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Rancid Badges
Framed. Hunted. Betrayed by the badge.Atlanta beat cop Derrick Nash never saw it coming. One minute he’s responding to a tip—next, he’s behind bars, framed for a crime he didn’t commit. When unexpectedly ambushed, his trusted lieutenant is shot and tells him to run. Nash escapes and goes on the lam, desperate to clear his name and find out who set him up.
His only ally is a grieving widow whose husband was murdered—allegedly by a cop. As they dig for answers, they uncover a conspiracy rooted deep inside the force—where badges are for sale, justice is a facade, and someone powerful is pulling the strings. Every lead brings them closer to the truth…and closer to the people who would kill to keep it buried.
From alley chases to hitmen, crooked cops to sinister criminal networks, Rancid Badges is a relentless crime thriller where exoneration comes at a deadly cost—and the only way out is through the fire.
His only ally is a grieving widow whose husband was murdered—allegedly by a cop. As they dig for answers, they uncover a conspiracy rooted deep inside the force—where badges are for sale, justice is a facade, and someone powerful is pulling the strings. Every lead brings them closer to the truth…and closer to the people who would kill to keep it buried.
From alley chases to hitmen, crooked cops to sinister criminal networks, Rancid Badges is a relentless crime thriller where exoneration comes at a deadly cost—and the only way out is through the fire.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
About the author
Alex Cage
18 books28 followersAlex Cage is a thriller author and passionate wordsmith who loves to blend his fascination with martial arts and travel with high-octane action and explosive adventures. He enjoys nothing more than entertaining his readers with death-defying missions, larger-than-life characters, and clean, suspenseful stories that always find a way to keep you on your toes.
As the author of nearly a dozen titles, including the Orlando Black series and the Leroy Silver series, Alex combines his obsession for thrillers with a sprinkling of fantasy and sci-fi, so that readers will always find something to capture their imagination. He currently resides in North Carolina. When not writing his next novel, you can find him reading and practicing martial arts. Find out more about Alex Cage (and get a free read) at www.AlexCage.com
Alex Cage’s heart-stopping Orlando Black books are best enjoyed in this order:
- Carolina Dance (Book 1)
- Queen City Ruby
- Survival Intuition (A Rose Lee Flash Fiction Story)
- Sunshine Scandal
- Once You Go Black
- Bayside Book (Book 2)
- Family Famous
- Bet on Black (Book 3)
As the author of nearly a dozen titles, including the Orlando Black series and the Leroy Silver series, Alex combines his obsession for thrillers with a sprinkling of fantasy and sci-fi, so that readers will always find something to capture their imagination. He currently resides in North Carolina. When not writing his next novel, you can find him reading and practicing martial arts. Find out more about Alex Cage (and get a free read) at www.AlexCage.com
Alex Cage’s heart-stopping Orlando Black books are best enjoyed in this order:
- Carolina Dance (Book 1)
- Queen City Ruby
- Survival Intuition (A Rose Lee Flash Fiction Story)
- Sunshine Scandal
- Once You Go Black
- Bayside Book (Book 2)
- Family Famous
- Bet on Black (Book 3)
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 31, 2026
'Rancid Badges' by Alex Cage (Kindle)
October 2026
The fight scenes are the best parts; they usually are in Cage's books!
Decent storyline, if a bit play-by-play regarding scenes that didn't have anything to do with furthering the tale, (ie, exactly what the wife put on her sandwich.), among other scenes. I wanted more emotional content, and more interactions with the people he worked with. And what's going on with our cop outside of his work? What's the rest of his life like? Who are his people, his friends, his family? Does he have pets? Hobbies? I wanted more depth of character, a more 3-D person, if you get my drift.
I liked the Orlando Black series much more! Not sure exactly why, maybe because that series comes across as more dynamic, more thrilling, more details, and more interesting! We get a few details from his past. Maybe it's the MMA aspects of those action-adventures? I think the author must be into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) because that's where his stories shine, in the fight scenes!
I want less lettuce & tomato, more Van Damme!
Just sayin'... ;-)
Also, this script needed more proofreading, as there were several grammatical errors. Nothing huge, just noticeable.
That said, I did enjoy the adventure and look forward to reading more books from this author!
October 2026
The fight scenes are the best parts; they usually are in Cage's books!
Decent storyline, if a bit play-by-play regarding scenes that didn't have anything to do with furthering the tale, (ie, exactly what the wife put on her sandwich.), among other scenes. I wanted more emotional content, and more interactions with the people he worked with. And what's going on with our cop outside of his work? What's the rest of his life like? Who are his people, his friends, his family? Does he have pets? Hobbies? I wanted more depth of character, a more 3-D person, if you get my drift.
I liked the Orlando Black series much more! Not sure exactly why, maybe because that series comes across as more dynamic, more thrilling, more details, and more interesting! We get a few details from his past. Maybe it's the MMA aspects of those action-adventures? I think the author must be into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) because that's where his stories shine, in the fight scenes!
I want less lettuce & tomato, more Van Damme!
Just sayin'... ;-)
Also, this script needed more proofreading, as there were several grammatical errors. Nothing huge, just noticeable.
That said, I did enjoy the adventure and look forward to reading more books from this author!
November 1, 2025
A Bold Murder Mystery
What a great page-turner. It has everything: action with multi-faceted characters, vivid scenes and strong dialogue. Protagonist Derrick Nash is a cop who is kind, caring, considerate, respectable and follows his instincts when searching for facts, but his honor will be tested when he is accused of attempted murder. The plot has Nash facing trails of crooked cops, secrets and lies, manipulation, twists and turns, and betrayal to the point where you begin to wonder who Nash can really trust. But, when Kristi Jackson, a gusty, fearless, and no-nonsense cop asks Nash for help, the story becomes even more captivating, keeping you guessing and on the edge of your seat, slowly building up to a revelation that will shock you to the core.
What a great page-turner. It has everything: action with multi-faceted characters, vivid scenes and strong dialogue. Protagonist Derrick Nash is a cop who is kind, caring, considerate, respectable and follows his instincts when searching for facts, but his honor will be tested when he is accused of attempted murder. The plot has Nash facing trails of crooked cops, secrets and lies, manipulation, twists and turns, and betrayal to the point where you begin to wonder who Nash can really trust. But, when Kristi Jackson, a gusty, fearless, and no-nonsense cop asks Nash for help, the story becomes even more captivating, keeping you guessing and on the edge of your seat, slowly building up to a revelation that will shock you to the core.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews