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Interstellar Bounty Hunter #1
Absolution
Grant Masterson is a man with nothing left to lose...
A disgraced ex-cop, framed by a crooked politician, abandoned by his family, he’s forced into the life of a bounty hunter just to survive.
Tracking down a traitor who stole military grade weapons to sell on the black market, Masterson finds out things aren’t as simple as the wanted poster made them seem.
Because Delia Beckett isn’t a traitor, simply a patsy, and the forces manipulating her may be the same ones responsible for Masterson’s fall from grace.
Can a beat-up bounty hunter and his robot dog find the truth chasing a fugitive in a backwater colony town? Or will their journey to Absolution be their last hunt?
A disgraced ex-cop, framed by a crooked politician, abandoned by his family, he’s forced into the life of a bounty hunter just to survive.
Tracking down a traitor who stole military grade weapons to sell on the black market, Masterson finds out things aren’t as simple as the wanted poster made them seem.
Because Delia Beckett isn’t a traitor, simply a patsy, and the forces manipulating her may be the same ones responsible for Masterson’s fall from grace.
Can a beat-up bounty hunter and his robot dog find the truth chasing a fugitive in a backwater colony town? Or will their journey to Absolution be their last hunt?
- GenresScience Fiction
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2019
391 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Rick Partlow
207 books372 followersRick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds.
He has written over 70 books in over a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in many different anthologies.
He currently lives in norther Wyoming with his wife and their dog. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 15, 2022
I like the dog.
Although I've been alive long enough to continue to be astounded by tech & other advances I really wish the chance of me staying alive long enough to have a true AI companion was better.
Oh - it's a five star space adventure.
Although I've been alive long enough to continue to be astounded by tech & other advances I really wish the chance of me staying alive long enough to have a true AI companion was better.
Oh - it's a five star space adventure.
June 26, 2022
This was an all action story, although some of the action didn’t always make sense e.g.
I quite enjoyed the story, but I found it a bit too frenetic, it was basically just one disaster after another, with too many last second interventions saving the day.
I quite enjoyed the story, but I found it a bit too frenetic, it was basically just one disaster after another, with too many last second interventions saving the day.
March 28, 2023
Fast-paced, enjoyable read with lots of action. Just an observation, as opposed to his Drop Trooper series, Rick Partlow spent more time character building in this book. Enjoyed it more as it went along, especially the world-building.
Will likely read the next installment.
Will likely read the next installment.
July 27, 2024
Solid opening, engaging, puts you right into the action. Great set up for the rest of the novel. The first 40% is entertaining action. Then comes a lot of chasing. It's well done and there are different goons, thugs, and bad guys the MC is running from (fights, blaster battles, mishaps galore), but a little chasing goes a long way for me. I skimmed a bit until 90%.
Nice final show-down and wrap-up, though, with a satisfying conclusion which paves the way for the rest of the books in the series. If you like bounty hunter / frontier justice stories, Star Bounty delivers enjoyable SF thrills. Plus, it's nice to get into a different universe than the author's Drop Trooper series as well. At least I think it's a different universe! Recommended for fans of the genre.
Nice final show-down and wrap-up, though, with a satisfying conclusion which paves the way for the rest of the books in the series. If you like bounty hunter / frontier justice stories, Star Bounty delivers enjoyable SF thrills. Plus, it's nice to get into a different universe than the author's Drop Trooper series as well. At least I think it's a different universe! Recommended for fans of the genre.
July 30, 2022
good sci-fi action
A well written sci-fi yarn. Good characters and a fun story of bounty hunters ai robot dogs. Looking forward to the next book
A well written sci-fi yarn. Good characters and a fun story of bounty hunters ai robot dogs. Looking forward to the next book
July 12, 2022
I'm a Sucker
This book and me are made for each other. Unless, HUGELY UNLIKELY, we go for genetics, body mods of some sort are the only way. I like how Mr. Partlow has overcome the natural advantages of AI over us fleshy people too.
This book and me are made for each other. Unless, HUGELY UNLIKELY, we go for genetics, body mods of some sort are the only way. I like how Mr. Partlow has overcome the natural advantages of AI over us fleshy people too.
June 29, 2022
Another one out of the park!
You keep crushing it Rick!! Only you could come up with a snarky A I in a robot dog! Loved it,as allway's, can't wait for the next volume!!
You keep crushing it Rick!! Only you could come up with a snarky A I in a robot dog! Loved it,as allway's, can't wait for the next volume!!
June 21, 2022
I hate headlines
This book was really well written. Dialogue is crisp and follows what the reader would expect of people they are getting to know. The narrator had a good sense of humor. It runs close to Joe Bishop in ExForce. My only complaint is that the narrator gets saved a bit too conveniently. Beyond that it's a good read.
This book was really well written. Dialogue is crisp and follows what the reader would expect of people they are getting to know. The narrator had a good sense of humor. It runs close to Joe Bishop in ExForce. My only complaint is that the narrator gets saved a bit too conveniently. Beyond that it's a good read.
November 6, 2019
Absolution (interstellar Bounty Hunter)
Interstellar Bounty Hunter is a new series for Rick Partlow and it’s in a new universe for him as well, in the Union of Aligned Worlds, an interesting new world policed by the Marshals Service but full of corrupt politicians and weapons smugglers. The main character, Grant Masterson, is a former marshal who was forced to resign when he ran afoul of one of the corrupt politicians. Partnered with a robot dog named Dog, Masterson uses the talents he developed as a cop to bring in wanted criminals for the money. Masterson is an awesome character, funny and poignant and repressing a lot of anger and a violent side he doesn’t like to admit, and Dog may be the best character Partlow has ever written. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Interstellar Bounty Hunter is a new series for Rick Partlow and it’s in a new universe for him as well, in the Union of Aligned Worlds, an interesting new world policed by the Marshals Service but full of corrupt politicians and weapons smugglers. The main character, Grant Masterson, is a former marshal who was forced to resign when he ran afoul of one of the corrupt politicians. Partnered with a robot dog named Dog, Masterson uses the talents he developed as a cop to bring in wanted criminals for the money. Masterson is an awesome character, funny and poignant and repressing a lot of anger and a violent side he doesn’t like to admit, and Dog may be the best character Partlow has ever written. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
May 28, 2020
This story kept me on the edge of my seat turning pages. Lots of action and an enjoyable main character that was easy to sympathize with. The action was well thought out and the story had a satisfying conclusion.
There was a setup for future stories and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
There was a setup for future stories and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
December 31, 2019
Good fun...
A pretty good start. One man and his dog a step ahead of bankruptcy, showing moral fortitude in the face of naked greed. Certainly good enough to make me want to read the next one...
A pretty good start. One man and his dog a step ahead of bankruptcy, showing moral fortitude in the face of naked greed. Certainly good enough to make me want to read the next one...
September 12, 2020
Interesting start to a new series
Former marshal turns bounty Hunter
Tries not to kill people
Sidekick cybernetic dog (named Dog) is Tonto to his Lone Ranger.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Former marshal turns bounty Hunter
Tries not to kill people
Sidekick cybernetic dog (named Dog) is Tonto to his Lone Ranger.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
March 6, 2021
Wow get this book it's great 👍
You have got to get this book I really did enjoy it the story dragged you in slow and steady the when when you though you had it you were hit with a side ways shove and struck down leaving you wanting more
You have got to get this book I really did enjoy it the story dragged you in slow and steady the when when you though you had it you were hit with a side ways shove and struck down leaving you wanting more
December 31, 2019
Really an excellent read! Loved the primary characters, and the relationship with Dog! Can’t wait for the sequel!
January 6, 2020
Good Read
Bounty Hunter book 1 was an entertaining and a great read. I liked the characters. Book is full of action. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Bounty Hunter book 1 was an entertaining and a great read. I liked the characters. Book is full of action. I look forward to the next book in the series.
January 6, 2020
Nice read.
A great change up from the normal shoot and kill Sifi. The sidekick was a nice addition to the story.
A great change up from the normal shoot and kill Sifi. The sidekick was a nice addition to the story.
February 9, 2020
Great story and funny
This is really different with great characters and a dog. Wow great imagination that really makes this one a great read
This is really different with great characters and a dog. Wow great imagination that really makes this one a great read
June 9, 2020
Great fun
Great fun story with a smart mouthy dog and interesting characters. Was never sure where it was going. Different from his other stories.
Great fun story with a smart mouthy dog and interesting characters. Was never sure where it was going. Different from his other stories.
July 28, 2022
Rick Partlow is one of my favorite authors. He usually writes excellent military science fiction. I've gotten into a bad habit of thinking that any new book he puts out will be in the military sci-fi genre and consider reading it immediately. I wish I hadn't done that for this book!
Oh, the book is Ok and well written. It's exciting and kept my interest, but it's definitely not a military sci-fi book and, right up front, I probably won't be reading the rest of this series. It just doesn't appeal to me. To give you a hint, if you like detective or bounty hunter stories, then this is the book/series for you. I should have known from the front cover and maybe the title, but at least the front cover seemed to look like some military guy doing his thing, but alas, it's just a cover about a guy and his, not-dog!
Ok, the main character is a disgraced former Marshal Grant Masterson, now Bounty Hunter Masterson. Marshals in this part of the universe are law enforcement personnel, such as they are. Things are pretty wild in this part of the galaxy and unless things get really wild, the Marshals don't usually step in to do much of anything. You'll find out that Grant Masterson was a pretty good Marshall until he did his job too good. He got on the backside of some powerful people and when he wouldn't drop the case after being repeatedly told to do so, the bad guys framed him and got him kicked out of the Marshal service. So now he's a Bounty Hunter hunting down the bad guys the Marshals won't go after for one reason or another. Oh, you don't even find out the main characters name until the 2nd chapter.
What makes this story kind of unique is Grant's side-kick. Every one has a side-kick in stories like this. Usually it's for comic relief, but not so in this book. "Dog" is well not a dog so much as he's an AI, a very, very advanced AI. Dog gets introduced in the very first line of the book when he starts mouthing off to Grant. And no, I'm not giving away a spoiler because you'll read about Dog in the first line of the book! Still, Dog and Grant have an antagonistic type of relationship, the dog is a lot smarter than Grant and he tends to tell Grant that often. Dog is an illegal AI that Grant isn't supposed to have, so the dog talking is supposed to be kept quiet, but it doesn't work out that way much. While this is an interesting use of an AI in a sci-fi book, the dog's not around for about the last one quarter of the story. If you want to know why, read the book.
I don't like detective stories. Most are pretty easy to figure out and in this one, Grant Masterson goes after the one criminal that he shouldn't have since everyone else wants her now. Yes, his next bounty is a female that is wanted for Treason of all things, but hasn't been caught by anyone because no one has bothered looking her up. That in itself is a little strange. So, anyway, this story is about the Bounty Hunter bringing this criminal to justice. That's it. Lots of shooting and bad guys doing what bad guys do.
Like I said before, I don't particularly like this kind of story, so I'll be passing on the next book, "Retribution". Rick Partlow is a very good writer so I would encourage you to read his books and I'll be looking forward to any he writes in the military sci-fi genre. This isn't one of those.
Oh, the book is Ok and well written. It's exciting and kept my interest, but it's definitely not a military sci-fi book and, right up front, I probably won't be reading the rest of this series. It just doesn't appeal to me. To give you a hint, if you like detective or bounty hunter stories, then this is the book/series for you. I should have known from the front cover and maybe the title, but at least the front cover seemed to look like some military guy doing his thing, but alas, it's just a cover about a guy and his, not-dog!
Ok, the main character is a disgraced former Marshal Grant Masterson, now Bounty Hunter Masterson. Marshals in this part of the universe are law enforcement personnel, such as they are. Things are pretty wild in this part of the galaxy and unless things get really wild, the Marshals don't usually step in to do much of anything. You'll find out that Grant Masterson was a pretty good Marshall until he did his job too good. He got on the backside of some powerful people and when he wouldn't drop the case after being repeatedly told to do so, the bad guys framed him and got him kicked out of the Marshal service. So now he's a Bounty Hunter hunting down the bad guys the Marshals won't go after for one reason or another. Oh, you don't even find out the main characters name until the 2nd chapter.
What makes this story kind of unique is Grant's side-kick. Every one has a side-kick in stories like this. Usually it's for comic relief, but not so in this book. "Dog" is well not a dog so much as he's an AI, a very, very advanced AI. Dog gets introduced in the very first line of the book when he starts mouthing off to Grant. And no, I'm not giving away a spoiler because you'll read about Dog in the first line of the book! Still, Dog and Grant have an antagonistic type of relationship, the dog is a lot smarter than Grant and he tends to tell Grant that often. Dog is an illegal AI that Grant isn't supposed to have, so the dog talking is supposed to be kept quiet, but it doesn't work out that way much. While this is an interesting use of an AI in a sci-fi book, the dog's not around for about the last one quarter of the story. If you want to know why, read the book.
