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Dylan Hunter #2
BAD DEEDS
CLFA "Book of the Year 2014"
#1 Audible "Political Thriller"
THE VIGILANTE IS BACK...
He sought peace in the tranquility of nature.
But can he tame the violence in his own nature?
At a cabin in the Allegheny National Forest, Dylan Hunter and Annie Woods seek to heal the wounds from their ordeal at the hands of a twisted psychopath. And to build a life together, Dylan promises Annie that he'll abandon his violent ways.
But ideological zealots and Washington's political elites have conspired to terrorize and plunder the hard-working locals. These victims have no protector against the bad deeds of the powerful and privileged...
...except for one man.
A man as ruthless and violent as they.
A man committed to absolute justice.
Because Dylan Hunter cannot walk away -- not even if it costs him the woman he loves...
Rave reviews for...
BAD DEEDS
"I loved Bidinotto's first novel, HUNTER, but BAD DEEDS just might be better... If one enjoys thriller writers such as Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, and Daniel Silva, then one will definitely love BAD DEEDS."
--Shawn Klein, author, Harry Potter and Philosophy
"Masterful...superbly written...fast-moving action and adventure from start to finish."
--John Christmas, author, Democracy Society
#1 Audible "Political Thriller"
THE VIGILANTE IS BACK...
He sought peace in the tranquility of nature.
But can he tame the violence in his own nature?
At a cabin in the Allegheny National Forest, Dylan Hunter and Annie Woods seek to heal the wounds from their ordeal at the hands of a twisted psychopath. And to build a life together, Dylan promises Annie that he'll abandon his violent ways.
But ideological zealots and Washington's political elites have conspired to terrorize and plunder the hard-working locals. These victims have no protector against the bad deeds of the powerful and privileged...
...except for one man.
A man as ruthless and violent as they.
A man committed to absolute justice.
Because Dylan Hunter cannot walk away -- not even if it costs him the woman he loves...
Rave reviews for...
BAD DEEDS
"I loved Bidinotto's first novel, HUNTER, but BAD DEEDS just might be better... If one enjoys thriller writers such as Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, and Daniel Silva, then one will definitely love BAD DEEDS."
--Shawn Klein, author, Harry Potter and Philosophy
"Masterful...superbly written...fast-moving action and adventure from start to finish."
--John Christmas, author, Democracy Society
673 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2014
312 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Robert Bidinotto
20 books76 followersHi, and thanks for stopping by. By way of introduction: I'm a full-time, bestselling thriller novelist and creator of Dylan Hunter: the thriller world's "new face of justice."
All my life — since I was a little kid during the Fifties and Sixties, watching “The Lone Ranger” and Zorro on TV and reading Batman comics — I have been passionate about the principle of justice. When I began to write nonfiction in my teens, that was the underlying principle in everything I wrote. It remained the theme of my work throughout my later career as an award-winning essayist, investigative journalist, reviewer, blogger, editor, and nonfiction author of books on crime.
Now it's the central theme of my fiction-writing, too.
Like me, the hero of my Dylan Hunter vigilante thrillers is motivated by his passion for justice. He cannot walk away when injustices are committed against those he cares about.
My debut novel, HUNTER, bridges and blends the crime and spy-fiction genres, but with a powerful love story at its heart. It draws upon my experiences as an investigative journalist writing "true crime" books and articles. HUNTER became a Kindle Editors' Pick in November 2011 and immediately skyrocketed up the Kindle Bestseller List. It reached #4, ahead of the latest titles by Stephen King, James Patterson, Stephanie Meyer, Janet Evanovich, Lee Child, and John Grisham. It also became a Wall Street Journal "Top Ten Fiction Ebook."
I hope you check out the Kindle ebook edition, available on Amazon; the trade paperback edition is available on Amazon or, personally inscribed, from my blog, "The Vigilante Author ." The audiobook edition, narrated by voice actor Conor Hall, is available from Amazon, Audible.com, and iTunes.
The first sequel in the Dylan Hunter series, BAD DEEDS, was published in May 2014. It picks up where HUNTER left off, but with a whole new set of deadly challenges and personal complications for vigilante hero Dylan Hunter and his lover Annie Woods. BAD DEEDS was named CLFA "Book of the Year" for 2014. Here's the link to the Kindle ebook edition. On that page you can obtain the trade paperback or audiobook editions, too.
WINNER TAKES ALL, published in December 2017, rounds out the opening Dylan Hunter thriller trilogy. This time the stakes are even higher -- and ripped from the headlines -- as Dylan uncovers a murderous international plot to throw the U.S. presidential election. Many readers think this sweeping, grand-scale political thriller is the best Hunter novel yet. You can find it here .
A bit more background about me:
As a Staff Writer for Reader's Digest, I authored high-profile investigative pieces on crime, the environment, and other public controversies. I'm perhaps best known for my article "Getting Away with Murder" in the July 1988 issue of the Digest. It stirred a national controversy about crime and prison furlough programs during the 1988 presidential election campaign, and is widely credited with having affected the outcome of the election. That article was honored as a 1989 National Magazine Award finalist for "Best Magazine Article of the Year in the Public Interest Category" by the American Society of Magazine Editors.
