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Midnight Run
A secret hidden for 80 years. A promise to a dying man. And a deadly chase with the US government for the truth…
Leon Aronofsky loses more than just his job after passing out at the office party. And while he’d often thought it was a strange place to work—even by the twisted standards of a London Media Agency—things abruptly take a shocking and potentially life-ending turn when he finally wakes up. Alone and in the dark, he soon discovers he’s not only trapped in the building but that the agency is actually a front for a secret technology project so out of this world that the U.S. Government are suddenly trying to kill him.
When a dying colleague convinces Leon and ex-physicist, Izzy Jones, they must keep the secret safe, it throws them into an unknown, underground world of covert organisations, paid assassins and Silicon Valley billionaires.
Armed with little more than a brutal hangover—and the vague assurances of Quinn, a shadowy American agent—can they find a way to stay alive? Who can they really trust? And how will they stop the secret from falling into the wrong hands and still make it home in time for Friday night dinner?
Leon Aronofsky loses more than just his job after passing out at the office party. And while he’d often thought it was a strange place to work—even by the twisted standards of a London Media Agency—things abruptly take a shocking and potentially life-ending turn when he finally wakes up. Alone and in the dark, he soon discovers he’s not only trapped in the building but that the agency is actually a front for a secret technology project so out of this world that the U.S. Government are suddenly trying to kill him.
When a dying colleague convinces Leon and ex-physicist, Izzy Jones, they must keep the secret safe, it throws them into an unknown, underground world of covert organisations, paid assassins and Silicon Valley billionaires.
Armed with little more than a brutal hangover—and the vague assurances of Quinn, a shadowy American agent—can they find a way to stay alive? Who can they really trust? And how will they stop the secret from falling into the wrong hands and still make it home in time for Friday night dinner?
502 pages, ebook
Published April 20, 2024
About the author
Oliver A. Kenton
2 books1 followerOliver has spent most of his working life in design. Over the years, he's worked his way through a bunch of ad and design agencies you’ve probably never heard of until, eventually, he ended up as a Creative Director for a global digital consultancy. Then finally, after thinking about it for twenty-five years, his casual addiction to great movies and American TV, science fiction, the Apollo moon landings, UFOs and Marvel comics got the better him and he wrote a book - Midnight Run
In the other bits of his life, Oliver rattles around north-west London trying to keep up with the (mostly) loving demands of his family and the other strange animals that live in his house. Then, if there’s any time left, he avoids dairy, goes for the odd run, and walks his dog Indiana (yes, yes, that Indiana). Occasionally he bakes sourdough bagels from scratch.
In the other bits of his life, Oliver rattles around north-west London trying to keep up with the (mostly) loving demands of his family and the other strange animals that live in his house. Then, if there’s any time left, he avoids dairy, goes for the odd run, and walks his dog Indiana (yes, yes, that Indiana). Occasionally he bakes sourdough bagels from scratch.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 17, 2024
Hooked from page one.
A friend recommended that I read this book. I was a little hesitant as, although I am an avid reader, it isn’t the genre I usually read. However, I did and can honestly say that I was hooked from page one. The character descriptions are wonderful and the author has an amazing way of helping you see everything as he imagined. It is so cleverly written; serious and tense where needed yet light and funny when appropriate. (I literally laughed out loud in numerous places!)
This is author is fresh and exciting. How long do we have to wait for book #2??
A friend recommended that I read this book. I was a little hesitant as, although I am an avid reader, it isn’t the genre I usually read. However, I did and can honestly say that I was hooked from page one. The character descriptions are wonderful and the author has an amazing way of helping you see everything as he imagined. It is so cleverly written; serious and tense where needed yet light and funny when appropriate. (I literally laughed out loud in numerous places!)
This is author is fresh and exciting. How long do we have to wait for book #2??
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August 9, 2024Great story
I have to say, the story started slow, for me. I had to put it down a few times. However, about a third of the way, I was hooked. I stayed up half the night to finish it. I have a smile on my face. Truly came to love the characters. Very intrigued with the how the story came together.
I have to say, the story started slow, for me. I had to put it down a few times. However, about a third of the way, I was hooked. I stayed up half the night to finish it. I have a smile on my face. Truly came to love the characters. Very intrigued with the how the story came together.
January 13, 2025
A fun read!
A little slow at the beginning but well paced, kept one in the story. Found myself wanting the next tidbit of information. Nice plot twists!
A little slow at the beginning but well paced, kept one in the story. Found myself wanting the next tidbit of information. Nice plot twists!
June 17, 2024
Midnight Run
The writer has not only produced a brilliant,fast moving science fiction book but has the talent of being able to build a picture of each character that he introduces in a skillful and humorous manner. A fantastic first book.
The writer has not only produced a brilliant,fast moving science fiction book but has the talent of being able to build a picture of each character that he introduces in a skillful and humorous manner. A fantastic first book.
September 4, 2024
Not my usual read but I very much enjoyed this.
October 1, 2024
Oh no, there are a lot of POV characters. Typically, that means I don't get invested in any of them soon enough...
And in fact, DNF at 16%. Not only are there too many POV shifts, there's some head-hopping, and there's an overabundance of explaining thoughts and reactions rather than just showing them. It's that kind of prose. Some people enjoy it, and that's fine, but I don't; it wears on my patience until it snaps.
The vague curiosity about where this one's going may stay, but the ability to endure what irritates me has waved the white flag.
And in fact, DNF at 16%. Not only are there too many POV shifts, there's some head-hopping, and there's an overabundance of explaining thoughts and reactions rather than just showing them. It's that kind of prose. Some people enjoy it, and that's fine, but I don't; it wears on my patience until it snaps.
The vague curiosity about where this one's going may stay, but the ability to endure what irritates me has waved the white flag.
February 11, 2026
So many things here, but all drawn together so well.
Simply enough, Leon gets to know Izzy a little better at his workplace staff party, and that’s the last time anything will be normal again. In their separate locations (no spoilers), they hear a huge explosion, and it seems that all matter present there has fused. A dying colleague entrusts them with secret data, and that’s where the titular Midnight (and, indeed, quite a bit of time) Run comes from. A couple of normal people are plunged into a world of spies, billionaires, scientists, soldiers, all out to get what they have. How they survive is an entertaining story.
Features: Alien technology.
Simply enough, Leon gets to know Izzy a little better at his workplace staff party, and that’s the last time anything will be normal again. In their separate locations (no spoilers), they hear a huge explosion, and it seems that all matter present there has fused. A dying colleague entrusts them with secret data, and that’s where the titular Midnight (and, indeed, quite a bit of time) Run comes from. A couple of normal people are plunged into a world of spies, billionaires, scientists, soldiers, all out to get what they have. How they survive is an entertaining story.
Features: Alien technology.
October 23, 2025
Loved the chemistry of the main characters. Surprising and funny and I don't usually like funny.
August 11, 2024
The author's style definitely isn't for everyone. Round-about sentences that have too much exposition just make it aggravating to read. The supposedly witty phrases crammed into the sentences are annoying and unnatural. Read two chapters and figured I had better things to do. Did not finish.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews