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Axel Blaze #1
Blaze Returns
“I wasn’t expecting trouble when I pulled off the highway.”
Ex-deputy US Marshal Axel Blaze is doing what he knows best – dealing with trouble. Ten years in the special forces and five years in the US Marshals have made Blaze a trained investigator and expert in combat. Blaze does not fight his opponents; he puts them down. He strikes first. And hard. Takes them out. Fast.
Deputy Marshal Carter has gone missing in Little Butte, Nevada. The Dawsons own the town. The Mexican cartel is moving in on their meth business. A gang war is coming to town. Director Flynn asks Blaze to return for one last assignment. It's up to Blaze to find Carter before all hell breaks loose.
Ex-deputy US Marshal Axel Blaze is doing what he knows best – dealing with trouble. Ten years in the special forces and five years in the US Marshals have made Blaze a trained investigator and expert in combat. Blaze does not fight his opponents; he puts them down. He strikes first. And hard. Takes them out. Fast.
Deputy Marshal Carter has gone missing in Little Butte, Nevada. The Dawsons own the town. The Mexican cartel is moving in on their meth business. A gang war is coming to town. Director Flynn asks Blaze to return for one last assignment. It's up to Blaze to find Carter before all hell breaks loose.
330 pages, Paperback
Published November 16, 2021
About the author
Bill Runner
80 books72 followersBill Runner worked as an investigative journalist before turning to writing novels. He grew up on a regular diet of western novels and movies about lone rangers, which influenced the shaping of Blaze. Bill is an experienced mountain climber and has been a lifelong student of martial arts. Working the crime beat and studying the art of fighting helped make him the author of thriller novels, which are known for well-executed action sequences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
November 17, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Bill Runner’s novel, Blaze Returns, starts with a travelling man pulling off the highway in the middle of nowhere at a place called the “Bar’ which only has one customer, and he is drunk.
The man selects an almost concealed table in the corner of the bar and orders a double bourbon straight up and a burger. As his burger is delivered, two men crash through the door. One of them is huge . . . a hired assassin. He walks up to the bartender carrying a shotgun and says, “Where is Mitch?” The bartender tells him that Mitch left hours ago.
The drunk then tries to sneak out the door. The wiry little guy who came in with the big assassin points a pistol at him and tells him to stop. The drunk doesn’t understand the order and continues walking toward the door. The wiry guy shoots him through.
Axel Blaze doesn’t have a gun, but he pulls a knife from his boot. After the wiry guy kills the drunk, he knew that the two thugs were going to kill every witness in the bar. Blaze was a witness. Blaze had been an Army Special Forces Ranger and was a US Marshall, so he was able to put the two men down in such bad condition that the only way that they could leave the bar was in an ambulance—this is a great action scene.
I don’t want to disclose too much of the story. This first chapter was a great start to a very exceptional thriller. Axel Blaze was travelling to Little Butte, Nevada, to find US Marshall Joe Carter who had disappeared two days ago. He was surprised that his encounter two hours from Little Butte was critical to finding his friend. He had only two leads, Mitch and Carter’s man in the witness protection program. The small town of Little Butte was totally controlled by the Dawson family and Blaze was in danger after he first stepped into the Dawson Bar, first by a biker gang and then by a Mexican drug cartel, and finally by the Dawson family.
Blaze Returns is an excellently crafted novel with breathless peril and action in every chapter. I had a hard time putting it down to get a night’s sleep, and I finished it the next day.
My only tiny criticism is that the author had a strange way of putting the word “anyway” into the middle of many sentences (no punctuation). This didn’t make sense to me.
Bill Runner’s novel, Blaze Returns, starts with a travelling man pulling off the highway in the middle of nowhere at a place called the “Bar’ which only has one customer, and he is drunk.
The man selects an almost concealed table in the corner of the bar and orders a double bourbon straight up and a burger. As his burger is delivered, two men crash through the door. One of them is huge . . . a hired assassin. He walks up to the bartender carrying a shotgun and says, “Where is Mitch?” The bartender tells him that Mitch left hours ago.
The drunk then tries to sneak out the door. The wiry little guy who came in with the big assassin points a pistol at him and tells him to stop. The drunk doesn’t understand the order and continues walking toward the door. The wiry guy shoots him through.
Axel Blaze doesn’t have a gun, but he pulls a knife from his boot. After the wiry guy kills the drunk, he knew that the two thugs were going to kill every witness in the bar. Blaze was a witness. Blaze had been an Army Special Forces Ranger and was a US Marshall, so he was able to put the two men down in such bad condition that the only way that they could leave the bar was in an ambulance—this is a great action scene.
I don’t want to disclose too much of the story. This first chapter was a great start to a very exceptional thriller. Axel Blaze was travelling to Little Butte, Nevada, to find US Marshall Joe Carter who had disappeared two days ago. He was surprised that his encounter two hours from Little Butte was critical to finding his friend. He had only two leads, Mitch and Carter’s man in the witness protection program. The small town of Little Butte was totally controlled by the Dawson family and Blaze was in danger after he first stepped into the Dawson Bar, first by a biker gang and then by a Mexican drug cartel, and finally by the Dawson family.
Blaze Returns is an excellently crafted novel with breathless peril and action in every chapter. I had a hard time putting it down to get a night’s sleep, and I finished it the next day.
My only tiny criticism is that the author had a strange way of putting the word “anyway” into the middle of many sentences (no punctuation). This didn’t make sense to me.
May 27, 2026
3-Stars - "I Liked It" - for "Blaze Returns"
Axel Blaze #1, by Bill Runner
A reminder: I follow the Goodreads recommended ratings method.
3-Stars means "I liked it", so that is a generally satisfactory-good rating for me. I will also indicate clearly if I think a half-star forms part of my rating for 2, 3, 4, or (fairly rare) 5 stars assessments.
I think it is totally complimentary to Lee Child whenever we refer to some characters in other authors' books as being "Jack Reacher clones". I have previously read/heard a few, but for me there will be only one Jack Reacher. Recently a few of his "clones" have provided some satisfactory, relatively light-hearted, tough guy, entertainment for me. First up, Scott Blade presented me with "Jack Widow" and now Bill Runner has exposed me to "Axel Blaze".
In the last week or so, confined to "rest", I have heard Jack Widow "#6 Name Not Given", "#1 Gone Forever", and "#3 A Reason To Kill", and Axel Blaze "#1 Blaze Returns", and I am half-way into "#2 Lethal Force". All have earned 3-Stars ratings ("Lethal Force looks like another 3-Stars), and all have been fun to read. Immediately prior to the 'JR Clones', I listened to two "DS Brock Justice" stories, by Bruce Robert Coffin, both very good police procedurals that both earned 4-Stars ratings.
Enforced rest and bedtime has been alleviated by the time, between sleeps, to listen to my beloved audiobooks.
Bill Runner - Axel Blaze 01 - Blaze Returns - 2021
Audible Low Price: 07:04 Hours - Narrator: Kyle Snyder
Commenced: May 24, 2026 - Finished: May 25, 2026
Axel Blaze #1, by Bill Runner
A reminder: I follow the Goodreads recommended ratings method.
3-Stars means "I liked it", so that is a generally satisfactory-good rating for me. I will also indicate clearly if I think a half-star forms part of my rating for 2, 3, 4, or (fairly rare) 5 stars assessments.
I think it is totally complimentary to Lee Child whenever we refer to some characters in other authors' books as being "Jack Reacher clones". I have previously read/heard a few, but for me there will be only one Jack Reacher. Recently a few of his "clones" have provided some satisfactory, relatively light-hearted, tough guy, entertainment for me. First up, Scott Blade presented me with "Jack Widow" and now Bill Runner has exposed me to "Axel Blaze".
In the last week or so, confined to "rest", I have heard Jack Widow "#6 Name Not Given", "#1 Gone Forever", and "#3 A Reason To Kill", and Axel Blaze "#1 Blaze Returns", and I am half-way into "#2 Lethal Force". All have earned 3-Stars ratings ("Lethal Force looks like another 3-Stars), and all have been fun to read. Immediately prior to the 'JR Clones', I listened to two "DS Brock Justice" stories, by Bruce Robert Coffin, both very good police procedurals that both earned 4-Stars ratings.
Enforced rest and bedtime has been alleviated by the time, between sleeps, to listen to my beloved audiobooks.
Bill Runner - Axel Blaze 01 - Blaze Returns - 2021
Audible Low Price: 07:04 Hours - Narrator: Kyle Snyder
Commenced: May 24, 2026 - Finished: May 25, 2026
October 24, 2022
I actually didn't expect he book to be this good. I was using it as a "means to an end" for another challenge and found that I was soon fully invested in finding out how this somewhat vigilantly lawman, was going to handle the situation that he had found himself in. He was asked to come back acting as a US Marshall for just one mission...to locate Joe Carter, another US Marshall and Blazes friend, who has simply vanished. Carter had been looking into two other men that disappeared while they were in witness protection. The Dawsons, a most unlikeable group, and a Mexican cartel have been running over the little town in the middle of nowhere, Nevada. That certainly ends once Axel appears on the scene. The cartel and the Dawsons can’t figure out just exactly how to deal with this seemingly unstoppable man who’s not letting anything stand in his way in his search for his friend. In the middle of the no ending action, Axel does manage to take a minute to charm a lady interest...Daphne. I would have to describe it as interesting with greater possibilities IF...the author doesn't get stuck and begin treating his main character like he's in a 1950's cereal sponsored western and please, please, change that awful name. Who could take someone name "Axel Blaze" seriously?
January 3, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
When a US Marshal goes missing in a small town, Axel Blaze is called in to find him. It seems the town is taken over by gangsters. Blaze shoots, stabs, bludgeons, and beats people until he finds his man.
Lots of action.
When a US Marshal goes missing in a small town, Axel Blaze is called in to find him. It seems the town is taken over by gangsters. Blaze shoots, stabs, bludgeons, and beats people until he finds his man.
Lots of action.
November 16, 2021
First things first. Axel Blaze is the next one in the line of indestructible heroes like Jack Reacher. He packs quite a punch, can throw a knife like it’s no one’s business, can shoot a bullet straight into the bad guy’s forehead, without breaking into a sweat. The good thing is, it feels believable. He’s got the special forces background that all tough guys have, he’s a US marshal as well. The way he analyzes situations and takes down bad guys feels like Reacher, and in the same way – feels believable as well. As the blurb says, he doesn’t fight enemies, he puts them down. I know there will be skeptics, but I believe that.
November 16, 2021
I bought the novel as the guy on the cover looked tough. And I wasn’t disappointed. It’s an all-out action fest. It begins with some solid action and ends the same way. Doesn’t give you much time for a breather. Or to get bored. That’s what I want in action adventure thriller. It’s a bit of a shame it’s a first novel – nothing else yet from the author. I’ve a feeling we’ll see lots more from this guy. I’ll surely read the next one.
February 27, 2022
Axel Blaze is retired, but when his friend is missing, he goes back to a federal agent. Axel leaves a trail of dead crooked with unbelievable force against anyone attacks him. He is alone but has the ability to develop allies from many sources. When he spends intense action to locate and eventual save a witness agent gone missing. The plot includes Cartel killers, a biker gang, dirty police, large goon bodyguards, and a family deep into manufacture and distribute meth. The violence is continuation as Blaze investigation to find the missing agent and some of the witness protection placed in a small town in Neveda. This is so fill of suspense and violence that the book cannot be stopped reading. The Blaze's skills are superhuman is hard to accept, but the story is fabulous.
November 26, 2021
Jack Reacher's Doppelganger . . .
Ex-deputy US Marshal Axel Blaze was on assignment to find Deputy Marshal Carter who went missing in Little Butte, Nevada. A gang war is coming and they his boss wants Carter pulled out of there before it erupts. Axel stopped at a place called “Bar” to get something to eat. He had no idea what the town here was named. As he sat out of direct visual sight ready to eat his burger, two armed men came in looking for “Mitch”. When they didn’t get an answer they liked, they slammed the bartender’s head on the bar. A drunk tried to stagger away and was shot in the chest. A waitress screamed and was given a bloody nose. They hadn’t noticed Axel yet while he made the knives in his boots accessible for what was coming. He knew he had to painfully maim them but not kill – he was on a mission and had no time to deal with paperwork over this incident. When he lured the meth head guy close enough, he moved faster than the guy could see and in seconds had broken his trigger finger, his wrist, slammed a knife through his palm to anchor it to the table, and destroyed his elbow. Four seconds and the man was annihilated and out of action.
By then, the huge guy with the shotgun made his move. With his buddy in the way, nailed to the table, the guy charged toward Axel. Axel threw another knife and embedded it in the flesh and muscle of his right shoulder as the man’s shotgun fell to the floor. Axel used his steel-toed boot to aim a powerful kick under the man’s chin, grabbed his arm and broke his elbow and wrist. The man was still standing, being the hulk he was, so Axel then kicked his knee, shattering it totally. As he fell to the floor, Axel hit him on the side of the neck and kicked his temple, completely knocking the man out. In 12 seconds, he had taken both men down.
Axel gave the bartender, cook, and waitress a story for the cops (that didn’t involved seeing him) which would protect them from more of the bad guys torturing them for information on what happened. They were locked in the bathroom and they know nothing. Then he cleaned up everything, set the stage to corroborate their story, grabbed his burger and left. It seems “Mitch” was also in Little Butte, right where Axel had been heading. He thought about the implications, then got in his truck and headed to Little Butte.
So I do have to agree, this had many of the Jack Reacher vibes I adore. I was impressed at his incapacitating those bad guys in 12 seconds total. Whew! And just from the information above, I think you will see this story is awesome beyond words, exciting, suspenseful, and definitely worth reading. We also get to read Axel’s thoughts as he is deducing information or working out his plan in his head before he tears them apart. Fascinating and constantly drawing the reader deeper into the story line. Do not miss this one. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from first page to last!
Ex-deputy US Marshal Axel Blaze was on assignment to find Deputy Marshal Carter who went missing in Little Butte, Nevada. A gang war is coming and they his boss wants Carter pulled out of there before it erupts. Axel stopped at a place called “Bar” to get something to eat. He had no idea what the town here was named. As he sat out of direct visual sight ready to eat his burger, two armed men came in looking for “Mitch”. When they didn’t get an answer they liked, they slammed the bartender’s head on the bar. A drunk tried to stagger away and was shot in the chest. A waitress screamed and was given a bloody nose. They hadn’t noticed Axel yet while he made the knives in his boots accessible for what was coming. He knew he had to painfully maim them but not kill – he was on a mission and had no time to deal with paperwork over this incident. When he lured the meth head guy close enough, he moved faster than the guy could see and in seconds had broken his trigger finger, his wrist, slammed a knife through his palm to anchor it to the table, and destroyed his elbow. Four seconds and the man was annihilated and out of action.
By then, the huge guy with the shotgun made his move. With his buddy in the way, nailed to the table, the guy charged toward Axel. Axel threw another knife and embedded it in the flesh and muscle of his right shoulder as the man’s shotgun fell to the floor. Axel used his steel-toed boot to aim a powerful kick under the man’s chin, grabbed his arm and broke his elbow and wrist. The man was still standing, being the hulk he was, so Axel then kicked his knee, shattering it totally. As he fell to the floor, Axel hit him on the side of the neck and kicked his temple, completely knocking the man out. In 12 seconds, he had taken both men down.
Axel gave the bartender, cook, and waitress a story for the cops (that didn’t involved seeing him) which would protect them from more of the bad guys torturing them for information on what happened. They were locked in the bathroom and they know nothing. Then he cleaned up everything, set the stage to corroborate their story, grabbed his burger and left. It seems “Mitch” was also in Little Butte, right where Axel had been heading. He thought about the implications, then got in his truck and headed to Little Butte.
So I do have to agree, this had many of the Jack Reacher vibes I adore. I was impressed at his incapacitating those bad guys in 12 seconds total. Whew! And just from the information above, I think you will see this story is awesome beyond words, exciting, suspenseful, and definitely worth reading. We also get to read Axel’s thoughts as he is deducing information or working out his plan in his head before he tears them apart. Fascinating and constantly drawing the reader deeper into the story line. Do not miss this one. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from first page to last!
November 19, 2021
Move Over Jack Reacher... Axel Blaze is the New Bad A$$ in Town!!!
Blaze Returns is a non-stop Thrillfest.
Action, Action, and MORE Action!!! Yes, I enjoyed the action, but more so I enjoyed the story line, the suspense and the twists and turns. It is truly a great action adventure thriller. I feel the story can hold it's own with the likes of the Jack Reacher series or any action movie with Jason Statham. While the book cover intrigued me to read this book, it really doesn't do the story justice, because it was just sooo amazing!!!
Can't wait for the next installment with Axel Blaze!
Thank you publisher and NetGalley for a review copy. This my honest opinion of the book.
Blaze Returns is a non-stop Thrillfest.
Action, Action, and MORE Action!!! Yes, I enjoyed the action, but more so I enjoyed the story line, the suspense and the twists and turns. It is truly a great action adventure thriller. I feel the story can hold it's own with the likes of the Jack Reacher series or any action movie with Jason Statham. While the book cover intrigued me to read this book, it really doesn't do the story justice, because it was just sooo amazing!!!
Can't wait for the next installment with Axel Blaze!
Thank you publisher and NetGalley for a review copy. This my honest opinion of the book.
December 29, 2021
All the brass of Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry, the force of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, and the swagger of Chuck Norris' Walker, Texas Ranger.
If your idea of a good read features a combat-hardened, testosterone-filled alpha hero who abides by his own set of morals and never, ever quits... well, welcome to your next great read.
Axel Blaze. Really, the name pretty much says it all. This guy is so far from the norm that he simply can't go by a name like Harry. His name, much like the man himself, makes a statement with that first impression. Axel Blaze is pure power, strength, wits, confidence, and swagger. He's extremely loyal, can't stand for a woman to be harassed, and has a strict moral code that doesn't completely mesh with society's standards. It's got a few...gray areas.
In four seconds, the man went from an armed threat to a broken, contorted mess. He was still standing but completely immobile- palm glued to the table, elbow stuck at a crooked angle. Even a shiver sent ripples of pain through his body.
One down, one to go.
Axel is content to be retired from the US Marshal Service. Until he gets word a former colleague and good man, US Marshal Carter, is missing from his current assignment. He was last heard from while investigating a drug ring in the small, dusty town of Little Butte. Axel's former director knows only one man stands a chance of getting Carter out alive. Axel knows it, too. He's not vain, just realistic. Axel doesn't need to look for trouble- it just regularly finds him. But he's an expert at putting it down. Fast. Hard. Completely.
This may not be everyone's idea of a great read, but I love this genre for its pure, unabashed, over the top anti-hero style. This is the literary equivalent of a total action flick: a tough guy in a bad place trying to do the right thing. I tend to pick up a book of this nature when I want something different, entertaining, and maybe a bit surreal. Violence flows through these pages like cheap wine in a crummy bar. Bad guys rule the roost in this small town, but they're finding out that they're not the biggest, baddest thing out there. There's big trouble in Little Butte, and somewhere in the middle of it is a US Marshal who needs help.
Readers will find a small town full of diverse characters that are nicely developed, a plot that speeds along like a bullet train, and a small group of people who know when to stand up against the odds. There's plenty of grit and graphic violence. Adult themes are definitely present, with just a bit of the coarse language one might expect from guys who think a drug cartel is a great career choice. But the language is not over-used or gratuitous, simply appropriate (in my mind) for the characters.
I am happy to recommend this book for those who enjoy "tough guy" stories packed with fist fights, gun battles, tough talk, and lots of action.
If your idea of a good read features a combat-hardened, testosterone-filled alpha hero who abides by his own set of morals and never, ever quits... well, welcome to your next great read.
Axel Blaze. Really, the name pretty much says it all. This guy is so far from the norm that he simply can't go by a name like Harry. His name, much like the man himself, makes a statement with that first impression. Axel Blaze is pure power, strength, wits, confidence, and swagger. He's extremely loyal, can't stand for a woman to be harassed, and has a strict moral code that doesn't completely mesh with society's standards. It's got a few...gray areas.
In four seconds, the man went from an armed threat to a broken, contorted mess. He was still standing but completely immobile- palm glued to the table, elbow stuck at a crooked angle. Even a shiver sent ripples of pain through his body.
One down, one to go.
Axel is content to be retired from the US Marshal Service. Until he gets word a former colleague and good man, US Marshal Carter, is missing from his current assignment. He was last heard from while investigating a drug ring in the small, dusty town of Little Butte. Axel's former director knows only one man stands a chance of getting Carter out alive. Axel knows it, too. He's not vain, just realistic. Axel doesn't need to look for trouble- it just regularly finds him. But he's an expert at putting it down. Fast. Hard. Completely.
This may not be everyone's idea of a great read, but I love this genre for its pure, unabashed, over the top anti-hero style. This is the literary equivalent of a total action flick: a tough guy in a bad place trying to do the right thing. I tend to pick up a book of this nature when I want something different, entertaining, and maybe a bit surreal. Violence flows through these pages like cheap wine in a crummy bar. Bad guys rule the roost in this small town, but they're finding out that they're not the biggest, baddest thing out there. There's big trouble in Little Butte, and somewhere in the middle of it is a US Marshal who needs help.
Readers will find a small town full of diverse characters that are nicely developed, a plot that speeds along like a bullet train, and a small group of people who know when to stand up against the odds. There's plenty of grit and graphic violence. Adult themes are definitely present, with just a bit of the coarse language one might expect from guys who think a drug cartel is a great career choice. But the language is not over-used or gratuitous, simply appropriate (in my mind) for the characters.
I am happy to recommend this book for those who enjoy "tough guy" stories packed with fist fights, gun battles, tough talk, and lots of action.
April 11, 2025
I gave up at 95%. Wanted to finish it but got bored, tbh. The little romantic random kiss with Daphne was annoying and like, okay, we're just gonna throw this in here lol. I also got annoyed every time he beat someone up and he got into this detailed scientific description of what he was doing. It got irritating after the 4th time. You can tell how long I spent on this book I was trying so hard to finish but eventually just gave up. It was okay, plenty of action, fighting, and murder.
September 11, 2026
Relentless Action
A review of the Runner House Books eBook (September 2024) a reissue of the original paperback/eBook (2021).
Sooner or later, if you are reading Lee & Andrew Child's Jack Reacher (1997-ongoing) and/or Scott Blade's Jack Widow (2016-ongoing) series, someone will point you to Bill Runner's Axel Blaze series (2021- ongoing).
Perhaps you are even starting to find the first two a little bit tame or are not a fan of Andrew Child's continuation series of Reacher. Bill Runner has a cure for that, his action is literally cover to cover with little down time. It is almost at the level of John Wick, although obviously not in the latter's lone assassin vs. assassins universe.
Axel Blaze is a former 10-year veteran of the Army Rangers and a former 5-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals. He has supposedly retired to a ranching life in Colorado but is constantly pulled back into his former world of fighting various villains, often to help out former army or marshal buddies.
This first book in the series set the template. Blaze is asked to locate a U.S. Marshal who has gone missing during an investigation into a town controlled by a meth-producing crime family that is in league with a Mexican cartel. Before it is over, the crime family and the cartel will wish they had never entered the meth business and never had to face Axel Blaze.
Trivia and Links
Perhaps you are wondering why I'm reading such repetitive action thrillers. Without too much personal detail, I've had a few unfortunate experiences this year, including being the victim of a car theft and a natural disaster. Somehow, justice was hardly ever served in those cases and the bureaucracy of the police, the insurance, the autobody shops etc. was often infuriating and had the feeling of a conspiracy. Reading about fictional vigilante justice was a way of processing all that.
A few quotes in that vein:
A review of the Runner House Books eBook (September 2024) a reissue of the original paperback/eBook (2021).
I put my hand on the table, spread my fingers, and began stabbing the table between them. This was something I had gotten really good at, at a point in life where proving I was a badass had seemed very important. Young and dumb, as they say. But once you attain that level of motor co-ordination and dexterity, the knife becomes an extension of your hand. But for someone new to it, even watching another person perform it is nerve-wracking.
Sooner or later, if you are reading Lee & Andrew Child's Jack Reacher (1997-ongoing) and/or Scott Blade's Jack Widow (2016-ongoing) series, someone will point you to Bill Runner's Axel Blaze series (2021- ongoing).
Perhaps you are even starting to find the first two a little bit tame or are not a fan of Andrew Child's continuation series of Reacher. Bill Runner has a cure for that, his action is literally cover to cover with little down time. It is almost at the level of John Wick, although obviously not in the latter's lone assassin vs. assassins universe.
Axel Blaze is a former 10-year veteran of the Army Rangers and a former 5-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals. He has supposedly retired to a ranching life in Colorado but is constantly pulled back into his former world of fighting various villains, often to help out former army or marshal buddies.
This first book in the series set the template. Blaze is asked to locate a U.S. Marshal who has gone missing during an investigation into a town controlled by a meth-producing crime family that is in league with a Mexican cartel. Before it is over, the crime family and the cartel will wish they had never entered the meth business and never had to face Axel Blaze.
Trivia and Links
Perhaps you are wondering why I'm reading such repetitive action thrillers. Without too much personal detail, I've had a few unfortunate experiences this year, including being the victim of a car theft and a natural disaster. Somehow, justice was hardly ever served in those cases and the bureaucracy of the police, the insurance, the autobody shops etc. was often infuriating and had the feeling of a conspiracy. Reading about fictional vigilante justice was a way of processing all that.
A few quotes in that vein:
The white moonlight was cold and clear, like the justice we dream of but don't find. - Raymond Chandler The High Window (1942).
The law's not about justice. It's a system we've put in place because we can't have justice. - William McIlvanney / Ian Rankin The Dark Remains (2021).
January 8, 2022
Title – Blaze Returns
Author – Bill Runner
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 81,350
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 01 - 2022
Posted 1/7/2022
My Impressions: Good action yarn if not taken too seriously.
Main Characters:
Axel Blaze – Ex- US Army special forces and ex-US Marshall. A kick butt action hero.
There are many support characters who are good, bad, or evil.
Axel Blaze was called upon by his ex-US Marshall boss Mark Flynn to investigate a missing Marshall named Carter who was looking for two criminals in the Marshalls Witness Protection Program who have disappeared. The initial scene set the tone of the rest of the story as Blaze calmly savaged two armed thugs who threatened to murder three people in a small bar after murdering one in cold blood. The action escalated when Axel arrived in the town where Carter disappeared, and the bodies soon stacked up like cordwood.
Little Butte is an uninhabited peak about a mile north of the Reno Highway. So research and details of the town are pure fiction.
The story is fast paced as Axel kick’s butt to learn if Carter is alive and where he might be held. He goes up against the Dawsons. A father and two sons have bought most of the dilapidated town and started building a new town next to it. Axel soon learns the Dawsons make methamphetamine and are involved with a Mexican drug cartel. The story is a no holds barred fun read if you accept it as tongue in cheek.
The editing is off by American standards but is written by a Brit and conforms to those rules and idiosyncrasies.
Sentence structure is mostly okay.
Character development is good enough for the mostly supporting characters and okay for Axel.
Details and research are sparse, but this is a fictional town.
The plot is fast paced and violet and held my interest throughout.
The writing style is fast and choppy, doesn’t waste words, and fits the flavor of the plot.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Bill Runner
Genre – Thriller
Word Count - 81,350
Rating – 5 stars out of 5
No. 01 - 2022
Posted 1/7/2022
My Impressions: Good action yarn if not taken too seriously.
Main Characters:
Axel Blaze – Ex- US Army special forces and ex-US Marshall. A kick butt action hero.
There are many support characters who are good, bad, or evil.
Axel Blaze was called upon by his ex-US Marshall boss Mark Flynn to investigate a missing Marshall named Carter who was looking for two criminals in the Marshalls Witness Protection Program who have disappeared. The initial scene set the tone of the rest of the story as Blaze calmly savaged two armed thugs who threatened to murder three people in a small bar after murdering one in cold blood. The action escalated when Axel arrived in the town where Carter disappeared, and the bodies soon stacked up like cordwood.
Little Butte is an uninhabited peak about a mile north of the Reno Highway. So research and details of the town are pure fiction.
The story is fast paced as Axel kick’s butt to learn if Carter is alive and where he might be held. He goes up against the Dawsons. A father and two sons have bought most of the dilapidated town and started building a new town next to it. Axel soon learns the Dawsons make methamphetamine and are involved with a Mexican drug cartel. The story is a no holds barred fun read if you accept it as tongue in cheek.
The editing is off by American standards but is written by a Brit and conforms to those rules and idiosyncrasies.
Sentence structure is mostly okay.
Character development is good enough for the mostly supporting characters and okay for Axel.
Details and research are sparse, but this is a fictional town.
The plot is fast paced and violet and held my interest throughout.