I don't like detective stories. Most are pretty easy to figure out and in this one, Grant Masterson goes after the one criminal that he shouldn't have since everyone else wants her now. Yes, his next bounty is a female that is wanted for Treason of all things, but hasn't been caught by anyone because no one has bothered looking her up. That in itself is a little strange. So, anyway, this story is about the Bounty Hunter bringing this criminal to justice. That's it. Lots of shooting and bad guys doing what bad guys do.
Like I said before, I don't particularly like this kind of story, so I'll be passing on the next book, "Retribution". Rick Partlow is a very good writer so I would encourage you to read his books and I'll be looking forward to any he writes in the military sci-fi genre. This isn't one of those.
August 1, 2022
This story is about a bounty hunter and his robot dog. These two had good character flow, dialogue, and banter. It was kind of like a snarky type of friendship.
The book had me rooting for them to win. I don’t always like the so called good guys. However, I really like the so called good guys that fall on hard times and still remain good even when the bad guy route seems so much easier. Plus I do like heroes that are just a smidge bad.
Book also had a good amount of action/fight scenes. No complaints from me in this area.
There are only a couple negatives…
One, the female side character was a bit lacking. I felt like there should have been a bit more of a connection after them going through so much together.
Two, not a heavy sci-fi. It lacked a bit in world building details which resulted in not a very sci fi type of feel. It is sci-fi like diet sci-fi.
The book had me rooting for them to win. I don’t always like the so called good guys. However, I really like the so called good guys that fall on hard times and still remain good even when the bad guy route seems so much easier. Plus I do like heroes that are just a smidge bad.
Book also had a good amount of action/fight scenes. No complaints from me in this area.
There are only a couple negatives…
One, the female side character was a bit lacking. I felt like there should have been a bit more of a connection after them going through so much together.
Two, not a heavy sci-fi. It lacked a bit in world building details which resulted in not a very sci fi type of feel. It is sci-fi like diet sci-fi.
November 12, 2019
Interesting storyline, don’t care for the main protagonist.
I enjoyed the book, the storyline was very interesting full of twists and turns. It was not one of the authors usual type of books. I did not like the fact that the hero was reluctant to take lives. Realistically everybody is shooting at him and shooting to kill but it’s not realistic for him not to do the same. He was a reluctant hero a departure from some of the authors other characters. This was a departure that I found someone interesting, not saying I liked it but it was interesting.That’s why I gave it at three because I found that the situation did not seem very realistic to me.
I enjoyed the book, the storyline was very interesting full of twists and turns. It was not one of the authors usual type of books. I did not like the fact that the hero was reluctant to take lives. Realistically everybody is shooting at him and shooting to kill but it’s not realistic for him not to do the same. He was a reluctant hero a departure from some of the authors other characters. This was a departure that I found someone interesting, not saying I liked it but it was interesting.That’s why I gave it at three because I found that the situation did not seem very realistic to me.
March 16, 2023
Talk about jumping into a story. Well that's what I did with Absolution! I loved this action-driven story as Grant Masterson and his AI dog take down their first bounty.
Here's a couple of quotes that amused me:
"Live robot sex, as if they didn't see the oxymoron inherent in the term."
"The chain linked fence was looming right in front of us, the pedestrian gate just a centimeter too narrow for our vehicle, metal scraped and polymer ripped the engine screamed and the whole vehicle shuttered until yanked free. Delivered like a baby through the birth canal or another orifice more scatalogical analogy that came to mind."
Here's a couple of quotes that amused me:
"Live robot sex, as if they didn't see the oxymoron inherent in the term."
"The chain linked fence was looming right in front of us, the pedestrian gate just a centimeter too narrow for our vehicle, metal scraped and polymer ripped the engine screamed and the whole vehicle shuttered until yanked free. Delivered like a baby through the birth canal or another orifice more scatalogical analogy that came to mind."
May 18, 2023
Different, but great read
I really enjoyed this book...I read it in one day, couldn't put it down. The main character seemed to be, at first glance, a gruff fool, but as I got further into the book, I realized that this was a facade that protected a truly nice guy. I also didn't like dog at first, but he grew on me as well. The hints of romance were intriguing, but unfullfilled. I did enjoy how he was given a clean slate at the end and a choice in what he wanted to do moving forward.
On to the next book.
I really enjoyed this book...I read it in one day, couldn't put it down. The main character seemed to be, at first glance, a gruff fool, but as I got further into the book, I realized that this was a facade that protected a truly nice guy. I also didn't like dog at first, but he grew on me as well. The hints of romance were intriguing, but unfullfilled. I did enjoy how he was given a clean slate at the end and a choice in what he wanted to do moving forward.
On to the next book.
February 29, 2020
A Fun Read
I started reading Partlow’s work with Glory Boy, a military sci-fi work I quite enjoyed. With Absolution, the author takes us into the gritty underbelly of a crime-ridden future where good people still try to do good things. It is an action-filled adventure highlighting bright points of service and sacrifice in the face of self-serving greed and darkness; a noir detective piece.
I started reading Partlow’s work with Glory Boy, a military sci-fi work I quite enjoyed. With Absolution, the author takes us into the gritty underbelly of a crime-ridden future where good people still try to do good things. It is an action-filled adventure highlighting bright points of service and sacrifice in the face of self-serving greed and darkness; a noir detective piece.
July 6, 2022
6/10: Good light-weight read, well done.
“Fuck you,” Dog remarked around the material of Schiff’s pants as we exited. I clucked at him reprovingly. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Loved Dog and this book did hold my attention to the end. I think I'll try book two when it comes out.
Entertaining.
“I guess not every bounty is going to be naked robot hookers and gunfights.”
“Fuck you,” Dog remarked around the material of Schiff’s pants as we exited. I clucked at him reprovingly. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Loved Dog and this book did hold my attention to the end. I think I'll try book two when it comes out.
Entertaining.
“I guess not every bounty is going to be naked robot hookers and gunfights.”
August 1, 2022
This was a short but very enjoyable read, it was a nice break from what I read usually which is either fantasy or military science fiction, this was from a military science fiction author but the premise is an Ex-Space Cop who became a space bounty hunter, and throughout the book he uncovers a wide ranging corporate/government conspiracy.
It's a great read, seems to be set in a universe without aliens and focuses on the main character and his companion who is a loveable smartass AI in he chassis of a life-looking dog and programmed to act like one too.
I will read the second one when it comes out.
It's a great read, seems to be set in a universe without aliens and focuses on the main character and his companion who is a loveable smartass AI in he chassis of a life-looking dog and programmed to act like one too.
I will read the second one when it comes out.
July 7, 2020
Bounty hunter in space, like Boba Fett!
I only gave this four stars because the main character was so '"ditzy" he kept forgetting his own equipment etc it's a,wonder he was still alive. I really liked the robotic dog ; he is much smarter than his human partner. I don't know if we will see the girl again" she was a "maybe" .
I only gave this four stars because the main character was so '"ditzy" he kept forgetting his own equipment etc it's a,wonder he was still alive. I really liked the robotic dog ; he is much smarter than his human partner. I don't know if we will see the girl again" she was a "maybe" .
October 6, 2020
Police procedural set out in space in the future. Fun tale of former marshal turned bounty hunter and his sidekick, a sentient dog AI who can talk. While I got tired of the unlovely term “meatsack,” I enjoyed the relationship. This predictable story runs closely to a current day tv series or novel such as Bosc or Lee Child’s’ series. Those who enjoy those, take note.
July 13, 2022
Good Read
Grant ex Marshall and his robot companion Dog , in this well written take off on the old story of political maneuvering and cover up destroying careers, are intergalactic bounty hunters. Grant finds the person who is his bounty only to have half a planet chasing them to kill them before he can turn her in.
Grant ex Marshall and his robot companion Dog , in this well written take off on the old story of political maneuvering and cover up destroying careers, are intergalactic bounty hunters. Grant finds the person who is his bounty only to have half a planet chasing them to kill them before he can turn her in.
September 5, 2022
Again!!! Another great read ok reads because Mr. Partlow won’t stop at just one great story. No… he has to drag out one really snarky AI in dog form. Add in a slightly conflicted ex-Leo and one kiss ass female boss lady and yes, again!!! Hook, line and pages later you’re sucked into another series by him.
Thanks
Thanks
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews