Gunning for Trouble

Jo Gunning #1

by Renee Pawlish

Ex-Army Civil Affairs specialist Jo Gunning is a loner. No commitments. No fixed address.

She's enjoying her anonymity in Virginia when she crosses paths with a runaway teenage girl in need.

Assisting the girl in getting home leads to a phone call for help, and a claim from the girl that her father is holding her hostage. As Jo searches for answers, she finds that nothing is what it seems, and no one is telling the truth.

With both assassins and a shady government agency watching her every move, Jo must use all the skills the military taught her... and some they didn't.

Walking away would’ve been easier, but Jo is always willing to help someone in trouble.

"Gunning for Trouble is an excellent political thriller; great storytelling with no explicit language or violence. I love this new series and am looking forward to many more adventures with Jo Gunning!"

Felt like I was reading a Baldacci book! ~ reader review

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Amazon, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Suspense

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2022

About the author

From the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.

Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.

Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.

The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off

The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released

The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest

Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.

The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.

To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....

on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/

on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish

Reviews

[Cherry Mischievous · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
Gunning for Trouble is a very apt title for this book because almost everything is supposed to be none of her business but can’t help helping anyway.

The action has appropriate “pace” that lets you breathe but keeps you hooked anyway. If I wasn’t listening to the audiobook, I would say that the printed version of this book is fast-paced!

For a crime thriller the plot wasn’t that twisty. However, the action and the story telling quality keeps you reading/listening. Besides, I was not really looking for twisty. I was looking for something to take me away from reality.

And of course I’ve bought the second book in the series!

Erika Calvert doesn’t read with a singsong nor is her voice grating to the ears. Kudos to the narrator!

Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (7 hrs and 56 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries

[Katie Kissel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting story to read. A woman stops to help a runaway and gets tangled up in a spy drama as a result. She has the option to leave it alone but she’s worried about the girl when no one else really seems to be so she can’t seem to just walk away. Her background in the military and after seem to make her perfect to take this own plus avoiding her own baggage. Definitely gives off Reacher vibes.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her best

I had to plot through this storyline just to get to the end. This story drag on and on and on. I really don’t know if I’ll read the second book. The Reed Ferguson book series much better.

[Joyce927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! In a departure from her Reed Ferguson and semi-related Sarah Spillman series, Ms. Pawlish has firmly launched into the thriller genre with Jo Gunning, a former military/Civil Affairs agent. Gunning has retired, actually dropped out from all previous connections under unexplained but evidently dire circumstances. While passing through a public park, Jo notices a teenage girl, who obviously doesn't fit the general appearance of the homeless teens she's surrounded by, on the verge of getting into trouble with a scout for a pimp. The girl turns out to be a runaway, but Jo eventually convinces her, after buying her a new cellphone, to return home. Imagine Brooke's surprise upon returning home to find herself locked in the family's basement safe room by her father. Fortunately, she's able to call Jo to tell her she's been locked in, but when the battery runs out with no means of charging the phone, communication between them is cut off.

Operating on instinct, Jo feels there is much more involved than a simple runaway. She decides to keep surveillance on the family home. She soon discovers at least one other group also keeping electronic and visual surveillance on the home. She is eventually questioned by an unidentified government agency and disrupts a foreign interest group who are both interested in Brooke's parents. Even though neither group seems to be interested in the daughter, Brooke is still Jo's primary focus.

Ms. Pawlish guides the reader through the tedium of surveillance through the excitement of finding the hidden motives and intensity of the conclusion by keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and turning pages. It is a thrilling new character and filled with action. Although there is more violence than her other series, there is still nothing graphic, no sex or bad language. I recommend this book to those who like action thrillers as well as the usual "cozy" mysteries, and all Renee Pawlish fans.

[Fritzi Redgrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunning for Trouble by Renee Pawlish

Pawlish has outdone herself in this simply marvelous story. She introduces Jo Gunning to us and I can hardly wait for the next story to read more about this character!

In this story, Jo (never Josephine!) sees several kids hanging around in a park. They look rough and probably homeless. One girl, Brooke, doesn't seem to fit in with the others as she is wearing nice clothes and appears to be naive compared to the other kids. Brooke is approached by a skinny, disheveled girl who tries to convince her to join her and a man loitering nearby, declaring that they can help her. Brooke resists at first, then wavers a bit with the persistence of the other gal. Jo observes the interaction steps in. Jo befriends Brooke and subsequently becomes embroiled in a wide a ranging situation involving several prominent people, intrigue and even espionage.

