The first fast-paced installment in the thrilling, vigilante justice series—Levon Cade.

Levon Cade left his profession behind to work construction. He just wants to live an anonymous life and be a good dad to his daughter. But when a local girl vanishes, he’s asked to return to the skills that made him a mythic figure in the shadowy world of counterterrorism.

Levon’s hunt for the missing college student takes him to the heart of a vicious criminal conspiracy, and his actions create a chain reaction that threatens all he holds dear.

It’s time for him to return to his trade. And Levon’s trade is death.

How was it?

If it weren’t for the upcoming movie adaptation starring Jason Statham I probably wouldn’t have found my way to this book, which is a shame. Chuck Dixon’s Levon’s Trade is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. The story’s lean, mean, and relentlessly focused, much like the main protagonist, Levon Cade, a veteran trying to live a quiet life as a construction worker, a widower, and a dad. But when a local girl goes missing, Levon is pulled back into the kind of work he thought he’d left behind. What follows is a gritty, action-packed hunt that’s as sharp as it is satisfying.

The first thing you’ll notice about Levon’s Trade is its pacing. This book doesn’t waste time. The story moves with the precision and momentum of a well-oiled machine, never losing focus or getting bogged down in unnecessary details. Dixon’s writing is straightforward and efficient, mirroring Levon’s own no-nonsense approach.

Levon Cade is a fascinating protagonist. He’s not quite your typical hero; he’s a man with some scars, a dark past, and a moral code that’s as hard as he is. When he’s on the hunt, he’s pure intensity, a quiet force of nature who leaves a trail of bodies in his wake.

The plot is straightforward but effective: a missing girl, a criminal conspiracy, and a man who’s willing to do whatever it takes to set things right. Dixon keeps the stakes high and the tension tight, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. The action scenes are crisp and visceral, and the narrative never quite loses its momentum.

That said, the book isn’t without its quirks. Dixon peppers the story with occasional targeted quips, which kinda feel out of place or jarring depending on your political leanings. While they don’t derail the story, they do add an odd flavor to an otherwise apolitical thriller.

Another standout feature is the lack of fluff. Dixon doesn’t pad the story with many subplots or filler. Every scene, every line of dialogue, seem to serve a purpose. This makes for a refreshingly tight read, but it also means the world-building and character development are kept to a minimum. If you’re looking for deep introspection or richly detailed settings, this might not be the book for you. But if you want a thriller that delivers on action and suspense, Levon’s Trade is a winner.

In the end, Levon’s Trade is a solid, no-frills thriller that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t try to be anything more. It’s a story about a man who’d go to great lengths to protect what matters most. If you’re a fan of gritty, action-driven stories with a morally complex hero, this one’s worth your time.

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