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Jane Whitefield #6
Runner
For ten years Jane Whitefield helped people escape from their enemies and become 'runners', creating new identities for them that would never be uncovered. Then she married and promised her husband that she would give up her dangerous job.When a bomb explodes in the middle of a reception, Jane finds herself face to face with the cause of the a young girl, who's pregnant and has been tracked across the country by a team of hired assassins. That night, regardless of the vow she made, Jane is pulled back into her old life. She has to revisit old skills and old contacts. Saving one last victim is going to send Jane off on a mission that could be a rescue operation - or a chance for revenge. It puts Jane and her protégé in more danger than ever.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
292 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Perry
93 books1,701 followersThomas Perry was the author of 25 novels. He was born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947. He received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1969 and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester in 1974. He had worked as a park maintenance man, factory laborer, commercial fisherman, university administrator and teacher, and as a writer and producer of prime time network television shows.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
December 22, 2010
In a series of five books, published from the mid- to late-1990s, Thomas Perry detailed the adventures of Jane Whitefield, a tough, clever, contemporary Native American woman who lived in western New York. Jane came to the rescue of people who were in serious trouble, guiding them out of their old lives and into new ones. In the process, she almost always had to help her clients to escape from brutal thugs who were hot on the trail. This usually put both Jane and her client in mortal danger and demanded that Jane use all of her wits and considerable physical skills to disable or eliminate the bad guys. Along the way, Jane created a new identity for the client and taught him or her how to survive in a new life.
Jane finally retired, married a doctor, and created a happy, fulfilling new life for herself, flawed only by her inability to conceive a child. Now, five years after her last adventure (nine years in real time), a pregnant young girl turns up at the hospital where Jane's husband works in Buffalo. The girl is looking for Jane, but only knows her maiden name, which the hospital staff does not recognize.
Coincidentally, Jane is heading a fundraiser at the hospital that evening, and in the middle of the soiree, a bomb goes off, interrupting the festivities. Jane and the young girl are thrown together in the confusion and it turns out that the bomb has been set by a team of hunters who have been hired to capture the girl and return her and her baby to the girl's abusive boyfriend and his seriously weird parents.
Naturally, Jane will have to come out of retirement and help the poor woman escape. She quickly discovers that because of technological advances, it's a lot harder--and a lot more expensive--to create a new identity for someone in the post-9/11 era. If that's not bad enough, Jane also discovers that the crew in pursuit of her new client is easily the toughest group of adversaries that she has ever faced.
The result is a book that begins, literally, with a bang and continues to move at a breakneck pace from start to finish. As always, it’s fun to watch Jane work, and it’s particularly interesting to see the details of how she creates a new identity for Christine, the woman she’s assisting. Inevitably, perhaps, Christine will make the exercise a lot more difficult than it otherwise might have been, but this simply means more fun for the reader who gets to watch Jane react to the added threat.
This book does require the suspension of some disbelief. For example, even after being out of the business for several years, Jane seems to have a huge supply of fake identities put away, along with an inexhaustible stash of hundred dollar bills hidden in her basement. Without them, the book would come to a pretty abrupt halt on about page three.
Readers who have waited not-so-patiently for Perry to resurrect Jane Whitefield will be very happy to have her back. But those who’ve never read this series and who have missed all of the backstory might be better off starting with the first book in the series, Vanishing Act, and working their way forward. They won’t be disappointed and, unlike the rest of us, they won’t have to wait nine years to get to Runner.
Jane finally retired, married a doctor, and created a happy, fulfilling new life for herself, flawed only by her inability to conceive a child. Now, five years after her last adventure (nine years in real time), a pregnant young girl turns up at the hospital where Jane's husband works in Buffalo. The girl is looking for Jane, but only knows her maiden name, which the hospital staff does not recognize.
Coincidentally, Jane is heading a fundraiser at the hospital that evening, and in the middle of the soiree, a bomb goes off, interrupting the festivities. Jane and the young girl are thrown together in the confusion and it turns out that the bomb has been set by a team of hunters who have been hired to capture the girl and return her and her baby to the girl's abusive boyfriend and his seriously weird parents.
Naturally, Jane will have to come out of retirement and help the poor woman escape. She quickly discovers that because of technological advances, it's a lot harder--and a lot more expensive--to create a new identity for someone in the post-9/11 era. If that's not bad enough, Jane also discovers that the crew in pursuit of her new client is easily the toughest group of adversaries that she has ever faced.