Renee is able to build this story in such a way that the reader becomes involved in each interaction, feels as though they are close range observers in time and place and are actually acquainted with the main characters.

This is a mystery that has unpredictable events, characters who may surprise you as well as a tension filled conclusion. If this is the kind of dramatic tale that you like to read, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.

Fritzi Redgrave

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunning for Trouble introduces a new series for author Renee Pawlish. She has established herself as an excellent writer of thrillers and this one is not a disappointment. The new character is an Ex-Army Civil Affairs specialist, Jo Gunning who just wants to be left alone to sort out her own life. Through a chance encounter she becomes involved in a very serious situation that involves a teen-age girl, Russian thugs, the U.S. Government and concerned parents.

The story is very well written. I feel the pacing of the story is where Ms. Pawlish excels. She writes a story that keeps progressing at a steady rate that holds the reader’s interest.

I look forward to more in this series. Although the stories in her books usually take place in Colorado, she places this one in the middle of the East coast of the US. There are indications in the book that the series may relocate to Colorado at some point for those who love that beautiful part of the US.

Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a well written tale.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new series by prolific Denver writer Renee Pawlish. Jo Gunning has left her former job in the military in the Civil Affairs department, where she was a highly trained field agent. Something went very wrong on her last assignment and she is living a life on her own in Washington DC, trying to decide what to do next.
One day in a city park she sees a teenage girl in trouble and helps her out. The girl has runaway from home and Jo buys her a burner phone and tells her to go home and try to work things out. But when Brooke calls her, instead of saying she is home safe, she says her father has locked her in their safe room in their basement, she can't get out, and please come help her again. From that desperate phone call, Jo becomes involved in something much bigger than she ever imagined. Politics, spies, and national secrets are all part of the problem and Jo feels compelled to try to save Brooke and her family.
This was an exciting story that held my attention and I read it in two days. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

[Patricia A. Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series by Renée Pawlish. Gunning for Trouble takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through runaway teens with prostitution and drugs to espionage. Jo tries to help a teenage girl - an obvious runway in over her head. Brooke finally listens, takes a burner phone purchased for her by Jo and goes home. That's when the real trouble starts. Brooke may be in more trouble at home than she was in the streets. The characters in the story are believable. It's fast paced, but takes the time to flesh out the story with various DC agencies involved, a US senator and her assistant and foreign spies threatening Jo, Brooke and Brooke's family. No spoilers here, but this one is hard to put down! I recommend all of this author's series- Reed Ferguson, Dewey Webb, Sarah Spillman and now Jo Gunning (which may just be the best yet) . If you enjoy mysteries/thrillers don't miss Renée Pawlish's series. You'll be hooked.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The major characters are broken, completely unrealistic. I mostly mean the teen girl and her father.

First, no normal, non-mentally ill or abused American teen girl is going to run away from home, by herself, with no money, nowhere to stay, no phone, and no plan. It was made clear that she wasn't abused and she's presented as psychologically normal. She's in an affluent family, an only child in an upscale neighborhood, with both parents.

Pawlish has her running away and hanging out in a city park with prostitutes and drug dealers. She's actually receptive to their overtures and is about to listen to a pimp's recruitment pitch. She decides to sleep on a park bench. Again, she's by herself. A girl. There's no way any normal teen would do that. Even given the stereotypes about teen girls and what some of them put their parents through, this is outside the range of behavior of any normal girl. They'd have to be mentally ill. Note that her motivation is that her parents aren't paying enough attention to her, and a couple of girls at school are teasing or mocking her for being a teacher's pet. No way.

She also has no money, just a few dollars, enough for one fast food meal. No cards. No phone. Again, she'd have to be mentally ill or retarded to do that – any normal person would see ahead beyond the first day, or really the first few hours. This makes no sense. She never explains what she expected to happen or where she expected to go.

Second, her father locks her in a "safe room", for several days, cut off from the world. This is basically a cell. He doesn't do it as punishment, which would be insane. He does it for reasons he won't explain to her, just gives a vague explanation about needing to do it until the situation he's in, which he won't explain, blows over. This is also insane. You can't lock your child in a cell or room for days, even one day. Not like this, a cell with no communication with the outside world, no explanation, and no explanation of where her mother is and when she's coming home. That's not the universe we live in. That the father thinks this is not a big deal, is acting like this is a thing he can do, breaks the novel, on top of the broken teen character.

That the girl actually buys into it for the most part, doesn't understand it to be profoundly wrong and psycho, further removes this story from our universe. She objects, she doesn't like it, but she treats it like a punishment, which is insane. She doesn't reject her father's lack of explanation the way any normal person would.

Third, the main character Jo has a silly background with "special ops units", on top of investigations. That's lazy by the author. Women have very little opportunity in special ops units in terms of physical combat and training – there are no female door kickers in the US Army, because they can't meet the physical strength requirements. Pawlish has Jo beating up a larger man, the pimp. While that's possible, it's unlikely and dangerous. A man of equal height is going to be stronger than her, likely much stronger. This man is slightly taller, though Pawlish doesn't specify how much taller. It's unrealistic for a woman to beat a larger man – the strength difference is dramatic. This seems underexposed because most people (≈⅔) never experience or engage in domestic violence, and I suspect that within the subset who do, few men use their full strength against a woman, and hardly any authors have experienced that kind of violence.

If Jo actually had this ridiculous spec ops background, she wouldn't screw around with punching a man the way a man would. That's too dangerous. She'd go for the throat and other sensitive areas, swiftly and decisively. A woman won't be able to hurt a man much by punching him in the face. She's supposed to know Krav Maga, yet she doesn't use it, so it's not clear why Pawlish sets up that background – all she does is punch him conventionally like she's a man fighting another man in Everytown, USA. That's so dangerous, and it made me nervous for her. He would've shrugged off her punch and knocked her out with his own.

[Melissa Dinwiddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stilted Prose

I’ve enjoyed Renée Pawlish’s Reed Ferguson books, and was looking forward to this new series, with a kickass female protagonist. In this initial book in the series, Jo intervenes when a teenage girl is at risk of getting pulled into a dangerous situation, which then pulls Jo into a web of danger when the girl later reaches out to her for help.

Jo is established as someone who will go out of her way to protect those who cannot protect themselves. She’s definitely a hero type, if a reluctant one, and she has remarkable skills, which is fun to see.

The problem I had is with the writing. I don’t know if it’s the lack of humor or the third person perspective, but I found the prose in this book surprisingly stilted—almost as if it were written by an AI.

I won’t be reading more books in this series.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storytelling is somewhat repetitive in trying to get you to understand and accept that Jo Gunning, ex-military from a group that seems to think "Specials Ops" is a decent place to train to try to get to their level. They are such a secret group the CIA cannot get information about them.
The story begins with Jo at loose ends several months after leaving the military in honorable but bad circumstances. While sitting in a Washington DC park she sees a naive teenage runaway girl being approached by a group of teenaged homeless people and their pimp/drug supplier. She steps in to protect the girl. From there she gets more and more deeply involved in trying to protect the girl and her government employed parents from several nefarious people that may or may not be working together.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After leaving a career in government Civil Affairs, Jo Gunning is adrift in the DC environs. A chance encounter leads to a very perplexing situation. What is going on in a seemingly ordinary suburban household? And why are so many alphabet agencies annoyed by Jo's questions? Ms. Pawlish has created another extraordinary, multi-dimensional character whose personal issues color her daily decisions. Gunning for Trouble is an excellent political thriller; great storytelling with no explicit language or violence. I love this new series and am looking forward to many more adventures with Jo Gunning!

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunning for Trouble brings an interesting new character to author Renee Pawlish's repertoire. Jo Gunning is a seasoned veteran of dealing with trouble, and she witnesses a young naïve girl putting herself in the center of a bad situation, Jo can't help but become involved.

Involving herself with the young girl opens the door to a bigger mystery that is filled with trouble. Jo Gunning, in ways similar to Jack Reacher, steps in to figure out what exactly is going on. There is intrigue, suspense, some violence, and a satisfying conclusion to the entire story.

Gunning for Trouble left me wanting more of Jo Gunning adventures.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunning for Trouble (A Jo Gunning Thriller Book 1), my fifty-fifth read from author Renee Pawlish. I read it in one sitting, in just a few hours. Great characters, great storyline, a must-read! Yeah, it is that good! As Pawlish expands her writings over 4 primary characters it has improved all four but Jo Gunning is her book yet. A Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to the next book in this series when it's published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[CWJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

New character and new series….

