North of the Brazos

by Keith Remer

The leaders of Chicago’s most notorious street gangs are being murdered in a hideous fashion. The methods of elimination are so extreme that subordinates are unwilling to fill the vacant roles, prompting a reduction in gang related crimes. Just two men, seemingly specters from another place and time, are believed to be conducting the highly efficient vigilante slayings. Their mysterious appearances, and disappearances, baffle both their prey and the detectives assigned to the meticulously sanitized crime scenes. The duo, soon dubbed by the media as “the Outlaws,” are perpetrating acts that far exceed the capabilities of two typical men. The street gangs, law enforcement officials, and the citizenry who start to emulate the two men’s actions, have no way of knowing the Outlaws are simply the tip of a spear gouging the underbelly of the Windy City. The evil fear them. The just applaud them. The cops who pursue them fall somewhere in the middle.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2020

Reviews

[Robert Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keith Remer delivers a savage, cinematic thriller that fuses western grit with urban noir. The Outlaws Trey Remington and John Ledford feel like ghosts from another era dropped into modern Chicago, and Remer writes their ruthlessness with a steady, unsentimental hand. The novel’s moral complexity (wealthy patrons, corrupt officials, ordinary citizens pushed toward violence) keeps the reader intellectually engaged even while the action careens forward. A propulsive, unforgettable read for fans of hard-edged thrillers.

[Phyllis L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like moral ambiguity, pulpy Western motifs transplanted into an urban setting, and characters who wear their scars openly, pick this up. Remer’s blend of procedural detective work, guerrilla-style operations, and the emotional backstories of Trey and John creates a unique hybrid that will appeal to readers of both thrillers and modern westerns. Ends on the kind of note that promises more satisfying and conversation-starting.

[Christie E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful premise and memorable central duo are somewhat eclipsed by extremely graphic scenes that will be too intense for some readers. Stylistically, Remer is confident and paints vivid tableaux; thematically he asks big questions about justice and retribution. If you can handle a blunt, uncompromising tone and disturbing violence, the novel rewards you with a layered story; otherwise, proceed with caution.

[Timmy M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a high-octane revenge saga with heart: Remer balances brutal set-piece violence with quieter moments of character and conscience notably the detectives (Scully and Penn) and the frightened street kid P-Wac. The author’s military-rooted detail grounds the action and makes the tactical sequences believable. Trigger warning: the book is graphically violent; that said, its pacing and moral questions make it hard to put down.

[Minnie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remer is at his best when examining why supposedly “good” people cross lines. The novel’s secondary players (Atkinson and Donning, the wealthy instigators) give the book an unsettling, conspiratorial depth it’s not just two men cleaning up a city; it’s a surgical, funded campaign. Richly drawn, often painful, and ultimately provocative about vigilante justice and its consequences.

[Darlene G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Keith Remer delivers a raw and unflinching tale in North of the Brazos. The Outlaws are unforgettable anti-heroes flawed men shaped by war, bound by loyalty, and determined to fight evil on their own terms. Brutal, gripping, and deeply human.”

[Brittney R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“From the first chapter, North of the Brazos by Keith Remer grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The story is violent yet purposeful, showing how damaged veterans channel their pain into protecting the innocent. Fans of gritty thrillers will devour this.”

[Alexis M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Keith Remer’s North of the Brazos is a powerhouse of suspense and moral conflict. Trey and Ledford embody the classic Western outlaw spirit in a modern urban warzone. A fast-paced, thought-provoking ride.”

[Ronald S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In North of the Brazos, Keith Remer blends action, crime, and deep emotion. The characters are haunted by loss and PTSD, yet they rise to confront predators and gangs in ways both shocking and satisfying. A tough but rewarding read.”

[William D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Keith Remer writes with a soldier’s grit and a storyteller’s heart. North of the Brazos pulls no punches it’s graphic, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at once. A vivid portrait of brotherhood and justice outside the law.”

[Bill D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you like vigilante thrillers with moral complexity, North of the Brazos by Keith Remer is for you. It’s not just gunfights and gang wars it’s about friendship, scars of combat, and what it means to keep fighting when the world looks hopeless.”

[Tiffany L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Keith Remer’s North of the Brazos reads like a modern-day Western set against the dark streets of Chicago. Gritty villains, unforgettable heroes, and gut-punching twists make this one impossible to put down.”

[Cornelius R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What impressed me most about North of the Brazos was the authenticity. Keith Remer, himself a retired Army colonel, writes veterans like he knows them because he does. The result is a thriller that feels real, raw, and unforgettable.”

[Carol S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Every chapter of North of the Brazos by Keith Remer raises the stakes. Between chilling villains like Sampson and the Outlaws’ relentless pursuit of justice, I found myself racing to the end. Disturbing but deeply compelling.”

[Ofelia C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Keith Remer proves once again why he’s an award-winning author. North of the Brazos is a bold, bloody, and thought-provoking thriller. It challenges your sense of right and wrong while keeping you hooked until the final page.”