The Runner

The China Thrillers, Book 5

By: Peter May

Narrated by: Peter Forbes

Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

The penultimate novel in the China series, from the Richard and Judy million-selling author of The Blackhouse. 

The Sufferer 

A prodigious Chinese swimmer kills himself on the eve of the Beijing Olympics. Days later, a champion weightlifter suffers a fatal heart attack prior to competition. 

The Listener 

Detective Li Yan senses a conspiracy surrounding the fatalities and finds a female athlete willing to talk. But she will trust only one person: Li's fiancée, Margaret Campbell. 

The Runner 

When Campbell's contact herself vanishes, the gun is fired on a race against time. And Li must now outrun, and outwit, an enemy bent on pushing him beyond endurance. 

©2012 Peter May (P)2017 Quercus Editions Limited

Brilliant eye-opener

Wonderfully-written and researched. As if Mr May had used a fine-toothed comb, like his protagonists. And one never tires of listening to Mr Forbes, every accent, every nuance. Thank you both, Yankee gal of a certain age

very good couldn't put it down,and

download the next one and about to listen to it the reader is excellent thanks

good listen

another good book from Peter May well written and well read. hope there are more to read (listen to)

Thrilling brilliance again.

Another wonderfully driving and heart-pounding China thriller by Peter May. Equally superb narration by Peter Forbes again whose voice sounds like it was created to read Peter May novels. l already have the sixth in the China series ready to go, "Chinese Whispers" which I'm certain will not disappoint. l fall more in love with the central characters as each story develops and the supporting characters add greatly to the complex relationship between Lee and Margaret while being clearly drawn and fully rounded characters in their own right. While The Runner is a nerve shredding thriller in a great series of thrillers l found that the additional humour in this book (often laugh out loud) simply added to every aspect of the novel. Margaret's mother was particularly funny in her interplay with the Chinese characters and culture: humour which gave light relief at just the right time to accentuate the fast building tension, twists and turns in the tale. If you've not read Peter May you will not be disappointed if you begin by reading his magnificent China thrillers.

Spoilt only by gratuitous sex scenes

Peter May and Peter Forbes are yet again a fantastic pairing. May's clever narratives and interestingly flawed characters are brought to life by Forbes' briiliant reading.

Brilliant...

Could not stop listening to this book, brilliant story from start to finish. I have now listened to all the china sagas, thoroughly enjoyed everyone. Love listening to Peter Forbes, he bring all the characters to life.

Another brilliant book

Fabulous book. Narrator was excellent. story was excellent. Thes books just get better and better

A bit depressing

I love Peter May's books and particularly the China Thrillers, but much of this one left me rather depressed.

Another good book in the series.

The storyline was a little too easy to work out this time, but generally the book was entertaining and worth a listen.

Even better than the others!

I write as a confirmed fan of Peter May’s novels and, most recently, have been working my way through his China series with great enjoyment. The Chinese background has been researched (or known first hand?) in great detail and the intricacies of the plot are gripping. Many congratulations on an excellent tale, Mr. May!

Another excellent listen

Peter May is such a talented writer who keeps the intrigue and fast going throughout the story. Peter Forbes narrates in a manner that enhances the story never grating or "intrusive".