I’ve read and enjoyed all of Pawlish’s books that comprise a series. This is a new character and series and is worth the time and investment. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this book as I was used to her other series being set in the Denver venue. This takes place. In Washington DC. Her other series are all from the standpoint of the main character being a cop or private eye. In this new series we have Jo Gunning who while being another “good guy” operates a tad differently than the standard “cop/PI”. Sort of a Jack Reacher in female form. It’ll be interesting to see how the author develops Gunning as she goes along.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunning for Trouble is the latest book by Renee Pawlish. Jo Gunning is a retired military and Civil Affairs employee. This book takes place in the DC area. What starts out as helping a teenage run away turns into a national security problem. Interesting characters and lots of action keep the reader intrigued. If you enjoy conspiracy stories, this is your next read. I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new character and series is slightly different than what Pawlish usually writes, but I am hooked already. Strong female who can kick ass and take names if she wants, Jo Gunning is trying to keep a low profile.  When she spots a young girl who obviously doesn't belong with the homeless druggies, Jo can't stand by and watch her get hurt. What happens next is quite the embroiled mess, but it sure was fun unraveling it.
Another hit for Pawlish!

[Dave Kaverman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to new series!

Pawlish’s new series with Jo Gunning makes a great start here. Plot keeps you reading, moves quickly. While she normally uses two names, she is in many ways a female Reacher. Ex-military, mainly a loner, not someone to mess with, a minimalist as far as possessions with a good internal clock who helps the underdog. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[JoLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book with many twists and turns. Jo Gunner, the lead character, is smart and strong but has some flaws. It will be interesting on where she ends up next. This is a series I’ll be eager to continue. Renee Pawlish is a really good writer. It reminded me of some of her other series I enjoyed. I’m not usually interested in ‘government style mysteries’ books but this was a fun read.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repeat after me:

Watch for surveillance. Rent a car. Ride the train. Get a burner phone. Get new clothes.

Stay in a fleabag hotel. Get a new burner phone. Buy more clothes. Get more fake IDs.

Drive around, losing tails. Spy on Whigby.

Get a new burner phone. Rent a new car.

Get questioned by “the feds”

Ad nauseum. Skimmed the last few chapters.

Oh, and she’s NOT a female Jack Reacher by any means.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already love Jo

I am a huge fan of the Sarah Spillman series, I noticed that the next one isn't due out for awhile, so decided to give Jo Gunning a try. I'm glad I did...I may like Jo as much as Sarah. If you like a strong, smart female lead with a whole lot of baggage, try one of these. I get the feeling from the first book, that they could be stand alone, but I'm guessing by reading in order, you will pick up more history and character development.

[Tonya Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedom

Jo was in the military for a while and at the end she is feeling responsible for what happened with the last mission so now days she is alone. One day she ran into a teen that was running away and she wanted to make she was safe till she could figure things out. What she never in a million guesses that she would go against the Russians. This book was very good and hoping the second book is just as good.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a nail-biter! I loved every minute of it! Starting at the beginning and going through to the end the book takes you on a roller coaster ride. Loved the characters and their interactions. This is a great book to read if you love a book that has awesome characters, unpredictability, and a great story line with surprising ending!

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Gunning has left her job with a government agency and wants to start a quiet life; but that all has to wait after she helps a teenage girl who ran away from home and is about to get mixed up with the wrong crowd in a park. After helping the girl go back home Jo is drawn into espionage and spies that may make the dream of a quiet life obsolete

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to meet Jo Gunning.

An all action girl with an interesting past. Jo, just letting life go by goes to the aid of a girl and then life takes a different turn.
Seems to me that she is a female Jack Reacher being ex military and knowing how to handle awkward situations. A good start to the series.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action Adventure With Strong Female Lead
This is the first book in a series. The story is very easy to read with plenty of action and niothing to have nightmares about. Our main character is former military with a past. She is more than capable to handle anything that civilian life throws at her, even if it is spy type characters. I enjoyed the book and am off to read the next book.

[Serena Buffaloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo gets pulled back in

I enjoyed this book !!
No is an ex military who is now out. She has something to do, but is dragging her feet about it.
She encounters a young girl at a park in DC , and from then on , this story is chock full of clandestine situations that Jo is very well equipped to handle. Lots of DC area background and lots of mystery .
Loved it !!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

The heroine in this book is scarred (mentally), strong, and skilled. She's a private investigator type and a rescuer. I enjoyed the style of writing, the suspense, the fact that it is a clean book, and the way Jo is finding her way. It's a very entertaining book!

[Dianne Biscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Gunning is a new kick-ass female lead in a new series written by Renee Pawlish. This book kept me reading when I should've been sleeping! The writing reminded me of David Baldacci or maybe even James Patterson. Looking forward to book 2!!

[Shana Pare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining

Jo is a person one would like to know, I think. The story is well done and the editing professional. I am certainly going to check out the next book in the series.