I’ve heard so much about Coben’s book, so I was happy to have the chance to read his newest release. The pace was appropriate, but some parts seemed a bit too much, making it unbelievable (DNA testing, cults, adoption, etc.) It felt like too many points were thrown in. I did like the various twists and turns throughout, so the book did hold my attention. I found it to be a quick read overall. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t quite hit all the marks I’d expected it to hit. That said, I’ll definitely be checking out some of his other books.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

Oh, how I love a good Harlan Coben book and this did not disappoint! So thankful for the advance reading copy. Full of plot twists, turns and depth, this was a real page turner right until the end. I loved the adoption story line and the DNA Testing spin, the emotion behind dad and daughter who ran away, the tension between he and his wife, the camraderie between Cornelius and Simon - all so well done. Highly recommend for mystery, thriller fans who enjoy a good page turner.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Simon Greene appears to be living a perfect life. He and his wife, Ingrid, are both at the peak of their careers, bringing in a good income. They have a nice home in Manhattan. Their son is off at college and they have a daughter at home that is doing good in school. They seem like the perfect All-American family. That is until you consider their oldest daughter, Paige. She was a promising young student that loved to write and wanted to be a doctor, like her mom. Instead, she is a junkie who ran away from home, who’s living on the streets with her drug peddling boyfriend, Aaron. She’s even singing at Central Park for tips! What happened to change Simon’s little girl from the bright promising young lady she was into the thing she’s become? And, more importantly is there any way to get her back?

When Simon is at a loss of what to do to help Paige, her boyfriend is violently murdered. However, nobody knows what happened to Paige. Simon and Ingrid go into the bowels of the city to try to find their daughter. And, they’ve barely gotten started when Ingrid is shot. Now, Simon must do all he can to get to the bottom of what has happened and find his little girl. But how do you get answers when it’s safer for those that have them to keep their mouths shut? Simon also has to duck a cop that’s investigating Aaron’s murder who thinks that Simon and Ingrid have more motive to kill than anybody.

This is a thought-provoking book that asks what would you do so save your child? This is a story about a parent’s love at its most desperate point. I found that this book didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat, but it was interesting nonetheless and I was never bored. There were several things going on at once and it was a nice mystery to try to solve. I did, however, figure out Ingrid’s big secret almost as soon as it was discovered that she had one!

I really liked Simon and I could empathize with all that he was going through. I mean, how *do* you help a child that is struggling, but doesn’t seem to want help? And, now is missing …

“Terrific,” Simon said. “The psychos are on my side.”

I actually really enjoyed bad boy Ash as well as he gave us glimpses of what was going on with the murders and Truth Haven.

This is the first story by this author that I’ve read, and I thought it was a good book with a decent plot and well-developed characters. I would definitely give him another go in the future!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

“You can look for her, man, I can’t blame you for trying. But she’s a junkie. Even if you find her, this story won’t have a happy ending.”


Run Away is a traditional, fast-paced thriller that follows multiple perspectives. The central conflict revolves around Simon Greene, who is searching for his daughter Paige, who is missing and presumed to be in great danger.

★ Simon Greene -- Simon is the Liam-Neeson-style, bad ass father who will stop at nothing to find his daughter and bring her home. Simon’s daughter Paige was your typical, happy teenager until she went off the college and ultimately met an older guy named Aaron--who turned out to be the beginning of her downfall. Paige has struggled with drug addiction and ultimately left home. The novel begins with Simon sitting on a bench in Central Park, looking upon his drug-dependant daughter as she plays the guitar for tips from strangers. Drama quickly ensues.. And a murder that is all too close for comfort.. Leading Simon on a quest to save his daughter that drags him through the trenches of trouble-- drug dealers, conspiracy, and more death--ultimately leading him to the big question of .. “how far will you go to save someone you love?”

★ Elena Ramirez -- Elena is a former FBI agent, turned private investigator, who works for some high-profile clients. When she is hired to track down Henry Thorpe, the son of a prestigious client, she quickly finds her path crossing with that of Simon Greene. Together they embark on a journey to find Henry and Paige--becoming quickly involved in a giant mess that could lead them to their ultimate demise if they do not proceed with caution. Elena is an unstoppable, brilliant force that represents women well (not to mention that as a Mexican woman, she is representing women of color/minorities well at the top of her field).

★ Ash & Dee Dee -- When readers first meet Ash & Dee Dee, they are staking out a house where Ash is fulfilling a hit-job on a middle-aged man. Both coming from foster care backgrounds, that often overlapped, Ash & Dee Dee have an incredibly strong bond. However, being a hitman for a sketchy figurehead has gotten them both wrapped up in some very questionable and dark business.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Let me start by saying that I have never been disappointed by a Harlan Coben novel. My father traveled a lot for his job when I was young, and I can remember when he handed be a mass market paperback of one of Coben’s novels from the airport that he enjoyed. I’ve been a hooked fan ever since and Run Away let me down!

I loved the alternating perspectives and seeing how all of these characters would ultimately come together. I am a mom of two young girls, so I have yet to experience the teenage/young adult years, but it was easy to relate to Simon and his wife, Ingrid, and understand that fire-in-your-gut, unstoppable force of desire to rescue your child from the dangers that life is throwing at them. This is an overarching theme of the novel and as the plot plays out, you will discover other parent-figures, who, like Simon, were willing to do just about anything to protect their children.


Harlan Coben is a must-read author, and Run Away is no exception. Absolutely action-PACKED and addictive with a fantastic cast of characters! Five shining stars! If you love traditional, high-stakes thrillers, this needs to be on your TBR!

Thank you to Harlan Coben and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a DRC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!



Trigger Warnings (May Contain Spoilers): (view spoiler)


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I always love how this author writes a story, grabs you from the beginning, and just keeps the pace of the book moving at a quick pace. This one was no exception. And usually, reading his books is just a fun read, this one was not. So many times throughout, I just felt so sad for the characters and the situations they were in.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Lights! Action, Camera. That's a wrap! I was so in the mood for a fast based, but tautly plotted thriller. Especially now, as I reading a slow paced historical that isn't quite doing it for me. Have been a fan of this author for many years, and as much as I adore his Bolitar series, i think it is in his stand-alones that his talent really shines.

Some great characterizations, a multiple threaded story line that is handled brillisntly to keep the reader interested. Trying to figure out what was going on, how they intersected before the reveal. A daughter on drugs, under the influence of an unworthy man, a mother snd father, family in crisis. A cult will a sinister agenda, but what is their part in these happenings? So many twists and even after I felt that all the answers were given, there was another surprise turn.

What would you do for love? Could you please keep the knowledge of something secret? Good questions, no? And I was satisfied with the answer!

ARC from Netgalley

Simon and Ingrid live an average life with their 3 children. Their daughter, Paige, concerns them by making bad choices, one big one being her loser boyfriend Aaron. She has dropped out of college and Aaron has introduced her to drugs. Much to her parents' dismay, she is now an addict, homeless and panhandles for money. Simon was always close to her daughter and will do anything to save her. He confronts Paige and Aaron one day and goes viral for attacking Aaron. Three months later, Aaron is dead, Paige is missing and Simon will do whatever it takes to find and save his daughter.
OK, so I confess, I may have been biased starting this book because Harlan Coben is MY FAVORITE AUTHOR EVER. I mean, I fan girl over him like teens did over the Beatles and Elvis back in the day. So I pretty much knew I would enjoy this as I have enjoyed every book previously. He never disappoints! This was a fast-paced thriller than included his usual snark and wit. He always brings the characters and story lines together brilliantly. READ THIS BOOK (AND ANYTHING ELSE BY COBEN) - you won't be disappointed!!!!
Thanks to Harlan Coben, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this fantastic book!

I’ve never read anything by Harlan Coben. To be honest, I kind of wrote him off and put him in the “not for me” category of James Patterson and other overly prolific mass market thriller writers. (What a snob.) But- I saw the cover floating around IG and it came highly recommended from Adam at the Professional Book Nerds, so I picked it up. I’m so glad I did! Simon Greene is a very well off financial analyst who is in a loving marriage. The book opens as he's looking for his strung out daughter in the middle of Central Park. He’ll do anything to save her, but never thought it would be so hard. At first, there were wildly separate story lines going on and I couldn’t figure out how they would converge, but they eventually did in a very satisfying way. I’d recommend this to readers who like complicated family stories with characters that get gritty. 2019 has been the year of finding excellent thrillers- I hope the streak continues!

Harlan Coben does not disappoint! A father searches or his daughter while his wife is in the hospital after being shot by a drug dealer. You be interested now! I have already told people about this one. Thank you for the chance to read it early!

Run Away is the latest in a long line of phenomenal novels of psychological suspense from powerhouse author Harlan Coben. It's the story of a father's desperate search for his missing daughter. True, this is a somewhat familiar premise, but in Mr. Coben's expert hands, it feels completely fresh and original.Simon and Ingrid are one of those rare couples who literally seem to have it all. Their love for one another is as deep and as strong as it was on the day they married, they have three fantastic children, jobs they adore, and an apartment in a trendy part of New York City. When Simon sits back at the end of a busy day and takes stock of his life, he is unable to think of a single thing he would change. At least, that's how it was until three years earlier.Paige is the couple's oldest daughter. She had a close relationship with both her parents as well as her younger brother and sister, she got good grades and wasn't prone to getting into trouble, but then, things changed, and her parents can't figure out how or why. Suddenly, Paige is stealing from them, staying out for days on end, blowing off school, and dating an abusive young man. Simon and Ingrid have tried everything they can think of to help their daughter, but none of it has made a bit of difference.When our story opens, it's been several months since Simon last laid eyes on Paige. He's heard rumors that she's part of a homeless community living near Central Park, and he's taken to spending time in the park whenever he can in hopes of catching sight of her. His efforts eventually pay off, but it's obvious Paige is no longer the bright, beautiful girl he remembers. He tries to convince her to come home with him, but Paige refuses. Things get heated, and Simon ends up assaulting Paige's boyfriend and being taken into police custody.Several days later, the charges against Simon are mysteriously dropped, and he's convinced he's in the clear. He's determined to pick up the pieces of his life and make the best of things, even if that means not trying to contact Paige again. But then, the police show up at his office, explaining that Paige's boyfriend has been murdered and Paige is nowhere to be found. Now, Simon and Ingrid must do everything in their power to locate Paige, even if that means putting their own lives in danger.Mr. Coben is truly a master of characterisation, because his creations feel completely authentic, like the sort of people we all run across in our daily lives. He's written a ton of books, but it never feels like he's just recycling popular character types. Instead, each person is fully realized with distinct personality traits that set them apart from the crowd.The second half of the novel contains a couple of great twists that really blew my mind. I actually gasped aloud a few times while reading, and that's something I rarely do. I love the fact that this author can still catch me off guard, even after I've read almost all of his books.I imagine you're wondering why I didn't give Run Away a higher grade. Unfortunately, there are two rather small inconsistencies in the plot that meant I couldn’t quite aware the book DIK status. Obviously, I can't tell you what they are, but observant readers are sure to spot them with little difficulty. They didn't ruin the story for me, but I couldn't in good conscience write this review without at least mentioning their existence.In spite of its few flaws, Run Away is a deftly plotted thriller that is sure to appeal to both long-time fans of Mr. Coben's writing as well as those who are reading his work for the first time. It's also a story I'm sure to be thinking about for a long time to come.Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/KoboVisit our Amazon Storefront

This story revolves around Simon Greene, a man trying to save his opioid addicted daughter. Having spotted her one day in Central Park, he learns that she has since gone missing and decides to find her. After her boyfriend is found murdered, Simon gets very worried. Meanwhile, the other side of the story tells of many people, not connected, being murdered. Soon they realized that Simon's missing daughter, the murder of her boyfriend and the other series of murders are all connected and Simon has to race to find his daughter before she ends up murdered too.

As always, I enjoyed Harlan's book. He is absolutely my favorite author. I appreciate the fact that he added the opioid epidemic into the book. I also appreciate that he added the DNA and genealogy aspect. However, the whole cult thing was very, very far-fetched and it sort of messed up the story. It was confusing trying to understand who was who and who was related to who.

Harlan Coben’s latest, Run Away, is another reliably entertaining thriller from a prolific author. In this one, Manhattan-based member of the elite Simon Greene lives a privileged life with his wife Ingrid and their 3 children: Sam, Anya and Paige. These kids have always had everything they wanted in terms of material possessions, but once she goes to college, Paige goes off the rails and gets mixed up with drugs, dealers, criminals and an abusive boyfriend. It’s a whole new world to them, but Simon and Ingrid are hoping to interfere and save her, when Paige disappears.

The action really gets going in Central Park when Simon sees Paige playing music for money, but she’s barely recognizable: she is so frail she is skeletal. Her drug dealing new boyfriend Aaron shows up, and he and Simon get into a fight, so Paige disappears again. Shortly after this, Aaron is found dead and both Simon and Paige are suspects. Who killed Aaron? In addition to this main storyline, the book has a couple of other subplots going on that add to the intrigue.