My previous nonfiction books are Criminal Justice? The Legal System vs. Individual Responsibility, with a Foreword by John Walsh, and Freed to Kill, a compendium of horror stories that exposed the injustices in our legal system.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 9, 2016
I enjoyed this second Dylan Hunter adventure in which, he and a few cohorts, covertly fight crime in high places, the so called "untouchables". The story was good but in this second addition in the series, there were some clech'e-ish moments that happened in the romance portion that were not present in the first book. An Ex-NOC agent is trying to establish himself as a regular citizen, while unlawful situations are making it, with his ingrained training, impossible to do. Dylan is a genius at getting around the hypocrisy in and around our justice system and the arrogantly established.
Good characters drive this fast paced, crime thriller and I hope to read more of this series as it matures. Connor Hall does a great job narrating.
Good characters drive this fast paced, crime thriller and I hope to read more of this series as it matures. Connor Hall does a great job narrating.
July 22, 2014
I was eagerly awaiting this sequel and it was worth the wait!
Dylan Hunter is back and his no nonsense approach to fight crime is refreshing in this age where political correctness and lack of will allows criminals to flourish.
Dylan Hunter is back and his no nonsense approach to fight crime is refreshing in this age where political correctness and lack of will allows criminals to flourish.
August 5, 2014
This is the second book in the Dylan Hunter series
I read a lot of books so the length of time between the two was long enough that I do not remember much at all of the first story but I remember the character and that I absolutely loved the story the author created. That is a sign of a great character and book as I'm averaging over 100 books a year most of them I don't remember until I re-read some of them.
None of that really matters for this book. This book can stand on its own. There will be times where previous events are referenced that you will wonder what exactly happened but it didn't take anything away from the book for me.
This book includes more of the moral issues surrounding vigilante justice. While this book seemed to lack some of the punch from the first book for me, mainly because of the morality debate but it still has plenty of adrenalin pumping scenes with vicious enemies that are easy to hate and a cast of characters that were well written and interesting. We learn more background on some of the main characters of the series which is always needed in a series for the characters to grow.
Pitting the environmental extremist and their supporters against Dylan. Things don't work out as one side thinks it will. Which side? You'll have to read it to find out!
Dylan continues to be one of my favorite action characters and if I'm honest Annie was kind of getting on my nerves through the first third of the book but boy does she turn the corner at the end.
There are great explosions and tech toys which really make for an interesting read and kept me turning page after page.
Fans of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp will find a new champion of the innocent to get behind and help liven up those dreary work days.
I read a lot of books so the length of time between the two was long enough that I do not remember much at all of the first story but I remember the character and that I absolutely loved the story the author created. That is a sign of a great character and book as I'm averaging over 100 books a year most of them I don't remember until I re-read some of them.
None of that really matters for this book. This book can stand on its own. There will be times where previous events are referenced that you will wonder what exactly happened but it didn't take anything away from the book for me.
This book includes more of the moral issues surrounding vigilante justice. While this book seemed to lack some of the punch from the first book for me, mainly because of the morality debate but it still has plenty of adrenalin pumping scenes with vicious enemies that are easy to hate and a cast of characters that were well written and interesting. We learn more background on some of the main characters of the series which is always needed in a series for the characters to grow.
Pitting the environmental extremist and their supporters against Dylan. Things don't work out as one side thinks it will. Which side? You'll have to read it to find out!
Dylan continues to be one of my favorite action characters and if I'm honest Annie was kind of getting on my nerves through the first third of the book but boy does she turn the corner at the end.
There are great explosions and tech toys which really make for an interesting read and kept me turning page after page.
Fans of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp will find a new champion of the innocent to get behind and help liven up those dreary work days.
August 29, 2016
The Dylan Hunter Thrillers are quickly becoming one of my favorite series to listen to on audio book. The stories are such a tangled weave of suspense, intrigue and action that it’s hard to put it away and go to work or bed. Dylan finds himself this time pitted against Eco-terrorist and their fanatical believes; the plot is so much more, it goes all the way back to corrupt politicians in Washington and the EPA.
Bad Deeds was entrenched in political crimes and backroom deals, with so many twists and turns, I loved every second. Once again Conor Hall did a SUPERB job with the narration. I have said it before and I will say it again, I could listen to that man read the phone book. I honestly think he is one of my favorite narrators.
I am giving Bad Deeds 5 Boundless Stars and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Dylan Hunter....Sara
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Bad Deeds was entrenched in political crimes and backroom deals, with so many twists and turns, I loved every second. Once again Conor Hall did a SUPERB job with the narration. I have said it before and I will say it again, I could listen to that man read the phone book. I honestly think he is one of my favorite narrators.
I am giving Bad Deeds 5 Boundless Stars and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Dylan Hunter....Sara
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
July 12, 2014
I loved Bidinotto’s first novel, Hunter, but Bad Deeds just might be better. It’s hard to put my finger on precisely why. It is exciting and well-plotted. The protagonists and antagonists are well-drawn, interesting, and realistic. One thing that I liked better in Bad Deeds is that it didn’t have as much of the romantic story line. Don’t get me wrong, the relationship between Hunter and Annie develops and grows and is an important part of the plot. In the first novel, it felt a little over-bearing for my personal taste. I think Bidinotto hit a better balance here.
If one enjoys the thriller genre (writers such as Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Daniel Silva, etc.), then one will definitely love Bad Deeds.
If one enjoys the thriller genre (writers such as Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Daniel Silva, etc.), then one will definitely love Bad Deeds.
September 23, 2014
Before I started reading Robert Bidinotto's second Dylan Hunter novel I thought that I would be satisfied if it was as good as the first. But I was literally blown away from the first page with the intensity and style of this new entry in what I hope will be a long series. Anyone who enjoys great writing about serious issues, and more than enough thrills to keep you turning the pages, will not be able to put this book down (or turn off your kindle). The characters are drawn clearly with the sure hand of an author who knows how to present the forces of good and evil in an accurate and always believable manner. The effect is to continually raise the suspense and keep the reader guessing. And that's a good thing. I will be recommending this to all my friends who enjoy thrilling stories.
July 16, 2014
Dylan Hunter is the most fascinating and complex character I've encountered in a long time. It's been far too long since I read Hunter and I can only hope there's more to come.
As expected Robert Bidinotto's writing was exquisite and the editing impeccable. Another edge of your seat thriller awaits you as the pages methodically reveal an intriguing story. Someone clearly did lots of homework in developing this story. FANTASTIC read!
Please keep them coming. You're on my watch list Mr. Bidinotto.
As expected Robert Bidinotto's writing was exquisite and the editing impeccable. Another edge of your seat thriller awaits you as the pages methodically reveal an intriguing story. Someone clearly did lots of homework in developing this story. FANTASTIC read!
Please keep them coming. You're on my watch list Mr. Bidinotto.
March 28, 2019
the story is awesome
October 15, 2014
Wow. It picked up right where HUNTER left off maintained the same thrilling pace. No small feat to be sure. Very timely themes and one of the few books I've seen that takes on the nexus of "mainstream" environmental groups, big government and the fascistic foot soldiers masquerading as activists that both employ to to their dirty work.
June 3, 2014
This has been a very good year for thriller authors and this one is way up there! If you haven't read Hunter, the first Dylan Hunter, that is a good place to start. If you have read Hunter, then you will find that this lonnnnnnnnng awaited sequel is wellllllllll worth the wait.
July 8, 2014
Fast-paced real justice. Well-written story, unfortunately a very believable storyline as far as the bad guys go. I really wish we had a Dylan Hunter here in the real world protecting us sheep.
August 15, 2014
My first thriller series and just as good as the first. Looking forward to reading the next in this series. Again... Bravo.
December 24, 2014
Non-stop action throughout
As a voracious reader I continually look for new authors. This is a series that I will continue to read.
As a voracious reader I continually look for new authors. This is a series that I will continue to read.
Read
July 3, 20165 stars. Full review on Boundless book reviews, to follow at a later date
December 11, 2017
First, "Bad Deeds", is a great read. Very difficult to put it down. However for full disclosure, I strongly believe "Fracking" is extremely dangerous to the environment. Fracking is simply poison for the planet. (Also, anything on "Fox News" could never be considered as real news). "Bad Deeds", is the second Dylan Hunter thriller from author Robert Bidinotto. Protagonist Dylan Hunter (AKA Matt Malone among many identities), Is a hard hitting journalist for a publication known as the Inquirer. Hunter's fiance Annie Woods works in the CIA's clandestine services unit for deputy director Grant Garrett. In the Adirondack mountains of NW Pennsylvania "Adair Energy", is beginning to frack for marcellus shale when an eco terrorist group known as "WildJustice" begins to sabotage the company. Dan Adair along with his top toxicologist Dr. Adam Silva have put everything on the line to make the company succeed. When the required local water tests come back as dangerous, this will cause everything to come to a halt. WildJustice and their leader Dr. Zachariah Boggs may have contaminated the local water/ tests to get the fracking stopped. Hunter and Annie Woods staying in Dylan's nearby cabin for several weeks have a run in with Boggs and his crew of terrorists. When Adair is killed in a bomb blast inside his lab/ home Hunter begins to see a conspiracy that reaches far into Washington D.C. circles. Something with the EPA and several other "green" agencies seem to be all in cahoots to further fracking instead of controlling it. Even the U.S. Senate may be inside this conspiracy. Before long Hunter has a price on his head. As Hunter prints story after story those in power know they need to stop Dylan at all costs. Dylan has to distance himself from Annie in order to keep her safe. In a heart palpitating and relentless plot, "Bad Deeds", is an incredible suspense thriller. At just over 520 very quickly reading pages this one is doesn't seem to have a brake pedal. Author Robert Bidinotto creates some very unique and colorful characters. The bad guy characters are easy to root very hard against. Although Dylan Hunter is a bit over the top on some occasions he's a guy we sure like see him get the better of the bad guys. I really liked this second Dylan Hunter much more than the first one. "Bad Deeds", gets five stars out of a possible five stars. The first two Dylan Hunter series books are top notch suspense thrillers. I'm looking forward to getting into the third book in this series. Highly recommend this series. The first book in this series is pretty much a must read first,in order to get the most enjoyment out of, "Bad Deeds". Be sure to check this series out.
January 1, 2018
Several things about this novel that detract from a higher 'star' rating.
It's about 100 pages too long for the story Bidinotto is trying to tell. His politics are very glaring, more so than needed to tell the tale. He overwrites the bad guys and the methods they use to make fracking sound more dangerous to the public.
He also overwrites the suspense portion of Annie's trek through the woods to come to the rescue. She's a CIA operative for Pete's sake. She has shown she's in condition in previous scenes in the novel.
It's about 100 pages too long for the story Bidinotto is trying to tell. His politics are very glaring, more so than needed to tell the tale. He overwrites the bad guys and the methods they use to make fracking sound more dangerous to the public.
He also overwrites the suspense portion of Annie's trek through the woods to come to the rescue. She's a CIA operative for Pete's sake. She has shown she's in condition in previous scenes in the novel.
