Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Harlan Coben for the opportunity to read his latest thriller - this is definitely a Do Not Miss It read - 5 stars for a wild ride!

Simon Greene and his wife, Dr Ingrid Greene, seemingly have the perfect life - great jobs, living in NYC, 3 great kids. Until their oldest, Paige, goes to college and things take a bad turn. Paige eventually becomes addicted to drugs and leaves the family. Simon is in Central Park at lunch one day and sees a street performer panhandling - he realizes it's Paige. He goes after her, is confronted by her druggie boyfriend, Aaron, and Paige takes off running. Simon and Ingrid do what any of us would do - try to find her. That decision leads them down a dark rabbit hole and involves an intertwined plot of murders that somehow must circle back to Paige.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. You will feel for these characters and become emotionally involved. Highly recommended - another winner by Coben!

This one is going to be a smash hit. Though an awful lot of secrets are beneath the plot, one has to admire the mind that put this book together. Taut, riveting, a page turner - read it and choose your own descriptor.

All hail the king of suspense! Harlan Coben has proved again why readers keep snatching up his books. I am always captivated by Harlan's writing. The place where Harlan surpasses many others in this genre is his ability to develop characters in a manner where they are well rounded, likeable, and damn entertaining. It's no easy feat to capture your readers full attention when a story surrounds itself around a privileged white family living in New York City; who just so happen to have a troubled child who is also an addict. 

The story is created around this family and all the lies and secrets they hold. But wait, there is more! Not only are we lead on a wild goose chase to find Paige, but we also get a side story containing a duo who travel around the country executing targeted individuals. But, why? Who would want all these men dead and what is the connection between it all? When the connections are tied together, and when the truth is revealed it hits like a hard blow to the gut.

This book as so many elements, seriously, in addition to all the above, add in a creepy cult factor—that right, A CULT. It may sound like an explosion of information and storylines, but Harlan ties it all together in a pretty package. With all its twists, in the end I was surprised to find I had figured out the ending quite early. This is a major rarity as I have been unable to do so in Harlan's prior works. Even still, RUN AWAY is a major page turner and it begs the question of how far you will go to protect those you love.  Overall this is a cleverly crafted story filled with heart-pounding suspense and, as always, is sprinkled with Harlan's sarcasm and heart.

P.S. At the start of this story you are led into a Beatles tune and I was all for it.

Maybe I'm just getting tired of his style and prose, but it seemed like more of same to me. Story was good until he got to conversations within the Cult and The Truth and it became just too silly and ridiculous. Started out well but unraveled.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this title to review.

WOW. I've enjoyed a number of Coben's books, but this was fantastic. I really feel like he stepped away from his typical "formula" with this title, and it paid off. I should note - this doesn't mean it's a <i>realistic</i> thriller by any means; no one is actually going to pull off the stunts that the Greenes manage in real life.

Simon and his family. I feel the issues simmering there on such a deep level. I grew up with a "wayward brother" so to speak, and our parents certainly didn't approach things the way Paige's did! There were a number of times that I wanted to throw my phone down (technology! Kindle reading app!) because I was SO frustrated with Simon and Ingrid's decisions. But at the same time, as a mother, I can *completely* understand their behavior!

The subplots at first made little sense. I won't say too much because I don't want to give anything away - but I promise that if you're wondering "wait, how does THAT fit in", it WILL make sense and leave you creeped out. Coben manages to tap into some major issues facing (especially American) culture today without it seeming overbearing or preachy.

Everything wraps up relatively neatly, as these types of thrillers tend to. That doesn't mean I expected the ending at all, and I was really pleased with how Coben managed to trick me one last time with the ending. Overall a great story and I will definitely be reading more from Coben!

This book takes you on a wild ride! Non-stop action, plenty of suspense, and as a big Harlan Coben fan, I totally enjoyed it all.

Others have given the gist of the story, so I'll not go into that much. It involves a father, Simon Greene's search for his daughter, Paige, who has dropped out of college due to her boyfriend, Aaron, who got her addicted to drugs in the first place.

The pace is fast and kept me turning pages quickly. I couldn't wait to find out where Paige was, if she was still alive.

I highly recommend this book. 5 stars

Another great book by Harlan Coben. The story line is every parents nightmare, a runaway child. The story line includes cults, drugs, and some interesting DNA ancestry info. I can definitely recommend this book to my mystery readers.


Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review

Fast paced thriller with great characters... - like all of Harlen Coben books it kept me reading late into the night .Very strongly recommended for any mystery/suspense fans.

