Run

by Matthew Becker

A BestThrillers Book Awards 2024 Finalist
2025 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Judges' Top Pick
Hawthorne Prize 2025 Short List

"A fast-paced, well-crafted thriller!"—Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling author


'I LOVE YOU. I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT.'
When Congressional staffer Ben Walsh receives this cryptic text from his wife he initially doesn’t think much of it.

But while waiting to hear from her again, Ben discovers that the text came an hour before a shooting that occured along her daily running route. Veronica won’t pick up her phone, and when she doesn’t return home, he knows she is somehow involved.

If she isn’t one of the victims, then where is she, and what did she know?

While Ben searches for his wife, he stumbles upon another violent death, with clear connections to the shooting. The police name Veronica as their main suspect, and when more evidence suggesting his wife’s involvement appears, even Ben has to reconsider what he knows about her.

Unbeknownst to Ben, a killer from Veronica’s past stalks his family, with his own reasons for wanting to find her. What Ben does know is his best chance at saving Veronica, and keeping her out of prison, is finding her and the truth before the police—or this killer—do. But what if the truth is even more deadly than he could imagine?

RUN is a psychological thriller full of twists and turns that questions if you can ever outrun your past. From the mind of debut author Matthew Becker, find the truth behind a string of murders in a novel perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Alex Finlay, and Isabella Maldonado.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Matthew Becker is a former mathematician who worked as part of the national Covid-19 response. He has a doctorate in applied mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is published in the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology.

Matthew currently lives with his wife, a U.S. diplomat, and their two children in Nicaragua. An avid thriller reader, he loves stories with dense, twisted plots and emotional gravitas.

You can find him most active on Instagram, @ matthewbeckerbooks, and learn more on his website, www.matthewbeckerbooks.com

Reviews

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a talented new voice in fiction comes Matthew Becker with his debut, RUN, a high-adrenaline suspense psychological and political thriller. With twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages when a woman's mysterious past becomes connected to a string of murders.

Can you run from your past?

About...

Congressional staffer Ben Walsh receives a cryptic text from his wife, Veronica —' I LOVE YOU. I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT.'

When he doesn't hear from her again, he recalls the text came in about an hour before a shooting that occurred along her daily running route. When she does not return, he is worried she is involved. Is she a victim?

How is Veronica connected? Does he know his wife and her past? Now, the police are naming her as the main suspect. Who is stalking his family? He must find his wife. But what if the truth is even more deadly than he could imagine?

My thoughts...

RUN is a razor-sharp, complex, high-powered thriller with a highly relatable hero that will keep you guessing. A dazzling debut!

Ben, the protagonist of 'RUN,' is a character you can't help but root for. His journey through the twists and turns of this intriguing debut thriller is both relatable and compelling. Fans of the genre will devour every page.

Becker's expertise shines through in RUN, a fast-paced, complex thriller that is as well-written as it is razor-sharp. The book is a suspenseful masterclass, with a gripping mix of political and international intrigue that will keep you guessing until the end.

New fans will be eagerly anticipating the next installment. Be sure to check out the author's extensive background.

Recs...

RUN is for fans of Harlan Coben, David Baldacci, Robert Gold, Alex Finlay, Charlie Donlea, and Rick Mofina.

Interview:

Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Matthew for behind-the-scenes of RUN and more up close and personal from this new talented voice in fiction.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sept 24, 2024
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Sept 2024 Must-Read Books
Sept 26: #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This D.C. crime thriller with off-the-charts emotional intelligence is a must-read.

U.S. congressional staffer Ben Walsh doesn’t usually receive texts from his wife during working hours. When he does, the first three words are a comfort: “I love you.” But what comes next fills him with unease: “I just need you to know that.”

When Veronica doesn’t answer his calls, Ben is increasingly filled with paranoia and anxiety. Could the mother of his children be cheating on him? Soon, he learns that a shooting happened along her daily running route in Rock Creek Park. When Ben still can’t reach her, he fears the worst. Thankfully, Veronica isn’t listed among the shooting victims. But that news adds little comfort as he struggles to make sense of what might be happening.

Born in Mexico, Veronica is a math professor at Georgetown University. Her star pupil was Jacob Jordan, a man serving time for an attempted assassination of the President of the United States.

A day after her mysterious text message, Ben is baffled (Not off in some hotel room, not a victim in the shooting, and not here at home where she belonged). He files a missing persons report, but naturally realizes that he needs to take matters into his own hands. He interviews her colleagues. He speaks with her family. He explores Georgetown in hopes of finding anyone with a potential lead. Gradually, he discovers that there’s far more to his wife than he ever suspected. Is Veronica even her real name?

Debut novelist Matthew Becker makes extensive use of flashbacks as Ben unpacks both old and new information about his wife. As Ben turns amateur sleuth, we spend a lot of time in his head, most of which is engrossing as he rides wave upon wave of emotions while attempting to solve his wife’s disappearance. There are moments when he truly doesn’t want to believe what he discovers. At times, it's unclear whether something is really a sign, or whether it's in his imagination. Becker walks the line between reality and imagination expertly.

On its own merits, the basic plot would add up to a satisfying read. But Becker – himself a mathematician – delivers gold as he begins laying the groundwork for a number of math-focused payoffs in the second half of the novel. Math geeks will delight as he references symbology, historical figures (“wasn’t the Unabomber a great mathematician?”) and a truly fascinating theorem that may be relevant to the investigation. And for those of us who failed to advance past basic Algebra, Becker provides just enough exposition so we can follow along.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run is a political themed thriller set in America. It takes place during the lead up to the election of the next President of The United States.

The story opens with a failed assassination attempt on the current President. It is foiled by an off-duty officer who becomes a national hero. The story then moves forward; congressional staffer Ben Walsh receives a strange text message from his wife who then disappears.

While much of the story centres around Ben and the search for his wife, there are chapters that give vital backstory about some of the key characters. Ben is trusting and believes in the strength of his marriage, but these beliefs are tested the more Ben digs into his wife’s life before he knew her.

I rarely enjoy American politics, but I took a chance on this story and in fact the politics are more of a background noise than central to the tale. I liked the intrigue surrounding Ben’s wife and enjoyed uncovering the truth alongside Ben. There is some violence but I wouldn’t describe it as the high octane level which you get with some thrillers. I read the book over a couple of days and although I had an inkling about the ending, my guess wasn’t completely correct.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

A real page turner with many surprises and multiple misdirections, not the least of which is revealed on the LAST page!

Superb thriller!

[Ashley G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run is an outstanding debut thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat and dares you to set it down. This is a fast-paced DC political thriller with twists and turns throughout. Becker's superb storytelling capabilities drew me in from the first chapter and kept me engaged until the last. Becker writes in a way that makes you feel like you are an eyewitness to everything that is happening.

Run has everything you want in a good thriller - constant suspense and twists, memorable characters, and a premise that draws you in from the start. From the beginning, you are captivated by Ben and Veronica - a happily married, seemingly "normal" couple whose lives are turned upside down when Veronica's past comes back to haunt her. Then the unthinkable happens - Veronica disappears after a mass shooting leaving everyone to question why she left and her involvement in these unthinkable events. Past secrets are revealed and far more than you can imagine comes to light as Veronica's past collides with the present. The shocking ending did not disappoint and had me thinking about it even after the final chapter.

Run is one of the most fun books I've read in awhile. Becker has hit it out of the park with this debut novel.

[Linda schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the rating stop you from reading this

This is not my cup of tea. Saying that, the story was engaging and made me want to see what happened next. I do not rate a 5 unless I can or stop thinking about it. This is a good, thrilling and worth reading book.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a page turner for me. The plot was unique (which can be hard to do in mystery IMO). I loved that it was fast paced and from different perspectives. I did not guess the spoilers until right before it was revealed. I liked that it was politically based, but not in your face. Usually don’t like a lot of character build up in a book, but I do think just a little bit more would have been good to really invest in the characters. The only thing that I had a difficult time with was the writing style - each character seemed to have the same vocabulary and way of speaking, instead of each having their own distinct “voice” and personality. If this were someone’s 10th book, that would have turned me off a lot more and would have rated it lower because of this, but with a debut it isn’t as big of a deal. The plot kept me engaged! There were a couple of things that I didn’t find very believable, but that’s also subjective. Glad I read it!

