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The Gunn Files #1
Culture Shock
Aliens are among us, and Austin, Texas just got a whole lot weirder.
When smart-aleck, down-on-his-luck bounty hunter Anderson Gunn snags his next job, he’s just happy to get the gig. The target he’s chasing may be wanted for murder, but his bills aren’t going to pay themselves.
As it turns out, he probably should've been more selective. When he tracks down Cameron Kovak, the wanted man turns out to be no man at all.
Gunn finds himself face to face with a tentacled creature out of Ridley Scott’s worst nightmare - a baby Cthulhu, wearing his target's skin like a onesie. And that's just the start of it. Aliens have their eyes on us, and Gunn finds himself swept up in their mysterious plans.
Experience the start of The Gunn Files, a sci-fi thrill ride that will have you wondering if aliens truly walk among us. It's perfect for fans of Men in Black and The X-Files.
Also available on Audible, narrated by Oliver Wyman (Monster Hunter International).
When smart-aleck, down-on-his-luck bounty hunter Anderson Gunn snags his next job, he’s just happy to get the gig. The target he’s chasing may be wanted for murder, but his bills aren’t going to pay themselves.
As it turns out, he probably should've been more selective. When he tracks down Cameron Kovak, the wanted man turns out to be no man at all.
Gunn finds himself face to face with a tentacled creature out of Ridley Scott’s worst nightmare - a baby Cthulhu, wearing his target's skin like a onesie. And that's just the start of it. Aliens have their eyes on us, and Gunn finds himself swept up in their mysterious plans.
Experience the start of The Gunn Files, a sci-fi thrill ride that will have you wondering if aliens truly walk among us. It's perfect for fans of Men in Black and The X-Files.
Also available on Audible, narrated by Oliver Wyman (Monster Hunter International).
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2020
277 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
M.G. Herron
42 books94 followersM.G. Herron is the author of The Gunn Files, The Translocator Trilogy, and other stories of science fiction and fantasy.
His work is published both independently and through publishing houses such as Audible Studios and Aethon Books. Altogether Herron’s novels have sold tens of thousands of copies.
Based in sunny Austin, Texas, MG’s alter ego, Matt, works for a product design agency as a content strategist. He enjoys traveling with his wife and their dog, hiking, rock climbing, and making up stories.
Learn more at mgherron.com.
His work is published both independently and through publishing houses such as Audible Studios and Aethon Books. Altogether Herron’s novels have sold tens of thousands of copies.
Based in sunny Austin, Texas, MG’s alter ego, Matt, works for a product design agency as a content strategist. He enjoys traveling with his wife and their dog, hiking, rock climbing, and making up stories.
Learn more at mgherron.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 31, 2022
Trouble Up Ahead.
Anderson Gunn is a bounty hunter. He is searching for Cameron Kovak, a bail jumper.
He chases Kovak into a building and up on the roof. There he meets Elakstra, an off-worlder (otherwise known as alien).
When Elakstra immobilize and attack him, he is helped by Dyna and Kilos, two undercover agents of The Federation.
After Elakstra gets away, the two aliens, Dyna and Kilos, talk Gunn into helping them catch the alien, Elakstra.
If things were hectic before, they become a lot more so than ever. Chaos reigns.
The author uses a lot of humor and confusion to tell this story. And it works. The pages flyby. Chapters are short and the book is a delight.
There’s enough carrying on to earn four stars. ✨
Anderson Gunn is a bounty hunter. He is searching for Cameron Kovak, a bail jumper.
He chases Kovak into a building and up on the roof. There he meets Elakstra, an off-worlder (otherwise known as alien).
When Elakstra immobilize and attack him, he is helped by Dyna and Kilos, two undercover agents of The Federation.
After Elakstra gets away, the two aliens, Dyna and Kilos, talk Gunn into helping them catch the alien, Elakstra.
If things were hectic before, they become a lot more so than ever. Chaos reigns.
The author uses a lot of humor and confusion to tell this story. And it works. The pages flyby. Chapters are short and the book is a delight.
There’s enough carrying on to earn four stars. ✨
April 7, 2020
What a mesmerising read, I was hooked from the beginning! The narrative is so fluid with a pragmatic approach, the easy going personality of the main character in first person is a fresh look into his living style and his outlook towards life, a great character and world building, the story starts immediately with the a case, making the combination of both his life and plot very captivating. Pride, stubbornness kept him going, with help from his best friends, he makes a mind blowing discovery! I was snagged from the beginning, fast paced, with a witty dialogue, gritty, it kept me up till the wee hours, had to finish it to know how it all ended. Looking forward to read more about how the story progresses in Overdose #2.
July 30, 2021
Notes:
Good setup for the series. Has the vibe of Men in Black.
Good setup for the series. Has the vibe of Men in Black.