The writing style is fast and choppy, doesn’t waste words, and fits the flavor of the plot.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
November 23, 2021
Move over Jack Reacher, Axle Blaze is in town.
As I read Blaze Returns I found several similarities to the Jack Reacher series. Axle Blaze is a loner, he can handle himself in a fight and tries to think his way through before the lead starts flying. He is a retired U.S. marshal with the witness relocation program. His former boss calls asking him to check up on a missing member of his former team and that’s where things start to go south. Axle seems to find trouble everywhere he goes in search of the missing marshal.
Axle proves himself to be a certified badass in every situation. From rowdy bikers to assassins, to Mexican drugs lords, Axle finds himself in deep and calls on some help to work his way out.
This story plays out much like one of Lee Child’s books, only instead of Axle denying his former ties, he embraces them, working closely with his former boss. I found myself hooked on the story and finished it in two days. A great pageturner for those interested in action/detective stories.
My only knocks on this book were some wording issues that could be smoothed out and an ending that didn’t tie as many loose ends as I would like. Other than that, a very enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As I read Blaze Returns I found several similarities to the Jack Reacher series. Axle Blaze is a loner, he can handle himself in a fight and tries to think his way through before the lead starts flying. He is a retired U.S. marshal with the witness relocation program. His former boss calls asking him to check up on a missing member of his former team and that’s where things start to go south. Axle seems to find trouble everywhere he goes in search of the missing marshal.
Axle proves himself to be a certified badass in every situation. From rowdy bikers to assassins, to Mexican drugs lords, Axle finds himself in deep and calls on some help to work his way out.
This story plays out much like one of Lee Child’s books, only instead of Axle denying his former ties, he embraces them, working closely with his former boss. I found myself hooked on the story and finished it in two days. A great pageturner for those interested in action/detective stories.
My only knocks on this book were some wording issues that could be smoothed out and an ending that didn’t tie as many loose ends as I would like. Other than that, a very enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 8, 2021
What do you get when you mix up the genetic material from Johns Rambo & McLane and add a dash of Jack Reacher….Axle Blaze that’s who.
Deputy Marshal Carter has gone missing in Little Butte, Nevada and former Marshal Axle Blaze is going to find him if it kills him (or more likely all those who stand in his way).
With a body count that puts the villages of Midsomer to shame this is fast paced and violent as Blaze goes undercover to track down his friend.
The plot races along at a terrific pace as Blaze goes head to head with corrupt cops, a Mexican drug cartel and a family of criminals who own Little Butte.
Written in an easy style with good characterisation of the lead character this was an enjoyable romp which doesn’t need to be taken too seriously. There were a lot of secondary characters which meant that they weren’t fleshed out as much as they could’ve been but most of them aren’t around for long enough to get a detailed back story.
The author shows a detailed knowledge of unarmed combat as well as guns and knives.
An enjoyable read that gets 4 stars from me
Deputy Marshal Carter has gone missing in Little Butte, Nevada and former Marshal Axle Blaze is going to find him if it kills him (or more likely all those who stand in his way).
With a body count that puts the villages of Midsomer to shame this is fast paced and violent as Blaze goes undercover to track down his friend.
The plot races along at a terrific pace as Blaze goes head to head with corrupt cops, a Mexican drug cartel and a family of criminals who own Little Butte.
Written in an easy style with good characterisation of the lead character this was an enjoyable romp which doesn’t need to be taken too seriously. There were a lot of secondary characters which meant that they weren’t fleshed out as much as they could’ve been but most of them aren’t around for long enough to get a detailed back story.
The author shows a detailed knowledge of unarmed combat as well as guns and knives.
An enjoyable read that gets 4 stars from me
September 5, 2026
I hesitated between giving this action novel 3 or 4 stars.
Some compare Axel Blaze, the MC, to Jack Reacher. On the surface, they're quite similar, but Bill Runner, the author, doesn't possess Lee Child's descriptive talent, plot development skills or sense of humour. Child knows how to pique our curiosity with impending surprises that we're eager to know and that compel us to keep reading. In both cases, there's a tremendous amount of action, and the main characters aren't afraid to hit or kill people if they get in their way or try to kill them.
The author seems to know a thing or two about the job of a marshal and the skills required to be in the special forces. So his story is solid, without inconsistencies or unrealistic elements.
But it's never boring. I therefore recommend this book to all fans of vigilante and thriller fiction.
** Note that this novel is written in the first person. Those who dislike this style may want to avoid it. Personally, I find it easier to empathize with the character when they narrate their own experiences than when it's written in the third person.
Some compare Axel Blaze, the MC, to Jack Reacher. On the surface, they're quite similar, but Bill Runner, the author, doesn't possess Lee Child's descriptive talent, plot development skills or sense of humour. Child knows how to pique our curiosity with impending surprises that we're eager to know and that compel us to keep reading. In both cases, there's a tremendous amount of action, and the main characters aren't afraid to hit or kill people if they get in their way or try to kill them.
The author seems to know a thing or two about the job of a marshal and the skills required to be in the special forces. So his story is solid, without inconsistencies or unrealistic elements.
But it's never boring. I therefore recommend this book to all fans of vigilante and thriller fiction.
** Note that this novel is written in the first person. Those who dislike this style may want to avoid it. Personally, I find it easier to empathize with the character when they narrate their own experiences than when it's written in the third person.
July 12, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is set in the American Mountain West (present-day), the first in the series, and follows the exploits of Axel Blaze, retired Special Forces and US Marshal. He hails from Southwest Colorado, which is close to my heart so it was good to see a character from somewhere familiar. The setting of Colorado/Utah/Nevada is fun and not something I read too often.
This is a fast, enjoyable read. This is one tough guy. Reacher and Justified both came to mind as I read this book, which I loved. One thing of note -- there is a lot of hand-to-hand combat and bone-breaking in this story. If that's not your thing, maybe this isn't for you. That said, it fits with the story so I would not call it gratuitous violence.
The characters were great, and different enough that the story was not flat. It was very well written and there was a lot of action. I devoured this book. I have already shared the title with friends who read these types of books.
This book is set in the American Mountain West (present-day), the first in the series, and follows the exploits of Axel Blaze, retired Special Forces and US Marshal. He hails from Southwest Colorado, which is close to my heart so it was good to see a character from somewhere familiar. The setting of Colorado/Utah/Nevada is fun and not something I read too often.
This is a fast, enjoyable read. This is one tough guy. Reacher and Justified both came to mind as I read this book, which I loved. One thing of note -- there is a lot of hand-to-hand combat and bone-breaking in this story. If that's not your thing, maybe this isn't for you. That said, it fits with the story so I would not call it gratuitous violence.
The characters were great, and different enough that the story was not flat. It was very well written and there was a lot of action. I devoured this book. I have already shared the title with friends who read these types of books.
July 15, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is set in the American Mountain West (present-day), the first in the series, and follows the exploits of Axel Blaze, retired Special Forces and US Marshal. He hails from Southwest Colorado, which is close to my heart so it was good to see a character from somewhere familiar. The setting of Colorado/Utah/Nevada is fun and not something I read too often.
This is a fast, enjoyable read. This is one tough guy. Reacher and Justified both came to mind as I read this book, which I loved. One thing of note -- there is a lot of hand-to-hand combat and bone-breaking in this story. If that's not your thing, maybe this isn't for you. That said, it fits with the story so I would not call it gratuitous violence.
The characters were great, and different enough that the story was not flat. It was very well written and there was a lot of action. I devoured this book. I have already shared the title with friends who read these types of books.
This book is set in the American Mountain West (present-day), the first in the series, and follows the exploits of Axel Blaze, retired Special Forces and US Marshal. He hails from Southwest Colorado, which is close to my heart so it was good to see a character from somewhere familiar. The setting of Colorado/Utah/Nevada is fun and not something I read too often.
This is a fast, enjoyable read. This is one tough guy. Reacher and Justified both came to mind as I read this book, which I loved. One thing of note -- there is a lot of hand-to-hand combat and bone-breaking in this story. If that's not your thing, maybe this isn't for you. That said, it fits with the story so I would not call it gratuitous violence.
The characters were great, and different enough that the story was not flat. It was very well written and there was a lot of action. I devoured this book. I have already shared the title with friends who read these types of books.
December 6, 2021
An absolute page turner.
This fast-paced thriller is the very definition of a page turner. I bought the novel as I was intrigued by the cover and description. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. it’s non-stop action and doesn’t give you a breather.
Axel Blaze is a one-man army going after the evil guys. The bad guys are really bad, but Blaze finishes them off in style. He does get stuck in some tricky situations but he never stops. There are similarities to the earlier Jack Reacher novels – the later ones have completely lost the plot. So it’s good to see a new tough guy on the horizon. I was disappointed to find out there’s nothing else from the author yet. I hope the next one comes out soon. I can’t wait to find out what happens between Blaze and the absolutely gorgeous Daphne.
This fast-paced thriller is the very definition of a page turner. I bought the novel as I was intrigued by the cover and description. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. it’s non-stop action and doesn’t give you a breather.
Axel Blaze is a one-man army going after the evil guys. The bad guys are really bad, but Blaze finishes them off in style. He does get stuck in some tricky situations but he never stops. There are similarities to the earlier Jack Reacher novels – the later ones have completely lost the plot. So it’s good to see a new tough guy on the horizon. I was disappointed to find out there’s nothing else from the author yet. I hope the next one comes out soon. I can’t wait to find out what happens between Blaze and the absolutely gorgeous Daphne.
December 15, 2021
Wow! The novel is what I call a page turner. I read good reviews of the novel on Amazon.com and decided to get it the same day it was launched on Kindle, and read it at a single go all day and well into the night. What a thrillfest! The action doesn’t ever slow down. Axel Blaze in his search for the missing Marshal Carter keeps moving from one dangerous situation to another, taking down gangster and assassins with such calm and ease. It becomes clear from the first page that Blaze is an expert in combat. He analyses each situation and has the full strategy in place before he attacks. And then he pounces like a tiger. Every encounter ends within seconds. As the novel description says, “Blaze strikes first. And hard. Takes them out. Fast.” That’s really, really cool. If they make a movie on this, I’ll be the first one to go and watch it.
July 18, 2024
Pretty good first book
As a first book this is pretty impressive. The author has not fallen in to the same mistake so many others make, of spending half the book explaining the back story of the main character. You get to know a bit about Axel as each chapter progresses, so the main storyline remains the main focus
It's fiction and it's entertaining, but anyone leaving this number of bodies behind him, especially a lawman, is going to have some difficulty explaining them all away
Other than that it's a fast paced, action filled story, with good characters, both the ones that are likely to appear in future books, as well as the one offs
Would highly recommend others give this a go
As a first book this is pretty impressive. The author has not fallen in to the same mistake so many others make, of spending half the book explaining the back story of the main character. You get to know a bit about Axel as each chapter progresses, so the main storyline remains the main focus
It's fiction and it's entertaining, but anyone leaving this number of bodies behind him, especially a lawman, is going to have some difficulty explaining them all away
Other than that it's a fast paced, action filled story, with good characters, both the ones that are likely to appear in future books, as well as the one offs
Would highly recommend others give this a go
November 22, 2021
I couldn’t wait to buy the book after reading a preview of it on a review website. It’s a fast-paced story, a real cracker of an action thriller, with the main lead who lets nothing stand in his quest for justice. Axel Blaze is the kind of action character that you often imagine – a one-man army who rights all wrongs!
It’s a character-driven story, with the strong lead character supported by a number of interesting supporting ones. But mostly, it’s great fun – the action happens at breakneck speed as Blaze eliminates all bad guys. The more I read, the more I got addicted to the storyline and style of writing.
It’s a character-driven story, with the strong lead character supported by a number of interesting supporting ones. But mostly, it’s great fun – the action happens at breakneck speed as Blaze eliminates all bad guys. The more I read, the more I got addicted to the storyline and style of writing.
March 2, 2022
This is a great story that is full of action and hard to put down. This is a new author that I look forward to reading more in the future. This is a well written story about the Mexican cartel, a missing deputy and a gang war. I really enjoyed the characters of this story. They are connectable, engaging and truly made the story for me. They are strong and supportive which made the story easy to read. I also enjoyed their growth throughout the story. The twists and turns made the story enjoyable and had me coming back for more. I really enjoyed the suspense as well. I highly recommend this book.
April 25, 2022
Blaze is asked to come back as a U S Marshall for one mission. Find Joe Carter, a U S Marshall who disappeared in Little Butte, NE while he was looking into two other men that disappeared while in witness protection.
Blaze finds the Dawson’s own Little Butte and are a meth distribution family. Before you can blink he’s taken on a biker gang, bodyguards, the cartel, and crooked cops. Something big is going to happen soon. Time is running out. Blaze is a one man army skilled with knives, guns, martial arts techniques and bodies are dropping.
If you like story full of nonstop, fast paced awesome action this is for you. Highly recommend and can’t wait for the next adventure.
Blaze finds the Dawson’s own Little Butte and are a meth distribution family. Before you can blink he’s taken on a biker gang, bodyguards, the cartel, and crooked cops. Something big is going to happen soon. Time is running out. Blaze is a one man army skilled with knives, guns, martial arts techniques and bodies are dropping.
If you like story full of nonstop, fast paced awesome action this is for you. Highly recommend and can’t wait for the next adventure.
December 11, 2023
What happens in a small town in Nevada when the Mexican Cartel comes in to take over a “family” run town? All kinds of injustice. A former colleague is missing and Axel stops by to find him. Instead, he finds thugs and liars all wanting a piece of the underground drug trade. He reminds me a bit of Dirty Harry. With years of special forces behind him, he is a man who can carry his own and who you want on your side. He is a type of vigilante, but clean, quick and never out of control. He would rather break a bone to prevent someone from shooting again then kill them outright. If you like action thrillers, I highly recommend this series. Thanks to BookSiren for the copy of this book.
July 31, 2024
Before we are three pages deep, Blaze is fighting a motor cycle gang, Reacher style, with all violence being detailed. I should have dumped the book then, but I finished it, because for once I liked the idea of a book (1) without any sort of conflict: Blaze starts beating people up and when most bad guys are dead, he won and the story ends and (2) Blaze is in full control. this never happens to me or other people I know and I wondered if this could be handled believably in a book.
And no, it can't. And so I bought part two as well, and in my defense, there are six parts or more and I'm not buying the others.
And no, it can't. And so I bought part two as well, and in my defense, there are six parts or more and I'm not buying the others.
August 25, 2026
I'm a big fan of the Reacher novels - when I had to move, reading about someone who had no belongings rang a lot of bells. Plus, of course, the violence was a lovely addition for someone going through the frustrations of moving.
This was my first Blaze novel, and I'm good with the action and insanity within, although the admiration of our main character by all - victims, bad guys, bosses - is more than I would have expected. This is not a guy who gets frustrated or runs into issues that he has any trouble overcoming. Which is....also ok, but makes the book flow really fast.
Also - who edits these? Plural and possessive are not the same. Argh.
This was my first Blaze novel, and I'm good with the action and insanity within, although the admiration of our main character by all - victims, bad guys, bosses - is more than I would have expected. This is not a guy who gets frustrated or runs into issues that he has any trouble overcoming. Which is....also ok, but makes the book flow really fast.
Also - who edits these? Plural and possessive are not the same. Argh.
January 7, 2022
This story will not disappoint any thriller lover. It lives up to its name as a thriller, containing all the elements that get a readers heart racing.
The characters all have depth and presence. I found them each to be very interesting as they all have some sort of problem of their own and is very different from each other.
This is no doubt one of those books that will make you say “what! I didn’t expect that!” (At least I did).
I flew through this story in one night and it is truly a remarkable book.
The characters all have depth and presence. I found them each to be very interesting as they all have some sort of problem of their own and is very different from each other.
This is no doubt one of those books that will make you say “what! I didn’t expect that!” (At least I did).
I flew through this story in one night and it is truly a remarkable book.
January 12, 2022
That synopsis completely drew me in. I knew I wanted to read this novel and had high hopes for the story and writing.
The premise is unique, which made me excited to read it just from the synopsis. This is one of those stories that will start off with a bang and not let up until the very last page.
The plot was very well-paced and while some parts were easy to predict, there were also plenty of surprises along the way and ultimately it led to a great read overall.
You will not be disappointed by the novel Bill Runner has created.
The premise is unique, which made me excited to read it just from the synopsis. This is one of those stories that will start off with a bang and not let up until the very last page.
The plot was very well-paced and while some parts were easy to predict, there were also plenty of surprises along the way and ultimately it led to a great read overall.
You will not be disappointed by the novel Bill Runner has created.
January 12, 2022
Blaze Returns reminds me of Saturday morning westerns with dialogue like: "Who are you?" "You better not ask."
Blaze is a retired government agent who is a master of martial arts and he tells the reader what he can do. He also has a sidekick from his ranch who he can call on when he needs help. With this story he is clearing a small town of the drug dealers who run it. It has an interesting plot line and is an entertaining read. Blaze Returns sounds like a second book, but I was never able to find a first one. I read this as an ARC, but was not influenced on my review.
Blaze is a retired government agent who is a master of martial arts and he tells the reader what he can do. He also has a sidekick from his ranch who he can call on when he needs help. With this story he is clearing a small town of the drug dealers who run it. It has an interesting plot line and is an entertaining read. Blaze Returns sounds like a second book, but I was never able to find a first one. I read this as an ARC, but was not influenced on my review.
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