The Runner

This is powerful psychological suspense with authentic characters and a compelling investigation that is addictive reading. Freya finds out her previously unknown father is in prison and possibly a notorious killer. She is determined to discover the truth. What follows is a true-crime investigation with two unlikely detectives and some grisly discoveries. Some of the descriptions are graphic but are integral to the twisty plot and impactful ending.

I received a copy of this book from Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This book will take you on one hell of a ride that was nail biting, horror like and will have you on the edge of your seat throughout!

Freya learns that her biological father is actually a serial killer called the ‘Woodcutter Killer’ but despite knowing all this she still wants to visit him in prison and get to know him. From that first meeting the book is non stop as Freya suddenly begins her own investigation as to who the real killer is as her dad proclaims his innocence.

The investigative parts were brilliant, giving the reader small clues here and there whilst also providing some very tense moments when Freya starts finding notes left for her and gruesome discoveries.

Throughout the story there are chapters from the ‘killers’ point of view as he carries out these brutal acts of violence. These were so chilling to read and really increased that fear factor. The descriptions at times felt like I was reading a horror as they were pretty graphic in detail.

Everything felt so real within this book. The dialogue between characters was really easy flowing and captured each personality perfectly. It was full of hints throughout that will have you constantly guessing as to what or who is behind it all – I’m pleased to say I didn’t guess at all.

The ending was absolutely fantastic with the author not giving anything away until the very last moment and continuing to deliver twist after twist. I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending as when I’m reading thrillers I want something to happen that will completely shock me and this did just that.

Overall if you like your thrillers on the slight horror side, filled with jaw dropping twists and edge of your seat moments then I highly recommend this!

Pat Black is back and this his 4th book is as much as a surprise as his previous 3 were, you never quite know what to expect from this author, always excellent but always different, this for me is my favourite, I loved the writing style and short bursts of description, enjoyed the story and frantic start, investigative middle and action packed, twister thrill of its ending
Imagine finding out via your Mum’s will who your Dad is…..after waiting more than 20 years….imagine the reaction to finding out he is ‘The WoodCutter’ a notorious evil serial killer, imagine being compelled to visit him and then imagine wondering if there has been a miscarriage of justice
Dark, moody, edgy, atmospheric and at times shocking but with an injection of humour this is a really fascinating book looking at relationships, some toxic and introduces a feisty main character who cares little for anyones thoughts about her but intends to find out the truth about her Dad, will she live to regret it?, I will let you find that out.
Loved it
10/10
5 Stars

This is so so good!
Pace is maintained throughout, and gets more and more intriguing as it progresses.
Freya gets a double shock when her mother dies and then in a letter reveals that her father is actually a known notorious serial killer. Eager to get answers and find out if this is true, she goes on a mission to seek out the truth.
I think at one stage I had guessed every single character as "The Woodcutter" it was completely un-guessable to me.
Great storyline, great characters. Freya is a great female lead and really drives this.
And of course, the cherry on top was the final showdown! Thrilling to find out who made the cut - pun intended.
Ambitious, creepy, daring.

Wow! What can I say about this book in one word! Tremendous!!! Although I would recommend all books from this author, this book was definitely on another level! I can not recommend this book enough to anyone that enjoys a psychological thriller!!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely fantastic read. I have loved this and been completely unable and unwilling to put this one down.
This is a great read which I will be highly recommending.

One of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time! Kept me guessing until the last page, so many twists and turns….none of which I saw coming!

This book is so much more than you'd expect from the plot summary. After her mother dies, Freya discovers the identity of her absent father, who her mother refused to ever discuss. Not only is he in prison, but he is a convicted murderer - the notorious Woodcutter. Believed to have killed at least 5 people, they could only convict him of one murder, but it was enough to put him away for life. The grisly chopped up body of that victim ensured his severe sentence. Freya feels an urge to meet with him out of pure curiosity. She never expected him to say that he was innocent.

She meets with several people involved in his case to learn more about his crimes and why he was convicted on such circumstantial evidence. His lawyer hints that there may be a new breakthrough that could change everything, but can't tell Freya what it is. Freya soon befriends a man named Glenn who runs a website about killers and he agrees to help Freya, but because he's sure that her father is guilty, not innocent. Someone begins leaving messages on the trails that Freya runs, and she and Glenn work to decipher the clues. What they discover thrusts the Woodcutter case back into the spotlight. And then, the new bodies appear... Was Freya's father right in proclaiming his innocence? Or has his notoriety inspired a copycat, one that has Freya in his sights?

It's quite a story, gory at times, but not overly so. It's definitely not one of those where you know how it will end, not by a mile! I have to say that at times, the interactions between Freya and Glenn were a bit off, but it's hard to describe just why. They often argue and I didn't see the slightest hint of reciprocal attraction in their dialogue. I think it was supposed to be implied, but I feel the author is more comfortable with writing the grittier aspects of the story than with male/female communication. Readers will be more than satisfied by the macabre aspects of the story, stick with those!