Paige’s addiction is a story that is played out in homes everywhere, and the author does a good job showing the absolute desperation of parents who will do anything to get their child back.

Harlan Coben is well . known for his twisty plots, and this book has twists galore, right up until the end. I’m never good as guessing (or figuring out) the plot, so it’s no surprise that the conclusion was a big “wow!” for me. I’m going five stars on this one, as it was great fun. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Gotta put it out there upfront: Harlan Coben is a favorite author of mine. He always manages to write fully developed characters who wrestle with current problems, characters who are so real they could be anyone I know and would feel comfortable having a conversation with. Or running away from. Both kinds of people populate this book. The depth of all the complexities pulled me in, made me care about the people and the outcome, amazed me, and kept me turning pages far into the night. I don't get into plot specifics as other reviewers cover that aspect quite well.

The intricate plot is outstanding. I kept asking, How will these people ultimately connect to these other people, and why is it important? But it's how the people responded to the situations, how everything affected each person at their core, that made such an incredible dance of plot and character spin together. The dynamic of losing a child to drugs and trying to get that child back, the secrets that are uncovered layer by excruciating layer, makes a person want to examine their own life and those in it.

The story stays with you, especially if you've gone through any of the challenges these characters face. And especially with that ending...

OhMiGosh! Break. My. Heart.

My only niggling problem came with Ash and Dee Dee. [Spoiler hidden in review: We never know exactly why she's with him. Did the cult send her out to be sure he kills the right people? Which is a stretch, because a killer for hire would always work alone and be given the proper information beforehand. If it was explained somewhere in the book, I missed it. Ultimately, she seemed to be a convenient vehicle to explain the workings of the cult in response to Ash's questions. I only wish there had been a truly legitimate reason given for the two of them to be partnered throughout the killings.] Because of the spoiler, a 1/2-star downgrade.

But, really. This is Harlan Coben. With a story so current and immersive, it's a must-read. Now. And lose some sleep to read it because it's so worth it.

Wow! What a fun action packed thriller that keeps you on your toes!

Runaway is a thriller about a father this is searching for his daughter after her boyfriend has been murdered.

Talk about a high stakes search filled with drug dealers, religious cult, hired assassins, and a DNA website! This definitely keeps you turning those pages!!

My goodness I can definitely see why so many of my goodreads friends recommended Harlan Coben to me! My first book by him but not my last!! :)

Packed with twists, turns, well written characters, and blood pumping action that you'll love.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars!

Run Away is now available :)

Published to Goodreads: 4/10/19

Published by Grand Central Publishing on March 19, 2019

Simon Greene, a wealth manager, learns that his estranged daughter Paige is playing a guitar for tips in Central Park. Paige is a junkie who has been missing for some time. Simon tries to rescue her, but her boyfriend, Aaron Corval, intervenes. Simon is arrested after punching Aaron and naturally, the video goes viral. A few months later, after Aaron is murdered, Simon and his wife go looking for Paige again.

While that’s happening, a private detective in Chicago named Elena Ramirez is looking for a young man named Henry Thorpe who has also gone missing. Digital messages suggest that Henry was in touch with Paige. Not much time passes before Simon and Elena are working together.

Meanwhile, two orphans named Dee Dee and Ash are roaming around the country doing contract killings. Dee Dee belongs to a cult and therefore claims to know the Truth. Ash loves her but thinks she’s crazy. Maybe she is, but Harlan Coben makes her quite rational as she explains her approach to religion. Dee Dee notes that every follower of a religion (whether or not it is branded as a cult) picks and chooses the religious doctrines they want to obey while rejecting parts of the same religion that seem inconvenient or wrong, and nearly every religion is a profitable business for its leadership. Dee Dee accepts the cult because she accepts those two propositions, following the teachings she likes in the hope that she will obtain a benefit.

Dee Dee is a killer, but she’s more pleasant than most fictional murderers. The plot invites the reader to wonder why Dee Dee and Ash are killing orphans and how Paige’s disappearance fits within the mystery that Simon and Elena are trying to solve.

I generally prefer Coben’s Myron Bolitar novels to his stand-alone books, and that holds true of Run Away. Coben is reliable in that he always writes with pace and creates believable characters. Simon and his family are believable but boring. Dee Dee and Ash are more interesting, but the novel’s best character is an older fellow named Cornelius, who believes that when the rare opportunity to be a hero arises, it is his duty to step up. Unfortunately, Cornelius plays only a limited role.

The story isn’t particularly original. Like some other Coben stand-alone novels, I had the sense that Coben phoned it in. The climactic scene relies on a character coming out of nowhere to save the day. The ending contains one big surprise but the final reveal isn’t surprising at all. Still, Coben’s storytelling skills allow him to phone in very readable novels. Run Away doesn’t tell a great story, but it has enough good moments to make it worth a reader’s time.

RECOMMENDED

I just cannot get my head around the fact, that Harlan Coben was able to introduce so many sub-narratives, running coherently alongside each other and the genius way he intertwined them all and presented it at the end to me with a cute little bow. Absolute genius - I mean I would do anything to look at his story board and post it notes. 

I consider myself quite the expert when it comes to this genre, with psychological thrillers heavily dominating my reading repertoire each moth BUT believe me, when I say that you won’t have a clue how they were all linked and that revelation at the end left me speechless. 

Over the years, after becoming a mother myself I feel like I have become extra sensitive to any narrative that consists of missing/hurt children. So, I started this book with caution but Coben didn’t even give me a chance to brace myself. It moved at such lightning speed that before I had a chance to contain my mama emotions, I had my detective hat on! 

Exciting as the blurb is, it is nothing compared to the actual experience of reading the book itself. The writing is addictive and the short hanging chapters that he writes leaves you wanting more. I became obsessed with finding out the truth because every theory I had was blown out of the water. It is probably the most twisty, suspenseful, roller coaster of a book that I have read this year. 

This was my first Harlan Coben experience and I seriously want to kick myself for not ever reading anything else by him. What would you recommed?! Many thanks to my international #partner and friends @grandcentralpub for sending me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Zubs 💛💋

Harlan Coben is a fantastic author and Run Away is a must read. Wonderful characters and a great plot.

I LOVE Harlan Coben!! I was so excited to be able to read this in advance! I was not disappointed! Coben's books are so vivid and feel like a wild roller coaster ride. I could not put this book down and cant wait for my patrons to read this book. There is a long waiting list for it!

Simon and his wife, Ingrid, have three children. Their oldest, Paige, has been lost to them for a while. She has been lost to her addictions. And that boyfriend of hers. Simon has been looking for Paige on every street corner and in every park, even though he and Ingrid agreed to just let her go. And then one day he sees her, playing the guitar in a park. He hardly recognized her but was happy to see her. Unfortunately, her boyfriend was there and the situation escalated. The video of Simon punching the "homeless" man went viral, making his life very difficult.

Now the police have told them that the boyfriend is dead. He died a violent death. And he is a suspect, obviously, Simon didn't do it, and the police soon agree. But where is Paige? Did she kill the man who got her addicted to drugs? Or is she a victim herself? Soon Simon and Ingrid find themselves in a dangerous, life-threatening situation. But they will do whatever it takes to find Paige. But will it be too late? And does his death have anything to do with the young men who are being murdered all over the area?

Run Away is Harlan Coben at his best. Simon and Ingrid are good people. Good parents who have a daughter battling nightmares and addictions. Things they know nothing about. When they heard about Aaron's death, their immediate reaction was for the safety of their daughter. The path they take to find Paige is a non-stop thrill ride for the reader. Involving drug dealers, a crazy cult, and one no-nonsense landlord. There is a lot of bloodshed in this book, but it only adds to the suspense. I really liked Simon and found Ingrid to be a little cold, she had cut off Paige and had even told Simon not to look for her. There was a big reveal later that redeemed her a little in my eyes, but I am not sure if it was enough. There are a few other quirky characters that added to the layers of the story, including an appearance by an "old friend", Nap. In the end, things ended the best possible way for Paige, it was satisfying. Even a relief. -- CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS!

Bottom Line - Every year I eagerly await the latest Harlan Coben novel. I will always be a devoted fan of his, but not every book is created equal. Run Away was definitely worth the wait.





Details: Run Away by Harlan Coben
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Pages: 384
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 3/19/19
Buy it Here!
Thank you to Netgalley for the free review copy.

This book took a little longer to capture me than others by Coben, who is one of my favorite authors. But, once I got into it, I read it in one (long) night. It was a good story about love, secrets, and touches on the devastation that drug dependency can cause in a family.

One unanswered question I have, and this is a slight spoiler, is why Wiley Corval adopted Aaron. But, I guess life is full of unanswered questions.

Good book that I am still thinking about a week after reading.