[Kelsey Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a fantastic debut novel for an author I will eagerly be following! I was instantly hooked by this DC thriller, a story that had me anxiously flipping page after page, seeking answers. I could not put this down! Matthew Becker wove a fascinating tale that balanced a fast-paced, twisting plot with a deep dive into the raw emotions of a family living their own worst nightmare. I loved getting to follow each character, struggling alongside them, and cheering them each on through the end. What a ride… and that ending?! You bet I’ll be reading the next! Cheers to Becker! I look forward to more epic stories by this new author!

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well done! The ongoing plot twists, nuanced characters, and satisfying ending made this a thriller I couldn’t put down. It’s hard to find a mystery/thriller that actually answers all the questions that come up throughout the story and also ends the book in a way that isn’t too up in the air or too neatly tied in a bow - this one did both so well. I’m excited to read the next one by the author!

[Mary Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly paced with great foreshadowing that I, once again, failed to recognize until it came to fruition. Interesting plot. Potentially one too many characters with the one agent who didn’t end up being much of anything? Really enjoyed this!

[Simone · Rating 2 out of 5]

It got boring after a while.

Every chapter is someone else’s story, so you have to keep track of who is who every time. I didn’t enjoy the book that much, I hate not finishing a book so I just got through it to get it done.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m normally not a thriller girlie but I could not put this down! 10/10 pacing and storytelling - this kept me guessing right til the very end. Can’t wait to read the sequel!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you want to keep reading

Interesting storyline, good plot twists. I loved Veronica's character. The ending was good, it made me want to read the next book!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Kept me guessing til the end. Already looking forward to the next one!

[Jaclyn Eckert]

This is a page turning can't stop reading book. Get it, read it, enjoy it. I will read more by him.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by a former customer of ours, who, as a kid, used to shop with his family at our store. He and his brother gobbled up thrillers like they were candy, and I’m happy to say, Becker has now written an excellent one of his own. I have rules when I’m reading a thriller, and if they don’t meet them, I always feel a lack. They are: upping the ante; the seemingly unsolvable problem; the twist; specifity; and pace.

Becker ups the ante right off the bat. Ben and Veronica, a happy, seemingly ideal couple, are suddenly split apart when Veronica disappears after a mass shooting in a Washington DC park. Immediately, the reader is on Ben’s side as he tries to find his wife, the only clue being a mysterious text she’d sent him out of the blue before her disappearance. There’s the unsolvable problem: where is Veronica, and why has she disappeared?

Ben has some advantages going for him. He’s smart and capable and he works for a Congresswoman. Even more to his advantage, his best friend appears to be the front runner in an upcoming presidential race. He has strings to pull and he pulls all of them, including the string that ties to Veronica’s place of employment – she’s a gifted mathematician and a professor. The math parts are Becker’s specific details that make this book stand out. While I’m not a math-y person, it didn’t matter, as the clues were laid out and explained fairly, and they added that important and grounding note of believability to the story.

This book is full of twists, which I’m not going to give away in a review, but there’s a look at deeper, unknown motives for the characters that are discovered throughout the book. Harlan Coben is excellent at this, and Becker has obviously learned at the feet of the master. I will say there are family ties and connections that are unexpected and provide all the twists any reader could want.

Last on my list is pace, which no good book lacks. This book is well paced and had me looking forward to opening the pages after I’d been away from it for a bit. It was hard to put down. But the last rule of thrillers, which has never made it to my official list, is that the main character is sort of an everyday hero. From John Buchan to Dick Francis on down to Harlan Coben, the main character is a relatable person who in the worst of circumstances steps up and most importantly, does what’s right. Ben fills that bill.

This is a very well told and put together thriller. I loved the DC setting (another specific element of the book) and I really liked Ben and was on his side the whole time. While his hunt is for Veronica, it’s Ben the reader roots for as they read. (Veronica is basically the MacGuffin.) Ben is a worthy hero to drape this wonderfully constructed story around. This is a terrific debut.

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run is the first published novel by Matthew Becker, an American mathematician who currently lives with his family in Tashkent where his wife is a US diplomat. It has been published by Aethon Thrills, the recently set up Thriller division of Aethon Books which specialises in SciFi and Fantasy books predominately aimed at the youth and young adult markets. I was grateful to have the opportunity to read Run in advance of publication.

