A Reason to Kill

Jack Widow #3

by Scott Blade

In Scott Blade's #1 AMAZON bestselling series, Jack Widow hunts for a missing girl in a race against time that may give him more than one reason to kill.

Former Undercover NCIS cop, now Jack Widow is A Drifter. A Nobody. A Stranger. A Hero.

Jack Widow, the ultimate loner, waits to catch a bus at a Texas station to nowhere in particular. Seated across from him is an elderly woman, clearly in a state of distress. Eight hours ago, her own son, who just got out of prison, abducted her granddaughter and vanished.

Her son, James Hood, is mixed up with the wrong people--powerful people. The kind of people who will kill to protect a deadly secret. Terrified for her granddaughter's life, she has no one left to trust.

With nowhere to turn, she follows their trail, on her own, toward a border town in South Texas.

After showing Widow a picture of her six-year-old granddaughter, Claire Hood drops dead of natural causes, right at the bus station, right in front of him.

Jack Widow isn't the kind of guy to let wrongs go. He picks up her bus ticket and takes her place on a quest that will give him a reason to kill.

This book contains a bonus preview of Without Measure: Book 4 in the Jack Widow series.

The JACK WIDOW series in order:
GONE FOREVER Book #1
WINTER TERRITORY Book #2
A REASON TO KILL Book #3
WITHOUT MEASURE #4
ONCE QUIET #5
NAME NOT GIVEN #6
THE MIDNIGHT CALLER #7
FIREWATCH #8

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Action, Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, Adventure

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2016

About the author

USA 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.

Reviews

[Terence M [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-Stars "I Liked It" - for Jack Widow 03 - Reason to Kill
I am still 'out-of-action', so the following is, pro tem, in lieu of my review:

From my Listening Activity:
Commenced May 17, 2026 - Finished: May 24, 2026
May 17, 2026 @ 25%: "My third 'Jack Widow' book and the first quarter is pretty much as expected. More description than is necessary (in my opinion); wordy, but probably not long-winded; some action that is within Widow's own boundaries, I'm smilin' :)"

May 24, 2026 @ 99%: "I think my mini-binge of Jack Widow audiobooks might be over - it's certainly on-hold. The last 3-4 hours sounded like the first 3-4 hours - too 'samey', which is a shame. This will pan out as a 3-Stars "I Liked It", I think."

Scott Blade - Jack Widow 03 - A Reason To Kill - 2016
Audible Direct: 08:43 Hours - Narrator: Alan Philip Ormond
Commenced: May 17, 2026 - Finished: May 24, 2026
Heard: 08:43 Hours - Balance: 00:00 Hours

[Alan (the Lone Librarian) Teder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Widow Finds a Reason
A review of the Black Lion LLC eBook (July 1, 2017) of a book first published (October 10, 2016).

Widow didn't volunteer. He never volunteered for anything. That was a sailor's basic rule—never volunteer for work—and he had been a sailor for a time and then an NCIS agent for a special operation called Unit Ten, in which he was undercover in the Navy SEALs.

A reserved 3-star. This one turns pretty fierce and relentless by the end, although the baddies earn it by being mostly cookie cutter vigilante racists who cage and execute border-crossing migrants. Still, you want even your anti-heroes like Jack Widow to have somewhat clean hands, but those hands are very bloody by the end.

It all starts with drifter Jack Widow meeting a desperate grandmother who is setting out to find her runaway son and grand-daughter down in Texas. Circumstances cause Widow to swear to carry out her mission and he travels down south to do so. He finds an ally in a border patrol agent along the way. What he discovers is a conspiracy tied-in to the then (the book alludes to the 2016 U.S. Election) planning of the U.S./Mexico border wall.

It also went a bit over the top at the end when Widow calls on his old NCIS unit commander to bring in all kinds of intel and heavy armaments assistance. At the end of book #1 I had the impression Widow had gone AWOL when he chose the life of the road. But apparently he can still call in a ridiculous amount of favours from the U.S. military?

The spy drone came swooping back around and buzzed over them. Leon watched it intently. Widow said, “We’re not alone, anyway. They’re with us.”
“Who? Who’s with us?”
He pointed at the drone and said, “Them.”
She looked at him sideways and asked, “Who the hell is them?”
“The United States Air Force.”

I'm prepared to stick with Jack Widow for a few more books, esp. since I've already read all of Lee Child's Reacher and sometimes your brain just wants an action thriller. Widow is different enough to keep me looking for where Scott Blade brings something new to the game. I haven't noticed anything special in the banter or any mottos like "Reacher said nothing," but the love of coffee and the carrying a toothbrush are all in place.

If Jack Widow is new to you, you might want to read my review of Gone Forever (Jack Widow #1 - 2016) at Son of a Reacher Man for an introduction to the character.

Trivia and Links
Author Scott Blade first introduced the character as Jack Cameron and presumably those books had many more Jack Reacher references and were likely subject to a copyright claim (This is my assumption, I did not research any of the legal history). Those books in the Jack Cameron series are now out of print and the character was revised as Jack Widow in a series which has now reached 22 novels (as of 2026). Unlike books #1 and #2 which were the same titles & plots in both series, this book #3 branches off with a plot that is completely different from Foreign and Domestic (2015 - Jack Cameron #3).

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Widow Uses New and Old Relationships To Rescue a Young Girl

I really enjoy reading these interesting adventures of an ex-NCIS Agent/Navy Seal who is traveling around to see all of the United States. The characters are very well described, you feel as if you personally know each person as you follow the twists and turns in the story.
The plots are exciting and well maintained, as so many different ways to obtain the objective are followed. I especially like that these books are available on Kindle Unlimited, allowing me to read a new one when ever I want until I have read them all!!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Reason to Kill” by Scott Blade, narrated by Alan Phillip Ormond, is the 3rd installment in the Jack Widow series. This audiobook, released in 2021, continues the thrilling adventures of Jack Widow, a former Navy SEAL and drifter, who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous mission to rescue an abducted child. Blade's storytelling, combined with Ormond's compelling narration, creates an immersive experience that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.

Plot Overview

The story kicks off with Jack Widow waiting at a dusty bus station in Texas. He encounters Claire Hood, a distressed grandmother on a mission to rescue her kidnapped granddaughter. Tragically, Claire dies of natural causes right in front of Widow. Driven by a sense of justice and a promise to Claire, Widow takes up her quest. This sets him on a perilous journey across Texas, uncovering a horrifying conspiracy that involves human trafficking and corruption at the highest levels.

Character Development

Jack Widow is a complex character, reminiscent of Lee Child's Jack Reacher. He is a loner with a strong moral compass, willing to go to great lengths to right wrongs. In “A Reason to Kill,” Widow's determination and resourcefulness are on full display. His interactions with other characters, especially those he meets during his quest, reveal his depth and humanity. Claire Hood, though her appearance is brief, leaves a lasting impact on Widow and the narrative. Her desperation and courage set the tone for the entire story.

Themes and Motifs

The novel explores themes of justice, redemption, and the fight against evil. Widow's journey is not just about rescuing a child but also about confronting his own demons and finding a sense of purpose. The motif of the lone hero battling against insurmountable odds is prevalent throughout the story. Blade also delves into the dark world of human trafficking, shedding light on a grim reality that adds a layer of urgency and relevance to the plot.

Narration and Audiobook Experience

Alan Phillip Ormond's narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. His deep, resonant voice perfectly matches the gritty and intense atmosphere of the story. Ormond's ability to give distinct voices to different characters enhances the listening experience, making it easy for listeners to follow the dialogue and action. His pacing is impeccable, maintaining tension and suspense throughout the audiobook.

Writing Style

Scott Blade's writing is crisp and fast-paced, with vivid descriptions that bring the Texas landscape to life. His action scenes are well-crafted, providing a cinematic quality to the narrative. Blade's ability to balance action with character development ensures that the story remains engaging from start to finish. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, adding to the authenticity of the characters and their interactions.

