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Thorn Mystery #15
Bad Axe
A simple favor: Recover 23 stolen landmines filled with VX nerve gas and rescue a young Honduran girl, Dulce, from a band of murderous white supremacists. Most people would say no. Most people aren't THORN.
From a Pacific Island base in the past, to the rough back roads of the Arizona-Mexico border, to a tiny town in Michigan called Bad Axe, Thorn follows a dangerous trail that leads to breathtaking suspense.
To save the girl and thousands of innocent American lives, Thorn and Sugarman must infiltrate a terrorist cell far from Key Largo. They're way out of their element, but the big question is are they out of their league? If they fall short, the axe could finally fall in BAD AXE.
From a Pacific Island base in the past, to the rough back roads of the Arizona-Mexico border, to a tiny town in Michigan called Bad Axe, Thorn follows a dangerous trail that leads to breathtaking suspense.
To save the girl and thousands of innocent American lives, Thorn and Sugarman must infiltrate a terrorist cell far from Key Largo. They're way out of their element, but the big question is are they out of their league? If they fall short, the axe could finally fall in BAD AXE.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2020
210 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
James W. Hall
89 books488 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James W. Hall is an Edgar and Shamus Award-winning author whose books have been translated into a dozen languages. He has written twenty-one novels, four books of poetry, two collections of short stories, and two works of non-fiction. He also won a John D. MacDonald Award for Excellence in Florida Fiction, presented by the JDM Bibliophile.
He has a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in literature from the University of Utah. He was a professor of literature and creative writing at Florida International University for 40 years where he taught such writers as Vicky Hendricks, Christine Kling, Barbara Parker and Dennis Lehane.
James W. Hall is an Edgar and Shamus Award-winning author whose books have been translated into a dozen languages. He has written twenty-one novels, four books of poetry, two collections of short stories, and two works of non-fiction. He also won a John D. MacDonald Award for Excellence in Florida Fiction, presented by the JDM Bibliophile.
He has a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in literature from the University of Utah. He was a professor of literature and creative writing at Florida International University for 40 years where he taught such writers as Vicky Hendricks, Christine Kling, Barbara Parker and Dennis Lehane.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 27, 2021
I've known James Hall for quite a while now, meeting him at a bookstore in South Florida in 1988 where he was searching to see if paperback copies of his first Thorn novel had arrived. ("Under Cover of Daylight") He talked about the character then signed a copy for me. Since then I have tried to attend his signings as the books were released. Sadly, it appears COVID has done in that practice. Not only did I become a big fan of the Thorn character, but also of Hall's excellent plotting and writing skills. This one is a bit more off the wall than usual and I must admit that part of the appeal to me of the earlier stories was the Florida location. Having this take place in the desert southwest is quite a switch but still, this is a worthy read for Thorn/Hall fans. The atoll was interesting but the titular town of Bad Axe, not so much.
November 14, 2020
Wacko white supremacists are the villains du jour in crime fiction lately. So, why shouldn’t our old Key Largo pals Thorn & Sugarman not have a run at halting unspeakable acts of domestic terrorism? The wrinkle here is that hijacked Vietnam-era military ordnance(VX nerve gas) is about to fall into the hands of homegrown evildoers. Thorn – a seemingly laid-back nonconformist who describes himself as “just a guy who likes things to turn out fair” (p65) – is better known for his rage-filled, vengeful acts of violence. The 14th Thorn adventure was billed as the last for James W. Hall. In this 15th appearance: “Maybe there’d been a time when Thorn was angrier. But he couldn’t remember it.” (p236). Mister Liberryhead is glad Hall decided to keep writing about this oddball rage-monkey. Oh, and the title, BAD AXE, is a fun play on words.
February 4, 2023
James Hall has written a masterpiece with this book. His ability to allow us into the souls of the characters is magical
Whether through years of. teaching in academia, or years of learning through his reflection on how best to understand what goodness and evil are in order to know how best to allow readers to their own thoughts, he is an absolute master of his craft. While many of his contemporaries in the past few years seem to have
lost their devotion to their art, perhaps because of pressure from publishers to simply produce a constant stream of profit, he has only become more skilled in his work. This book is one of his best, and it was wonderful to hope there will be more! Savor it.