At the outset we meet Ben and Veronica, a successful couple in their thirties with a young family. We learn of their aspirations and we meet some of their friends. Very quickly their busy but pleasant life is shattered when Veronica disappears after sending a cryptic text message. Ben is understandably distraught, causing him to wonder just who he was married to. He is also desperate for help to find her but just who can he trust?

The central narrative is told in the third person, mainly following Ben but also follows his friend, Jeremy, the investigation team and other more shadowy characters. There are also chapters written in the first person detailing the back story of “The Girl”. Most of the characters appear believable. For all his experience I found Ben a little naïve at times but maybe that just reflected his desperation. A storyline that I found most compelling was that of “The Girl”. Whilst we should not condone her actions I am aware that across the world there are countless young people who have limited behaviour choices.

True to his background Matthew Becker uses his mathematical knowledge as a clue, leading Ben towards the truth. There is a tense and lively episode following which the whole story is explained. Yes there were a few surprises but also several outcomes that I had anticipated – perhaps I was supposed to.

The end of the book suggests that there could be more to come from some of these characters and the publisher’s website describes the book as Run Book 1 so one or more sequels could be on their way.

All things considered I found Run a good read. I have awarded four stars.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to be reviewed by Rosie's Book Review team.

Ben’s wife, Veronica, is missing. She went out for a run and never came home.

A news story about the bodies of four runners being found causes Ben greater anguish as the route his wife Veronica runs goes right by the place where the bodies were found.

Ben works a high profile job as the aide for a politician. He enlists the assistance of his friend Jeremy who is mounting a run for president. With his contacts, perhaps they can get past any bureaucratic walls of the police investigation to find out if Veronica was a victim or perhaps just a witness who is hiding because of concerns she may be a target of the killer if he knew she saw him. But if that was the case, why didn’t she call and say she was fine?

Ben is sure they have a strong marriage and she wasn’t having an affair. She would never leave him and the two children. At least he’s adamant about that. Unsure of anything else, that’s one thing he knows in his gut.

When no real answers are forthcoming about her whereabouts, Ben decides to become an investigator himself. He believes he can find her if no one else can.

The story has many twists and turns. I figured out a lot of it early on as I always challenge myself to do. Two big surprises were obvious to me but I still enjoyed the story a lot. Great character in Ben and his relationship with his in laws is very good. I love how they all supported each other and stepped up to protect the children from worry about their mother.

This is a fast paced story and I enjoyed it very much. The only thing I’d say that bothered me was the formatting on Apple Books. The chapter headings were at the end of the chapter before and the page headings were in the middle of the page.  It was a bit distracting but fixable for the author and I still kept reading as the plot compelled me on.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run is the debut novel from mathematician Matthew Becker, in which the wife of a Congresswoman’s chief of staff, Ben, simply disappears after going for a run. Veronica is a maths professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC who grew up in Mexico, but has always been very reluctant to discuss her past even with her husband. We get the distinct impression she is hiding something. The novel is slow to get going as there is a lot of setting up with chapters from various points of view that the reader has no clue as to their identity or relevance.
The book opens with an attempt on the president’s life by a lone gunman, who is thwarted by an off-duty secret service agent. This agent just happens to be Ben’s best friend, Jeremy, who has since become something of a national hero and is now running for president himself. Ben receives a strange text message from his wife, but thinks nothing of it until she disappears. Four students are shot while out running in the same area where Veronica usually runs. When she cannot be found, Ben assumes the worst. The police don’t seem all that concerned and Ben has to turn detective to find his missing wife.
This is a tense and gripping story, with lots of red herrings, twists and false trails, though I did work out who was behind it all earlier than I usually do. The characters are well drawn, the setting at the heart of government suitably impressive, but politics is not the main theme of this thriller, just the background. Matthew Becker uses his mathematical expertise for Veronica to leave clues, which fortunately were explained for those of us not familiar with this sort of thing. The ending makes me think that we have not seen the last of these characters, but I could be wrong. Run is an impressive debut novel which I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to reading his next one. Thanks to the author and Aethon Books for a digital copy that I review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

How well do you know your spouse?

Ben Walsh is just an average Washington D.C. congressional staffer, working day in and day out for congresswoman Chamique Moore. Not often disturbed by his wife while working, a cryptic “I love you” text from Veronica catches him off guard. Unable to reach her as he tries off and on, all day, he’s anxious to return home. Yet, when she’s not there he becomes ever aware of the news story reporting a local shooting, that happens to be directly on Veronica’s daily running route.

Ben’s best friend, up and coming presidential candidate Jeremy Wiles, as well as his in-laws, provide needed support as he searches for his missing wife, and maintains a sense of routine for his young twins. As the story continues to unfold, Veronica’s past slowly surfaces, leading us to question how much we really know about our significant others. In this riveting political thriller, author Matthew Becker ensnares readers as we waver between loyalty and deception.

“Run” is a high stakes chase for a missing wife and killer, as Becker plays to the dichotomy of whether these are one in the same, or two different people at large. As the developing story unravels readers are taken into the mind of various characters as their paths slowly converge.

Buckle up as Becker leads us down a trail of political uncertainty and muddy pasts, as we race to the finish line. Leaving just enough breadcrumbs, “Run” is a shocking thrill ride, enjoyable to the very last pages.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Walsh receives a odd text from his wife and when he hears of a shooting along her running route he tries to text her but when he doesn’t get a reply he knows she is involved somehow. Ben doesn’t find her among the victims. The police detective makes her the prime suspect, but Ben can’t believe that either, not his wife or? What Ben does know the only way to clear her name is by solving the case before the police.
This is an awesome thriller and narrator Derek Austin is great at bringing this book to life. He makes you feel like you are part of the story. The author is a master at holding some of the cards back so you don’t always see what is coming. The book is not only action packed but full of suspense. This audio grabbed me and held me until the very end, and I loved every minute of it.

[book_luv_r · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧

I think I would’ve scored this book higher had the narration been better. Wimpy voice made it not so enjoyable at times. There were times when the narrator was supposedly voicing the female voice in the past. I would question every time who he was supposed to be. This book should have had a female narrator for certain parts.

The story itself started out 5 stars. Once his wife goes missing things gradually got worse. This had a very implausible storyline, but that’s not why I only gave it 3 stars. The story was weak.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line was a good one. but the writing really needed work. These are sophisticated people yet so much of the dialog and thoughts sound more like young kids. And what kind of idiot who knows his wife is missing, invites a stranger into his home. Many times, he ignores the parents' misgivings. Just not believable. And the deal with the rose - is it real (petals fell off as he came down the stairs]? If so. when/how was it purchased?

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! I planned on just starting it one afternoon and then I was totally consumed by the storyline and mystery! I read it in less than a day!! Excellent character development, fast paced and exciting story!! I ordered copies for my three adult kids as gifts!! I look forward to Matt Beckers next book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love it when I’m deep in the throes of a well written mystery thriller and find myself suddenly thinking: “Wow. I sure didn’t see that coming.” I found myself in that position several times in my reading of Run. I recommend this well-written and engaging novel, with no reservations, to those who like a good murder mystery – or I should say - a good quintuple murder mystery.

[Patricia Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

DC mystery

Ben is married to Veronica who teaches at a local college.. she turns up missing after death of runners on a trail .. Jeremy poses as a friend of the couple & offers to help find her.. but she has a violent back story of being a mob boss’s daughter.. quick read.. intriguing ending

[Mr Mark Hawksford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run -

I enjoyed this book but felt there were a few issues with the plot. I will not highlight them in the review as they will give away some important parts of the plot. I did suspect who was the guilty party but didn’t see the very final part of the story. Overall, a good read. 4.5 out of 5 from me.

[Ilona · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 read jun2025 for book club
This was a fun read with lots of twists. There is a shooting and Ben’s wife, Veronica, goes missing. Turns out she has a past with Yancey, an el Salvadoran drug lord. Ben and his best friend, a presidential candidate look for her. But the one u wouldn’t expect is the culprit. Set in dc area with politics involved.

[Pam Bickford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be well written and artfully crafted. It kept my interest throughout and had more than enough twists to keep me guessing! Thoroughly enjoyable! I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the author’s next release!!

[K.T. Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rocket-fast debut thriller is packed with secret identities, questionable allegiances, and international intrigue. The intricate plot and cleverly crafted clues will keep you guessing who and what you can trust until the final page.