the beginning but a thrill a minute once the action starts. The ending did seem a bit rushed though. I was pleased to find out there is a series of three books, and I intend to read the other two.
September 13, 2018
Enough separate agendas to keep the interest up but not so many as to lose focus. Author obviously well experienced in the areas of activity, I guess through his professional background. Presents as a family book, enjoyed by we elderly who had to compete with the teenagers to get access to our single copy (signed by the author at the book launch which we attended as paying guest).
Happy to pay a fee to attend the next book launch if the sequel continues at the same tempo, but I seriously question the post script inference that the baddie will not appear due to apparent demise!
Happy to pay a fee to attend the next book launch if the sequel continues at the same tempo, but I seriously question the post script inference that the baddie will not appear due to apparent demise!
July 16, 2018
Not a bad read. The story starts off a little sluggish and ends the same way, but the middle part of the book is riveting.
August 26, 2018
An adventurous, thrilling plot that is fast paced with an underlying, sinister edge that keeps you turning the pages.
Wow, if that is Terence's first book I can't wait to read the next. Tom.
Wow, if that is Terence's first book I can't wait to read the next. Tom.
October 6, 2018
A perfect adventure/ thriller. Couldn’t stop reading it to the end, and I haven’t read any Australian thriller writer to match it. I recognise the influences - Enid Blyton (the adventure series was my favourite), Wilbur Smith, and even Treasure Island. Look forward to reading the next…
March 30, 2020
Good reading, a well-knitted plot. A real page-turner.
September 2, 2025
Jono was a gun like a gentle giant
Loved the story and will look to read more about Jono Bligh
😊😊
Loved the story and will look to read more about Jono Bligh
😊😊
September 26, 2018
When I first read the title ‘The Scoop’, I thought this would be a book about the newspaper industry, particularly as I was aware that the author, Terry Quinn, had had a distinguished career in newsrooms around the world.
To some extent it is – the hero Jonno Bligh is an Aussie journalist who made it big in Fleet St and cashed in with a movie screen play that won an Academy Award.
But it’s much more.
It’s a book that’s hard to put down. It starts at a hectic pace, and just keeps getting faster.
From the moment pirates attack a pleasure yacht in the Malaccan Strait, kill the men aboard, kidnap the women, and take them to an isolated island, the reader is as much a captive as the unfortunate females.
Quinn is an accomplished story teller, and this is a great story.
It’s an action yarn, of course, but it’s also a love story, and we come to care deeply about the fate of the larrikin Jonno Bligh, and his new love, Annie.
Quinn’s description of the idyllic South East Asian islands and seaways is enthralling, and the beauty of the backdrop makes the actions of the pirates, and the terror they generate, seem even more brutal.
In the end, good overcomes evil – as it always should. By then, we’ve become friends with Jonno and Annie, as we admire their tenacity to overcome every obstacle placed in their path.
Thank goodness, Quinn promises more instalments of the adventures of these two remarkable characters. I can’t wait for the next one.
To some extent it is – the hero Jonno Bligh is an Aussie journalist who made it big in Fleet St and cashed in with a movie screen play that won an Academy Award.
But it’s much more.
It’s a book that’s hard to put down. It starts at a hectic pace, and just keeps getting faster.
From the moment pirates attack a pleasure yacht in the Malaccan Strait, kill the men aboard, kidnap the women, and take them to an isolated island, the reader is as much a captive as the unfortunate females.
Quinn is an accomplished story teller, and this is a great story.
It’s an action yarn, of course, but it’s also a love story, and we come to care deeply about the fate of the larrikin Jonno Bligh, and his new love, Annie.
Quinn’s description of the idyllic South East Asian islands and seaways is enthralling, and the beauty of the backdrop makes the actions of the pirates, and the terror they generate, seem even more brutal.
In the end, good overcomes evil – as it always should. By then, we’ve become friends with Jonno and Annie, as we admire their tenacity to overcome every obstacle placed in their path.
Thank goodness, Quinn promises more instalments of the adventures of these two remarkable characters. I can’t wait for the next one.
June 8, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Scoop by Terence J. Quinn was a book I genuinely looked forward to picking up each day. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end, with a pace that made it difficult to put down.
As someone who enjoys sailing, I particularly appreciated the nautical aspects of the story and the authentic feel of life on the water. The references to places such as Hamilton Island, Sydney, and parts of Indonesia added another layer of enjoyment, as these are regions I am familiar with. It made the story feel vivid and believable.
I also found the insights into piracy fascinating, offering a glimpse into a world that many readers would know little about. The book touches on drug use and certain lifestyles without glorifying them, instead presenting them as part of the reality of the characters and their circumstances.
Overall, The Scoop is an entertaining, well-written novel with an engaging plot, interesting characters, and a strong sense of place. A great read for anyone interested in sailing, adventure, and stories set across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Scoop by Terence J. Quinn was a book I genuinely looked forward to picking up each day. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end, with a pace that made it difficult to put down.
As someone who enjoys sailing, I particularly appreciated the nautical aspects of the story and the authentic feel of life on the water. The references to places such as Hamilton Island, Sydney, and parts of Indonesia added another layer of enjoyment, as these are regions I am familiar with. It made the story feel vivid and believable.
I also found the insights into piracy fascinating, offering a glimpse into a world that many readers would know little about. The book touches on drug use and certain lifestyles without glorifying them, instead presenting them as part of the reality of the characters and their circumstances.
Overall, The Scoop is an entertaining, well-written novel with an engaging plot, interesting characters, and a strong sense of place. A great read for anyone interested in sailing, adventure, and stories set across the Asia-Pacific region.
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