March 20, 2020
Excellent modern world sci-fi. Fun with consistent and entertaining characters. Can't wait for the next book.
March 16, 2020
This book is a touch of Men in Black with a bounty hunter. Anderson Gunn will not stop till he has caught his guy, even if he is an alien. I enjoyed the book, the characters are likeable and the plot is good. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
December 19, 2020
A very enjoyable, light-hearted read with great characters and an unusual plot. As usual, this author has made a very readable book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and am looking forward to the next book!
July 10, 2020
Anderson Gunn is a down on his luck Bounty Hunter. He has his own business in Austin Texas and gets his bounties from a friend called Alek. Alek notices that Gunn isn’t doing great, so offers him a job, a simple one, but at the same time, a bit harder, to hunt down and bring in a bail jumper, who is now wanted for Murder, his name is Cameron Kovak.
Gunn, being desperate for money (He has just had a note saying he missed his rent, and bills are due, and things are not good), jumps at the opportunity, as it as a $10K price tag on it (Bail was for $100K, and the person who brings them in gets 10%).
Alek, who is worried about his friend, also sends over his accountant, who happens to be a stunning blonde called Annabelle Summers, and between a lot of flirting, she actually does sort out his money. Whilst doing that, there is a sighting of Kovak, so Gunn leaves her and goes to the scene of the Murder.
Whilst there, he runs into another old friend, a Detective, Sheila Gonzalez, and you find out they are good friends, and there is some amusing banter. You quickly work out that the Author is great at developing his characters through conversations, giving you a lot of background story about his main character, as well as his supporting characters, whilst at the same time, developing the story, all done with clever, rich dialogue, that is fun to read.
We learn that things are weird at this scene, and it is not a ditch, but a crater, and whilst there, Gunn sees two very strange looking detectives, one an odd-looking albino, and the other does not look right? As he is looking at them, they turn to stair at him, and he turns away quickly, and when he turns back, they have literally vanished, making Gunn wonder what is happening?
Without giving too much away (don’t worry, everything above is just general stuff), Gunn does catch up to Kovak, and things go horribly wrong, because he kind of has tentacles, and a 20ft tongue. And just to really freak him out, the other two strange Detectives are there.
And this is where we go from a Mystery-Thriller with a ‘Bruce Willis’ type Bail Bondsman/Bounty Hunter, to a Sci-Fi story.
Gunn is hunting a Fugitive alright, just not from this planet.
Kovak is not Kovak, (and I am not going into any details here as I don’t want to give too much away), but an alien (duh, obviously, I just said that..Sorry…), but so are the other two Detectives. They are intergalactic Bounty Hunters.
The story ramps up from like an 8 to a 16 then (out of 10), as Gunn doesn’t go down the rabbit hole, he is dragged down it. He finds out that there are Aliens Earth, and there are all sorts of things going on that he (and everyone else) has no clue about. The world building here is just exceptional, Herron has gone to incredible depth to create this ‘underworld’ that is hidden from Humanity, and provide it with a plethora of different things. I again, don’t want to give any real details and spoil all the fun.
And that is what it is, you have this really great thriller story, as Gunn chases this dangerous fugitive (and it isn’t just a simple bail jumper, stakes have been raised and there are now lives on the line, including ones close to Gunn), but during the story, we get to meet all this really brilliant Characters. Herron is an outstanding Character Author, creating all these different characters to fill out his story, giving it so much depth, with a lot of really great (and realistic) dialogue, that brings the story up to a whole new level.
His descriptive work, of his world, his characters, and most of all, his intense action scenes is masterful, leaving you sitting there with your mouth open at times as you read, in a silent ‘Wow’, or ‘Awww’ as something incredible happens and he gives you this compelling and extraordinary description.
This is one of those books that you finish, and as you are finishing the last few lines, you are already finding something to buy the next book, or when you went to get a drink earlier (if you stopped reading of course), you bought it when got your coffee or tea (probably coffee, so you could stay awake a bit longer to read more!)
If you want a brilliant read, that covers just about every genre (except kids – children should not read this, but I’m guessing you already knew that!! *GRIN*), there is even romance, then this is the book. I have read some great books this year, but this is one of the best Sci-Fi Action Thrillers I have read this year, and I am already into the sequel “Overdose”.
You won’t be disappointed!
Gunn, being desperate for money (He has just had a note saying he missed his rent, and bills are due, and things are not good), jumps at the opportunity, as it as a $10K price tag on it (Bail was for $100K, and the person who brings them in gets 10%).
Alek, who is worried about his friend, also sends over his accountant, who happens to be a stunning blonde called Annabelle Summers, and between a lot of flirting, she actually does sort out his money. Whilst doing that, there is a sighting of Kovak, so Gunn leaves her and goes to the scene of the Murder.
Whilst there, he runs into another old friend, a Detective, Sheila Gonzalez, and you find out they are good friends, and there is some amusing banter. You quickly work out that the Author is great at developing his characters through conversations, giving you a lot of background story about his main character, as well as his supporting characters, whilst at the same time, developing the story, all done with clever, rich dialogue, that is fun to read.
We learn that things are weird at this scene, and it is not a ditch, but a crater, and whilst there, Gunn sees two very strange looking detectives, one an odd-looking albino, and the other does not look right? As he is looking at them, they turn to stair at him, and he turns away quickly, and when he turns back, they have literally vanished, making Gunn wonder what is happening?
Without giving too much away (don’t worry, everything above is just general stuff), Gunn does catch up to Kovak, and things go horribly wrong, because he kind of has tentacles, and a 20ft tongue. And just to really freak him out, the other two strange Detectives are there.
And this is where we go from a Mystery-Thriller with a ‘Bruce Willis’ type Bail Bondsman/Bounty Hunter, to a Sci-Fi story.
Gunn is hunting a Fugitive alright, just not from this planet.
Kovak is not Kovak, (and I am not going into any details here as I don’t want to give too much away), but an alien (duh, obviously, I just said that..Sorry…), but so are the other two Detectives. They are intergalactic Bounty Hunters.
The story ramps up from like an 8 to a 16 then (out of 10), as Gunn doesn’t go down the rabbit hole, he is dragged down it. He finds out that there are Aliens Earth, and there are all sorts of things going on that he (and everyone else) has no clue about. The world building here is just exceptional, Herron has gone to incredible depth to create this ‘underworld’ that is hidden from Humanity, and provide it with a plethora of different things. I again, don’t want to give any real details and spoil all the fun.
And that is what it is, you have this really great thriller story, as Gunn chases this dangerous fugitive (and it isn’t just a simple bail jumper, stakes have been raised and there are now lives on the line, including ones close to Gunn), but during the story, we get to meet all this really brilliant Characters. Herron is an outstanding Character Author, creating all these different characters to fill out his story, giving it so much depth, with a lot of really great (and realistic) dialogue, that brings the story up to a whole new level.
His descriptive work, of his world, his characters, and most of all, his intense action scenes is masterful, leaving you sitting there with your mouth open at times as you read, in a silent ‘Wow’, or ‘Awww’ as something incredible happens and he gives you this compelling and extraordinary description.
This is one of those books that you finish, and as you are finishing the last few lines, you are already finding something to buy the next book, or when you went to get a drink earlier (if you stopped reading of course), you bought it when got your coffee or tea (probably coffee, so you could stay awake a bit longer to read more!)
If you want a brilliant read, that covers just about every genre (except kids – children should not read this, but I’m guessing you already knew that!! *GRIN*), there is even romance, then this is the book. I have read some great books this year, but this is one of the best Sci-Fi Action Thrillers I have read this year, and I am already into the sequel “Overdose”.
You won’t be disappointed!
April 7, 2020
Not your average sci fi or mystery book. A tale of aliens that have been living on earth but were clocked to look like humans. A bounty hunter gets to become an alien hunter in a very entertaining read. This one will keep your interest all the way to the end.
April 18, 2020
Fantastic book. Great author. Lovable cast. Worth a full series for sure.
December 6, 2024
Herron mixes gritty detective tropes and light humour, creating an aliens-among-us tale that is half Men in Black and half Sam Spade.
Finding a missing murder suspect isn’t the safest job in the world—but as a bounty hunter in Texas—Anderson Gunn isn’t put off by a little danger if the money is right; and the discovery someone else is on the suspects tail just means he’ll have to get there first. Being attacked by a tentacled monstrosity should be a step too far; but he does really need the money.
Herron opens with the classic thriller opening of a cynical but decent protagonist taking a job because he needs the money. The initial section, filled with cramped offices, a complex past with the police detective investigating the case, hunches, suspicious strangers, and lies by omission tint the narrative further noir. However, Herron’s touch is skilled, using the tropes to set the tone and create a sense of setting without crossing the line into pastiche or mere reference for the sake of it.
The shift into ‘aliens exist and live among us’ is gradual but not actively hidden from the reader (a lack of twist perhaps unsurprising given the cover and description both reveal this isn’t straight thriller noir). While the reader is in on the secret, Herron avoids straining credulity by only giving Gunn uncertain enough evidence to begin with that Aliens! is not the most obvious solution. This sense of reasonableness is amplified by Herron presenting, via Gunn’s narration, Austin, Texas, as a home for people who believe in conspiracies, new age-ry, and other non-mainstream things, so the mundane sometimes has a veneer of weirdness.
Herron also doesn’t stretch out the reveal, facing Gunn with solid evidence that things are properly strange well before a reader will start to either feel Gunn is wilfully blind or wonder if the alien action is actually going to happen. Once this veil is pulled away, Herron leans into the pragmatism of the noir protagonist, allowing Gunn his confusion and hesitation but continuing with tense investigation and action rather than extended introspection.
Herron’s aliens and the plot are a solid blend of there being a lot of real creatures that aren’t human and there being certain things all social beings seem to favour. This offers the reader a pleasing sense of the strange or unexpected while also creating a world of alien police officer, mobsters, extremists, and everyday joes that both make it plausible Gunn’s skills will be of use and allow the reader a foundation to predict what might happen.
Once the alien threat is revealed, the book slants more toward action film; however, Herron keeps the danger real rather than cinematic and the humour in the regions of “worst possible moment” and sardonic reaction to fate rather than the farcical; thus, it feels like an interweaving of genres rather than a conflict between gritty thriller and comedic aliens.
Although broader issues, both for the world and Gunn in particular, remain unresolved, Herron tidily concludes the arc that started with the initial search for a missing man. Thus, while the book feels like the opening to a series, it stands alone.
Gunn is a well-crafted protagonist, driven by morals but also by the need to make money and an awareness of his limitations. Thus, while readers might not always agree with his decisions, they are likely to feel they are reasonable and find him neither overly self-righteous nor self-doubting.
The supporting cast each display a plausible blend of noir and alien-action traits. This both supports the interweaving of the two threads and creates opportunities for speaking at cross purposes.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking well-paced, hard-boiled alien action.
Finding a missing murder suspect isn’t the safest job in the world—but as a bounty hunter in Texas—Anderson Gunn isn’t put off by a little danger if the money is right; and the discovery someone else is on the suspects tail just means he’ll have to get there first. Being attacked by a tentacled monstrosity should be a step too far; but he does really need the money.
Herron opens with the classic thriller opening of a cynical but decent protagonist taking a job because he needs the money. The initial section, filled with cramped offices, a complex past with the police detective investigating the case, hunches, suspicious strangers, and lies by omission tint the narrative further noir. However, Herron’s touch is skilled, using the tropes to set the tone and create a sense of setting without crossing the line into pastiche or mere reference for the sake of it.
The shift into ‘aliens exist and live among us’ is gradual but not actively hidden from the reader (a lack of twist perhaps unsurprising given the cover and description both reveal this isn’t straight thriller noir). While the reader is in on the secret, Herron avoids straining credulity by only giving Gunn uncertain enough evidence to begin with that Aliens! is not the most obvious solution. This sense of reasonableness is amplified by Herron presenting, via Gunn’s narration, Austin, Texas, as a home for people who believe in conspiracies, new age-ry, and other non-mainstream things, so the mundane sometimes has a veneer of weirdness.
Herron also doesn’t stretch out the reveal, facing Gunn with solid evidence that things are properly strange well before a reader will start to either feel Gunn is wilfully blind or wonder if the alien action is actually going to happen. Once this veil is pulled away, Herron leans into the pragmatism of the noir protagonist, allowing Gunn his confusion and hesitation but continuing with tense investigation and action rather than extended introspection.
Herron’s aliens and the plot are a solid blend of there being a lot of real creatures that aren’t human and there being certain things all social beings seem to favour. This offers the reader a pleasing sense of the strange or unexpected while also creating a world of alien police officer, mobsters, extremists, and everyday joes that both make it plausible Gunn’s skills will be of use and allow the reader a foundation to predict what might happen.
Once the alien threat is revealed, the book slants more toward action film; however, Herron keeps the danger real rather than cinematic and the humour in the regions of “worst possible moment” and sardonic reaction to fate rather than the farcical; thus, it feels like an interweaving of genres rather than a conflict between gritty thriller and comedic aliens.
Although broader issues, both for the world and Gunn in particular, remain unresolved, Herron tidily concludes the arc that started with the initial search for a missing man. Thus, while the book feels like the opening to a series, it stands alone.
Gunn is a well-crafted protagonist, driven by morals but also by the need to make money and an awareness of his limitations. Thus, while readers might not always agree with his decisions, they are likely to feel they are reasonable and find him neither overly self-righteous nor self-doubting.
The supporting cast each display a plausible blend of noir and alien-action traits. This both supports the interweaving of the two threads and creates opportunities for speaking at cross purposes.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking well-paced, hard-boiled alien action.
June 18, 2020
Anderson Gunn is a bounty hunter in Austin, Texas. With an office down on East Sixth Street, he is smack in the middle of the “Keep Austin Weird” culture of the capital city, and it is his kind of place. However, a series of financial burdens, including paying off his mother’s final medical bills, are threatening his solvency and ability to keep his office open and his head above water. So when a long-time client, bail bondsman Alek Ludwig, sends some lucrative work his way, one of Ludwig’s clients has skipped a court date and is suspected of killing a coworker at the power company, Gunn is highly motivated to bring in his man.
At the scene of the coworker’s murder, Gunn runs into an old friend who is also interested in the missing man, Detective Sheila Gonzalez. She doesn’t want Gunn meddling in her case but still confirms some of the information he needs to continue his search. While at the site, Gunn catches a glimpse of two other detective types, but when he goes for a better look, they’ve disappeared. As Gunn investigates the skip’s whereabouts, he realizes he’s being tailed by the two odd detectives. When they show up at his office, he discovers that Austin is legitimately more weird than anyone ever imagined. The two are alien peacekeepers posing as humans as are hundreds of others in the city where they’ve come to vacation or live, hiding in plain sight, and they are after the alien that has taken over the body/skin of the man Gunn is pursuing.
Part detective novel, part Men-In-Black-style sci-fi story, Culture Shock was a fun page-turner of a book. The Austin setting is perfect, and the characters that populate the city bring the feel of the place right to the page. They were charming “people,” and I quickly began to care about what was going to happen to them. This book was so good I immediately picked up the next in the series.I recommend this book for readers that like fun sci-fi and those that would enjoy an alien element in their mystery.
April 15, 2020
This review is for the audio version... that hasn't been listed on the Goodreads page!
I really had a great time listening to this intense, adrenaline boosted tale! The story jumps right into the action when our protagonist, a bounty hunter named Anderson Gunn, takes on the job of finding Cameron Kovak, a runner who's wanted for murder. There's hazard pay on top of his usual percentage, so Gunn is more than willing to take on this high-stakes job, especially since he's facing an empty bank account along with more bills than he can shake a stick at. But, the first thing Gunn has to do is to get over his "culture shock" when he discovers that his perp might not be human! Furthermore, Gunn's not the only hunter competing for the prize. Seriously, when Gunn looks hard enough, he finds that there is a lot more WEIRD out there than he had ever imagined! It's a complex mess, and Gunn has to try to renegotiate his contract so he still comes out ahead!
I immediately fell in love with Anderson Gunn's snarky wit, and the kinds of friends he keeps... So grab the story and be ready to run like Hell through the streets of Austin... it's that or be left for dead in this edge-of-your-seat SciFi, Men in Black kinda' yarn!
Oliver Wyman happens to have been the perfect choice to narrate the adventure! His voice performance is the AwesomeSauce that perfectly accentuated MG Herron's wonderful story!
This is a Must Have for your library... Don't miss out on it!!!
I really had a great time listening to this intense, adrenaline boosted tale! The story jumps right into the action when our protagonist, a bounty hunter named Anderson Gunn, takes on the job of finding Cameron Kovak, a runner who's wanted for murder. There's hazard pay on top of his usual percentage, so Gunn is more than willing to take on this high-stakes job, especially since he's facing an empty bank account along with more bills than he can shake a stick at. But, the first thing Gunn has to do is to get over his "culture shock" when he discovers that his perp might not be human! Furthermore, Gunn's not the only hunter competing for the prize. Seriously, when Gunn looks hard enough, he finds that there is a lot more WEIRD out there than he had ever imagined! It's a complex mess, and Gunn has to try to renegotiate his contract so he still comes out ahead!
I immediately fell in love with Anderson Gunn's snarky wit, and the kinds of friends he keeps... So grab the story and be ready to run like Hell through the streets of Austin... it's that or be left for dead in this edge-of-your-seat SciFi, Men in Black kinda' yarn!
Oliver Wyman happens to have been the perfect choice to narrate the adventure! His voice performance is the AwesomeSauce that perfectly accentuated MG Herron's wonderful story!
This is a Must Have for your library... Don't miss out on it!!!
August 13, 2020
Throwback to Saturday Matinee SciFi Fun
Sooo...it is early August 2020. There is a pandemic, countrywide protest, political strife, and the worse unemployment in living memory. I NEEDED AN ESCAPE...and M.G. Herron's first book of this new series "Culture Shock," provided exactly that!
This is a quick book. Plot is fun, moves fast, story driven, likable characters, good alien villian, and takes place in my home city, Austin TX. Anderson Gunn is the bounty hunter protagonist who is in financial straits and needs a catch a skipped bounty suspect for a payday to keep his head above fiscal waters. This is a light hearted tale, that pulls you along like an old time Saturday SciFi matinee. This is not Solaris, Dune, Interstellar, or The Martian. Science and physics are kept to a bare minimal. This is all about the FUN of the genre. Long time friends, pizza parlor owning alien, a thriving extra terrestrial night club scene, large kitty cats with two hearts, and of course obligatory SciFi...... TENTACLES!!!! If you ever spent time in Austin there is an unofficial slogan here, "Keep Austin Weird." Culture Shock by Herron does just that!
I debated between 4 or 5 Stars. I decided to give it 5...as it helped me forget about all the items that presently are with us in this not so fun 2020.
Sooo...it is early August 2020. There is a pandemic, countrywide protest, political strife, and the worse unemployment in living memory. I NEEDED AN ESCAPE...and M.G. Herron's first book of this new series "Culture Shock," provided exactly that!
This is a quick book. Plot is fun, moves fast, story driven, likable characters, good alien villian, and takes place in my home city, Austin TX. Anderson Gunn is the bounty hunter protagonist who is in financial straits and needs a catch a skipped bounty suspect for a payday to keep his head above fiscal waters. This is a light hearted tale, that pulls you along like an old time Saturday SciFi matinee. This is not Solaris, Dune, Interstellar, or The Martian. Science and physics are kept to a bare minimal. This is all about the FUN of the genre. Long time friends, pizza parlor owning alien, a thriving extra terrestrial night club scene, large kitty cats with two hearts, and of course obligatory SciFi...... TENTACLES!!!! If you ever spent time in Austin there is an unofficial slogan here, "Keep Austin Weird." Culture Shock by Herron does just that!
I debated between 4 or 5 Stars. I decided to give it 5...as it helped me forget about all the items that presently are with us in this not so fun 2020.
November 15, 2024
This novel feels a lot like Men in Black except that there are no men in black trying to save the day. That responsibility falls by accident into the lap of down-on-his-luck private investigator Anderson Gunn. Desperate for money, he agrees to act as a bounty hunter and track down a fugitive and accused-murderer for a friend. That murderer, no surprise to the reader, is a lot more than he seems and chasing him down leads Gunn to discover that earth is crawling with aliens from dozens if not hundreds of species. Most of them are just looking to get on with their lives away from what they view as an oppressive government. But some are quite dangerous and Gunn finds himself compelled to try and save the planet.
This book makes an excellent introduction to the new series. Everything seems highly plausible as you read it, even though (hopefully) none of it is actually plausible at all. Gunn is a character that it’s easy to like. He’s a hardboiled detective with financial and women problems and all-around good guy. The book is packed with action and manages to be heavily science fiction while also staying pretty well grounded in modern Austin. If you’re looking for lots of action and snappy patter and aliens, aliens, and more aliens, this is probably the book for you.
This book makes an excellent introduction to the new series. Everything seems highly plausible as you read it, even though (hopefully) none of it is actually plausible at all. Gunn is a character that it’s easy to like. He’s a hardboiled detective with financial and women problems and all-around good guy. The book is packed with action and manages to be heavily science fiction while also staying pretty well grounded in modern Austin. If you’re looking for lots of action and snappy patter and aliens, aliens, and more aliens, this is probably the book for you.
October 6, 2024
He is a skip tracer, a bounty hunter, or called a fugitive recovery agent. A private eye, dick, or detective by any other name, which means he will do almost anything for money. And when his friend gives him someone to catch for a sizable chunk of change, he is all over it. Not because he has a pile of unpaid and late bills sitting on his desk. Well, okay, maybe that is a motivating force, but still, work is work. His name is Anderson Gunn, and this job is not what he expects by a long shot. First, there are these two strange-looking people who might be feds nosing around, or they might not be feds. There is this large crater that no one can explain, and the fugitive, well, he is definitely not normal.
Very interesting reality the author created. The physical world-building is top-notch. The ethereal world-building fills in more than the blanks, and it gives you a real feel for the place. The character’s interaction feels true. The character’s history is revealed through the story.
This telling of this reality is full of science fiction, action and adventure, and yes, alien contact. I give this read five stars out of five stars.
Very interesting reality the author created. The physical world-building is top-notch. The ethereal world-building fills in more than the blanks, and it gives you a real feel for the place. The character’s interaction feels true. The character’s history is revealed through the story.
This telling of this reality is full of science fiction, action and adventure, and yes, alien contact. I give this read five stars out of five stars.
April 29, 2020
This book has it all! Love that it all took place in Austin (I've been lucky enough to have visited many times and could picture the story in my mind). Aliens, I mean come on, Aliens! The characters, OMG, so good! Anderson Gunn the bounty hunter shows more emotion than just some tough guy, which I found so engaging. The secret alien society, yes please and thank you.
I thought I knew who one of the characters was (someone who writes a UFO based "blog" I'll call it) and damn, I was wrong, such great twists and turns.
Fight scenes and the detail in each one really helps you create that mental image while reading, which I LOVE!
Truly loved this story and every character in this book is so detailed and relatable (IMO) that you will just not want to put this book down.
I thought I knew who one of the characters was (someone who writes a UFO based "blog" I'll call it) and damn, I was wrong, such great twists and turns.
Fight scenes and the detail in each one really helps you create that mental image while reading, which I LOVE!
Truly loved this story and every character in this book is so detailed and relatable (IMO) that you will just not want to put this book down.
May 26, 2020
Picked this up as a change of pace, as I have historically liked a good gumshoe, and the aliens added some potential zing. Alas, Elmore Leonard (with aliens) this is not.
Problem was, I didn't like the MC. I'm sure the author was going for something more sophisticated than obnoxious and irresponsible, but that's how he came across to me. Add to that a story that while competently written overall didn't have that je ne sais quoi that makes it work for me, leads us to the 3 stars I gave it. Honestly, the overall quality of the writing is the only thing that kept it from being a 2, as I nearly didn't finish it.
I give the rationale above as other people liked this a lot more than I did, so if you're looking at my review as an outlier you should have the context.
Problem was, I didn't like the MC. I'm sure the author was going for something more sophisticated than obnoxious and irresponsible, but that's how he came across to me. Add to that a story that while competently written overall didn't have that je ne sais quoi that makes it work for me, leads us to the 3 stars I gave it. Honestly, the overall quality of the writing is the only thing that kept it from being a 2, as I nearly didn't finish it.
I give the rationale above as other people liked this a lot more than I did, so if you're looking at my review as an outlier you should have the context.
May 30, 2020
Culture Shock by M.G. Herron is a sort-of combination of Sam Spade detective story and “Men-in-Black”. A mix-up of hard detective and alien-on-the-loose-Texas thriller.
Andy Gunn is a skip tracer working for a bail bondsman and his latest assignment is to track down a man fleeing from a DWI court date. Except the man is dead and, in true MIB fashion, an alien is now on the rampage dressed in his skin. Turns out, he isn’t the only alien in Austin, Texas, and Andy is going to have his hands full what with alien peacekeepers needing his help.
This was a good tale that piggybacked on MIB and detective fiction in an easy way. A good book for the beach or a rainy day.
Andy Gunn is a skip tracer working for a bail bondsman and his latest assignment is to track down a man fleeing from a DWI court date. Except the man is dead and, in true MIB fashion, an alien is now on the rampage dressed in his skin. Turns out, he isn’t the only alien in Austin, Texas, and Andy is going to have his hands full what with alien peacekeepers needing his help.
This was a good tale that piggybacked on MIB and detective fiction in an easy way. A good book for the beach or a rainy day.
February 14, 2022
Loved it!!
This book is different from what I usually read. I love funny space operas with alot of action and bad language..lol. That being said this book was not that. It was a mystery set on earth but the main guy finds out that Austin is full of aliens hiding in plain sight. Even people he knows are secretly aliens. He gets mixed up with Peacekeepers, basically alien FBI agents of sorts. They recruit him to help track down and kill a nasty octopus like bad guy intent on making Earth a haven for more of his kind. The story just gets better from there. There is even a bit of a love story in the mix. I loved it and cant wait to read the next book!
This book is different from what I usually read. I love funny space operas with alot of action and bad language..lol. That being said this book was not that. It was a mystery set on earth but the main guy finds out that Austin is full of aliens hiding in plain sight. Even people he knows are secretly aliens. He gets mixed up with Peacekeepers, basically alien FBI agents of sorts. They recruit him to help track down and kill a nasty octopus like bad guy intent on making Earth a haven for more of his kind. The story just gets better from there. There is even a bit of a love story in the mix. I loved it and cant wait to read the next book!
October 7, 2024
A fantastically fun story!
I was imagining this as a telescopes or movie franchise as I devoured the word pictures and was swept along by the flowing prose.
A debt drowning bounty hunter is accidentally exposed to a "Men-in-Black" situation in a world without "MiB"!
Drafted into the frenzied fray, he can't tell anyone, including his crush / accountant, his BFF from college, who is now a local Austin, Texas cop.
Where? Keeping Austin Weird
Who? Andy Gunn
What? Fighting intergalactic?
HOW? Read the story!
When? NOW
I was imagining this as a telescopes or movie franchise as I devoured the word pictures and was swept along by the flowing prose.
A debt drowning bounty hunter is accidentally exposed to a "Men-in-Black" situation in a world without "MiB"!
Drafted into the frenzied fray, he can't tell anyone, including his crush / accountant, his BFF from college, who is now a local Austin, Texas cop.
Where? Keeping Austin Weird
Who? Andy Gunn
What? Fighting intergalactic?
HOW? Read the story!
When? NOW
November 30, 2024
That was fun to read!
Bounty Hunter gets the surprise of his life when a seemingly normal simple job turns out into something much weirder - and finds out more about what lives in his town than he bargained for. But what can you do when you are out of money and luck?
Absolutely great quirky characters, a protagonist who cannnot keep his mouth shut when he should, a great plot and a narration style mixed with a lot of humour and a good plot make this story one that you cannot put down.
I will definitely follow this series - and hope to find some of the same characters in the next book!
