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Levon Cade #3

Levon's Run

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Book four of the relentless Levon Cade series is full of unforgiving action.

The FBI, ATF, Homeland Security and police departments from seven states are on the trail of Levon Cade and his daughter Merry. Man-killer Levon leads his pursuers into the heartland where he means to lose them forever. But his plan turns into a desperate fight for survival as he enters the shadowy world of human traffickers.

Heaven help any man who stands in the way of Levon’s run.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2016

211 people are currently reading
65 people want to read

About the author

Chuck Dixon

3,431 books1,034 followers
Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.

His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.

In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.

His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.

He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .

While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.

In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.

On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Christopher Taylor.
Author 10 books79 followers
August 20, 2025
Another fine book in the series. Levon Cade is dealing with the very real consequences of his previous adventure, leaving a trail of bodies across the Northeast of America. The DHS is acting like he's a terrorist, although all the guys he's taken out are demonstrably bad. The IRS wants the money he nabbed from a crooked stock broker. The FBI wants the USB key he took with account numbers on it.

In the middle of this is Levon's tween daughter who just wants to live a normal life and stop running, and Levon is trying to find a spot to settle them down in. So Levon runs, and on the way tries to stay steps ahead of the heat he knows is behind him.

Dixon does a good job keeping this on the edge of reality while keeping it exciting adventure, and Levon's clever way of handling situations without making stupid mistakes makes him interesting but not as superheroic or exaggerated as Jack Reacher, for instance.
Profile Image for T.W. Barton.
266 reviews22 followers
Read
February 28, 2016
Levon's run is the continuing story of a man on the run, running with your young daughter is not easy and Levon has some hard choices to make.

I love this series. I don't remember how I discovered it, FaceBook maybe, but I'm very glad I did.

These books have everything I love. A kick ass character, suspense, and plenty of action. Each book seems to get better and better.

I've recommended this to everyone on all my social media accounts and have been getting great feed back from those that read the books.

If your a action/thriller fan then this is a series that should be part of library.
Profile Image for iamjacsmusings.
399 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2024
Poor old Levon just can't catch a break.

Nor do I want to take one from Dixon's consistent and addictive Run of action-packed page-turning thrills.

For my money, Cade deserves a more prominent place in pop culture alongside Ryan, Cross and Reacher.

The Stath's (perfect casting, FYI) upcoming film adaptation may put him there but the way Dixon writes these direct continuation sequels actually appears more suited to long-form serial storytelling.

Time will tell...
Profile Image for The Geeky Viking.
715 reviews4 followers
March 19, 2024
Legendary comic writer Chuck Dixon has crafted a perfect Reacher-esque character in Levon Cade, a lethal man with a mysteriously deadly past who just wants to raise his daughter. Unfortunately, bad things happen that don't allow that, and Levon has to get his hands dirty. These books are pulp-tastic fun, lightning quick reads that propel you to the next adventure.
Profile Image for Lance.
80 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2017
An easy and quick read. Nothing fancy but I really enjoy these kind of shoot em up adventure novels. They are a nice palate cleanser for my brain when I finish reading heavier material. I am looking forward to reading the next one.
3 reviews
May 17, 2024
I read this hot on the heels of the preceding 3, Levon's Trade and the next two, Levon's Night and Levon's Ride. Yes, this is #4, not #3 in the series. You can get an epub copy of the first book for free if you sign up for a newsletter, so that was a no brainer when the sample I downloaded from Kindle promised to deliver what I was looking for at the time. Quick, uncomplicated action that wasn't just an excuse to offer up endless technical detail and gratuitous gore in place of an engaging story.

The first three books are relatively short, the third barely a book at all at just over 80 pages. Looking back, I'd say a longer book has been split up to sell in instalments. It worked. I'm not sure I would have bought a thick volume at £10.00 when all I was looking for was a quick easy read but having been hooked with the first, each of the subsequent series still felt like a bargain. Clever marketing if that is the case but you really do need the first 3 under your belt before you read this one.

Having said that, the formula is fairly consistent. The hero has a mysterious past, all we know is that he was a top special ops guy able to do more damage and get out of more tight spots than anyone else. All he wants is to put his past behind him to raise his daughter after having lost his wife some years back. Like all top special ops guys who just want to retire to a quiet life, they are somehow forced into taking on big criminal organisations and bringing them down single handed against all the odds whilst staying ahead of the forces of law and order.

The story lines are fresh without the twists being too obvious, the action mostly credible and overall delivering good entertainment. His methods make sense without having to continuously call on some huge powerful resource like a friend in a government agency, though there are elements of that in earlier books. There isn't much repetition, though victims on both sides do tend to have more of a tendency to soil themselves and urinate than in other action novels I've read.

In this book his mission is to get away clean and the way he tracks down a source of good quality fake ID makes sense even if he seems overly trusting when it comes to paying for it. But it doesn't get in the way of suspending disbelief, which is all that matters.

Unfortunately, about 2/3rds through, we hit what to me was a huge bump in the road, or more of a senseless plot hole. As far as I could see he was home clear, his plan had come together he'd got all he needed to move on without leaving a trail but for some reason decides to engage with some numpties that in normal circumstances he would have splattered all over the landscape without breaking into a sweat.

If anyone can point out something I've missed that prevented him from simply carrying on after losing the low-grade bangers tailing him in a way that guaranteed his getaway, then please tell me. But instead of just vanishing into America with no way of being found, he stops and waits for them to come back. He then proceeds to go into amateur mode and, of course, gets caught. It failed to be a suspenseful cliff-hanger because there was no reason or purpose behind it other than to prevent the whole book just being a walk through the park for the hero.

Sure, a story without adversity is no story at all but to create a huge problem for no reason brings everything crashing down. I did press on to the inevitable end but that was just as disappointing and bemusing as the uncharacteristically daft mistake that got him into trouble.

Maybe book 5 will shed some light on why he threw everything away for no reason but I'm not sure I have the will to find out.

If you like action in the vein of Elmore Leonard or Lee Child that's not just me-too or in-depth research into weapons and organised crime featuring an undefeatable ubermensch with endless resources then this series is worth a read.

The dialogue is good, the main character sympathetic with a good reason to be doing what he has to do and the stories are clever with, mostly, interesting twists and turns. Just be aware that to get to here there's a lot more reading needed and you may face disappointment at the end. Or see something I didn't and be gratified and amazed.
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,648 reviews63 followers
March 14, 2022
Chuck Dixon – Levon Cade Bk 4 – Levon’s Run – Reviewed 3/13/22 – Read 3/11/22

The FBI, ATF, Homeland, and PD are close; Levon needs to protect his daughter at all costs!

The law is closing in on Levon, and he has to figure a way to protect his daughter, and the only way he can think of is to send her south to his one and only friend, Gunny. He sets up for her to travel by train, and then they have a terrible time saying goodbye. He knows it is best, but she does not want to be away from him; he is all she has. Understanding this, he still needs to protect her, and this is the only way to do that. Watching her board the train was the hardest thing he had ever done, but now was the time for him to lead the law away from her trail. He heads north to St Louis, MO, and the story begins.

Join Levon as he sets up the law for a fake trail so he can disappear but lands in the arms of human traffickers…

What did I like? Wow, this is one hot book, from the heartbreak of having to send Merry away to getting caught by a gang and seeing the young women that they force into sex trafficking. Levon is tough and what he does is impressive.

What will you like? Unbelievable action, intrigue, murder, mystery, and flight from the law for survival. This whole series is one whirlwind of action, but I think this one is the most emotional so far. It was touching how Merry loves her father and does not want to lose him. She is a strong little girl who got caught up in her father's desperate race away from the law. Fast-paced and action-packed. You must add this one to your thriller library! Chuck Dixon’s next adventure in the Levon Cade series, “Levon’s Run,” is available NOW!!!

• ASIN: B09RJCK3H5
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 3/16/2022
• File Size: 3534 KB
• Print Length: 192 pages
• Genre: Heist Crime, Travel Adventure Fiction, Pulp Thrillers
Profile Image for Clifton Campbell.
133 reviews
October 5, 2024
Levon’s Run, the fourth book in the Levon Cade series by Chuck Dixon, takes readers on a relentless journey filled with action, high stakes, and emotional depth. Levon Cade, a man of few words but unstoppable determination, once again finds himself facing impossible odds, all for the sake of his daughter.

At the heart of the story is the separation between Cade and his daughter, Merry, a situation that drives the narrative with raw emotion and tension. Cade is a man defined by his willingness to do whatever it takes to protect his child, a quality that resonates throughout the book. His past and present collide as he engages in a brutal fight for survival, all while being hunted by those who want him dead.

Throughout Levon’s Run, Cade’s tactical prowess and combat skills are on full display. His encounters are as violent as they are calculated, but it’s his unwavering love for his daughter that gives him purpose and strength. The final showdown brings him face to face with his enemies, and though the odds are stacked against him, Cade’s grit and refusal to give up on Merry lead to a satisfying conclusion with their eventual reunion.

Cade’s character is defined by his fierce sense of loyalty and his ability to navigate through chaos with determination. The action sequences are sharp and tense, keeping the reader on edge, while the emotional beats provide a strong undercurrent to the otherwise hard-hitting narrative.

Overall, Levon’s Run is an exciting, fast-paced installment in the series, blending action with heartfelt moments that speak to the lengths a father will go to protect his child. I give this one 3 because I think it could’ve been much better.
3,099 reviews13 followers
March 14, 2023
"Levon's Run" doesn't really stand on its own, unlike the preceding books in the series.
Levon Cade with his young daughter is on the run from just about everyone - the last thing he needs is more enemies.
While the FBI and other agencies are using all their resources to track him down but keep coming up empty.
When a deal for new I.D. goes south Levon finds himself in it up to his neck. But, when the going gets tough, the tough shrug away their injuries to create mayhem.
I felt that it was a novella padded out.
However, the action scenes are good.
3 Stars.
Profile Image for Jon.
1,026 reviews15 followers
June 11, 2024
So the Levon Cade series reads more like episodes in a TV series or little chapters in a big book. Book 4 and Levon is on the run and his actions from earlier books are starting to catch up to him. We have a definite pursuer now and he is one step away. Each book is not a reset but a continuation of his journey. I am loving it. This was is more about the chase than the action and I like how Cade is not invincible. He makes mistakes and bleeds too.
Profile Image for Stephen.
1,241 reviews9 followers
November 13, 2019
The writing style of this series is interesting. It is a serial back to back, but the author puts enough juice and meat into the book that you don't feel cheated. Many books will make you feel like something was put out to get you to through to the next one. Not these. Each book is an excellent stand alone novel that builds on the previous one.
486 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2018
Levon's Loot

Very good action thriller. My kind of read. A one man army against a lot of people who deserve to die. This is the continuation of Levon and his daughter running from people who want the money and diamonds Levon took. Good reading! Would make a good movie!
Profile Image for Thomas.
43 reviews
September 21, 2018
Levon on the lam!

Levon fights to stay one step ahead of the law. Another thrilling entry from Chuck Dixon! Riveting, with tight action. Worth your time and money. Can't wait to read the next one!
54 reviews
September 23, 2018
Wow

Another winner for Chuck Dixon And the Levin cade series .I am running out of words to describe how good the series is
Profile Image for Chris Haynes.
235 reviews6 followers
May 2, 2019
Levon Cade is awesome!

Another great book in the Levon Cade series. Fast-paced, exciting and great writing. Chuck Dixon does it again. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Kevin.
804 reviews20 followers
December 18, 2023
I'm still enjoying this series and can't stop turning the pages.
138 reviews
January 27, 2025
OK, love the guy, Levon is Reacher like, but the one complaint I have is that each book only has one storyline, and when it concludes the book is over. But it is always on to the next book!
Profile Image for Trevor Denning.
120 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2025
Levon's life was so simple in book one, but things just keep getting more complicated. His luck is good in the battle, and so far, bad in the war.
Profile Image for Jim A.
1,267 reviews82 followers
March 8, 2016
An okay story that is a continuation of an earlier novel. If the reader hasn't read the first two in the series, two and a half if one counts the novella, they will find themselves totally lost as to why Cade is on the run.

The author makes references to the earlier novels, but doesn't fill in the backstory well enough to keep a new reader filled in.

Profile Image for Alex C.
110 reviews6 followers
March 18, 2016
Another great installment.

Chuck Dixon has come up with another great story with Levon Cade.
The action goes so fast and the pages turn so quickly this could be a film script. This book picks up where the last one left off and although you can read it as a standalone I think it would be better to have read the previous books.
I'm looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for LJ.
431 reviews39 followers
April 4, 2016
Intense series, action packed thriller, a hero rises.

I really enjoy this series, particularly the gunny quotes at the beginning of the chapters. Levon is the real deal, a great series to start, read and follow. Can't wait for next book. Well written, great timing, logical, believable action scenes, well done, well done!
Profile Image for cisco pike.
74 reviews
March 7, 2016
Levon is tough, smart and funny

It is the third Levin book but still not a wiff of stiff formula. Interesting, exciting and violent enough to keep you awake. Don't miss this new Levin tale.
3 reviews
March 19, 2016
Another good read!

Excellent flow and plot. I really enjoy the characters developed in this series. I look forward to the next plot development.
11 reviews
November 20, 2016
One step ahead the hard way.

Cade is the type of hero/criminal that keeps me glued to the story. The story is excellent in it's own right. You'll like it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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