Run Away

After my husband loved watching the limited series Run Away on Netflix, I thought I'd pick up the Harlan Coben book it was based on. GoodReads quickly reminded me that I had read the book back in 2019 (giving it a 3-star rating). But since my bookish memory is like a sieve, I decided to read it again.

Run Away had some decent twists and good intentions but wasn't up to Coben's usual twisty thriller standard. There's a missing drug addicted daughter, another plot that brings in an FBI agent who's searching for a missing man and let's not forget the murderous duo who have a kill list and are avidly murdering to their heart's content. That's a LOT going on and readers will have to be patient to learn how these side plots are connected.

The one bright light in this book was when wisecrackin', no-nonsense defense attorney Hester Crimstein made her appearance. I gasped in delight when I read her name on the page! She is a memorable character from one of Coben's other series who brings her delightful one-liners and sarcasm to every scene she's in.

While it took me longer than usual to get into this book, I appreciated how Coben injected energy with a final Hail Mary twist. I've given this reread an extra quarter star for entertainment value, but this wasn't quite up to Coben's usual quality. I may watch the TV series and see if it fared a bit better on the small screen than in a book (sacrilege!). Coben remains one of my go-to thriller authors but if you're new to his books, I'd suggest starting with his Myron Bolitar series.

My Rating: 3.25 stars

Author: Harlan Coben

Genre: Suspense

Type and Source: ebook, personal copy

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

First Published: April 2, 2019

Read: Oct 28-Nov 3, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: She's addicted to drugs and to an abusive boyfriend. And she's made it clear that she doesn't want to be found.

Then, quite by chance, you see her busking in New York's Central Park.

But she's not the girl you remember. This woman is wasted, frightened and clearly in trouble.

You don't stop to think. You approach her, beg her to come home.

She runs.

And you follow her into a dark and dangerous world you never knew existed. Where criminal gangs rule, where drugs are the main currency, and murder is commonplace.

Now it's your life on the line. And nowhere and no one is safe.