The result is a book that begins, literally, with a bang and continues to move at a breakneck pace from start to finish. As always, it’s fun to watch Jane work, and it’s particularly interesting to see the details of how she creates a new identity for Christine, the woman she’s assisting. Inevitably, perhaps, Christine will make the exercise a lot more difficult than it otherwise might have been, but this simply means more fun for the reader who gets to watch Jane react to the added threat.
This book does require the suspension of some disbelief. For example, even after being out of the business for several years, Jane seems to have a huge supply of fake identities put away, along with an inexhaustible stash of hundred dollar bills hidden in her basement. Without them, the book would come to a pretty abrupt halt on about page three.
Readers who have waited not-so-patiently for Perry to resurrect Jane Whitefield will be very happy to have her back. But those who’ve never read this series and who have missed all of the backstory might be better off starting with the first book in the series, Vanishing Act, and working their way forward. They won’t be disappointed and, unlike the rest of us, they won’t have to wait nine years to get to Runner.
January 31, 2016
Another typical specimen of the series which leaves the door open for another, although it is the last my library has. The overall plot was good & it was well read, but it was a bit repetitious & padded. Not Perry's best work by far. I've felt that about the entire series & this one wasn't as good as some.
If you're new to the series, read them in order.
Jane Whitefield
1. Vanishing Act (1994)
2. Dance for the Dead (1996)
3. Shadow Woman (1997)
4. The Face-Changers (1998)
5. Blood Money (1999)
6. Runner (2009)
7. Poison Flower (2012)
8. A String of Beads (2014)
If you're new to the series, read them in order.
Jane Whitefield
1. Vanishing Act (1994)
2. Dance for the Dead (1996)
3. Shadow Woman (1997)
4. The Face-Changers (1998)
5. Blood Money (1999)
6. Runner (2009)
7. Poison Flower (2012)
8. A String of Beads (2014)
March 6, 2009
I was very happy to see the return of Jane Whitefield. This is the one character and series by Thomas Perry that I really enjoy. The plot creates an almost constant tension from the very first chapter. Perry's portrayal of Jane has been consistent and just terrific throughout the series. She is an admirable character with great courage, strength, and self-reliance. I'm not always as pleased with the people Jane helps "out of the world," although if I remember correctly they all deserved to be helped except one, but that's the way it is. The references to Iroquis tradition and way of life are interesting and provide a different dimension/perspective not found in other suspense books I've read.
The amount of detail kept me involved in what was going on - no skimming to just move on. Can't say enough about how terrific it was to have Jane back in the world saving someone.
The amount of detail kept me involved in what was going on - no skimming to just move on. Can't say enough about how terrific it was to have Jane back in the world saving someone.
December 18, 2020
Runner, Thomas Perry. Jane Whitefield well I found G.I Jane or Tarzan's Jane she's the real deal, from 9 year hiatus retirement and straight back to kickass badass asses everywhere, just like you never forget how to ride a bike shes straight back into it, hooked with an explosive thrill ride. She chases, escapes, fights, rescues, detects, plans, drives with reckless abandon and kills, slaughters, rubs out all in an extremely fashionable lovely manner, anyone who gets in her way. Little bit unbelievable but hey that's splitting hairs, in this fictional world Perry creates apparently there are 4 books set nine years back so even more roller coaster thrill rides ahead. I digress plot, a very wealthy corrupt as fluff, insane stark raving mad just madness, whole family Mum Dad, Son. Who knocks up his secretary she does a "Runner" Jane saves the day after the son shows his love not with flowers but a bomb??? thrown together thanks to this timely bomb blast at a fancy get together.
"As she dropped from the sky she felt the wind streaming through her long black hair and heard the fluttering of the fringe on her deerskin skirt. She was falling toward the vast and ageless ocean of dark water far below. She knew that this must be dying, and that she would never again see or touch the husband she loved so much.
"As she dropped from the sky she felt the wind streaming through her long black hair and heard the fluttering of the fringe on her deerskin skirt. She was falling toward the vast and ageless ocean of dark water far below. She knew that this must be dying, and that she would never again see or touch the husband she loved so much.
January 24, 2009
I was disappointed by the latest Jane Whitefield. Perry seems to have exhausted most of the material for this protagonist and should move on. There were moments where the action was fast paced and well plotted but there were too many pages of introspective nonsense that simply act as filler until the next action moments. What Jane is thinking every moment is not that compelling. Perry's best work seems to be behind him. Butcher's Boy and Metzger's Dog were terrific. This one just does not measure up.
September 15, 2017
Jane Whitefield returns after a ten-year hiatus. In the book, she's been retired from guiding people but circumstances force her back. The author repeats some series history to refresh the reader's memory, but it's a good solid story as always.
March 20, 2019
As with most Thomas Perry books, this one has ups and downs but the downs are basically low action segments that are used to set up the background for more exciting parts.
November 10, 2019
This is a nice book, easy and entertaining with an interesting subject, a professional so to speak trainer who teaches someone who is in danger and runs away from whoever is trying to find them to hunt them down. A very interesting field, a unique type of profession - if you can call it that - to train and teach someone who runs away, how to hide and how to get away from the chasers.
it's pure fantasy if you ask me, it's way off reality, even tho' the author is making serious attempts to simulate reality or some kind of course of actions that will fit with real life, but in my opinion there is way to much that doesn't just fit - like hundreds of fake and bogus ID's that somehow get passed officials unnoticed, allowing access to the carrier of such ID to travel unrestricted all over the US - this is not happening in real life, and the chance to be possible are slim to none...
Also, what strikes me as way off reality, is that our main protagonist is spending huge amounts of money, over 100 k US$, on ordering and obtaining those fake ID's, on rental cars, or hotel rooms, on travel expenses, on anything you can think of during a runaway from her chasers, so she is spending all that money like she has some kind of pipe with free money running continuously in her bank account or her pockets...
Yes, some kind of poor explanation may be the fact she is married to a loving husband that it just so happens to be a well known and successful surgeon at an important hospital, as such with a considerable income, but still, she's spending in a few weeks, even months what a surgeon could make in one year, is yet again, way out of touch from reality...
That's why I couldn't rate it more than three stars... also, it looks like the end was a bit rushed, something like maybe the author had to meet some kind of deadline from the publisher and just speed up the storyline, jumping ahead a bit with some scenes that are not quite following a natural timeline...
However, the good part is that you'll find a very comprehensive guide - if you can call it that - as of what to do and what not to do when you may be in this type of situation, to run away and hide from dangerous people that maybe after you... that in itself is a very interesting topic and an interesting approach to a unique aspect of life... this is the real value in this book in my humble opinion...
so, it's an easy read, nice and entertaining, but nothing spectacular or extraordinary... I was, however, expecting a bit more from this author, considering not long ago I just finished his other book called Dead Aim that really impressed me in a very positive way...
it's pure fantasy if you ask me, it's way off reality, even tho' the author is making serious attempts to simulate reality or some kind of course of actions that will fit with real life, but in my opinion there is way to much that doesn't just fit - like hundreds of fake and bogus ID's that somehow get passed officials unnoticed, allowing access to the carrier of such ID to travel unrestricted all over the US - this is not happening in real life, and the chance to be possible are slim to none...
Also, what strikes me as way off reality, is that our main protagonist is spending huge amounts of money, over 100 k US$, on ordering and obtaining those fake ID's, on rental cars, or hotel rooms, on travel expenses, on anything you can think of during a runaway from her chasers, so she is spending all that money like she has some kind of pipe with free money running continuously in her bank account or her pockets...
Yes, some kind of poor explanation may be the fact she is married to a loving husband that it just so happens to be a well known and successful surgeon at an important hospital, as such with a considerable income, but still, she's spending in a few weeks, even months what a surgeon could make in one year, is yet again, way out of touch from reality...
That's why I couldn't rate it more than three stars... also, it looks like the end was a bit rushed, something like maybe the author had to meet some kind of deadline from the publisher and just speed up the storyline, jumping ahead a bit with some scenes that are not quite following a natural timeline...
However, the good part is that you'll find a very comprehensive guide - if you can call it that - as of what to do and what not to do when you may be in this type of situation, to run away and hide from dangerous people that maybe after you... that in itself is a very interesting topic and an interesting approach to a unique aspect of life... this is the real value in this book in my humble opinion...
so, it's an easy read, nice and entertaining, but nothing spectacular or extraordinary... I was, however, expecting a bit more from this author, considering not long ago I just finished his other book called Dead Aim that really impressed me in a very positive way...
March 30, 2020
This is a novel that I didn’t like from the very beginning and didn’t get any better as it went along. There were a lot of things I didn’t like about this novel. For one thing, Jane helping out a woman that she never met, knows nothing about, but is doing so at great expense and by doing so puts not only her but her husband in peril is not remotely believable. It just doesn’t make any sense to me and I can’t believe any human being would actually do this. When the premise is this flawed, it makes it hard to take the novel seriously.
That wasn’t the only flaw. The characterization was poor as well. Christine Monahan, the pregnant woman that Jane was trying to help was so whiny and needy. It made it impossible to root for her, and I just wanted to get her off the page. The stalker boyfriend and the stalker boyfriend’s father were absurd, not remotely believable characters. Their motivations and their actions didn’t make a bit of sense. About halfway through, I pulled the plug on this novel. There were parts of it that were fine, but I couldn’t get past the major flaws in the novel and couldn’t finish it.
Carl Alves – author of The Invocation
That wasn’t the only flaw. The characterization was poor as well. Christine Monahan, the pregnant woman that Jane was trying to help was so whiny and needy. It made it impossible to root for her, and I just wanted to get her off the page. The stalker boyfriend and the stalker boyfriend’s father were absurd, not remotely believable characters. Their motivations and their actions didn’t make a bit of sense. About halfway through, I pulled the plug on this novel. There were parts of it that were fine, but I couldn’t get past the major flaws in the novel and couldn’t finish it.
Carl Alves – author of The Invocation
May 20, 2023
Like this series and main character - no gore, sex, or profanity as a rule. Well narrated and recommended.
Re-read May 19,2023:
Still a terrific read.
Re-read May 19,2023:
Still a terrific read.
January 30, 2021
Jane Whitefield is back! The cleaver, Native American hero-who helps people create “new identities” has met up with a battered, pregnant, scared girl who needs her help to leave her abusive boyfriend....
October 19, 2019
Maybe 3.5. I wanted to like it more. But it seemed choppy which may be because it took me a few goes to really get into it. Will try another by this author.
June 25, 2015
fter 5 years off Jane meets a pregnant young woman who needs her help escaping from her rich, super controlling babydaddy. The story contained all the delightful aspects of a Jane Whitefield adventure -- clever plotting and escapes, the backdrop of Jane’s home life, several layers of interesting villains with different motives, and lots of action. I especially like how Jane eludes the villains when they cross her path. The story bogs down a bit with the minutia of the life of the woman Jane helps, but it still merits a 4/5. It’s amazing noone has made a movie or TV show about this series.
edit: I had a couple of reality check quarrel with the book.which I won't list here to keep it spoiler free. One is why people would send someone to Jane's house/home town to find her. That seeme like a huge risk to Jane. She has a phone number that people use to reach out to her, not sure why Christina wasn't given that. The other thing, and this is a mild spoiler so stop reading RIGHT NOW if you care about such things.... I don't know why the villains never tried to find out who Jane was. They saw her in the hospital, and I think it woudn't have been difficult to retrace their steps, find out her identity, and put someone she cares about in jeopardy to get her to surrender Christine.
edit: I had a couple of reality check quarrel with the book.which I won't list here to keep it spoiler free. One is why people would send someone to Jane's house/home town to find her. That seeme like a huge risk to Jane. She has a phone number that people use to reach out to her, not sure why Christina wasn't given that. The other thing, and this is a mild spoiler so stop reading RIGHT NOW if you care about such things.... I don't know why the villains never tried to find out who Jane was. They saw her in the hospital, and I think it woudn't have been difficult to retrace their steps, find out her identity, and put someone she cares about in jeopardy to get her to surrender Christine.
July 30, 2012
Pretty clever and entertaining suspense tale featuring Jane Whitefield, a Seneca Indian in Upstate New York who helps people disappear from dangerous situations, assume new identities, and acquire survival skills. Here she is pulled out of retirement from this service by a runaway 20-year old who is six weeks pregnant. She is escaping from a complex domestic violence situation in which her future baby has special value to her boy has special value to her real estate boyfriend and boss in San Diego. Jane tries to avoid violence as much as possible, but the dangers posed by the multiple people looking for Christine make that hard to avoid this time around. This 6 of 7th in the series was worth the ride, although the formula begins to show through.
October 16, 2023
I was thrilled when Thomas Perry returned to his Jane Whitefield series. While I've enjoyed his other novels, this series is by far my favorite. Jane is still a fascinating character, ridden with personal conflicts between her vocation and her marriage, but also a heroine who manages to be both superhuman and believable at the same time. The plot, as in all Perry novels, manages to be complex without being too over-the-top to believe (although a bit of suspension of disbelief is handy, of course). The story moves quickly and is hard to put down. This is one of those books that is too long to read in one sitting, but you'll be tempted to do it anyway.
September 4, 2022
Jane is back! I love this series, but when Perry last wrote one, the Internet wasn't as ubiquitous as it is now. It was easier for Jane to create false identities for her clients, and easier for them to stow away under the radar. Now everything links us together, and her task is much harder this time. She has to be more harsh in her actions, and she is more divided - before she was single, and now she must leave a comfortable life to help a young woman escape a dangerous situation. Jane in action is inspirational! (I wanted to say awesome, but that poor word is dead from over use.)
November 5, 2019
Jane Whitefield helps people who are running away from danger in their lives. In this book, after a several year hiatus, when she was happily living with her surgeon husband and doing appropriate volunteer work, she is at Cary's hospital for a gala fund raising dinner when a bomb goes off in the kitchen and she is approached by a young pregnant woman who asks for her help in escaping the 6 people chasing her to bring her back to her former lover and employer.
Good writing, exciting plot. Strong characters. I need to go back and start this series at the beginning.
Good writing, exciting plot. Strong characters. I need to go back and start this series at the beginning.
January 18, 2009
Jane Whitefield is back, but marriage has dulled the series and it's not Perry's best by far (that would be Metzger's Dog, which is not in the series, followed maybe by Butcher's Boy). But some taut moments. By now, if you follow the series, any of us could escape from almost any bad guys--we know all the tricks--but there are still some suspenseful moments. This one has a kind of stupid plot but some forward motion. A good airplane book.
October 17, 2019
This is apparently part of a series involving this Jane Whitefield. I had no trouble reading this book as though it were a stand alone book. The main characters were likeable. It was enjoyable and intense at times. There was a lot of random information added though that I felt didn't really need to be there. I found myself kind of skimming over this information. Overall it was a good suspenseful story that kept my interest.
January 31, 2018
3* This audiobook had so much suspense that I could hardly stand it. My nerves were getting bad. “Don’t!” I heard myself saying, “Don’t do it!” At times, I had to shut off the audiobook for a little while.
It was interesting how the characters revealed themselves and I marvel at the author’s skill in showing them.
A fine ride, and a Good One!
It was interesting how the characters revealed themselves and I marvel at the author’s skill in showing them.
A fine ride, and a Good One!
February 8, 2017
I am between 3 and 4 stars for this book. I think I may have enjoyed it more had I read earlier Jane Whitefield books. I also was annoyed with the character of Christine throughout the book. But, it kept me interested enough to sit and read for 3 straight hours to finish it!
April 20, 2023
We know that Jane Whitfield has promised her husband, Dr Carey McKinnon that she'll stop saving the unfortunate...after all, she has promised. But Carey needed her services to save his mentor and I guess she gets a buy on this one.
Jane is a great wife, she has embraced the role of doctor's wife thoroughly and just organized a huge fundraising gala for the Buffalo General Hospital, with great success. She loves her life with Carey as he does with her.
Then a bomb goes off in the hospital, so many people injured and so much confusion. Jane is drawn to a young woman who just doesn't seem to fit and is surprised to find out that the young woman is looking for her. Christine Monahan, 20, pregnant and on the run. The 6 people chasing her are responsible for the bomb, as they hoped that Christine would be flushed out in the confusion. Thankfully, Christine found Jane first. Christine had been living with a San Diego developer, Richard Beale. Over the time of their acquaintance, she has seen the inside of Richard's unsavoury business, his abusive and threatening behaviour, and is very aware of the nightmare her life would be should she stay. Richard has sent four men and two women to retrieve Christine. It's clear that Richard's concern is not the unborn child, rather, the secrets Christine is privy to. Thus starts the country-wide escape as Jane takes Christine under her aegis and they continue to run. Though Jane is a bit rusty as she's been away from the game for a number of years, she is still more than capable and the break has made her a bit more deadly as bodies add up.
Meanwhile, Richard's parents are aware that Christine is carrying their grandchild and this puts a whole new light on the situation as they threaten Richard should he not deliver Christine to them. Richard's wealth is totally from his father's company.
So very nice to be with Jane again, I had thought I'd read the last book of her exploits. I sure enjoyed this one.
Jane is a great wife, she has embraced the role of doctor's wife thoroughly and just organized a huge fundraising gala for the Buffalo General Hospital, with great success. She loves her life with Carey as he does with her.
Then a bomb goes off in the hospital, so many people injured and so much confusion. Jane is drawn to a young woman who just doesn't seem to fit and is surprised to find out that the young woman is looking for her. Christine Monahan, 20, pregnant and on the run. The 6 people chasing her are responsible for the bomb, as they hoped that Christine would be flushed out in the confusion. Thankfully, Christine found Jane first. Christine had been living with a San Diego developer, Richard Beale. Over the time of their acquaintance, she has seen the inside of Richard's unsavoury business, his abusive and threatening behaviour, and is very aware of the nightmare her life would be should she stay. Richard has sent four men and two women to retrieve Christine. It's clear that Richard's concern is not the unborn child, rather, the secrets Christine is privy to. Thus starts the country-wide escape as Jane takes Christine under her aegis and they continue to run. Though Jane is a bit rusty as she's been away from the game for a number of years, she is still more than capable and the break has made her a bit more deadly as bodies add up.
Meanwhile, Richard's parents are aware that Christine is carrying their grandchild and this puts a whole new light on the situation as they threaten Richard should he not deliver Christine to them. Richard's wealth is totally from his father's company.
So very nice to be with Jane again, I had thought I'd read the last book of her exploits. I sure enjoyed this one.
April 17, 2025
4.5 stars
This is one of my favorite books in this series. The "problems" that inevitably arise in guiding fugitives out of danger did not seem contrived. (As a reader, I know there must be problems. If Jane takes a victim to safety with no conflict, there is no book!) ;)
This is a great follow-up to the fifth book. It adds to Jane's personal story. It mentions a couple of other previous characters too, but again, it's not too much. You could read this book by itself (by mistake), but you'd be better off starting at the beginning.
Christine is young. She makes a lot of the same mistakes I would make if someone told me I had to drop everyone in my life to disappear. There was a lot of humanity in this one.
I read (listen) most of my books in chronological order, so I'm finally almost finished with 2009. I have a long way to go before I get into all those "current reads" in everyone else's TBR. :)
This was a good soundtrack to my current yard work. My garden is finally starting to look like a semi-finished project.
This is one of my favorite books in this series. The "problems" that inevitably arise in guiding fugitives out of danger did not seem contrived. (As a reader, I know there must be problems. If Jane takes a victim to safety with no conflict, there is no book!) ;)
This is a great follow-up to the fifth book. It adds to Jane's personal story. It mentions a couple of other previous characters too, but again, it's not too much. You could read this book by itself (by mistake), but you'd be better off starting at the beginning.
Christine is young. She makes a lot of the same mistakes I would make if someone told me I had to drop everyone in my life to disappear. There was a lot of humanity in this one.
I read (listen) most of my books in chronological order, so I'm finally almost finished with 2009. I have a long way to go before I get into all those "current reads" in everyone else's TBR. :)
This was a good soundtrack to my current yard work. My garden is finally starting to look like a semi-finished project.
July 19, 2018
My favorite Jane Whitefield to date! What a great story, where we see a bit different side of Jane. Narration by Joyce Bean adds to the listening enjoyment of the story. My best rating for Thomas Perry (so far) on the Jane Whitefield series -- 10 0ut of 10!
April 25, 2019
For nearly a decade Jane Whitefield McKinnon has been doing all those things that the wife of a prominent surgeon does; serving on fundraising committees at her husband's hospital, volunteering her time for worthy causes, and running a well-ordered house.
What she hasn't been doing is hiding people from those that want them dead. She did that once but doesn't any longer.
That changes when a pregnant young woman shows up at her door asking for help.
Jane can't refuse, even though she knows it will put a strain on her marriage to the man she adores; the man who doesn't like her risking her life to save others.
"Runner" is, perhaps, author Thomas Perry's most intense Jane Whitefield mystery. The action begins with the bombing of a hospital fundraiser and it continues building throughout the novel. The pregnant woman is being sought by a team of professional "chasers" who work for a California real estate mogul. He wants the young woman back, not because he loves her but because his future actually depends upon it. His wealthy parents, who founded the real estate empire he now runs, have threatened to cut him off if he does not produce an heir before the end of the year.
Jane is one of contemporary fiction's most intriguing characters. Her father was a Seneca construction worker, her mother a blue-eyed, blonde beauty with a mysterious past. Jane has grown up straddling both worlds though she considers herself more Seneca than White. She started helping people in danger disappear while still in college and didn't quit until she married her longtime friend Carey. She promised him she would not risk her life for others once they were married and she stuck to that promise until he asked her to break it to help a friend of his escape from the police because he had been framed for murder.
Years have passed since that time and Jane had no intention of going back to her unusual occupation until this pregnant woman shows up.
Perry once again demonstrates his eye for detail and his careful construction of both the plot and the secondary characters that populate his novels. He has a strong narrative voice and it is on full display in "Runner."
If you're a Jame Whitefield fan - and you should be - you'll love this book. If you haven't read any of her adventures, I'd recommend that you do because they are all top-notch thrillers.
What she hasn't been doing is hiding people from those that want them dead. She did that once but doesn't any longer.
That changes when a pregnant young woman shows up at her door asking for help.
Jane can't refuse, even though she knows it will put a strain on her marriage to the man she adores; the man who doesn't like her risking her life to save others.
"Runner" is, perhaps, author Thomas Perry's most intense Jane Whitefield mystery. The action begins with the bombing of a hospital fundraiser and it continues building throughout the novel. The pregnant woman is being sought by a team of professional "chasers" who work for a California real estate mogul. He wants the young woman back, not because he loves her but because his future actually depends upon it. His wealthy parents, who founded the real estate empire he now runs, have threatened to cut him off if he does not produce an heir before the end of the year.
Jane is one of contemporary fiction's most intriguing characters. Her father was a Seneca construction worker, her mother a blue-eyed, blonde beauty with a mysterious past. Jane has grown up straddling both worlds though she considers herself more Seneca than White. She started helping people in danger disappear while still in college and didn't quit until she married her longtime friend Carey. She promised him she would not risk her life for others once they were married and she stuck to that promise until he asked her to break it to help a friend of his escape from the police because he had been framed for murder.
Years have passed since that time and Jane had no intention of going back to her unusual occupation until this pregnant woman shows up.
Perry once again demonstrates his eye for detail and his careful construction of both the plot and the secondary characters that populate his novels. He has a strong narrative voice and it is on full display in "Runner."
If you're a Jame Whitefield fan - and you should be - you'll love this book. If you haven't read any of her adventures, I'd recommend that you do because they are all top-notch thrillers.
February 11, 2009
Jane Whitfield is the wife of a surgeon living on the outskirts of Buffalo, when a young pregnant girl Christine Monahan asks her for help at a hospital charity function, which has just been interrupted by a bombing. Christine believes that the bombing was meant to draw her into the open and she is right.
It turns out that Whitfield has made a career as a sort of underground railroad, helping people who need to escape a perilous situation. People who she helped have her phone number and send victims to her for aid.
The story moves along as Whitfield gets fake id's for her Christine and herself, uses some of her contacts with forgers, and demonstrates to the reader -- this one at least, and the victim, that she is very dangerous indeed by taking out one of the pursuers with a car.
So at the same time that we have her trying to protect the quarry, we also have the hunters come to life. There is Richard, the sleezy ex boyfriend who has been stealing from his parents, who needs her, and especially the baby to satisfy his parents lust for a new child to take over the family business. There is also the parents Ruby and Andy Beale, who pull no stops to threaten there son to get the baby and no stops to try to get Christine to return to them.
Eventually, Whitfield has to rescue Christine from a bad situation.
The novel moves along a good satisfying pace and Whitfield and Christine are very believable characters. This was a character that Perry had utilized in the past and his writing about her is not tired and while I think some of the story could be a little forced -- chiefly the fact that Whitfield was having problems having a baby, it does show provide a reason for Whitfield to come out of retirement. For me the action is fresh and interesting.
It turns out that Whitfield has made a career as a sort of underground railroad, helping people who need to escape a perilous situation. People who she helped have her phone number and send victims to her for aid.
The story moves along as Whitfield gets fake id's for her Christine and herself, uses some of her contacts with forgers, and demonstrates to the reader -- this one at least, and the victim, that she is very dangerous indeed by taking out one of the pursuers with a car.
So at the same time that we have her trying to protect the quarry, we also have the hunters come to life. There is Richard, the sleezy ex boyfriend who has been stealing from his parents, who needs her, and especially the baby to satisfy his parents lust for a new child to take over the family business. There is also the parents Ruby and Andy Beale, who pull no stops to threaten there son to get the baby and no stops to try to get Christine to return to them.
Eventually, Whitfield has to rescue Christine from a bad situation.
