Havoc Rising

Axel Blaze Thriller, Book 14

By: Bill Runner

Narrated by: James D. Sasser

Blaze wasn't chasing a fight when he landed in Houston. He was chasing quiet—an old friend's ranch, a glass in his hand, and no ghosts breathing down his neck. But trouble finds him anyway.

He runs into Cade Miller by accident. Former 160th SOAR pilot. Not a man who misses red flags. But this time, he did. Miller's been hauling "research teams" into refinery zones. Legit on paper. Wrong in the gut.

Then his family vanishes. One message. One demand—fly, or they die.

What Blaze uncovers is bigger than a random terror attack. A charismatic professor has built a sleeper network in plain sight, recruiting radicals and turning protest into cover, while Iranian Quds Force operatives rig Houston's energy heart to burn. Firestorms. Toxic clouds. A city about to become ground zero.

This isn't chaos. It's design.

But before havoc begins to rise, Blaze will hunt the ones trying to light the fuse.

©2026 Bill Runner (P)2026 Bill Runner

A relentless thriller ride

Havoc Rising is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller that delivers exactly what readers of Bill Runner’s Axel Blaze series have come to expect: relentless action, sharp pacing, and a protagonist who refuses to back down when innocent lives are on the line. The Houston setting gives the story an expansive and distinctive backdrop, while the threat to the city’s energy infrastructure adds genuine urgency. The supporting cast is particularly effective, with Wayne, Rusty, and Ariana providing personality beyond the central action. James D Sasser’s narration suits the material well, maintaining momentum while giving Blaze the hard-edged presence the character demands.

Action with real momentum

Havoc Rising succeeds because it understands the fundamentals of an effective action thriller: establish the threat quickly, raise the stakes steadily, and keep the protagonist under constant pressure. Bill Runner does all three. Axel Blaze finds himself drawn into a dangerous conspiracy involving hostages, sleeper operatives, and a planned assault on Houston’s industrial infrastructure. The story moves at a consistently brisk pace, but the secondary characters provide enough humor and personality to keep the experience from becoming overly grim. Wayne and Rusty are especially memorable. James D Sasser’s narration captures both the urgency of the action and Blaze’s dry, hard-edged attitude.

Five stars for an amazing audio ride

I can’t give this audiobook enough praise! Havoc Rising feels like a major action film translated successfully into audio form. Bill Runner combines military expertise, counterterrorism suspense, and large-scale action without allowing the pace to stall for long. It's an all-out action thriller with a tough-as-nails hero, dangerous villains, and a clock that's running the whole time. The narrator perfectly captures Axel Blaze’s gravelly, hard-boiled demeanor, delivering every line of dialogue with authentic military grit and dry, Philip Marlowe-esque wit. If you’re on the fence about getting this on Audible, just do it—you won't regret it for a second!

One crazy ride

I hit play thinking I'd listen for a little while. Next thing I knew, hours had gone by. This story moves fast. Really fast. Blaze has to deal with a whole terrorist operation while trying to save Miller's family, and things just keep getting worse. Or better, depending on how much you enjoy watching bad guys get wrecked. James D Sasser does a great job keeping the energy up throughout the audiobook.

Another Blaze knockout

I've listened to a bunch of action thrillers, and sometimes they all start sounding the same. Havoc Rising didn't. The Texas setting, the refinery targets, and the sleeper network gave it a different flavor. Blaze is still the kind of hero who makes bad decisions for bad guys very simple. Rusty was hilarious without turning the book into a comedy. Great pacing and a seriously satisfying finish.