Blaze by Stephen King

“Blaze” is a crime novel written by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. It was originally written in the early 1970s but was not published until 2007, several years after King’s authorship of the Bachman pseudonym had been revealed. The book was published posthumously, as the manuscript was discovered among King’s papers.

The novel follows the story of Clayton Blaisdell Jr., known as “Blaze,” a career criminal with a troubled past. Blaze is not particularly intelligent and has a tendency to act on impulse. The novel alternates between Blaze’s present-day criminal activities and his troubled childhood. Blaze’s life takes a dark turn when he kidnaps the baby son of a wealthy family in an attempt to ransom the child for money.

“Blaze” is a departure from many of Stephen King’s more supernatural and horror-oriented works. It is a crime thriller that delves into the psychology of the main character, exploring his motivations and the events that led him down a criminal path. The novel also touches on themes of redemption and the impact of childhood trauma on one’s adult life.

While “Blaze” may not be as well-known as some of Stephen King’s other works, it provides a unique perspective on the crime genre and showcases King’s ability to create complex and sympathetic characters, even in the context of a criminal story.