May 2, 2019
Robert Bidinotto has provided another thinking man's thriller in Bad Deeds. I've like justice seekers from the first time I saw Bronson portray the wronged and aggrieved Paul Kersey. Dylan Hunter takes this several steps beyond as he seeks justice for people he knows combining the best of my other thriller heroes. He has the guns, cars and gadgets of James Bond, not from M, but from commercially available sources and willing friends in the business, the unlimited financial resources of Alex Hawke, the brutality of Jack Reacher, the government access of Scot harvath and the real day-job and stable relationship of Gabreil Allon. With his unique style, he blends these characteristics into a believable complex story with incredible techno-detail. The growing relationship with Annie as his life partner add to this brilliant read.
May 4, 2016
Bad Deeds is the second book in the Hunter series by best-selling thriller writer and award-winning investigative journalist Robert Bidinotto. His debut novel into the Fiction genre, Hunter: A Thriller was a tremendous success and this is the much awaited sequel. If you want, you can check out my review for Hunter: A Thriller on Goodreads I enjoyed the book very much and compared it to Without Remorse by Tom Clancy.
The story opens with an event that also took place in the first book, but seen from a different perspective. I won’t say anything else in regards to this plot line. After that we join the two main characters, investigative journalist Dylan Lee Hunter and CIA operative Annie Woods, as they spend some well-deserved R&R at a secluded cabin in the Allegheny National Forest. As in their previous adventure, the two are deeply in love and are making plans for the future. Mr. Bidinotto turns on the romance to the max and manages to create some really special moments. The two lovebirds are very happy, but things are about to change.
When the couple ventures into the civilized World for a cup of coffee, they are pulled into something that will threaten everything they’ve worked for so hard, the mutual trust and their ideals as human beings. There is a suspenseful fight scene reminiscent of a Jack Reacher novel, a great trip down memory lane for one of our characters, a group of eco-terrorists, corruption, politics, mysteries, murders and payback.
Bad Deeds is a Thriller first and foremost, filled with mystery and non- stop action, peppered with romantic moments and driven by a great story and amazing characters. I really loved how Robert Bidinotto evolved the character arcs for Dylan, Annie and Garrett, enriching them with every occasion. They all really feel alive and real. The plot is much more complicated than in the previous book, with lots of twists and turns, while the simple black and white / bad vs. evil aspects from Hunter aren’t as easily distinguishable in this one.
I read over 650 books in the last 10 years and I’m glad that these two thrillers by Robert Bidinotto situated themselves in my personal top 25. Mr. Bidinotto writes like the old masters of Suspense and Espionage, I can’t help but to put him alongside names like Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and Vince Flynn.
The audiobook version of Bad Deeds is performed by Conor Hall and like with Hunter: A Thriller he did a great job with the narration. He becomes mesmerizing after just a few seconds, reading with talent and passion, giving life to the characters, immersing the listener into the atmosphere with different voices, accents and acting appropriately, as each situation arises.
As I told you before, the Hunter series by Robert Bidinotto is the only experience I had with Conor Hall, but it is enough for me to consider him one of the best voices in the Audiobook Industry with a bright and promising future in front of him.
I’m looking forward to Hunter #3 and to more audiobooks performed by this great narrator.
The story opens with an event that also took place in the first book, but seen from a different perspective. I won’t say anything else in regards to this plot line. After that we join the two main characters, investigative journalist Dylan Lee Hunter and CIA operative Annie Woods, as they spend some well-deserved R&R at a secluded cabin in the Allegheny National Forest. As in their previous adventure, the two are deeply in love and are making plans for the future. Mr. Bidinotto turns on the romance to the max and manages to create some really special moments. The two lovebirds are very happy, but things are about to change.
When the couple ventures into the civilized World for a cup of coffee, they are pulled into something that will threaten everything they’ve worked for so hard, the mutual trust and their ideals as human beings. There is a suspenseful fight scene reminiscent of a Jack Reacher novel, a great trip down memory lane for one of our characters, a group of eco-terrorists, corruption, politics, mysteries, murders and payback.
Bad Deeds is a Thriller first and foremost, filled with mystery and non- stop action, peppered with romantic moments and driven by a great story and amazing characters. I really loved how Robert Bidinotto evolved the character arcs for Dylan, Annie and Garrett, enriching them with every occasion. They all really feel alive and real. The plot is much more complicated than in the previous book, with lots of twists and turns, while the simple black and white / bad vs. evil aspects from Hunter aren’t as easily distinguishable in this one.
I read over 650 books in the last 10 years and I’m glad that these two thrillers by Robert Bidinotto situated themselves in my personal top 25. Mr. Bidinotto writes like the old masters of Suspense and Espionage, I can’t help but to put him alongside names like Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and Vince Flynn.
The audiobook version of Bad Deeds is performed by Conor Hall and like with Hunter: A Thriller he did a great job with the narration. He becomes mesmerizing after just a few seconds, reading with talent and passion, giving life to the characters, immersing the listener into the atmosphere with different voices, accents and acting appropriately, as each situation arises.
As I told you before, the Hunter series by Robert Bidinotto is the only experience I had with Conor Hall, but it is enough for me to consider him one of the best voices in the Audiobook Industry with a bright and promising future in front of him.
I’m looking forward to Hunter #3 and to more audiobooks performed by this great narrator.
May 3, 2016
Lots of action and a “To Thine Own Self be True” dilemma. Good audio! My rating 4.5.