Whether through years of. teaching in academia, or years of learning through his reflection on how best to understand what goodness and evil are in order to know how best to allow readers to their own thoughts, he is an absolute master of his craft. While many of his contemporaries in the past few years seem to have
lost their devotion to their art, perhaps because of pressure from publishers to simply produce a constant stream of profit, he has only become more skilled in his work. This book is one of his best, and it was wonderful to hope there will be more! Savor it.
October 18, 2022
I gave this 3 stars but that is partly out of some remembered feeling that I liked the Thorn series in the past. I came close to a two star rating. The plotting was pretty thin with some pretty unlikely moments. What civilian, unknown to the police, walks into a police station and demands to be shown evidence of a crime without being thrown out on his ear? How many times can the bad guys put off shooting the good guys when said bad guys have no particular reason for keeping the good guys around? There was also quite a bit more choreographed improbable violence than I generally look for in a detective story. Ah well, maybe this series has just run its course.
May 19, 2021
Another excellent addition to the Thorn Mystery series, James W. Hall changes locales again in this book, finding Thorn and Sugar in a couple of new States. Mr. Hall has woven a tale of woes for those wanting to immigrate into the US, as well as the struggles our returning veterans face today...and have for years. He wrote this story in a way to subtlety get his point across, and in particular focuses on the human side of the immigration issue. This is an expertly told tale, an exciting read, and one which I highly recommend.
October 29, 2022
Thorn and Sugarman are at it big time saving migrants and tracking nerve gas land mines in memory of an old friend Bobby who turned out not to be who they thought, how did that get past Sugarman ? Thorn seems somehow linked to the surviving migrant Dulce and is sworn to save her from bloodthirsty freaks Marco and Ingrid who are determined to get rid of her. It seems only Thorn is interested in stopping the mines falling into terrorist hands and the powers that be are strangely unconcerned so the quest continues. Compelling read once you get into it.
July 23, 2022
I say about Thorn what I typically say about Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford. I tend to like their stories more when they stay in Florida. This book starts briefly in Florida, but all the action takes place in Arizona and Michigan. It's full of action and a few nasty characters, but I struggled with being convinced by the motivation of Sugar and Thorn to even be involved this time around. Though it's far from my favorite of the series, there is little let-up from start to finish.
October 25, 2022
Not Quite
(2 1/2) So many unresolved storylines. So many undeveloped characters. So many missed opportunities. So much really good action at the close. This Thorn book is the weakest of the ones I have read. I really like Thorn, a wonderfully flawed, hard ass protagonist who cares about right and wrong. But this one spins around too much and never finds its way. Entertaining? Mostly, but a touch frustrating as well. Medium stuff.
(2 1/2) So many unresolved storylines. So many undeveloped characters. So many missed opportunities. So much really good action at the close. This Thorn book is the weakest of the ones I have read. I really like Thorn, a wonderfully flawed, hard ass protagonist who cares about right and wrong. But this one spins around too much and never finds its way. Entertaining? Mostly, but a touch frustrating as well. Medium stuff.
August 3, 2020
Perfect read for troubled times
This is the perfect book to read in the midst of a pandemic. You may have a lot on your mind, or you may just have nothing on your mind. But this book will take you away and keep you on your toes until the very end. Suspense, Intrigue, as a topical theme. In other words, another great James Hall book.
This is the perfect book to read in the midst of a pandemic. You may have a lot on your mind, or you may just have nothing on your mind. But this book will take you away and keep you on your toes until the very end. Suspense, Intrigue, as a topical theme. In other words, another great James Hall book.
April 7, 2023
I read book one and most of the ones after that—I enjoyed them. The Florida location, the unusual mysteries and the core characters kept me going with the series.
This one is a disappointment. The chronology is jumbled. There is a lot of pontificating which is overdone. It is a real hit and miss for me.
This one is a disappointment. The chronology is jumbled. There is a lot of pontificating which is overdone. It is a real hit and miss for me.
September 16, 2020
Exciting!!
Watch out!! Thorn is out of Florida along with Sugarman they’re blazing a trail across America saving immigrants. Good story, lots of excitement and good guts versus bad guys.
Watch out!! Thorn is out of Florida along with Sugarman they’re blazing a trail across America saving immigrants. Good story, lots of excitement and good guts versus bad guys.
July 4, 2022
Excellent
An excellent restart to a fantastic series. I've long been a Thorn fan and this is the first Thorn book in six years. A welcome comeback as exciting and thrilling as ever.
An excellent restart to a fantastic series. I've long been a Thorn fan and this is the first Thorn book in six years. A welcome comeback as exciting and thrilling as ever.
December 12, 2022
best one yet
Really, really interesting story. The tale has just about everything, history, savagery, beauty, intimacy humor and triumph over evil. I enjoyed the other stories but this one really resonated
Really, really interesting story. The tale has just about everything, history, savagery, beauty, intimacy humor and triumph over evil. I enjoyed the other stories but this one really resonated
May 27, 2024
BLUF: I am a trained WMD tech so the science and response medium was a little hard to get by for me. The writing was excellent. I have been through the town of Bad Axe which drew me to the book by title.
August 8, 2024
Thorn leaves the shimmering waters of South Florida to enter the dark heart of America to recover landmines packed with nerve gas and a young Honduran lass held by murderous white supremacists. The pulsating pursuit ends in the aptly named Michigan town of Bad Axe.
July 6, 2020
Just a great book
Always grateful when authors take on a terrible injustice and expose it over and over again. Thank you James Hall.
Always grateful when authors take on a terrible injustice and expose it over and over again. Thank you James Hall.
August 10, 2020
Bad Axe
Great book. Love all the characters. Looking forward to the next James Hall book, hope it’s soon. Please keep Thorn .
Great book. Love all the characters. Looking forward to the next James Hall book, hope it’s soon. Please keep Thorn .
May 22, 2022
Not a typical Thorn but a good read
August 23, 2022
Cool and scary
October 16, 2022
Goofy
That story was goofy. With nerve gas the government would be involved not a couple of Yahoo's. Sorry it didn't work for me. Better luck next time.
That story was goofy. With nerve gas the government would be involved not a couple of Yahoo's. Sorry it didn't work for me. Better luck next time.
November 2, 2022
Intrigue and nerve gas. Fairly well paced, but confusing at times.
November 9, 2022
We're facing a bit of winter here. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had taken place in Florida. I've read and enjoyed a lot of Hall's books.
December 3, 2022
Great read
You know that if it's so unbelievable there's no way it can be believed but you go ahead and write it anyway maybe someone will
You know that if it's so unbelievable there's no way it can be believed but you go ahead and write it anyway maybe someone will
June 6, 2022
another great book
I have read all the Thorne books, never a bad one. They built oon each other. But you do not need to read them all.
Like all the others this one lets you know who Thorne is
I have read all the Thorne books, never a bad one. They built oon each other. But you do not need to read them all.
Like all the others this one lets you know who Thorne is
April 22, 2022
The last Thorn novel I read was in 2014, with the author saying it was time to give Thorn novels a rest.
This book, published in 2020, was a reawakening . Thorn's island lifestyle, his friend Sugarman, and his life as a loner all remain. Thorn is asked by an old friend to recover Vietnam War era land mines with nerve gas in them.
Thorn heads to an Arizona border town to begin his quest. Lots of action as Thorn and Sugarman unravel the facts and find the remaining land mines. Recommended, but start with the first book in the series, Under Cover of Daylight.
This book, published in 2020, was a reawakening . Thorn's island lifestyle, his friend Sugarman, and his life as a loner all remain. Thorn is asked by an old friend to recover Vietnam War era land mines with nerve gas in them.
Thorn heads to an Arizona border town to begin his quest. Lots of action as Thorn and Sugarman unravel the facts and find the remaining land mines. Recommended, but start with the first book in the series, Under Cover of Daylight.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews