Remo The Destroyer 8 Summit Chase
Wow! That was a roller coaster ride!
I remember reading a couple of Remo The Destroyer books years ago, back when I was in high school, though my memory had faded somewhat. Recently, my good friend Tony Esmond from the Awesome Comics Podcast and Never Iron Anything reminded me of the series. It’s also mentioned several times on the Paperback Warrior Podcast, which piqued my interest again. So, off to eBay I went, hunting down a few copies for myself.
Classified as one of the greats in the men’s adventure genre, Remo The Destroyer went on to publish over 150 books, boasting more than 50 million copies sold worldwide. The series even spawned a comic book adaptation and a 1985 film, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, starring Fred Ward (not Fred Williamson). Launched in 1971, the books were created by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir. Sapir was a brilliant writer, though sadly, he passed away in 1987. Murphy, a prolific author, contributed to numerous other book series and kept writing until he died in 2015. His website, warrenmurphy.com, is worth a visit — especially for aspiring writers, as his “How to Write a Book” section offers valuable insights.
The series begins with an intriguing origin story. Remo Williams is a New York City cop who is framed for a murder he didn’t commit and sentenced to death. His execution, however, is faked, and he’s recruited to become an assassin for a secret government agency known as CURE. Under the tutelage of Master Chiun, who trains him in the ancient Korean martial art of Sinanju, Remo undergoes intense physical and mental training. Chiun, acting as both mentor and father figure, plays a significant role in shaping Remo into the lethal weapon he becomes. From here, the action-packed adventures unfold!
You can find more about the series on its Wikipedia page or the Destroyer Books website. Unfortunately, while the books are still available as ebooks, they no longer feature the original epic cover artwork that graced the paperbacks.
In *Summit Chase*, Remo is sent to the fictional African nation of Scambia, where Baron Isaac Nemeroff is attempting to turn the country into a lawless haven for international syndicates, wealthy criminals, and other unsavory figures. Nemeroff has his sights set on overthrowing the nation’s democratic government. While the president of Scambia is a dedicated leader and patriot, the country’s vice president has fallen under Nemeroff’s control. With the right financial backing, precise timing, and the inevitable betrayal among criminals, Scambia’s fragile democracy teeters on the brink of collapse.
What the criminals don’t anticipate is the arrival of Remo Williams. Disguised as one of the international criminals, Remo infiltrates their ranks. However, after a knock on the head, he suffers from short-term amnesia and believes he is the criminal he’s pretending to be. What follows is a fast-paced, high-stakes battle of wits, deception, and action.
Don’t get me wrong — if you’re looking for deep, literary masterpieces, The Destroyer series may not be for you. However, if you’re in the mood for a well-written, action-packed adventure filled with hand-to-hand combat, intense gunfights, explosions everywhere, and the classic trope of women irresistibly drawn to the hero, this book is perfect.
Summit Chase delivers the sort of adrenaline-fueled adventure that was a hallmark of its era. Sadly, though the series was wildly popular in its prime, it now caters to a more niche audience. I, for one, think it’s time for a comeback! With some of the current TikTok sensations being little more than rehashed Mills & Boon novels, surely it’s time for action-adventure to have its turn in the spotlight again?
I highly recommend tracking down a copy of a Destroyer book if you can. Check eBay — the painted covers alone are worth the effort! This is a cracking good adventure series, and it’s a shame it’s not more widely appreciated today. If you’re a fan of fast-paced action and thrilling escapades, Remo The Destroyer will not disappoint.