The novel moves along a good satisfying pace and Whitfield and Christine are very believable characters. This was a character that Perry had utilized in the past and his writing about her is not tired and while I think some of the story could be a little forced -- chiefly the fact that Whitfield was having problems having a baby, it does show provide a reason for Whitfield to come out of retirement. For me the action is fresh and interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2009
First Sentence: The girl kept half-turning in the back seat to stare out the rear window of the cab, as though she were being chased across Buffalo to the hospital.
In the past 10 years, Jane Whitefield no longer helps people in need disappear from their lives. She has married and is living with her husband, Dr. Carey McKinnon in Buffalo New York. Organizing a fund raiser at the hospital, Jane feeling that something is wrong is proved correct when an explosion occurs.
A young, very pregnant, woman tells Jane she is the cause. She is being sought by six people and needs to disappear in order to keep herself, and her baby, safe.
What happened? I used to love the Jane Whitefield books but this was dreadful from the very beginning. ---NOT REALLY A SPOILER since it happens within the first few pages--- Even the initial premise of the bad guys setting off a bomb so the hospital would be evacuated and they could kidnap the girl was absurd. Hello?!? If you want the hospital to be evacuated, you call in a bomb threat, not set one off. And that they set the bomb off in the kitchen the night there just happened to be a fundraiser? No, no, no.
Nothing worked here. It was basically a long road trip without much suspense. The motive behind it all made the book a basic wall-banger for me. I’m afraid, to quote the “Who” song, “Won’t get fooled again.” Skip this one.
RUNNER (Susp-Jane Whitefield-US-Cont) – NR
Perry, Thomas – 6th in series
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780151015283
In the past 10 years, Jane Whitefield no longer helps people in need disappear from their lives. She has married and is living with her husband, Dr. Carey McKinnon in Buffalo New York. Organizing a fund raiser at the hospital, Jane feeling that something is wrong is proved correct when an explosion occurs.
A young, very pregnant, woman tells Jane she is the cause. She is being sought by six people and needs to disappear in order to keep herself, and her baby, safe.
What happened? I used to love the Jane Whitefield books but this was dreadful from the very beginning. ---NOT REALLY A SPOILER since it happens within the first few pages--- Even the initial premise of the bad guys setting off a bomb so the hospital would be evacuated and they could kidnap the girl was absurd. Hello?!? If you want the hospital to be evacuated, you call in a bomb threat, not set one off. And that they set the bomb off in the kitchen the night there just happened to be a fundraiser? No, no, no.
Nothing worked here. It was basically a long road trip without much suspense. The motive behind it all made the book a basic wall-banger for me. I’m afraid, to quote the “Who” song, “Won’t get fooled again.” Skip this one.
RUNNER (Susp-Jane Whitefield-US-Cont) – NR
Perry, Thomas – 6th in series
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780151015283
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January 23, 2017This is book six in a series I have not read. The book stands alone and I was able to read it without feeling I was missing important details. Perry writes well. He knows how to use the standard thriller ingredients and give them a bit of a twist.
Jane Whitefield helps people escape from their enemies, a dangerous husband, a crooked partner, an obsessed or obsessive person, whoever it is that threatens the life of the victim. She is now married and has tried to give up her job but people keep needing help. Christine is pregnant and wants to escape from her 'creep' of a partner, a violent controlling bully. The problem is she is pregnant and his family want the child.
The plot is tight and twisty and the characters are people we care about. It is a violent book, not for those who value human life, but it is a good read and certainly a good thriller.
Jane Whitefield helps people escape from their enemies, a dangerous husband, a crooked partner, an obsessed or obsessive person, whoever it is that threatens the life of the victim. She is now married and has tried to give up her job but people keep needing help. Christine is pregnant and wants to escape from her 'creep' of a partner, a violent controlling bully. The problem is she is pregnant and his family want the child.
The plot is tight and twisty and the characters are people we care about. It is a violent book, not for those who value human life, but it is a good read and certainly a good thriller.
March 27, 2010
After living with her husband quietly for five years, Jane Whitefield is contacted by a young pregnant girl seeking refuge. Of course, Jane cannot refuse and helps her escape, but the runner makes a mistake, forcing Jane to mount a daring rescue.
August 20, 2018
This is my first Jane Whitefield book and can't compare it to the other books but I thought it was a very interesting read. The author knows how to capture your attention from chapter one. I will definitely read the series...in order of course!
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