Simon and Ingrid Greene are married and have three children - Paige, Sam and Anya. Sadly, Paige is addicted to drugs and has run away from home. One night, Simon and Ingrid decide it will be up to them to find their daughter. They end up going to her last know address. What happens that night leads them down a path they never could have imagined.

Mr Coben is one of my favorite authors. The problem with that is that I always have such high expectations of his books. This one did not disappoint me. What I like most about his writing is he takes several seemingly unconnected storylines and slowly, slowly brings everything together. Several times I found myself saying - oh, so that's the connection. Or - so that's how this person fits into the main story. He creates characters that we root for, or ones that we despise. He finds topics, like drug addiction, that many readers can relate to.

This was a real page turner and I enjoyed every minute of it!

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley.

Harlan Coben is a renowned thriller author, and his latest novel is literally page by page gripping action. The pace never falters and just when you think you can catch your breath, another twist has your mind off and running again. The layers of plot are truly captivating, and the level of detail and unpredictable surprises is impressive and wholly believable.

Simon Greene sits in Strawberry Fields in Central Park, watching this bedraggled homeless girl sing and play a butchered version of the Beatles song, Penny Lane. Simon is a stock-broker and his wife, Ingrid, is a paediatrician, both wealthy, happily married and supportive of their 3 children, yet here he watches his run-away daughter Paige. Her hair matted and her cheekbones sunken. She was rail-thin, raggedy, dirty, damaged, lost and a drug addict. He has searched for a long time to find her and his heart breaks as he watches his beautiful daughter in such a decrepit state.

When Simon approaches her, he is confronted by her drug dealer boyfriend, Aaron. After an altercation between Simon and Aaron, Paige takes off and goes back into hiding. Several days later Aaron is found savagely murdered, and of course who is the main suspect? Simon needs a high priced and capable lawyer to help his case and the interplay between lawyer and law enforcement is absorbing and quite revealing.

On a separate thread, several targeted murders are taking place by a professional killer. Simon and Ingrid are trying to find their daughter. A private investigator, Elena Ramirez, is trying to find a missing person and a Detective Fagbenle is investigating a murder and searching for a killer or killers. It’s unfair to say anything more about the story as it reveals itself so cleverly that the turns and surprises shock the reader, regularly.

The dialogue, imagery, characterisation and plot, weave together so effortlessly that it is a delightful experience to read this book. The family challenges are wonderfully portrayed and what will happen the ideal family when placed under extreme pressure. What family secrets will be exposed in an effort to understand what happened their daughter? What pressures are put under children as they start to live independent lives while having been protected their whole youth? An amazing book with so many perspectives to explore a story. Themes that are appropriate in today’s world make this a contemporary novel that just frightens the life out of me.

Run Away is a masterful story delivered by a true master of the mystery thriller. A book that I highly recommend and a solid 5 star. I'd like to thank Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC version in return for an honest review.

Pretty typical Harlan Coben book, always interesting and always great writing. Really liked the story except the fact we didnt get to spend more time with Paige, would have been good to be part of her journey as well except for right at the end. easy four stars though for me.

Yes I got a FREE copy for my FEARLESS review.

Harlan Coban, the jealous say he is a formula writer, we readers say he is a fantastic writer. Time after time he grabs you with his story and will not let go. Simon Greene is every parent, with all of our fears and shortcomings. A great story with a creepy cult, a bit of a stretch in a few places but you will love this book; AS USUAL!!!

Fast-paced, cleverly plotted, page-turner - Coben does it again! Simon Greene and his wife, Ingrid, are searching for their college-age daughter, Paige, who has run away and fallen in with the drug crowd and much more. There are plenty of twists and shocking turns during the search. They find themselves getting in over their heads with drug dealers, DNA websites, a religious cult, and hired assassins. Coben has a way of bringing it all together so that nothing seems outrageous - as you will find with the ending - Coben makes you a believer! Sit back and just enjoy the read!!!

Another thrill-a-minute roller coaster ride with Harlan Coben! I find his books incredibly hard to put down once I get started and this one was no exception. Only this time I was smart enough to start it early on a weekend so I wasn't up all night. As a parent, this one really got to me especially considering I have a child the same age. I felt the pain as though it were my own child. Coben evokes such visceral reactions in me! One of the many reasons I love and hate his books in equal measure. LOL

Imagine losing your daughter to drugs and an abusive boyfriend. She does not wish to be found, but you cannot help but look. Then by chance, you see her in Central Park. Hardly recognizable but you know this is your daughter and that she is in trouble. So like any parent, you beg her to come home. Of course, she runs away. And of course, you follow; not knowing it will lead to danger, murder, hard decisions and tough love.

I usually love any and everything Harlan Coben writes. So I was super disappointed when I settled in with a piping hot cup of chai black tea to read an advance copy of his new release, Run Away. My tea ran cold as I struggled through the first couple chapters. Maybe I was just tired and losing focus. So I paused reading and picked it up again later. This time it was even harder. I could not connect with the main character, let alone empathize with his situation. The storyline jumped all over the place without a smooth transition. It fell flat. In fairness, maybe the book got better but I did not finish (DNF).

Nevertheless, Happy Pub Day, Harlan Coben! Run Away is now available.

LiteraryMarie

Wow! Maybe my favorite from Coben! I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning and found myself questioning what I would do if I were in the same situation. A must read!

Harlan Coben remains the master of domestic suspense. His books focus on normal families facing abnormal, even disturbing, circumstances. Run Away is no different in that respect.

When Simon Greene, the protagonist, finds his junkie, college drop-out daughter busking in Central Park, an altercation breaks out. Captured on iPhone video, it goes viral and he is seen as a villain, an example of corporate American oppression. But when faced with a murder and then the disappearance of his daughter, Greene has to descend into the depths of his daughter’s life in an attempt to find and rescue her.

Mixed into this major plot line, is a frumpy private investigator looking into the disappearance of a Chicago man. When their paths cross, Green and the PI seek to work together. But neither is aware of the depths or history of the mystery facing them. And neither is aware of the ultimate cost of solving it.

Everyone has secrets. Families even more so. And this book slowly reveals those secrets until the biggest ones are disclosed on the final pages. This is a fast-paced suspense thriller, that is engrossing and engaging. I did not figure out all the connections until they were explained in the climax. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense mysteries.

I received this book as a free pre-publication galley version in return for an honest review.

When you want the truth, there can’t be secrets …except one!

Genre: mystery

Synopsis: Simon hadn’t seen his daughter in six months. She ran away and got into heavy drugs. But, he wouldn’t give up hope. He continued to visit the place she used to frequent in hopes of running into her. And then - it finally happened. He found Paige in Central Park. Though, as soon as he made contact, we ran. And for the next month, he would chase her. The secret she had been hiding sent his world spiraling. What is the truth? And what is a lie? Who can he trust? And where will this all lead?

Holy smokes! This is a whirlwind. I am such of fan of Harlan Coben’s storyteller. It’s captivating, and “Run Away” is no different. This plot line is pure adrenaline; you are literally witnessing a hot pursuit of a father attempting to save his daughter from self-disaster.

The pace is on point. The introduction of facts isn’t muddled. The back and forth between Simon, Elena, and Ash is poised. And the character development is terrific! I love how Cohen so seamlessly introduces characters and then phases them out with tact.

The ending was GOLD! I mean, shoot son (you will get the pun if you read this). Wow. That was just a revelation.

Highly recommended! Also, I would recommend most HC books! Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my copy in exchange for this review.

Slight spoiler: I docked one star because the whole “cult” angle was either not adapted enough for me to find it believable or it just simply wasn’t jiving with me.

Harlan Coben books are perfection to me!! He is an amazing story teller and from page one he transports me to a world that I am sad to leave at the end. His books are truly genius and always keeps me guessing until the last possible second. Run Away is no different. I was engrossed until page one and could not put down until I got all the answers!
I look forward to reading more from Harlan!

A mystery thriller that keeps you guessing, RUN AWAY, by Harlan Coben, is the story of about Simon Greene, who is searching for his missing daughter. As Simon digs deeper into her disappearance, secrets are revealed that Simon couldn't even fathom discovering.
Coben has become a master at writing a good thriller. Anyone who has read Coben before knows the setup and how their are going to be several major and often bizarre twists along the way and even though you know its coming, it's pleasantly familiar and existing to see where Coben's head will take the reader this time. Realistically flawed and still quite likeable characters fill the pages of the book and Coben challenges the reader in RUN AWAY to consider what is more important, family or trust; and how does the importance of one inform the other. Dry humor is effectively thrown in to break the tension periodically and Coben leaves the reader with a satisfying ending and a hope that the protagonists will live a happy life.
Fast and fun, RUN AWAY kept me glued to the story and I found it hard to put down. For a Coben book, this one doesn't disapoint and I encourage anyone considering reading any book by Harlan Coben to grab this one first, you won't regret it.