Strengths

One of the strengths of “A Reason to Kill” is its well-constructed plot. The story unfolds with a series of twists and turns that keep listeners guessing. Blade's attention to detail and thorough research are evident in the realistic portrayal of the settings and scenarios. The emotional depth of the characters, particularly Widow, adds a layer of complexity that elevates the story beyond a typical action thriller.

Weaknesses

While the audiobook is highly engaging, some listeners might find the plot somewhat predictable, especially if they are familiar with the genre. Additionally, the focus on action and suspense sometimes comes at the expense of deeper exploration of secondary characters. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise solid and entertaining audiobook.

Conclusion

“A Reason to Kill” is a gripping addition to the Jack Widow series, showcasing Scott Blade's talent for crafting intense and emotionally resonant thrillers. Alan Phillip Ormond's narration brings the story to life, making it a must-listen for fans of the genre. Whether you're a long-time follower of Jack Widow's adventures or new to the series, this audiobook offers a thrilling ride that is sure to leave you wanting more.

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was ok but I rather read about Cameron Reacher, it really is a shame that it were difficult to continue with the origina plot. I will on the other hand continue to follow Jack Widow. Scott Blade is a very nice guy and he had a great thing going but I totally agree with his decision to change his main character. Since I'm nuts about Reacher I can only say I am very happy to have the earlier books before he rewrote them. I look forward to the next Widow story to see what becomes of the hero. this book was not enough to form a lasting opinion.

[P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This was an interesting story set fairly clearly in the previous USA presidential election. There is a big picture but the best bits were about the people and what they did and why.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome action packed story that captivated me. Scott Blade certainly knows how to excite his readers!

[Fran Hauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continually holds your interest to see what's happening next.

[Kelsie Gahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this one first

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of his books too far fetched. He kills several bad guys, beats up a Sheriff, and deputy
To escape jail, also kills a US Senator but nothing is tied to him. Every woman he meets is into him and gorgeous. Just unrealistic story line not tied up well.

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep reading them

Such an obvious rip off of Jack Reacher. But I can never get enough of these type of characters anyway. Are quick reads with lots of action and good deeds. So I'll read all of them.

[Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment in the Jack Widow series was my favourite book so far. Not as much over-the-top superhero-esque type of situations in this book.

Widow finds himself in Texas sitting at a steaming hot bus station waiting for a bus to someplace else. While waiting, he starts chatting with Claire, Hood, an elderly woman who looks rather distraught. She is looking for her missing granddaughter. Her son, who recently was released from prison has scooped her up and skipped town. Before Widow can get all the details, Claire drops dead of natural causes.

Widow being the way he is, takes the information he was able to get from Claire, ditches his original plans to someplace else, and sets out to track down Claire's son and granddaughter before the people that he was working for can find him and silence his and his whole family.

At times, Widow almost seems human in this book. He struggles with things that used to be second nature for him and even needs to enlist an old friend for assistance. Widow also steps things up and really gets his hands dirty in this one.

The story rolled along quite nicely. Not too much in the way of slower parts in this one. The books seem to be on an upward trajectory and that is fine by me.

[Neelabh Pratap Singh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scott Blade's latest work seems to bear a distinct resemblance to the style of the renowned author Lee Child, which is not uncommon among modern-day writers. However, what Blade and others emulating Child are unable to capture is the master storyteller's unrivaled power. Child's ability to maintain suspense and intrigue throughout the narrative until the very end is unparalleled. Unfortunately, this is what most Jack Reacher clones are lacking.

Blade's book, in particular, suffers from this deficiency, with a dearth of content that is all fluff and no substance. The storyline is riddled with inconsistencies, rendering it nonsensical, and it is further weighed down by the author's overt political agenda, which is anti-wall and pro-illegal immigrant.

In conclusion, Blade's book is not worth the reader's time. Its lack of originality, weak plot, and overt political messaging make it a subpar imitation of the works of Lee Child. Potential readers are better off skipping it altogether.

[Kenneth Gomberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the best since Reacher

People have said they like this because it's like Reacher, or they don't like it because Widow is like Reacher. All I know is you have A Reacher like character who might possibly be related to Reacher. Hints have been dropped. And this is the first audit who writes believably, in the style of Child, and knows the technical info very well. His plot lines are fresh, and gave it, after 24 Jack Reacher novels, Lee Child is getting a little slow. Maybe that's why his brother will be taking over the Jack Reacher novels. Glade is fast and a page turner. I STOPPED a collection of Jack Reacher short stories to read these. And I'll keep going. Read these in order. The first novel is a cliffhanger, but all the rest (14) are standalone books. And they are great

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Widow is an ex-SEAL undercover operative, so this might not be his real name. There is nothing really to set up as he is a drifter. Not on the run and nobody is trying to kill him, but he likes to drift. The book starts out a little slow as he hitch hikes to Vegas. The most interesting part of this is his visit to Starbucks, where all he wants is a cup of black coffee. I can relate. He ends up in Texas sitting at a bus stop with an old lady who dies from the heat. Before she does, she tells Widow of her son, who had just gotten out of prison and taken her granddaughter. It is more complicated than that so pay attention to subtle clues throughout. It is like a rock rolling down hill. Starts out slow and just keeps picking up speed!

[MikeB · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm scratching my head over the 5 star reviews? This book is very amateurish, in fact feels like it was written for teenagers, except the author at times decides to go overboard describing gore. The style feels like the 1980's where girls are all unbelievably pretty and our heroine has them all falling at his feet. Parts of the plot are puzzling where the bad guys have the good guy captured and want to kill him, but for some unexplained reason they don't and you guessed it.... he turns things around.
I ended up jumping ahead here and there and feeling like I was reading an old cheesy western from the 1950's.
The trouble you get from reading really good action authors is that the average ones become obvious to you and fail to capture your attention..

[john alder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the third book I have recently read as part of the Jack Widow. It was very difficult to put down as the book kept me fully engrossed from start to finish. I particularly liked the fact that We were given a small glimpse of his previous life. In the previous two books it was mentioned but not embellished upon other than referring to his unique skills. Also, as the story looked as though a conclusion was near it suddenly launched me back on to the edge of my seat and the roller coaster ride continued. Another very well deserved 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now for book number 4 ‘Without Measure’.

[Scott Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Reacher, like Widow. No Reacher, no Widow.

I admit to being a Lee Child fan. Without Jack Reacher there would be no Jack Widow. There are similarities. But also differences. Blade's narrative has somewhat more detail than Child's. Similar inner dialogue. Thoroughly enjoyable. Only a couple of grammatical or typographical errors.

One small detail started to grate about 3/4 of the way through: does EVERY bullet hitting a body result in a "red mist?" Head, neck, shoulder, even a knee? 10 years from now, when I reread, I swear I'm going to keep count.

Go back to book one if you didn't start there... Well worth it.

[Jo-Ann Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in this series.

During this story our hero meets an old woman and she tells him about her son, his daughter and his wife. And about some bad guys after her…

Our hero bounces around a bit and then when the old woman dies at his feet he knew he had to do something. He had to save the daughter. Along his adventure he meets up with border patrol.

It does cross over into the political world.

Our hero uses his old contact to get help for this little girl. He eventually finds her and a bunch of newer problems.

Our hero rejoins and protects the mother/daughter before putting things to right again…

Will he stay or go even for the smallest time?.

[Danielle Tremblay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate when an author uses unrealistic tricks to add suspense to his novels.
A guy who grew with a cop mother and worked with her to investigate the crimes, who was trained by NCIS and was in the Navy Seal, and who doesn't know that if you let a cellphone opened, anybody who knows your phone number can trace where you are is totally IMPOSSIBLE! A four-year-old knows that and wouldn't make such a big mistake.

So I stopped readking this book then and there and I won't read Blade's books again.

I prefer to re-read all Lee Child's books. His Reacher isn't such a moron, far from it. He is a strong and logical character.

[Samuel murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and it is clearly based on the Lee Child Reacher theme. Book started on a nice slow pace and graduated to a faster action killing story line. My only problem with the story is the assault on the Sheriff and deputy, theft of this vehicle and the killing of the Senator without any repercussions or explanation to higher authorities. The assistance given from his former boss to a retired special agent just would not happen in real life although as a story I as already stated enjoyed the book.

[Lorreine Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series, and unlike the others, I found it a little slow to start. Once it got to the premise of the book it was full steam ahead, but the first 20-25% of the book pondered on inconsequential things, why he liked being on the road, or why he decided to get a train ticket here or there.

Very unusual and I was surprised. I finished The final half of the book in an evening, but it took me 3 days to get through the first section.

I still like Jack Widow, so will definitely read another one.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack finds trouble again when an elderly lady dies at a bus stop after telling him that her son has kidnapped her granddaughter and she thinks he is in trouble. Deciding to try to save the girl he heads south towards the Mexican border. Illegal corporate and political plots are central to this fast paced, entertaining (with dry humour interspersed throughout) thriller.
Book 3 is indicative a pattern of behavior and some fairly predictable actions and outcomes but original issues maintain interest.

[Anon O. Mous · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lower rating for this entry. I really had a problem with the needless killing done by Widow. I also had issues with the storyline. Some parts didn't seem plausible. Without giving spoilers, in one instance, the baddies let Widow live, when realistically they would have killed him on the spot. There were other parts that I found very hard to accept. Let's just say that I found this story to be wanting. I hope the rest are better than this one was. It's pretty safe to assume that I won't ever reread it.

[Michael C. Cordell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott's plots a pretty strong and his writing style has some similarities with Lee Child's style. I don't think the writing is as strong in terms of mechanics -- too often there are repeated words and phrases within a paragraph of each other. A good editor would clean much of this up and improve the books' quality significantly.

"A Reason to Kill" wasn't the best of the ones in the series I've read so far, but I hold out hope they'll improve as they progress.

[Richard Belisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, REALLY enjoying This Series!

Enjoying This Series. Might the concept here be that of my, and so many other's, alter-ego??? On your own, exploring, no "baggage", seeing what's around the corner or over the next hill, and doing good along the way, Meeting new people, new experiences. Of course, reading these, on my lanai, A little blues playing in the background, a little fine rum on ice...that might add to the overall ambience! Cheers!

[Dave Carmichael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this. It had a good set up and all the opportunities. It just came off like a cheap knock off of Jack Reacher/James Reece/John Milton. It didn't need to be. Plus he won too much. He needs to start to lose then come back k at the last minute. The writing, I'm sorry to say just seemed lazy. It was epically predictable.

I'd seen this advertised and kept meaning to buy one of the series. I was really disappointed.

[Linae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all the books

This is the first review after reading the first 3 books in this series. They are addictive. I don't have a way with words like the authors but I've got to say these are rough and tumble, heart warming stories. Definitely a contradiction but that's what makes them so good. I didn't know what I was getting into when I picked up the first book but I haven't been disappointed. Onto book 4.

[lynn baird · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reacher rip off

This is the third book in the series. So far the stories are a blatant rip off of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. That might be ok except the author's leftist political views are made way too clear! I'm done! I can get leftist views from tv. Don't want them in my casual reading!

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

More great action from Jack Widow. I envy the ability of Scott Blade to come up with this stuff, totally amazing. Running into a grandma at a bus station, then her story, and then she dies? Widow can’t help himself, he’s in tracking down the granddaughter and farther, getting rid of the bad guys, making things right. You’ve gotta love this stuff, I couldn’t put it down. Fabulous 5