torih_reads 's review for:

Runner 13: A Thriller by Amy McCulloch

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Amy McCulloch writes some of my favorite suspense/thriller novels! She’s a master at infusing her plots, settings, and characters with her unique mountaineering and running experiences, creating nailing biting adventures that are impossible to put down.

Runner 13 pulls you into its pages from the very first page, immersing you in the world of ultrarunning. There’s a chilling aura of unease that’s instantly palpable, despite the vivid descriptions of the Saharan Desert’s heat. I loved reading about each runner and learning their “why”, and also the entire concept of pushing people to the very end of their limits. The short chapters, changing POVs, and the podcast interludes made for a fast-paced plot, while the different twists and reveals kept me guessing until the end.

My favorite part about all of McCulloch’s books is how she takes her own lived experiences, ones most people will never have themselves, and makes them accessible. Through her words, I’ve summited Mount Everest, traveled to the bottom of the world, and raced hundreds of miles across a desert. She’s an autobuy author for me and I can’t wait to see where she takes me next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.