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Jack Widow #20
The Ghost Line
NEVER CROSS THE LINE. NEVER CROSS… WIDOW.
Jack Widow lives by simple rules: keep moving, live and let live. But there’s one more rule—don’t cross him, and he won’t cross you.
Deep in the Ozarks, the forgotten town of Iron Crossing harbors deadly secrets. Once a thriving railroad hub, now it’s controlled by the Brock family—a ruthless clan who’ll do anything to protect their criminal empire.
When a chance encounter with the Brocks turns violent, Nora Sutton—a young mother—and her daughters become targets. But when Jack Widow steps in to defend them, he starts a war with a family whose grip on the town is ironclad.
Outnumbered, outgunned, and facing impossible odds, Widow is the only one willing to cross the line. He won’t back down. Not ever.
Jack Widow lives by simple rules: keep moving, live and let live. But there’s one more rule—don’t cross him, and he won’t cross you.
Deep in the Ozarks, the forgotten town of Iron Crossing harbors deadly secrets. Once a thriving railroad hub, now it’s controlled by the Brock family—a ruthless clan who’ll do anything to protect their criminal empire.
When a chance encounter with the Brocks turns violent, Nora Sutton—a young mother—and her daughters become targets. But when Jack Widow steps in to defend them, he starts a war with a family whose grip on the town is ironclad.
Outnumbered, outgunned, and facing impossible odds, Widow is the only one willing to cross the line. He won’t back down. Not ever.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2024
401 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Scott Blade
48 books310 followersUSA TODAY and AMAZON BESTSELLER - Scott Blade is a Nomadvelist, a drifter and author. He writes the bestselling Jack Widow book series, two of which reached the Top 100 list on Amazon, knocking Harry Potter & Jack Reacher off the top spots, which angered one of the big publishers. Scott wears that fact as a badge of honor.
Scott Blade isn't a traditional novelist who spends his time stuck behind a computer desk in some dreary office. He truly walks the walk. He drifts around like the nomad he writes about, touring the world, writing mysteries and searching for the perfect coffee.
Scott Blade isn't a traditional novelist who spends his time stuck behind a computer desk in some dreary office. He truly walks the walk. He drifts around like the nomad he writes about, touring the world, writing mysteries and searching for the perfect coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 6, 2025
The Ghost Line is another good story by Scott Blade about Jack Widow and what he encounters on his travels around the US. In this book he learns something about the old art of riding trains without ticket and he finds himself in a county filled with criminals and a woman with a missing husband. What is really going on in the community? I have been a follower of this nomadvelist since he first started writing about the unknown son of Jack Reacher, sadly he was forced to stop writing that series and it evolved into this series instead. It's really entertaining if you like the rambling loner style stories.
December 12, 2024
widow
Wow. Great story. Had me in tears. Gripped from the very first page. A must read for everyone who loves the series
Wow. Great story. Had me in tears. Gripped from the very first page. A must read for everyone who loves the series
December 15, 2024
Hmmmm?
I double checked myself after the first chapters. This was a book in the Widow series, written by Scott Blade, right? Some how it just didn’t “read” the same. I did finish the book and parts of it I enjoyed. Probably my least favorite of the series, and I’ve read the whole series.
I double checked myself after the first chapters. This was a book in the Widow series, written by Scott Blade, right? Some how it just didn’t “read” the same. I did finish the book and parts of it I enjoyed. Probably my least favorite of the series, and I’ve read the whole series.
December 12, 2024
Widow learns how to ride the trains, but is warned against Route 67, The Ghost Line. It leads to Iron Crossing and at least one person has gone missing. The town used to be a thriving community, but is now mostly for freight trains moving cattle. Out of there Junior Brock runs his criminal enterprises unimpeded because his father is a major influence in the state. It is there that Nora, her two daughters and dog, Joanie try to run their ranch since her husband disappeared a year ago. It is there that Widow ends up trying to protect Nora and her girls while he comes up with a plan to take down Junior's crooked plans. Did you know there are no grizzlies in the Ozarks? Well, maybe just one
February 21, 2025
I look forward to the new Jack Widow releases like I used to for the Reacher series. This one however was exceedingly brutal with dog fighting/cage fighting, missing people, corrupt cops and more.
All this done but the son of the local crime boss that seems to get away with everything (isn't that normal for kids that never had to work on their own to get ahead?)
Jack also meets Nora & her two super cutey little girls and it's really the first time in decades he would consider ending his nomadic treks.
Only three stars for me due to the brutality which I was convinced Jack wouldn't survive.
All this done but the son of the local crime boss that seems to get away with everything (isn't that normal for kids that never had to work on their own to get ahead?)
Jack also meets Nora & her two super cutey little girls and it's really the first time in decades he would consider ending his nomadic treks.
Only three stars for me due to the brutality which I was convinced Jack wouldn't survive.
January 13, 2025
Bearzerker!
With a new Widow adventure comes love from two young girls, from their mother and terror from debased local who is evil and enjoys extreme evil. Widow cannot ignore the underlying mystery of Iron Crossing, the small town that has the secrets Widow must try to investigate.
Coming to the rescue for the people who cannot defend their own self, Widow places himself i n jeopardy and may not escape. Tense and exciting.
With a new Widow adventure comes love from two young girls, from their mother and terror from debased local who is evil and enjoys extreme evil. Widow cannot ignore the underlying mystery of Iron Crossing, the small town that has the secrets Widow must try to investigate.
Coming to the rescue for the people who cannot defend their own self, Widow places himself i n jeopardy and may not escape. Tense and exciting.
March 4, 2025
What a great ride!
I have been waiting for this next installment, and was not disappointed.
If you are new to the series, start at the beginning—You will thank me.
Could not put this one down from the time I picked it up, to the time I savored the last page.
Great story and seriously fun to read.
Whatever you’re reading now can wait—This series cannot.
Hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!
I have been waiting for this next installment, and was not disappointed.
If you are new to the series, start at the beginning—You will thank me.
Could not put this one down from the time I picked it up, to the time I savored the last page.
Great story and seriously fun to read.
Whatever you’re reading now can wait—This series cannot.
Hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!
December 13, 2024
Brilliant
Another brilliant story in this great series. Widow is a character whose moral compass is top rate despite the violent way he has often to deal with what he comes up against. As always, the action in this story is relentless and gripping. Looking forward to next year’s story.
Another brilliant story in this great series. Widow is a character whose moral compass is top rate despite the violent way he has often to deal with what he comes up against. As always, the action in this story is relentless and gripping. Looking forward to next year’s story.
January 4, 2025
Ghost of Widow on the “ Ghost Line”
As I said in the title, this book was a ghost of the Widow that was. So very predictable, without any surprise. I only finished it because I’d read all the other ones. It was like one of the old Very Famous movies which sequels of have become tortuous.
As I said in the title, this book was a ghost of the Widow that was. So very predictable, without any surprise. I only finished it because I’d read all the other ones. It was like one of the old Very Famous movies which sequels of have become tortuous.
January 11, 2025
Another great Jack Widow story. You seldom find Widow in the "domestic relationship" situation. While the story revolves around criminal exploits and bullies, Widow is drawn to the woman and her children. The ending was heart-wrenching, but necessary for Widow's moral compass (not to mention future books and adventures!).
May 10, 2025
Amazing!
I’ve yet to read a Jack Widow book I didn’t like, but this one exceeded my expectations. It played with all of my emotions. I stressed over situations, freaked out over others, and even shed a tear or two. It’s an excellent read. I’ve read all his books in order thru book 20. Now I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
I’ve yet to read a Jack Widow book I didn’t like, but this one exceeded my expectations. It played with all of my emotions. I stressed over situations, freaked out over others, and even shed a tear or two. It’s an excellent read. I’ve read all his books in order thru book 20. Now I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
June 28, 2025
There have been some wonderful books in this series from Scott Blade. The Ghost Line has got to be the best one, so far! We get to see a side of Widow that, although has been under the surface at times in previous stories, really jumps out in this one. The human emotion that's been under the surface of our protagonist is on full display!
December 16, 2024
another intense saga
A thirsty Jack Widow runs afoul of a young mother with two children, alone on a farm after her husband disappeared.
How everything shakes out makes for a riveting read.
A thirsty Jack Widow runs afoul of a young mother with two children, alone on a farm after her husband disappeared.
How everything shakes out makes for a riveting read.
December 17, 2024
Scott Blade does it again
Well, it's 2 pm and I just woke up, another Widow story that I had to finish. And it's not the first to do that, all of his stories will grab you and cause you to lose sleep ! Can't wait for the next one! Which I just pre-ordered ! Gary,
Well, it's 2 pm and I just woke up, another Widow story that I had to finish. And it's not the first to do that, all of his stories will grab you and cause you to lose sleep ! Can't wait for the next one! Which I just pre-ordered ! Gary,
December 20, 2024
Wow, brilliant book.
I could not put this book down. Widow helps Nora and her girls whilst he's looking into the disappearance of a young tiktoker train hopper. Widow is a fantastic character. I hope there will be more books. Well worth five stars.
I could not put this book down. Widow helps Nora and her girls whilst he's looking into the disappearance of a young tiktoker train hopper. Widow is a fantastic character. I hope there will be more books. Well worth five stars.
December 26, 2024
best one yet.
This is the best of the series. I thought you might have saved Nora without confronting the bear bur I guess you had too. Are you working toward an ending where Widow does settle down? It seems like it. Keep writing.
This is the best of the series. I thought you might have saved Nora without confronting the bear bur I guess you had too. Are you working toward an ending where Widow does settle down? It seems like it. Keep writing.
January 4, 2025
Edge of Seat Excitement
As with all the Widow books, this grabs you and won't let go. This was so exciting, I was exhausted at the end! Scott Blade just keeps getting better and better!
As with all the Widow books, this grabs you and won't let go. This was so exciting, I was exhausted at the end! Scott Blade just keeps getting better and better!
January 11, 2025
Another good book from Scott. I like these books because they give me a bit of Reacher but not.
Great story, nice to see the character grow a little, but it felt rushed at the end.
Still, enjoyable read.
Great story, nice to see the character grow a little, but it felt rushed at the end.
Still, enjoyable read.
February 12, 2025
I've read through the first 20 of the Jack Widow novels. I've always enjoyed them, even though some of the earlier ones were pretty short. Scott Blade meant business with his 20th Widow novel. Fast paced and pretty novel backdrop. His best yet!
February 20, 2025
Best book yet
When we meet Widow he's already in his 30s but throughout the series we watch him grow.
This book has to be the best example of this yet.
Going through a milife crisis?
Finally finding his home?
I gasped, I smiled and I bawled.
When we meet Widow he's already in his 30s but throughout the series we watch him grow.
This book has to be the best example of this yet.
Going through a milife crisis?
Finally finding his home?
I gasped, I smiled and I bawled.
March 18, 2025
Wow
Almost thought this was it for Widow. I can't say too much without ruining it for the next reader. But this story I has more heart than the others, other books. It got me in my heart.
Almost thought this was it for Widow. I can't say too much without ruining it for the next reader. But this story I has more heart than the others, other books. It got me in my heart.
March 20, 2025
Wow what a read!
This book was fast and furious, read it in two days. If you like Reacher, Widow could be a lost brother ! You won't be able to put this book down. Thanks Scott Blade.
This book was fast and furious, read it in two days. If you like Reacher, Widow could be a lost brother ! You won't be able to put this book down. Thanks Scott Blade.
April 28, 2025
Widow rides the rails & finds adventure of a lifetime.
Widow decides to ride the rails & hears a story he can't get out of his head. He finds the town & ends up saving a woman & her children from some town bullies.
Widow decides to ride the rails & hears a story he can't get out of his head. He finds the town & ends up saving a woman & her children from some town bullies.
May 28, 2025
Not my favorite Widow
This one was good and the ending heartbreaking but too much animal cruelty . Junior might take the prize for one of the most dispicable characters ever. But I still had to go with5 stars because I really like these books.
This one was good and the ending heartbreaking but too much animal cruelty . Junior might take the prize for one of the most dispicable characters ever. But I still had to go with5 stars because I really like these books.
December 14, 2024
It was okay but predictable. I also found it slow in places and had unnecessary bits.
December 18, 2024
Absolutly the best of the series! The plot was unbelievable and the suspense keep going on and on! Wow! Thanks so much to the author for sharing his talent and just can’t wait for the next one!!
December 19, 2024
Stunning so enjoyable best ever wow
So entertaining. Loved the dog. So modern
up to date best read for many years. Great entertainment.
Fabulous. Good night
So entertaining. Loved the dog. So modern
up to date best read for many years. Great entertainment.
Fabulous. Good night
December 20, 2024
great read
This is one of Scott Blades best books in this series so far. I look forward to the next books release.
This is one of Scott Blades best books in this series so far. I look forward to the next books release.
December 21, 2024
Wow
I REALLY enjoyed the book. It got to a point I didn't want to put it down. Great work Scott, keep up the next novel!!!!!
I REALLY enjoyed the book. It got to a point I didn't want to put it down. Great work Scott, keep up the next novel!!!!!
December 22, 2024
Main story quite enjoyable and entertaining but ruined by the ‘cartoon’ type of ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews