Like-Minded Individuals: Relentless Vigilante Justice 26/02/2025

Book Review: Like-Minded Individuals by Beau Johnson

In Like-Minded Individuals (Down & Out Books, 2025), Johnson crafts a visceral, unflinching dive into the murky waters of vigilante justice, moral ambiguity, and the cyclical nature of vengeance. Drawing readers deep into a world where the lines between right and wrong blur, prompting them to question the very ethics that govern our lives.

With richly developed characters who navigate their motivations and fears, the story unfolds with a sense of urgency that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, compelled to explore the darker facets of human nature and the lengths one might go to protect their own. In this harrowing tale, Johnson not only entertains but also challenges societal norms, inviting us to reflect on the true cost of justice and the ever-repeating cycle of revenge that plagues the human experience.

As the latest instalment in the Bishop Rider series, Like-Minded Individuals shifts focus to Jeremiah Abrum, a man burdened by legacy and driven by a warped sense of righteousness, navigating through a world rife with moral ambiguity. Haunted by the shadows of his past and the weight of familial expectations, Jeremiah grapples with his identity in a society that often blurs the lines between heroism and villainy.

Like-Minded Individuals is a blood-soaked triumph, weaving a narrative that not only explores his internal struggles but also delves deep into the consequences of unchecked ambition and vengeance. Those expecting a simple Death Wish-type novel, will be severely disappointed. Johnson isn’t interested in creating a simple, barebones narrative that would be too easy for a writer of his talents. Like-Minded Individuals employs its narrative to deliver a deep and resonating treatise on some troubling and powerful themes.

It serves as a chilling reflection of society, highlighting corruption and despair.

Bishop Rider, the antihero ex-cop turned vigilante, may be dead, but his mission lives on through Jeremiah Abrum—the son of the man who murdered Rider’s family. Abrum’s crusade amplifies Rider’s brutality, targeting paedophiles, corrupt elites, and human traffickers with methods that range from poetic to grotesque (acid-filled pools, decapitations, and worse). Johnson’s non-linear storytelling, a hallmark of the series, weaves 20+ short stories across timelines, blending past and present to explore how Rider’s ghost haunts Abrum’s actions. The result is a narrative mosaic that challenges readers to piece together the moral cost of retribution.

Abram is no hero. Unlike Rider, who embraced his “bad guy” role, Abrum rationalizes his violence as justice. His dark humour, quipping about “daddy issues” or acid-soaked Tuesdays, adds a layer of sociopathic charm, making him paradoxically relatable. Supporting characters like Rory, a ruthless enabler, and the trainees at Abrum’s camp expand the story’s scope, reflecting a world where violence begets violence. Johnson doesn’t shy from showing the toll of this life: physical scars, fractured alliances, and the creeping realization that no bloodshed can fix a broken system.

Like-Minded Individuals is more than splatterpunk escapism. It’s a scathing critique of late-stage capitalism, corrupt institutions, and societal apathy. By fictionalizing real-world villains (think Epstein or Proud Boys), Johnson forces readers to confront uncomfortable questions: When the system fails, is vigilante justice justified? Are Abrum’s atrocities a twisted form of societal chemotherapy? Much like the book’s moral landscape, the answer is steeped in shades of black.

Johnson’s prose is lean and relentless, balancing graphic violence with moments of bleak introspection that invite readers to reflect on the human condition. He leaves just enough to the imagination to let readers’ minds conjure horrors worse than any description, allowing fear to simmer beneath the surface. The episodic structure keeps the pacing sharp, ensuring that each chapter delivers a punch, though newcomers may struggle with the non-linear chronology that demands their full attention.

For fans of the series, it’s like a total pro move in building the mythology while keeping it real, mixing in all these cool layers that make the story world even more awesome, so every time you come back to it, you feel like you’re finding new gems hidden in there. Johnson totally nails it with creating complex characters in the middle of all the craziness, which amps up the suspense and intrigue, leaving a lasting impression on you.

Like-Minded Individuals is not meant for the timid. It’s an intense and fearless dive into darkness, offering readers both cathartic rage and profound philosophical insights, as the story explores the complexities of human nature and the moral gray areas that shape our decisions. Although the absence of Bishop Rider is palpable, Abrum’s transformation from heir to innovator demonstrates that the series remains impactful, featuring a remarkable journey that challenges conventional beliefs about power, identity, and the relentless quest for truth.

The plot’s intricacies unfold with skill, keeping readers on their toes and creating an environment filled with tension and fascination. If you’re seeking crime fiction that breaks limits and encourages reflection on society’s darker elements, this is the book for you. Just be prepared for restless nights; as you realise that Jeremiah Abrum is the anti-hero that the US and UK need right now, with both our governing parties filled with paedophiles, corrupt elites, and human traffickers, maybe if we all sing Bonnie Tyler’s Holding out for a hero, we might just get lucky.

But in the meantime grab a copy of Like-Minded Individuals and hope for the best!

Like-Minded Individuals by Beau Johnson

Bishop Rider may be dead but the mission lives on.

Jeramiah Abrum, the son of the man who murdered Bishop Rider’s mother and sister, picking up the mantle of the man who would not stop and running with it in ways Bishop Rider never could. Involving bigger moves, bolder plays, and if he’s lucky, an army who comes to understand that saving people or stopping them, the choice has never been clearer.

In Like-Minded Individuals, the endgame begins.

Come see how they make them burn.