Blaze Returns

Axel Blaze Thriller, Book 1

By: Bill Runner

Narrated by: Kyle Snyder

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

A pause-resisting debut thriller in the lone ranger tradition of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp, and Mark Greaney’s The Gray Man novels. The fast-paced brutal action of Axel Blaze, the new tough guy in town, is catching the imagination of listeners of thriller novels.

"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 is up to Blaze to find Carter before all hell breaks loose.

©2021 Bill Runner (P)2023 Bill Runner

Good story and characters but…..

Not even close to the raw energy of the early Jack Reacher books and no where near the ferocity of Mitch Rapp! Decent read.

Minimal gratuitous swearing

the narrator was great, the book kept my interest, and the writer used minimal profanity😁

Move over Jack Reacher!

Move over Jack Reacher... Axel Blaze is now in town!

A thrilling and fast-paced story sure to keep you on the tips of your toes! Axel Blaze doesn't look for trouble, but it always seems to find him. Be sure to check out his continuing adventures as this justice-loving ex-Marshall hands out what is due!

However, the truly AMAZING STAR is the phenomenal narrator of the Axel Blaze series, Kyle Snyder. Kyle can easily be considered the "Man with a Thousand Voices!" If I didn't know any better, I would have sworn that Kyle had other people helping him voice these books. The huge range of voices he displays leaves the mind boggled! An absolutely fantastic job!!! Thanks Kyle Snyder. Looking forward to more! ❤️

Another Blaze adventure that I loved!

Thoroughly enjoyed the story, it's written in the typical Runner style. It's a fast ride - quick turns and twists. Although a bit disappointed with the performance. I began with the latest book in the series, No Escape, and prefer the narrator of the last three books. That voice is way more engaging and brings the stories to life.

Kyle took me out of the Story

Love this genre of books. Ran thin on all the Reacher, Widow, Rapp, Tir One … etc.. so i thought i’d give this a try… however, the narrator Kyle felt rushed and more reading to you vs performing the book. Maybe i will pick the series back up when it changes narrators…

Look out Blaze is coming for you

While I read the first two books in this series out of order, it did not cause too many problems for me in the story lines.

The books have a slight carryover in the storyline from one book to the next but can definitely be read on their own. Blaze has a history and experience that he uses when called upon to help a friend in need and he holds nothing back. This is much to the detriment to those he encounters along the way if they are not on the right side of his quest. This book is full of action, adventure, and some violence. I am hoping there is a third book in the series.

I would definitely recommend this author and the series.

What a ripper of a series

Blaze is one badass. Is is a one man army. Non stop action. Book 2 is just as good can’t wait for book 3 to come out.

Not as advertised

I was absolutely underwhelmed by this title. That it was compared to Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, or the Gray man is an absurd overreach. One encounter after another with the hero of the story defeating absurd odds without a scratch. Cringeworthy dialog and cheesy adherence to a teenage action story formula made this one difficult to listen to.

I will not be listening to another from this series, and will be leery of this author. I cannot recommend this book.

Average at best story.

Average at best story. Not Reacher and not Bosch. Story was weak, predictable and expected. Narration was terrible. Attempts at different voices and accents made it sound stupid. Get a different narrator. I will not be getting anymore in this series of books.

How the voices sound so unreal. Dick Hill spoiled me with the Reacher books

So contrived I can’t finish the book. I am spoiled by Child’s and Dick Hill. The story is just uninteresting