Dylan Hunter is a man who finds it hard to turn away from injustice. He is not beyond taking matters into his own hands. After all, he has the training and the funds to take action. He is currently holed up, incognito, in a cabin in the Allegheny Forest in Pennsylvania, with Annie Woods, the woman he loves. She is trying to recover from the trauma of watching Dylan coated in blood from a battle with a prior enemy.
Dylan and Annie are visiting a café when three workers from a local fracking company run in being chased by environmental activists. Dylan soon learns that there seems to be a connection between the activists known as Wild Justice, a “green energy” investment company, CarboNot, and the EPA. These entities are raising opposition to the local fracking efforts, even using false testings to create a moratorium. Dylan decides to protect the workers when he sees the gang that swarms the café with hand weapons.
Although Dylan helped in the initial confrontation, he hadn’t planned to become embroiled in the dispute. But the leader of the Wild Justice group attacks Dylan and Annie. The man had no idea who he was messing with! Dylan, a journalist, will report the issues seeking exposure for the injustice. But exposure isn’t enough. Who else can help protect the local workers and businesses from the power of the government agencies and the elitist investors backing them? This is what Dylan does, but Annie objects to more violence and danger in Dylan’s life. He has to make a tough decision... stay safe to keep the woman he has come to love or be true to who he is.
I enjoyed learning of Dylan’s strong father and the lessons and examples that shaped Dylan into the man he is. I also appreciated the insights that Dylan’s former CIA boss, Grant Garrett, gives to Annie and Dylan. These psychological tidbits, and the loving romance, were neatly woven into the action that develops as Dylan investigates the corruption and how far it spreads. The discussion of the process of fracking and the underhanded schemes of the environmental groups is interesting. Dylan’s tactics and tricks at spying and imposing retribution are even more fascinating. Dylan is not quite as impulsive as before, especially now that he has Annie to think of.
The story moves along at a quick pace with a fine combination of emotion, romance, conspiracy and action. This could be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading book one, Hunter, to learn more about the complex protagonist and to appreciate his character growth in this book. This book has a natural conclusion but leaves a very scary opening for another confrontation for Dylan.
Audio Notes: Conor Hall does an excellent narration of the various character voices and the emotions. I was able to always tell who was speaking and the intensity and pacing were spot on.
Dylan Hunter is a man who finds it hard to turn away from injustice. He is not beyond taking matters into his own hands. After all, he has the training and the funds to take action. He is currently holed up, incognito, in a cabin in the Allegheny Forest in Pennsylvania, with Annie Woods, the woman he loves. She is trying to recover from the trauma of watching Dylan coated in blood from a battle with a prior enemy.
Dylan and Annie are visiting a café when three workers from a local fracking company run in being chased by environmental activists. Dylan soon learns that there seems to be a connection between the activists known as Wild Justice, a “green energy” investment company, CarboNot, and the EPA. These entities are raising opposition to the local fracking efforts, even using false testings to create a moratorium. Dylan decides to protect the workers when he sees the gang that swarms the café with hand weapons.
Although Dylan helped in the initial confrontation, he hadn’t planned to become embroiled in the dispute. But the leader of the Wild Justice group attacks Dylan and Annie. The man had no idea who he was messing with! Dylan, a journalist, will report the issues seeking exposure for the injustice. But exposure isn’t enough. Who else can help protect the local workers and businesses from the power of the government agencies and the elitist investors backing them? This is what Dylan does, but Annie objects to more violence and danger in Dylan’s life. He has to make a tough decision... stay safe to keep the woman he has come to love or be true to who he is.
I enjoyed learning of Dylan’s strong father and the lessons and examples that shaped Dylan into the man he is. I also appreciated the insights that Dylan’s former CIA boss, Grant Garrett, gives to Annie and Dylan. These psychological tidbits, and the loving romance, were neatly woven into the action that develops as Dylan investigates the corruption and how far it spreads. The discussion of the process of fracking and the underhanded schemes of the environmental groups is interesting. Dylan’s tactics and tricks at spying and imposing retribution are even more fascinating. Dylan is not quite as impulsive as before, especially now that he has Annie to think of.
The story moves along at a quick pace with a fine combination of emotion, romance, conspiracy and action. This could be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading book one, Hunter, to learn more about the complex protagonist and to appreciate his character growth in this book. This book has a natural conclusion but leaves a very scary opening for another confrontation for Dylan.
Audio Notes: Conor Hall does an excellent narration of the various character voices and the emotions. I was able to always tell who was speaking and the intensity and pacing were spot on.
May 20, 2015
BAD DEEDS, the second in Bidinotto's "Dylan Hunter" thriller series, delivers another strong tale that skillfully weaves several threads into a coherent story of corruption, love, risk, and, of course, vigilante violence.
If you've been paying any attention to the world these days, the plot involving moneyed and powerful D.C. interests using enviro-fanatics to advance their sinister agenda is not a stretch of the imagination at all. There are a handful of scenes and concepts that do require some suspension of disbelief -- but hey, it's a novel, not a CIA fact sheet. The main story didn't have a lot of mystery to it from a reader perspective, but it was interesting to watch Hunter put the pieces together nonetheless. And watching the bad guys get their comeuppance from Hunter is always a treat.
I'm not a huge fan of the love story, but it is integral to the secondary plot, and it was satisfying to finally see Annie live up to her CIA creds. As usual, Hunter was everything he should be: super-smart, anticipatory, tough as nails, wry, resourceful, uncompromising. While many of the supporting characters were straight out of central casting, they filled their purposes well, in terms of telling the morality play that Bidiotto was shooting for. Boggs was a nice exception -- despite his asinine and fanatical philosophy (yes, there are really people who think like him), he had some nice nuanced aspects to his background and narcissistic temperament (highly intelligent, but blinded by ideology; violent and sadistic, but a fearful weakling; charismatic leader, but painfully insecure; psychopathic, but actually convinced of his own righteousness). Some of these characteristics made him a great foil for Hunter because Boggs was, in some ways, who Hunter could have become in the absence of a moral compass.
I think the book may have been a little long -- could've been trimmed up and made just a little tighter. The pace was generally pretty riveting, but it did have more than a couple of dry patches where it slowed. Still, I kept turning those pages, knowing it would pick right up soon -- and it never disappointed.
Robert Bidinotto is a very talented writer, and I would love to see what happens next in this series.
(For those interested, this book included more profanity than the last, but the author still manages to avoid crossing over into rated-R land. More foul language than I like personally -- I am a prude -- but certainly appropriate for the subject matter and characterizations.)
If you've been paying any attention to the world these days, the plot involving moneyed and powerful D.C. interests using enviro-fanatics to advance their sinister agenda is not a stretch of the imagination at all. There are a handful of scenes and concepts that do require some suspension of disbelief -- but hey, it's a novel, not a CIA fact sheet. The main story didn't have a lot of mystery to it from a reader perspective, but it was interesting to watch Hunter put the pieces together nonetheless. And watching the bad guys get their comeuppance from Hunter is always a treat.
I'm not a huge fan of the love story, but it is integral to the secondary plot, and it was satisfying to finally see Annie live up to her CIA creds. As usual, Hunter was everything he should be: super-smart, anticipatory, tough as nails, wry, resourceful, uncompromising. While many of the supporting characters were straight out of central casting, they filled their purposes well, in terms of telling the morality play that Bidiotto was shooting for. Boggs was a nice exception -- despite his asinine and fanatical philosophy (yes, there are really people who think like him), he had some nice nuanced aspects to his background and narcissistic temperament (highly intelligent, but blinded by ideology; violent and sadistic, but a fearful weakling; charismatic leader, but painfully insecure; psychopathic, but actually convinced of his own righteousness). Some of these characteristics made him a great foil for Hunter because Boggs was, in some ways, who Hunter could have become in the absence of a moral compass.
I think the book may have been a little long -- could've been trimmed up and made just a little tighter. The pace was generally pretty riveting, but it did have more than a couple of dry patches where it slowed. Still, I kept turning those pages, knowing it would pick right up soon -- and it never disappointed.
Robert Bidinotto is a very talented writer, and I would love to see what happens next in this series.
(For those interested, this book included more profanity than the last, but the author still manages to avoid crossing over into rated-R land. More foul language than I like personally -- I am a prude -- but certainly appropriate for the subject matter and characterizations.)
March 17, 2016
Dylan Hunter butts head (and bullets) with another batch of bad guys--this time an extreme environmentalist group and the political cabal funding them--and uses his considerable cunning and violent skills to bring them to justice. Of course, this being a vigilante thriller, Hunter's idea of justice differs slightly from the legal definition. Without being too spoiler-y, let's just say that if your idea of a perfect story resolution is having the villains handcuffed and tossed in jail, you might want to watch a Law & Order rerun instead of reading "Bad Deeds," because this ain't that.
That said, Hunter is far from your stereotypical vigilante crusader, in that author Robert Bidinotto imbues him with a soft, tender, romantic side to balance out his primal edges. Some thriller fans may lament the unusual amount of time spent on Hunter and Annie's relationship woes, but that emotional conflict is what separates this book from its contemporaries, what makes Hunter more than just a robotic killing machine. Plus the romance angle pays off nicely during the climax (uh, no pun intended).
Mr. Bidinotto simply does this genre justice by providing all the requisite thrills and combat and gunfights while simultaneously giving us characters we can root for. Yes, as other reviews have remarked, his personal opinion of environmentalism and the politics behind the movement sometimes bleed through with less subtlety than some are comfortable with, but personally, I have zero issue with authors incorporating their personal beliefs into a story so long as that story is well told and "Bad Deeds" certainly qualifies as well-told. It starts with a bang, slows down long enough to establish the threat and character dynamics, then spends the second half unleashing the kind of violent action thriller fans hope for.
So, speaking of hope ... here's hoping the next book in the Dylan Hunter series gets written sooner rather than later.
That said, Hunter is far from your stereotypical vigilante crusader, in that author Robert Bidinotto imbues him with a soft, tender, romantic side to balance out his primal edges. Some thriller fans may lament the unusual amount of time spent on Hunter and Annie's relationship woes, but that emotional conflict is what separates this book from its contemporaries, what makes Hunter more than just a robotic killing machine. Plus the romance angle pays off nicely during the climax (uh, no pun intended).
Mr. Bidinotto simply does this genre justice by providing all the requisite thrills and combat and gunfights while simultaneously giving us characters we can root for. Yes, as other reviews have remarked, his personal opinion of environmentalism and the politics behind the movement sometimes bleed through with less subtlety than some are comfortable with, but personally, I have zero issue with authors incorporating their personal beliefs into a story so long as that story is well told and "Bad Deeds" certainly qualifies as well-told. It starts with a bang, slows down long enough to establish the threat and character dynamics, then spends the second half unleashing the kind of violent action thriller fans hope for.
So, speaking of hope ... here's hoping the next book in the Dylan Hunter series gets written sooner rather than later.
June 2, 2016
Having recently finished the first book in the Dylan Hunter series HUNTER: A Thriller by Robert Bidinotto, I was anxious to get started on the second book. As I expected, I enjoyed Bad Deeds every bit as much as HUNTER. I received the Audible version of this book in exchange for an honest review and it was a pleasure to listen to this story.
Bad Deeds picks up right where HUNTER left off so I was so glad I had read the first book. I will say however, if you end up reading Bad Deeds without having read HUNTER, it won’t matter. The book stands on its own with several references to things that happened in the first book. The story is very fast paced with lots of suspense.
The character development in this book is awesome and the writing is fabulous. The author uses just the right amount of description and adjectives to define his characters and the settings so that we get a great visualization without any superfluous prose. I can not say enough good things about the writing. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from this book:
“…she was a too thin, too tanned woman who dressed too young…” and,
“…in place of a neck, a bag of flesh hung from the stub of his chin and tucked into the open collar of his grey plaid pajama top….”
The author has an extensive background and knowledge of crime and justice reporting which adds to the believability of the story. I love that “crime doesn’t pay” in these books and that the “bad guys” get their comeuppance.
Like HUNTER, Bad Deeds was also narrated by Conor Hall and he did a wonderful job once again. He uses just the right amount of voice changes for the various characters and the transitions are flawless.
There was a slight twist at the end of this book which leaves a perfect opening for the third book in the series. I don’t know the current status of that book but I will be anxiously awaiting it!
If you are considering reading this book, do it! You won’t be disappointed!
Bad Deeds picks up right where HUNTER left off so I was so glad I had read the first book. I will say however, if you end up reading Bad Deeds without having read HUNTER, it won’t matter. The book stands on its own with several references to things that happened in the first book. The story is very fast paced with lots of suspense.
The character development in this book is awesome and the writing is fabulous. The author uses just the right amount of description and adjectives to define his characters and the settings so that we get a great visualization without any superfluous prose. I can not say enough good things about the writing. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from this book:
“…she was a too thin, too tanned woman who dressed too young…” and,
“…in place of a neck, a bag of flesh hung from the stub of his chin and tucked into the open collar of his grey plaid pajama top….”
The author has an extensive background and knowledge of crime and justice reporting which adds to the believability of the story. I love that “crime doesn’t pay” in these books and that the “bad guys” get their comeuppance.
Like HUNTER, Bad Deeds was also narrated by Conor Hall and he did a wonderful job once again. He uses just the right amount of voice changes for the various characters and the transitions are flawless.
There was a slight twist at the end of this book which leaves a perfect opening for the third book in the series. I don’t know the current status of that book but I will be anxiously awaiting it!
If you are considering reading this book, do it! You won’t be disappointed!
May 25, 2016
Political corruption and short falls in the justice system causes Dylan Hunter to once again be drawn back into his vigilantly ways; this not only puts him and others in danger but it also causes problems in his personal life. The complex relationship between Annie and Dylan is captivating and the edge-of-your-seat tension the author and narrator creates makes this audiobook difficult to put down. It is a well written, very exciting thriller that follows on well from book one. It can be read as a stand alone but if you read the first in the series prior to this one, you will get a lot more out of it.
Not only is this a great sequel to Hunter, but it also examines the emotions and costs of personal principles/honour vs commitment to loved ones. The points raised and dilemmas faced by the protagonists makes you think, make you consider which one would come first in your life; could you resist following your principles, even if doing so risked your relationship with your loved one? I'm not sure which would be harder to live with, compromising your principles or potentially causing irrevocable harm to your relationship! This story leads you on a complex, suspenseful journey that blurs the lines between right and wrong. Is there such a thing as justifiable homicide or is murder always murder, even when the law has failed us? If we condone individuals taking the law into their own hands, even if it seems the more moral thing to do, are we not taking one step closer to eventual anarchy?
Once again the narrator did an excellent job, bringing to life the characters and infusing emotion into the narrative. The characters individual personalities were easily identified and very well portrayed. I look forward to enjoying the next book in the series. I received this audiobook from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review
Not only is this a great sequel to Hunter, but it also examines the emotions and costs of personal principles/honour vs commitment to loved ones. The points raised and dilemmas faced by the protagonists makes you think, make you consider which one would come first in your life; could you resist following your principles, even if doing so risked your relationship with your loved one? I'm not sure which would be harder to live with, compromising your principles or potentially causing irrevocable harm to your relationship! This story leads you on a complex, suspenseful journey that blurs the lines between right and wrong. Is there such a thing as justifiable homicide or is murder always murder, even when the law has failed us? If we condone individuals taking the law into their own hands, even if it seems the more moral thing to do, are we not taking one step closer to eventual anarchy?
Once again the narrator did an excellent job, bringing to life the characters and infusing emotion into the narrative. The characters individual personalities were easily identified and very well portrayed. I look forward to enjoying the next book in the series. I received this audiobook from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review
October 9, 2015
I enjoyed this book even more than book one in the series. Dylan Hunter and Annie Woods continue to be heroic, likable characters. The modern-day villains of Bad Deeds represent all parts of a network of cronyism and corruption, from the money people to the lawmakers to the legal activists to the mad scientist and his followers who are responsible for "direct action." This particular network rides the current global-warming environmentalist trend, seeking to shut down responsible, productive fracking companies while investing in "alternative energy sources" such as windmills and solar panels. The profiteering off anti-fossil fuel laws doesn't wash too well with the direct action arm of the conspiracy however. A true believer, Dr. Boggs puts the "mental" into "environmentalism." Will Dylan and Annie be able to leverage the fractures in the network to finally shut down this malicious, malignant conspiracy?
Dylan Hunter is a thoroughly enjoyable hero. Wealthy, cunning, and lethally trained, he methodically begins to take the network apart using several different means, varied and highly gratifying to read about. Meanwhile, his romance with Annie takes a hit as she struggles to accept the reality of what kind of man he is – and learn more about her own strength and power in the process.
I highly recommend Bidinotto's thrilling second installment in his Hunter series. Truly good, likable, decent people battling with evil, corrupt, greedy, power-hungry, and criminally insane bad guys – what's not to love?
Dylan Hunter is a thoroughly enjoyable hero. Wealthy, cunning, and lethally trained, he methodically begins to take the network apart using several different means, varied and highly gratifying to read about. Meanwhile, his romance with Annie takes a hit as she struggles to accept the reality of what kind of man he is – and learn more about her own strength and power in the process.
I highly recommend Bidinotto's thrilling second installment in his Hunter series. Truly good, likable, decent people battling with evil, corrupt, greedy, power-hungry, and criminally insane bad guys – what's not to love?
January 3, 2016
The first novel in Robert Bidinotto's Hunted series was mind-boggling, yes that good.
This second novel picks up where the first left off. Dylan Hunter, ace journalist, ex-covert ops CIA specialist has found his one and only in CIA agent, Annie Woods. Dylan has only one fault, he can't walk away from evil, he can't turn his back on it. To do so would be to compromise everything he has ever believed in, everything his father "Big Mike" taught him. In order to hold on to Annie and their future he just may have to compromise. However, when faced with an injustice that stems from the very pinnacle of corporate and government power, a plot to shut down the fracking industry for all of the wrong reasons, he can't step aside even if it costs him his only chance for a normal life and love.
Bidinotto never strays from his pointed narration against criminal activity in government, corporations, and self-serving individuals. The only difference is that he takes the less traveled road, against what is expected, he gives you the politically incorrect argument and opens the door for discussion and reevaluation of ideas and preconceived notions and concepts.
I'm a big fan!
This second novel picks up where the first left off. Dylan Hunter, ace journalist, ex-covert ops CIA specialist has found his one and only in CIA agent, Annie Woods. Dylan has only one fault, he can't walk away from evil, he can't turn his back on it. To do so would be to compromise everything he has ever believed in, everything his father "Big Mike" taught him. In order to hold on to Annie and their future he just may have to compromise. However, when faced with an injustice that stems from the very pinnacle of corporate and government power, a plot to shut down the fracking industry for all of the wrong reasons, he can't step aside even if it costs him his only chance for a normal life and love.
Bidinotto never strays from his pointed narration against criminal activity in government, corporations, and self-serving individuals. The only difference is that he takes the less traveled road, against what is expected, he gives you the politically incorrect argument and opens the door for discussion and reevaluation of ideas and preconceived notions and concepts.
I'm a big fan!
May 1, 2016
This was another really good book in the Dylan Hunter series by Robert Bidinotto. I have to admit that I didn't think it was as good as the first, but it is still really good, and I hope more books are written in the series. This book focuses on fracking, ecoterrorism, and political intrigue, and, of course, vigilante justice. This book has it all: murder, mystery, action, and romance. I listened to the Audible version, which was narrated by Conor Hall. This is the second book I've listened to that he has narrated, and he is definitely becoming one of my favorite narrators. The range in his voice, which allows him to differentiate between characters is incredible. On the last book I listened to by him, I had a little trouble with the volume of the different voices, turning it up to hear the lower voices, then finding it too loud for other voices. I didn't really have that problem with this book. Overall, a great book with great narration, and I highly recommend it.
March 29, 2015
Dylan Hunter is back with a vengeance
For readers seeking truth and justice, Dylan Hunter delivers in his latest war against criminals. This time his focus is on eco-terrorists and their political and business hand maidens trying to destroy fracking efforts in Pennsylvania. In this page-turner you follow Dylan as he uncovers a campaign headed by a twisted leader who rallies his less aware followers in a fight, secretly backed by a deep-pocketed few with profit not ecology as their motive. The personal stakes for Dylan are raised when he falls in love. A thoroughly satisfying roller coaster of good versus evil, with Dylan Hunter determined to right wrongs and see the criminals get their due.
For readers seeking truth and justice, Dylan Hunter delivers in his latest war against criminals. This time his focus is on eco-terrorists and their political and business hand maidens trying to destroy fracking efforts in Pennsylvania. In this page-turner you follow Dylan as he uncovers a campaign headed by a twisted leader who rallies his less aware followers in a fight, secretly backed by a deep-pocketed few with profit not ecology as their motive. The personal stakes for Dylan are raised when he falls in love. A thoroughly satisfying roller coaster of good versus evil, with Dylan Hunter determined to right wrongs and see the criminals get their due.
April 13, 2015
Excellent! What a nice surprise to find that the second book in a series is even better than the first! Dylan Hunter's character never disappoints. Even though this book is longer than the ones I usually read, the story moved so quickly that it read like a shorter one. Can't wait until the next book!
March 13, 2017
I have a crush on Dylan Hunter and am eagerly awaiting the next book. Come on, Robert. Can't you write faster? Recommend for fans of Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers, Flynn's Mitch Rapp and Childs' Reacher.
June 20, 2014
A fast-paced and action-packed thriller. I won't say more here as I'll be reviewing the book in more detail on my blog.
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