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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this
If Gary Cantrell (Barkley Marathon) and Marathon Des Sables decided to stage an Agatha Christie story over an ultramarathon, this would be the result! Everyone had secrets and over the course of the 250 mile race, so many secrets are uncovered from the runners as well as the support staff. Combined with all of the normal (?) stresses of a multi-day race, it was truly a great set up for a thrilling read. I did chuckle on several occasions to read how the non-elite racers were referred to as "fun runners." Honestly, I am not sure how at all that this would be considered fun! A huge solid amazing challenge, but fun? I expect that readers who already have a background in running might appreciate this book more than those who don't, but I believe the great story and writing will captivate most people who enjoy a good mystery or adventure!
Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
So fun to get an advance copy! I can’t believe there aren’t more thrillers set against ultramarathons. Excellent premise, suffered a bit from too many twists and turns. Fun read.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the advanced copy of this adventurous and intense thriller. The author Amy McCulloch always finds fun ways to add suspense and potential murder to extreme competitions in books.
This book centers on a group running ultra marathon competition in the desert. As the runners make it to each stage, large and dangerous problems start to occur, and they realize that they're not safe and are without access to the outside world.
The book had a fast and exciting pace. The book seemed to depict the ultra running well. I was able to picture the settings and difficulties the runners endured.
The story perspective alternates between a previous champion runner, coming back from a long break, and a photographer, who is also the daughter of the person who created and is managing the running event.
I really enjoyed this one. My only complaint was the ending. Without giving anything away, I wished something else had happened or something wasn't revealed. Otherwise, it was a fun read!
This book centers on a group running ultra marathon competition in the desert. As the runners make it to each stage, large and dangerous problems start to occur, and they realize that they're not safe and are without access to the outside world.
The book had a fast and exciting pace. The book seemed to depict the ultra running well. I was able to picture the settings and difficulties the runners endured.
The story perspective alternates between a previous champion runner, coming back from a long break, and a photographer, who is also the daughter of the person who created and is managing the running event.
I really enjoyed this one. My only complaint was the ending. Without giving anything away, I wished something else had happened or something wasn't revealed. Otherwise, it was a fun read!
mysterious
tense
I have been wanting to get into reading thrillers in an attempt to branch out and this book felt at a great intersection between exploring a new genre and an interest of mine: running. Although, I do not participate in ultra marathons, I found Amy McCulloch's descriptions about running and the depth of feeling involved to resonate with me.
Adrienne, once an acclaimed distance runner, has taken years off from the sport after she felt a terrible accident involving her son was caused by her status in the community. After years go by, she is offered the answers she has been looking for, if only she finishes a race.
However, it seems those invited to race have more in common that any of them realize, as they all race for their own promised reasons the route turns deadly. It turns into more than a race to the finish, but a race for their lives.
While we are given multiple points-of-views, there are still so many things that the characters know that we don't. I have realized that, although the plot of the story feels fast and that there are so many page turning moments at the end of the chapters, I needed a lot of breaks. I think maybe, I'm not ready to but a full-on thriller girlie. I was so nervous!
I had a great time with these characters and I am looking forward to reading more from McCulloch in the future! There were some points where, even though we were in different POVs, the language felt a little too casual, but maybe it was just me feeling weird about reading the word "legit" during a descriptive paragraph.
The Characters felt well defined and clear in their voices and motives. The twist was wild but also believable and the dialogue felt natural.
Runner 13 comes out July 1st. This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.
Adrienne, once an acclaimed distance runner, has taken years off from the sport after she felt a terrible accident involving her son was caused by her status in the community. After years go by, she is offered the answers she has been looking for, if only she finishes a race.
However, it seems those invited to race have more in common that any of them realize, as they all race for their own promised reasons the route turns deadly. It turns into more than a race to the finish, but a race for their lives.
While we are given multiple points-of-views, there are still so many things that the characters know that we don't. I have realized that, although the plot of the story feels fast and that there are so many page turning moments at the end of the chapters, I needed a lot of breaks. I think maybe, I'm not ready to but a full-on thriller girlie. I was so nervous!
I had a great time with these characters and I am looking forward to reading more from McCulloch in the future! There were some points where, even though we were in different POVs, the language felt a little too casual, but maybe it was just me feeling weird about reading the word "legit" during a descriptive paragraph.
The Characters felt well defined and clear in their voices and motives. The twist was wild but also believable and the dialogue felt natural.
Runner 13 comes out July 1st. This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A perfect thriller for the ultra running obsessed.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Well what can I say, Runner 13, ooh ooh ooh
First - cover, stunning, really eye catching especially when the sun hits it
Two - Adventure; it’s cut throat, it’s dangerous, you FEEL it
Three - THRILLS!
Four - ultramarathons- mindblowing!
This is an absolutely fabulous thriller, I loved it. I’ve run a marathon myself and it’s gruelling but ultramarathons are another level. I’ve watched a fantastic documentary about the Barkley marathons and that’s the closest I could get to the crazy Ampersand races in this book (shout out to Jasmin Parris (a fellow vet) who won the Barkley marathons btw)
This book has so much energy, loads of twists and it’s a real page turner, I’d highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious