Runner

By: Patrick Lee

Narrated by: Raúl Esparza

Sam Dryden, retired special forces, lives a quiet life in a small town on the coast of Southern California. While out on a run in the middle of the night, a young girl runs into him on the seaside boardwalk. Barefoot and terrified, she's running from a group of heavily armed men with one clear goal—to kill the fleeing child. After Dryden helps her evade her pursuers, he learns that the eleven year old, for as long as she can remember, has been kept in a secret prison by forces within the government. But she doesn't know much beyond her own name, Rachel. She only remembers the past two months of her life—and that she has a skill that makes her very dangerous to these men and the hidden men in charge.

Dryden, who lost his wife and young daughter in an accident five years ago, agrees to help her try to unravel her own past and make sense of it, to protect her from the people who are moving heaven and earth to find them both. Although Dryden is only one man, he's a man with the extraordinary skills and experience—as a Ranger, a Delta, and five years doing off-the-book black ops with an elite team. But, as he slowly begins to discover, the highly trained paramilitary forces on their heels is the only part of the danger they must face. Will Rachel's own unremembered past be the most deadly of them all?

Critic reviews

“Veteran actor Esparza knows how to handle action while giving the characters necessary depth. This thriller never slows or falters.” —Booklist

“Raul Esparza's high-speed narration sets listeners up for one wild ride. He manipulates his cadence throughout his narration, and the effect is nothing short of game changing as a listening experience. The only disappointment in this listen is that it ends.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Patrick Lee is a huge talent and Runner is his best book yet—breathless, involving, smart, and completely convincing.” —Lee Child

“Pure adrenaline rush! Finally, an action-packed novel brimming with complex characters as well as genuine heart. Not to be missed.” —Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Touch and Go and Catch Me

“I’m going to sue Patrick Lee for giving me whiplash: that’s how furiously paced this book is. A terrific cast of characters, unrelenting action—strap in and enjoy the ride.” —Jesse Kellerman, author of Sunstroke and Trouble

“This is a thriller done right. It literally begs to be read in one sitting. I said it before and I'll say it again. Patrick Lee is the real deal.” —Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Amber Room and The Columbus Affair

loved it!

I loved this story I just wish the ending was different but overall very enjoyable. Raul Esparza does a great job in his narrating the story.

Fantastic!

Loved it. Spellbinding. A unique story line that kept me listening every chance I could get.

Raúl Esparza's performance is excellent

Loved this book. Such a riveting story.. Listened to it all in one afternoon/evening/night. Raúl Esparza's narration/performance was fabulous.

Really good!

The story was very intriguing, fast-paced, and was definitely not technically dated, considering it was written 8+ years ago. The narration was really good, too.

There was one disturbing scene involving a hammer and a guy handcuffed to a bumper... 😳
I fast forwarded through most of the scene, once I realized the direction it was going... if you are at all squeamish about that type of violence I recommend you fast forward, as well. The good news is that's the only scene like that so everything else was easy to listen to.

High Anxiety Suspense

The two main characters are a broken man and a broken child. The child has unique abilities including mind reading. Seemingly everyone either wants a piece of her or to prevent anyone else gaining access to her and the chase is on. The story is well written and fast moving, the characters rich and sympathetic I recommend this one!