Despite his deep-seated desire for retirement from military service, which had honed his remarkable skills to an extraordinary degree, Michael Gannon’s retirement proved to be far from idyllic. Currently, he is spending time with his son, engaging in an unconventional father-son bonding experience. Michael is in hiding from adversaries on multiple fronts, necessitating their temporary residence with his friend John Owen.

Upon John’s brother’s untimely demise, Michael readily agrees to accompany John on a retrieval mission for the deceased. Michael’s world is characterized by its complexity, and this situation is no exception. Drawing parallels to the first book in this series, the second installment maintains its thrilling narrative as Michael races from one location to another, accompanied by his old friend Kit Hagen, an FBI agent. Killers continue to pose a persistent threat, ensuring that Michael’s journey remains fraught with danger.

An intricate plot unfolds, exposing the arduous nature of trust. A pervasive injustice permeates the legal system, involving multiple agencies. Amidst a high body count, a series of thrilling chases and complex interpersonal dynamics, this captivating read ensnares the reader from beginning to end.

Many thanks to Hanover Square Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This author usually shares the spotlight with James Patterson but with this series he comes into his own. If you are looking for an adrenaline charged, action packed thriller look no further then this book. If my eyes had stayed sharp I would have read it in one sitting. I just may go back later and pick up the first one.

Highly recommended! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

It's a book that you don't know what is going to happen next. Its a cross between a detective novel and a action movie.

RUN FOR COVER
Michael Ledwidge
Hanover Square Press
ISBN-13: 978-1335141464
Hardcover
Thriller

Between the pandemic affecting most of the country and snow blanketing a good deal of the country one might be forgiven for deciding to stay inside for the duration, that being until sometime in April. I will leave the “April” of what year up to you. I would suggest, however, that you spend at least an evening or so of that downtime reading RUN FOR COVER by Michael Ledwidge. It is escapist literature at its very best.

RUN FOR COVER is the second of the Michael Gannon series, following STOP AT NOTHING, though you don’t have to be familiar with what has gone before to fully and completely enjoy what is happening now. For our purposes, know that Gannon, an individual possessed of a hard-earned lethal set of skills, is wanted by several alphabet soup law enforcement agencies who are laboring under erroneous impressions about him. Gannon is thus living off of the radar in Utah, so much so that RUN FOR COVER begins without him. This worthy work instead begins in Wyoming, where a game warden has discovered the staged corpse of a woman in a remote area. He calls in law enforcement, which includes a local sheriff and two FBI agents. They have all barely gathered, however, when things go suddenly and horribly wrong resulting in multiple casualties, all on the side of righteousness. One of the dead, as it happens, is the brother of the man who is providing Gannon and his son with shelter. While Gannon must keep his head down, he feels duty bound to avenge the killer of his friend’s brother in the most effective and deserving way possible. Gannon finds himself paired up with FBI agent named Kit Hagen, one of the FBI agents who was at the original scene. Gannon soon learns that the reason that the FBI was called to the murder scene was that someone has been systematically killing women at National Park sites throughout the country. Hagen has been investigating the murders and accordingly was at the right place at the wrong time. There is more to this particular wrinkle --- Ledwidge is a master of the plot surprise --- and it isn’t long before Gannon and Hagen find themselves on the trail of an extremely capable killer who is hiding in plain sight. What is particularly interesting is that Hagen is working off of the books, given that she is ordered off of the case, and for the flimsiest of reasons, just as she begins making headway. This is particularly puzzling to her, given that she knows more about the series of murders than anyone else. There is an obvious coverup occurring, and the only question is how far up the chain of command it goes. The answer will give one a nosebleed. Gannon of course is extremely capable to a fault, and once he gets within striking distance of the killer, his associates, and their boss he is more than capable of administering rough justice. The killer and his associates, however, have part of the might and majesty of the Federal government behind them, and as matters ultimately play out at a busy airport --- “play out” being code for “all hell breaking loose” --- there is the possibility that Gannon’s justice may be delayed and thus denied until another day. You will stay up all night reading to find out.

Ledwidge has in the past repeatedly demonstrated his considerable plotting and writing chops on his own and as a co-author of several novels with James Patterson. He takes things to a whole different level, however, with the Gannon books in general and RUN FOR COVER in particular. Put it at the top of your must-read pile. Recommended.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
© Copyright 2021, The Book Report, Inc. All rights reserved.

In “Run for Cover,” Michael Gannon is living off the grid on a ranch in Utah with his teen-aged son after escaping a near-death run-in with government intelligence agents in the first book of the series, “Stop at Nothing.” When his best friend’s brother, an FBI agent and a sheriff are murdered while working a crime scene, Michael Gannon has no choice but to resurface. Teaming up with the only survivor of the massacre, FBI Agent Kit Hagen and his war buddy and owner of the Utah ranch, John Owen, this small but highly skilled unit moves across state lines to track the murderer. With intense, edge-of-your-seat pacing, book two in the Michael Gannon series, “Run for Cover” is unputdownable. Can't wait for book three in the series!

Five stars and I’m sorry that it couldn’t be ten.Ledwidge Is a wonderful writer,and this is as good or better than any book he’s written. Development of subject matter and characters superb.Ledwidge just keeps getting better,Creativity off the charts.I will look forward to reading his next book.

Run for Cover by Michael Ledwidge is an action packed thriller and the second book in the series featuring Michael Gannon. The story largely takes place in several states but largely in Wyoming and Utah. Mike Gannon and his son are staying on John Owen’s ranch in Utah. When John’s brother is killed in Wyoming, Mike goes with him to retrieve the body. But there is more going on than meets the eye and Mike teams up with FBI agent Kit Hagen to find the killer.

Mike and Kit are compelling characters with lots of depth. John is not quite as well-drawn, but is still compelling. They had distinct voices and their own flaws and virtues. The motivations were well-drawn and seemed believable. There were some plot twists and the stakes and tension were high throughout this thriller with the body count continually going higher. The author did a great job of giving a clear sense of place without being overly descriptive. There are several discussions of weapons and a discussion of serial killers. Other themes include family, revenge, greed, corruption, and much more.

Overall, the plot was intense, thought-provoking, suspenseful, entertaining and kept me fully engaged. The prose was well-written and engrossing. My only quibble is that there could have been a little more wrap up of certain situations after the action peaked. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Michael Ledwidge’s novels.

Thanks to HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U S & Canada) – Hanover Square Press and Michael Ledwidge for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently scheduled for February 2, 2021.

When FBI agents and a forest Ranger are ambushed at a murder scene in the Tetons there is a lone survivor, Agent Kit Hagen. Kit is removed from the case and it appears the investigation has been shut down and swept under the rug. Kits partner was killed and she is determined to get justice for him, but there are some very powerful forces working against them. This is part of a series but it could be read as a stand alone. It is action packed and fast paced. You never know who to trust. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Great story with a very good twist. Characters are very well developed and fleshed out. Totally engrossing thriller that will be on the top of every recommendation list I have!

Run for Cover, the second book in the Michael Gannon series, finds Mike laying low in Utah when his
friend's brother is killed in Wyoming. Owen Barber, a forest ranger, and the FBI team is ambushed
while investigating a murder scene near the Grand Tetons. The lone survivor, Agent Kit Hagen, joins up with Mike and they start tracing down leads to a conspiracy. Action packed, fast paced thriller. Looking forward
to more with these two!