Bounty Hunter gets the surprise of his life when a seemingly normal simple job turns out into something much weirder - and finds out more about what lives in his town than he bargained for. But what can you do when you are out of money and luck?
Absolutely great quirky characters, a protagonist who cannnot keep his mouth shut when he should, a great plot and a narration style mixed with a lot of humour and a good plot make this story one that you cannot put down.
I will definitely follow this series - and hope to find some of the same characters in the next book!
May 4, 2020
A story about aliens that manages to transcend taking place in Austin, TX
I suppose, by now, transplants from Los Angeles inhabiting an Austin landscape is ubiquitous if not cliche and, at first blush I didn't think the Dashiell Hammett meets Men in Black mashup was going to work but I seem to have been pleasantly surprised. In any case, I thought I ought to write a quick review of the first book before diving into the second one...
I suppose, by now, transplants from Los Angeles inhabiting an Austin landscape is ubiquitous if not cliche and, at first blush I didn't think the Dashiell Hammett meets Men in Black mashup was going to work but I seem to have been pleasantly surprised. In any case, I thought I ought to write a quick review of the first book before diving into the second one...
May 6, 2020
Culture Shock was a captivating and entertaining read from end to end. With good plot progression, character development, entertaining imagery, and M.G. Herron's encapsulating writing style, this story was one that was pretty hard to put down. Furthermore, the companion audiobook voiced by Oliver Wyman provides even more depth and life to the story and characters. I thoroughly enjoyed Culture Shock and am looking forward to future developments in The Gunn Files.
September 26, 2020
A fast, fun, exciting Men in Black inspired story, where the alien police enforcers decide to hire some local talent in the form of a down-on-his-luck but skilled bounty hunter based in Texas. Anderson Gunn is used to dealing with dangerous dirtbags and red tape, and he find that whether you’re dealing with people, cyborgs, lizard people or tentacled entities from beyond, some things are universal. The story is set in Austin, Texas, and there is a strong sense of place, and the
April 16, 2020
Good start
It took a bit to warm up to our hero Anderson Gunn. The line “... wallow in my bottomless guilt later.” describes our bounty hunter and why it took some time for me get into the story. Maybe a bit too much wallowing. However he starts to grow up and the story moves right along. Looking forward to the release of Book 2.
It took a bit to warm up to our hero Anderson Gunn. The line “... wallow in my bottomless guilt later.” describes our bounty hunter and why it took some time for me get into the story. Maybe a bit too much wallowing. However he starts to grow up and the story moves right along. Looking forward to the release of Book 2.
April 17, 2020
WOW!!!
This is a really well thought out storyline with characters you will easily identify with and lots of twists and turns and an ending you will not see coming until the last sentence! Like I said "WOW!!!" I highly reccomend this book, and I am off to buy the next one in the series!
This is a really well thought out storyline with characters you will easily identify with and lots of twists and turns and an ending you will not see coming until the last sentence! Like I said "WOW!!!" I highly reccomend this book, and I am off to buy the next one in the series!
April 19, 2020
MG Herron’s Culture Shock (The Gunn Files, Book 1) is much more than a first contact mystery thriller. It’s Men in Black on steroids. Bounty hunter Anderson Gunn has no idea what he’s in for in his latest job, but the X Files guys would know what’s going on. This is freakin’ urban PI sci-fi mashup perfection that is totally fun, and highly recommended.
May 2, 2020
This book promised to be a fun romp, and though it did borrow liberally from such things as MIB and Star Wars, it delivered on its promise.
The characters were well enough written to carry the story and the plot, though not delivering any surprises, we indeed an enjoyable romp.
While the story was in no way a cliff hanger, it did set things up for later books. Well worth the read.
The characters were well enough written to carry the story and the plot, though not delivering any surprises, we indeed an enjoyable romp.
While the story was in no way a cliff hanger, it did set things up for later books. Well worth the read.
June 1, 2020
I took a shot at what looked like a fun read. It was better, so much better!
This has been a fun read. I liked the Keep Austin Weird flow. The book is a fast paced fun with a great story line and great characters. I already have the next two books locked and loaded, ready to read. I will most likely check out the rest of your books. Enjoy I'll review the next book soon.
This has been a fun read. I liked the Keep Austin Weird flow. The book is a fast paced fun with a great story line and great characters. I already have the next two books locked and loaded, ready to read. I will most likely check out the rest of your books. Enjoy I'll review the next book soon.
June 1, 2020
nice start to the series. Sort of a realistic "Men in Black", without the MIB itself. Aliens live here because Earth isn't a member of the Federation, we're too backward to be contacted. A murderous alien comes to Earth, Gunn stumbles across him and the Federation officers tracking him.
I enjoyed it, and I'll definitely be reading the next one.
I enjoyed it, and I'll definitely be reading the next one.
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