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Runner 13: A Thriller
An exhilarating thriller set against a 250-mile foot race in the Sahara Desert, where at least one ultramarathoner is running for her life
Adrienne Wendell was once an exceptional ultramarathoner, a runner whose times were within striking distance of setting records. Years ago, she gave it all up when her son Ethan was hit by a car while she was in a race and unable to come to his help. He survived, but it horrified her that she had not been around to help. There was another reason she put running behind she had leveled a career-ending accusation at one of the world’s most celebrated coaches—just before he mysteriously died. She instantly became a pariah in the running community.
Now seven years have passed, and Adri is back on her feet. She’s headed to Morocco for a staggering 250-mile race through the Sahara Desert organized by none other than Boones—a race director so mysterious and elusive he only goes by one name. Boones’s races are famously sadistic. Routes can change moments before the starting gun fires, and inevitably there are bizarre challenges that test the runners’ will and stamina. Adri is here to prove that, despite everything that has happened, she can still do it. But she’s also here for answers to the mysteries that cloud her past, and she’s as determined to find them as she is to finish the race. The only question is who is trying to stop her.
There are secrets swirling in the hot desert sands, and as Adri gets closer to the explosive truth, the danger climbs with every step she takes.
Adrienne Wendell was once an exceptional ultramarathoner, a runner whose times were within striking distance of setting records. Years ago, she gave it all up when her son Ethan was hit by a car while she was in a race and unable to come to his help. He survived, but it horrified her that she had not been around to help. There was another reason she put running behind she had leveled a career-ending accusation at one of the world’s most celebrated coaches—just before he mysteriously died. She instantly became a pariah in the running community.
Now seven years have passed, and Adri is back on her feet. She’s headed to Morocco for a staggering 250-mile race through the Sahara Desert organized by none other than Boones—a race director so mysterious and elusive he only goes by one name. Boones’s races are famously sadistic. Routes can change moments before the starting gun fires, and inevitably there are bizarre challenges that test the runners’ will and stamina. Adri is here to prove that, despite everything that has happened, she can still do it. But she’s also here for answers to the mysteries that cloud her past, and she’s as determined to find them as she is to finish the race. The only question is who is trying to stop her.
There are secrets swirling in the hot desert sands, and as Adri gets closer to the explosive truth, the danger climbs with every step she takes.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2025
63 people are currently reading
9301 people want to read
About the author
Amy McCulloch
13 books830 followersAmy McCulloch is a Chinese-White author, born in the UK, raised in Ottawa, Canada, now based in London, UK. She has written several novels for children and young adults, and been published in over fifteen different languages. Her debut adult novel, BREATHLESS, releases in 2022.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
July 15, 2025
An Ultimate Challenge: A 250 mile run in the hot Moroccan desert. Only a select few runners can join- but only upon invitation. This trek also has a few twists to raise the stakes.
We follow Adrienne, the elite runner, on this ultimate quest to return to running but also find out who attempted to kill her son 7 years earlier.
The highs, the lows, the pains and the gains. The exclusive way an ultra runner can compartmentalize while in the pain cave, fascinating. It really makes one wonder the lengths a body and mind can go to complete one of these gruelling races.
McCulloch writes from her own ultra experience and delivers an atmospheric chilly tale.
4⭐️
For those who are intrigued by these ultras, do check out the Barkley Marathons on Netflix.
We follow Adrienne, the elite runner, on this ultimate quest to return to running but also find out who attempted to kill her son 7 years earlier.
The highs, the lows, the pains and the gains. The exclusive way an ultra runner can compartmentalize while in the pain cave, fascinating. It really makes one wonder the lengths a body and mind can go to complete one of these gruelling races.
McCulloch writes from her own ultra experience and delivers an atmospheric chilly tale.
4⭐️
For those who are intrigued by these ultras, do check out the Barkley Marathons on Netflix.
July 19, 2025
EEEK!!! BANGER ALERT! BANGER ALERT! Adrenaline-fueled, propulsive, and beyond realistic, Runner 13 was a white-knuckle ride from beginning to end. With two compelling, likable narrators and an exotic locale that came alive on the page, I fell in love with this book in no time at all. Already on my list of authors who I adore, Ms. McCulloch outdid herself this time around. The Queen with a capital Q of survival thrillers, this action-packed race of thrills and chills kept me on the edge of my seat all while dropping one shocking twist after the other. From unexpected appearances of new characters to out-of-the-blue dastardly deeds, I couldn’t get enough of this intense, pitch-perfect novel.
Speaking of those characters, the dual POVs of Adrienne and Stella were simply sublime. While I started out hating one and loving the other, I spent the rest of the novel growing attached to them both. And with a supporting cast of equally spot-on personas, there wasn’t a single weakness to be found within this motley crew of adrenaline-seeking nut jobs—which includes the author. That’s right, she’s also a hardcore ultramarathoner, which surely impacted her ability to bring this world to life. From the runner’s high to the pain cave, I could easily put myself in their shoes as they endured the heart-pumping action and cat-and-mouse chase.
All said and done, if you love extreme environments and bodies dropping like flies, you’re going to want to grab this book now. You see, I literally ignored everything going on around me just to read one more immersive page thanks to the cliffhanger chapters that just would not let me go. Chock full of unbridled suspense, drama-filled scandals, and long-buried secrets, the thoroughly original premise will easily top my list of best books of the year. I mean, there was even a dysfunctional family dynamic and a podcaster angle included for good measure. So, if you’re looking for an under-hyped new release sure to thrill you right from the start, look no further because this book fits that bill to a T. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Seven years ago, Adri left the running world after a major scandal. She leveled an explosive, and as it turns out career-ending, accusation at one of the world’s most celebrated coaches—and then he died suddenly. Now, after years away from the limelight, she’s ready to race again. Adri is hungry for a challenge, and she’s picked one of the toughest events imaginable: a 250-mile trek through the Sahara Desert organized by a mysterious and famously sadistic race director. It will be a true test of her will and her stamina, proof that after all these years, she can still do it. But she’s also there to get closure on the mysteries that cloud her past. Was her family targeted by one of her coach’s defenders? Was his death due to natural causes?
Adri is determined to finish the race and to find the answers to these long-buried questions. But clarity is hard to come by out in the Sahara’s extreme conditions. And as a number of runners start dropping out, some from the heat and others under more mysterious circumstances, it becomes clear that there’s someone out there in the desert trying to stop anyone from winning—by any means necessary.
Thank you to Amy McCulloch and Doubleday Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 1, 2025
Scroll to see my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: heart attack, sexual assault, death of a sibling, gun violence, mention of: hit-and-run accident
Speaking of those characters, the dual POVs of Adrienne and Stella were simply sublime. While I started out hating one and loving the other, I spent the rest of the novel growing attached to them both. And with a supporting cast of equally spot-on personas, there wasn’t a single weakness to be found within this motley crew of adrenaline-seeking nut jobs—which includes the author. That’s right, she’s also a hardcore ultramarathoner, which surely impacted her ability to bring this world to life. From the runner’s high to the pain cave, I could easily put myself in their shoes as they endured the heart-pumping action and cat-and-mouse chase.
All said and done, if you love extreme environments and bodies dropping like flies, you’re going to want to grab this book now. You see, I literally ignored everything going on around me just to read one more immersive page thanks to the cliffhanger chapters that just would not let me go. Chock full of unbridled suspense, drama-filled scandals, and long-buried secrets, the thoroughly original premise will easily top my list of best books of the year. I mean, there was even a dysfunctional family dynamic and a podcaster angle included for good measure. So, if you’re looking for an under-hyped new release sure to thrill you right from the start, look no further because this book fits that bill to a T. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Seven years ago, Adri left the running world after a major scandal. She leveled an explosive, and as it turns out career-ending, accusation at one of the world’s most celebrated coaches—and then he died suddenly. Now, after years away from the limelight, she’s ready to race again. Adri is hungry for a challenge, and she’s picked one of the toughest events imaginable: a 250-mile trek through the Sahara Desert organized by a mysterious and famously sadistic race director. It will be a true test of her will and her stamina, proof that after all these years, she can still do it. But she’s also there to get closure on the mysteries that cloud her past. Was her family targeted by one of her coach’s defenders? Was his death due to natural causes?
Adri is determined to finish the race and to find the answers to these long-buried questions. But clarity is hard to come by out in the Sahara’s extreme conditions. And as a number of runners start dropping out, some from the heat and others under more mysterious circumstances, it becomes clear that there’s someone out there in the desert trying to stop anyone from winning—by any means necessary.
Thank you to Amy McCulloch and Doubleday Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 1, 2025
Scroll to see my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: heart attack, sexual assault, death of a sibling, gun violence, mention of: hit-and-run accident
June 27, 2025
3.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request for the ARC of 'Runner 13' by Amy McCulloch. I was pleased to receive the early digital edition of the book, as I had enjoyed her previous two thrillers, Midnight and Breathless, which featured women facing danger in extreme environments —specifically, an Antarctic journey and mountain climbing. This book is centred on Adrienne, a well-known runner in extreme ultra-marathons.
Seven years earlier, Adri was at the top of her sport in an earlier ultra-marathon. When she crossed the finish line, she learned that her young son was in the hospital. An unknown hit-and-run driver had seriously injured him. Adri had made herself unpopular by blaming a trainer for sexual assault. People thought she was lying, and fans and some racers turned against her. Was the attack on her son in revenge for her scandalous claim? She quit the racing world at the top of her game to be with her son, who has now recovered. Her ex-husband, Pete, is now engaged to Stella, who photographs the extreme races, and is the daughter of Boones, the enigmatic and sadistic race organizer. He is inattentive to Stella, putting all his thoughts and energy into organizing the ultimate in extreme races.
Adri receives an invitation from Boones to participate in the most extreme, exhausting, and difficult upcoming ultra-marathon called Hot and Sandy. The race will begin in Morocco, covering 250 miles through the Sahara Desert. She wants to prove she still has her former endurance and skills, and has been promised the answer to who deliberately injured her son if she finishes the race. Other participants have been told they will have a wish granted, and the winner will receive $500,000. This sets up extreme rivalry, and the competition is fierce.
These experienced runners will face extreme heat, rough trails, slippery terrain, strenuous climbs to mountain passes, hunger, and dehydration with only the equipment they can carry. These are not the only obstacles that one must endure. Boones delights in changing rules, adding unpleasant surprises, and putting the participants in further danger.
The story is told through the perspectives of Adri and Stella, with excerpts from a podcast by Jason and Marc. This is a clever, complex, multi-layered storyline. It immersed the reader in the gruelling, heart-pounding race through the desert landscape. The physical preparation and calm mental state of the racers were of utmost importance. I found the narrative and descriptions to be loose, and tension and suspense would have increased if the writing had been tighter. There were some amazing twists revealed after early hints and clues, as well as deliberate misdirection.
Problems began as soon as Adri arrived at the starting point. Her ex-husband, Pete, was there with Stella, and he was joining the race. He was sent home for failing a drug test, which was foreign to his nature. Once the race begins, Adri feels she is being stalked. The coach she outed as a sexual predator had been killed, and she dreads that her accusing him put her son's life in danger. Several die under mysterious circumstances or receive life-threatening injuries. There seems to be a killer with a gun among the racers and perhaps another with lethal intent. What could their motive be? With the injured and dead piling up, who, if anyone, will be left alive at the finish line?
I recommend Runner 13, as well as the author's two previous and exciting thrillers. The date of publication is July 01/2025.
Seven years earlier, Adri was at the top of her sport in an earlier ultra-marathon. When she crossed the finish line, she learned that her young son was in the hospital. An unknown hit-and-run driver had seriously injured him. Adri had made herself unpopular by blaming a trainer for sexual assault. People thought she was lying, and fans and some racers turned against her. Was the attack on her son in revenge for her scandalous claim? She quit the racing world at the top of her game to be with her son, who has now recovered. Her ex-husband, Pete, is now engaged to Stella, who photographs the extreme races, and is the daughter of Boones, the enigmatic and sadistic race organizer. He is inattentive to Stella, putting all his thoughts and energy into organizing the ultimate in extreme races.
Adri receives an invitation from Boones to participate in the most extreme, exhausting, and difficult upcoming ultra-marathon called Hot and Sandy. The race will begin in Morocco, covering 250 miles through the Sahara Desert. She wants to prove she still has her former endurance and skills, and has been promised the answer to who deliberately injured her son if she finishes the race. Other participants have been told they will have a wish granted, and the winner will receive $500,000. This sets up extreme rivalry, and the competition is fierce.
These experienced runners will face extreme heat, rough trails, slippery terrain, strenuous climbs to mountain passes, hunger, and dehydration with only the equipment they can carry. These are not the only obstacles that one must endure. Boones delights in changing rules, adding unpleasant surprises, and putting the participants in further danger.
The story is told through the perspectives of Adri and Stella, with excerpts from a podcast by Jason and Marc. This is a clever, complex, multi-layered storyline. It immersed the reader in the gruelling, heart-pounding race through the desert landscape. The physical preparation and calm mental state of the racers were of utmost importance. I found the narrative and descriptions to be loose, and tension and suspense would have increased if the writing had been tighter. There were some amazing twists revealed after early hints and clues, as well as deliberate misdirection.
Problems began as soon as Adri arrived at the starting point. Her ex-husband, Pete, was there with Stella, and he was joining the race. He was sent home for failing a drug test, which was foreign to his nature. Once the race begins, Adri feels she is being stalked. The coach she outed as a sexual predator had been killed, and she dreads that her accusing him put her son's life in danger. Several die under mysterious circumstances or receive life-threatening injuries. There seems to be a killer with a gun among the racers and perhaps another with lethal intent. What could their motive be? With the injured and dead piling up, who, if anyone, will be left alive at the finish line?
I recommend Runner 13, as well as the author's two previous and exciting thrillers. The date of publication is July 01/2025.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2025
If The Hunger Games and Into Thin Air had a love child and set it loose in the Sahara, you'd get something like Runner 13. I picked the book up expecting a twisty thriller and got that plus an ultra-marathon through hell. And, I loved it.
Amy McCulloch knows the terrain—both physical and psychological. The 250-mile race across the Sahara is grueling, and she makes you feel every blister, every grain of sand, every ounce of heat. Pain here isn’t just physical—it’s tied to memory, regret, and guilt. The race strips everyone bare, especially Adri, the protagonist, who’s not just running through the heat but from a scandal that scorched her career years ago.
As a runner—one with absolutely no desire to go beyond a marathon—McCulloch had me reconsidering. Her writing on pain, obsession, and endurance is so visceral, so raw, that even the idea of the “pain cave” (which sounds like a horror movie setting) starts to make a strange kind of sense. She captures the mindset of endurance athletes with unnerving precision—but you don’t need to be a runner to get pulled into it.
The race itself feels like a confessional. You meet the other competitors, but more importantly, you watch Adri slowly unravel. There’s something about extreme physical suffering that forces honesty—maybe more than anyone wants. The threads of endurance and reckoning twist tighter with each checkpoint.
And then there’s the killer.
As runners start dropping out—some from heat, others under more suspicious circumstances—you realize this is also a locked-room mystery, just stretched across endless dunes. That blend of psychological thriller and survival epic reminded me of the Hunger Games, but with a grown-up edge. The runners are isolated in a hostile environment, stalked by someone who doesn’t want anyone to finish. The mental and physical toll, combined with the constant threat of death, echoes the arena in Panem. And if Into Thin Air showed the peril of Everest’s cold indifference, Runner 13 trades it for the Sahara’s blistering hostility, where one bad decision could be your last.
And, yes, some plot points do stretch believability. But let’s be honest—this is a story about a 250-mile death race in the desert with a killer on the loose. Hyper-realism isn’t exactly the priority, nor should it be.
If you’re looking for something fast-paced, psychologically sharp, and deeply immersive, Runner 13 hits like a sandstorm: sudden, disorienting, and impossible to ignore. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself Googling ultramarathons afterward. If so, my advice? Trust no one, hydrate often, and maybe skip the desert death race.
Amy McCulloch knows the terrain—both physical and psychological. The 250-mile race across the Sahara is grueling, and she makes you feel every blister, every grain of sand, every ounce of heat. Pain here isn’t just physical—it’s tied to memory, regret, and guilt. The race strips everyone bare, especially Adri, the protagonist, who’s not just running through the heat but from a scandal that scorched her career years ago.
As a runner—one with absolutely no desire to go beyond a marathon—McCulloch had me reconsidering. Her writing on pain, obsession, and endurance is so visceral, so raw, that even the idea of the “pain cave” (which sounds like a horror movie setting) starts to make a strange kind of sense. She captures the mindset of endurance athletes with unnerving precision—but you don’t need to be a runner to get pulled into it.
The race itself feels like a confessional. You meet the other competitors, but more importantly, you watch Adri slowly unravel. There’s something about extreme physical suffering that forces honesty—maybe more than anyone wants. The threads of endurance and reckoning twist tighter with each checkpoint.
And then there’s the killer.
As runners start dropping out—some from heat, others under more suspicious circumstances—you realize this is also a locked-room mystery, just stretched across endless dunes. That blend of psychological thriller and survival epic reminded me of the Hunger Games, but with a grown-up edge. The runners are isolated in a hostile environment, stalked by someone who doesn’t want anyone to finish. The mental and physical toll, combined with the constant threat of death, echoes the arena in Panem. And if Into Thin Air showed the peril of Everest’s cold indifference, Runner 13 trades it for the Sahara’s blistering hostility, where one bad decision could be your last.
And, yes, some plot points do stretch believability. But let’s be honest—this is a story about a 250-mile death race in the desert with a killer on the loose. Hyper-realism isn’t exactly the priority, nor should it be.
If you’re looking for something fast-paced, psychologically sharp, and deeply immersive, Runner 13 hits like a sandstorm: sudden, disorienting, and impossible to ignore. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself Googling ultramarathons afterward. If so, my advice? Trust no one, hydrate often, and maybe skip the desert death race.
July 22, 2025
5 Stars for this phenomenal reading experience!
Amy McCulloch completely impressed me with her debut, Breathless, a few years back. Her follow-up, though, left me puzzled and a bit let down, so I approached Runner 13 with cautious expectations. I’m thrilled to report that it not only delivered – it might just surpass Breathless. McCulloch clearly thrives in the realm of expedition-based thrillers, and this one absolutely earned every one of the five stars I’m giving it.
After receiving a surprise, and irresistible, invitation of a lifetime to participate in an Ampersand ultramarathon called Hot & Sandy, Adrienne Wendell (or Adri), is hoping to redeem herself after a scandalous incident seven years ago nearly ended her running career. But this isn’t just any race. As the miles stretch on and the conditions grow more brutal, and one runner after another meet an abrupt end to their race, Adri realizes something far more sinister is at play – and it’s clear not everyone is meant to cross the finish line. As danger lurks in the shadows, she must push past her limits to find both redemption and the answers that have haunted her for years.
McCulloch was clearly in her element writing about ultramarathon running – her firsthand experience shines through on every page. I was blown away by how informative this was – McCulloch doesn’t just tell a gripping story; she pulls you deep into the physical and mental demands of ultramarathon running with incredible detail. I felt like I learned so much while still being completely hooked by the suspense. The novel also weaves in a compelling, multi-layered mystery that slowly unravels through chapters set seven years earlier. This dual timeline added depth and suspense, keeping me completely hooked as the pieces gradually fell into place. Beyond the thrills, this is a powerful story of love, loyalty and the fierce lengths a mother will go to for her child and anyone she loves, I just couldn’t help but love Adri!
What an unforgettable journey this one was! After reading this novel, I’ve gained a whole newfound respect for the sheer grit and resilience of distance runners! After this read, I’m all in for the next adventure McCulloch takes us on!
Amy McCulloch completely impressed me with her debut, Breathless, a few years back. Her follow-up, though, left me puzzled and a bit let down, so I approached Runner 13 with cautious expectations. I’m thrilled to report that it not only delivered – it might just surpass Breathless. McCulloch clearly thrives in the realm of expedition-based thrillers, and this one absolutely earned every one of the five stars I’m giving it.
After receiving a surprise, and irresistible, invitation of a lifetime to participate in an Ampersand ultramarathon called Hot & Sandy, Adrienne Wendell (or Adri), is hoping to redeem herself after a scandalous incident seven years ago nearly ended her running career. But this isn’t just any race. As the miles stretch on and the conditions grow more brutal, and one runner after another meet an abrupt end to their race, Adri realizes something far more sinister is at play – and it’s clear not everyone is meant to cross the finish line. As danger lurks in the shadows, she must push past her limits to find both redemption and the answers that have haunted her for years.
McCulloch was clearly in her element writing about ultramarathon running – her firsthand experience shines through on every page. I was blown away by how informative this was – McCulloch doesn’t just tell a gripping story; she pulls you deep into the physical and mental demands of ultramarathon running with incredible detail. I felt like I learned so much while still being completely hooked by the suspense. The novel also weaves in a compelling, multi-layered mystery that slowly unravels through chapters set seven years earlier. This dual timeline added depth and suspense, keeping me completely hooked as the pieces gradually fell into place. Beyond the thrills, this is a powerful story of love, loyalty and the fierce lengths a mother will go to for her child and anyone she loves, I just couldn’t help but love Adri!
What an unforgettable journey this one was! After reading this novel, I’ve gained a whole newfound respect for the sheer grit and resilience of distance runners! After this read, I’m all in for the next adventure McCulloch takes us on!
July 4, 2025
4.25 stars. This bingeable thriller/whodunnit takes place during a highly competitive race of endurance in the Sahara desert. It kept me on the edge of my seat and second guessing myself to the very end. The audio was fantastic. Really enjoyed this. 🎧 Pub. 7/1/25
June 28, 2025
As a superfan of IRONMAN, the Olympics, and thrillers (obviously), "Runner 13" by Amy McCulloch had me hitting my runner's high, a euphoric trifecta of adrenaline, ambition, and absolute suspense.
In a grueling 250-mile ultra-marathon across the Sahara, elite runner Adri returns to the sport to reclaim her reputation—only to find herself outrunning more than just competitors. As injuries mount and suspicions rise, she realizes the real danger isn’t the race, but the killer hidden among them.
This novel hit the ground running (literally!) with the disposition and background executed swiftly and effortlessly to deliver the reader to the starting line of this epic race. I was giddy with anticipation for the gun to go off but this race turns into something sinister immediately. The multi-POV elevates the story into a robust web of plot points heading for a collision course at any moment. This adds a layer of juicy suspense knowing we're all headed down a dark and windy path with an array of twists you won't see coming.
Three-quarters in you might hit your wall, feeling as though you are running along side these uber-athletes but out of no where will come your second wind. Ok I am done with the running puns...
But it's all part of the journey to the end of the race and to solve the mystery.
"Runner 13" is the perfect pick for sports fans—that love a murdery vibe—all from the comfort of their couch.
Thank you to Amy McCulloch, Doubleday, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.
In a grueling 250-mile ultra-marathon across the Sahara, elite runner Adri returns to the sport to reclaim her reputation—only to find herself outrunning more than just competitors. As injuries mount and suspicions rise, she realizes the real danger isn’t the race, but the killer hidden among them.
This novel hit the ground running (literally!) with the disposition and background executed swiftly and effortlessly to deliver the reader to the starting line of this epic race. I was giddy with anticipation for the gun to go off but this race turns into something sinister immediately. The multi-POV elevates the story into a robust web of plot points heading for a collision course at any moment. This adds a layer of juicy suspense knowing we're all headed down a dark and windy path with an array of twists you won't see coming.
Three-quarters in you might hit your wall, feeling as though you are running along side these uber-athletes but out of no where will come your second wind. Ok I am done with the running puns...
But it's all part of the journey to the end of the race and to solve the mystery.
"Runner 13" is the perfect pick for sports fans—that love a murdery vibe—all from the comfort of their couch.
Thank you to Amy McCulloch, Doubleday, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.
May 30, 2025
Adrienne Wendell quit running marathons seven years ago, for a couple of reasons. During her last race, her phone died and she didn’t know that her young son had been injured in a hit-and-run accident until she crossed the finish line. While he ended up being okay, her guilt at putting running before him made her give up her passion. She also spoke out about her former coach sexually assaulting her, right before he died, making her a target for internet trolls. It’s not until she gets a personal invitation to the “Hot & Sandy” race that she decides to run again.
Boones has hosted two of these ultramarathons, and this will be the third and biggest. It’s five days of running through the Sahara Desert, covering 250 miles of Morocco while carrying your own supplies and dealing with the harsh environment, all for the shot at $500,000. But Boones doesn’t make this seemingly impossible task any easier; he is known for adding “surprises” to his races, purposefully making tracks and rules that put people in danger, and overall being a sadistic jerk.
Adrienne flies to Morocco, joins up with some other runners she knew back in the day, then finds out her ex-husband Pete is also running. Furthermore, she finds out he’s engaged..to Boones’s daughter, Stella, who handles the photography for these marathons. The book is written from their points of view, along with excerpts from the Ultra Bros podcast, hosted by Jason and Mac. They knew this race will be monumental, not only because of what the contestants have to endure, but because Adrienne will be there, with all of her history dragging her down.
This book was flat-out AMAZING. The author also ran a marathon in the Sahara Desert, and you can tell from the imagery and the internal dialogue of the characters - so many times I felt like I was right there in the desert, too. There are so many layers to this book - it’s not just about the race, it’s about Adrienne’s love for her son, Stella’s hesitant love for her family, and the mystery of the dead coach. Did her son’s accident have anything to do with her outing him as a sexual abuser? If it did, can Adrienne forgive herself? Who will win the race, and will anyone die trying? This was unbelievably suspenseful, thrilling, unique, enthralling and heartbreaking. Five stars - don’t sleep on this one. It will probably end up in my top five books of the year!
(Thank you to Doubleday Books, Amy McCulloch and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 1, 2025.)
Boones has hosted two of these ultramarathons, and this will be the third and biggest. It’s five days of running through the Sahara Desert, covering 250 miles of Morocco while carrying your own supplies and dealing with the harsh environment, all for the shot at $500,000. But Boones doesn’t make this seemingly impossible task any easier; he is known for adding “surprises” to his races, purposefully making tracks and rules that put people in danger, and overall being a sadistic jerk.
Adrienne flies to Morocco, joins up with some other runners she knew back in the day, then finds out her ex-husband Pete is also running. Furthermore, she finds out he’s engaged..to Boones’s daughter, Stella, who handles the photography for these marathons. The book is written from their points of view, along with excerpts from the Ultra Bros podcast, hosted by Jason and Mac. They knew this race will be monumental, not only because of what the contestants have to endure, but because Adrienne will be there, with all of her history dragging her down.
This book was flat-out AMAZING. The author also ran a marathon in the Sahara Desert, and you can tell from the imagery and the internal dialogue of the characters - so many times I felt like I was right there in the desert, too. There are so many layers to this book - it’s not just about the race, it’s about Adrienne’s love for her son, Stella’s hesitant love for her family, and the mystery of the dead coach. Did her son’s accident have anything to do with her outing him as a sexual abuser? If it did, can Adrienne forgive herself? Who will win the race, and will anyone die trying? This was unbelievably suspenseful, thrilling, unique, enthralling and heartbreaking. Five stars - don’t sleep on this one. It will probably end up in my top five books of the year!
(Thank you to Doubleday Books, Amy McCulloch and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 1, 2025.)
March 24, 2025
4.75 stars rounded up (would have been a solid 5 stars but deducted 1/4 for who was the hit and run driver!). This one is very much in the vein of Breathless, which sees a group of people in an extreme environment, as people get injured or killed… who is behind it all? This one is the opposite extreme to Breathless, being set primarily in the Sahara desert (barring the opening in cold and wet Yorkshire, and flashbacks to sunny Ibiza), and whereas before I found the scenery/temperature descriptions monotonous in Breathless, I didn’t find that as much with Runner 13… maybe it’s because as a runner myself, I was more interested in the ultramarathon race they ran? (Though god knows I couldn’t do that race, furthest I’ve managed is 10K! If I ever worked up to ultra distance, it wouldn’t be in the extreme hot or cold).
Overall I liked the characters and plot, which ticks along at a good pace. You suspect several of the people, and happily I did spot a few things ahead of their reveal which is always nice! My only tiny niggle was in who was revealed as the hit and run driver, and the real truth never being told… hence 1/4 star deduction - but otherwise a solid excellent read and I’d recommend it! You might even want to lace up your running shoes after…
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Overall I liked the characters and plot, which ticks along at a good pace. You suspect several of the people, and happily I did spot a few things ahead of their reveal which is always nice! My only tiny niggle was in who was revealed as the hit and run driver, and the real truth never being told… hence 1/4 star deduction - but otherwise a solid excellent read and I’d recommend it! You might even want to lace up your running shoes after…
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
Bravo Amy McCulloch! Add me to your fan-base.
Runner 13 puts new meaning into the words: "RUNNER" and "THRILLER". Everything about this novel was interesting, competitive, enlightening, thrilling, and pretty dangerous. I read this both on e-book as well as on Audible Audiobook (which I purchased because it is my preferred method of reading). You'll meet sympathetic characters and spiteful, nasty characters as well.
The FMC is Adri and her family includes her kind/caring, ex-husband, Pete, and their young son. The running world seems to be a small one in this novel, especially when it comes to the elite ultra-marathon runners who are challenged with an exhausting and dangerous race through the Sahara. Yes, as in the desert. Wind storms, no cell-phones, limitations, and the runners have to carry everything they need. The man behind it is evil and awful, but it made for a good backdrop full of tension and drama. You'll meet other meaningful people who are involved in the personal lives of some of the runners, the photographer, and the -ex. One of the coolest things on the audiobook version is a feature where there are 2 men who run a live-action podcast during this marathon. The male podcast narrators share coverage of events in the form of a break from the 2 female narrators (who are both outstanding) and are on "live", which brings humor, information, interest, and a great element to his new novel, Runner 13.
Runner 13 happens to be the lucky # given in the race to Adri, a competitive, seasoned, marathon runner, and this is not her first rodeo in any form. There are many twists and turns and it's fun to be along the ride (or run) with Adri and her competition.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author McCulloch, and the publisher for this fun and fabulous e-book. NOTE: I purchased the audible audiobook because it's even better to have the voices and M.C.'s doing the sound bits. Get it now!
Publisher's Blurb: An exhilarating thriller set against a 250-mile foot race in the Sahara Desert, where more than one ultramarathoner will be running for their lives. Seven years ago, Adri left the running world after a major scandal. She leveled an explosive, and as it turns out career-ending, accusation at one of the world’s most celebrated coaches—and then he died suddenly. Now, after years away from the limelight, she’s ready to race again. Adri is hungry for a challenge, and she’s picked one of the toughest events a 250-mile trek through the Sahara Desert organized by a mysterious and famously sadistic race director.
Runner 13 puts new meaning into the words: "RUNNER" and "THRILLER". Everything about this novel was interesting, competitive, enlightening, thrilling, and pretty dangerous. I read this both on e-book as well as on Audible Audiobook (which I purchased because it is my preferred method of reading). You'll meet sympathetic characters and spiteful, nasty characters as well.
The FMC is Adri and her family includes her kind/caring, ex-husband, Pete, and their young son. The running world seems to be a small one in this novel, especially when it comes to the elite ultra-marathon runners who are challenged with an exhausting and dangerous race through the Sahara. Yes, as in the desert. Wind storms, no cell-phones, limitations, and the runners have to carry everything they need. The man behind it is evil and awful, but it made for a good backdrop full of tension and drama. You'll meet other meaningful people who are involved in the personal lives of some of the runners, the photographer, and the -ex. One of the coolest things on the audiobook version is a feature where there are 2 men who run a live-action podcast during this marathon. The male podcast narrators share coverage of events in the form of a break from the 2 female narrators (who are both outstanding) and are on "live", which brings humor, information, interest, and a great element to his new novel, Runner 13.
Runner 13 happens to be the lucky # given in the race to Adri, a competitive, seasoned, marathon runner, and this is not her first rodeo in any form. There are many twists and turns and it's fun to be along the ride (or run) with Adri and her competition.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author McCulloch, and the publisher for this fun and fabulous e-book. NOTE: I purchased the audible audiobook because it's even better to have the voices and M.C.'s doing the sound bits. Get it now!
Publisher's Blurb: An exhilarating thriller set against a 250-mile foot race in the Sahara Desert, where more than one ultramarathoner will be running for their lives. Seven years ago, Adri left the running world after a major scandal. She leveled an explosive, and as it turns out career-ending, accusation at one of the world’s most celebrated coaches—and then he died suddenly. Now, after years away from the limelight, she’s ready to race again. Adri is hungry for a challenge, and she’s picked one of the toughest events a 250-mile trek through the Sahara Desert organized by a mysterious and famously sadistic race director.
June 13, 2025
Alright, fellow thriller fiends, gather 'round, because Amy McCulloch is about to drop a bomb of a book on July 1, 2025, and it's called RUNNER 13. If you're a fan of high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping reads that make you question your own sanity (in the best way possible), then STOP EVERYTHING and make sure this is on your radar.
Remember how "Breathless" had us gasping for air on a mountain? Well, this time, McCulloch is taking us to the Sahara Desert for a 250-mile ultra-marathon called the "Hot & Sandy." And let me tell you, "sandy" is probably the least of anyone's worries in this book.
Our protagonist, Adri, is an elite runner trying to stage a comeback after a past scandal. She's got bib #13, which, if you're into superstitions (and in a thriller, you should be!), already screams "DANGER!" The race is organized by the infamous and mysterious Boones, whose events are notoriously sadistic. So, you know, just a chill, relaxing jog through the desert. NOT.
Things quickly go from "extreme endurance challenge" to "OMG IS THAT A BODY?!" because, naturally, someone is turning this race into a hunting ground. Adri isn't just trying to win; she's trying to survive a killer stalking the hot, vast, unforgiving dunes. And being at the front of the pack, with that chilling number on her back, puts her squarely in the crosshairs.
This book was a ridiculously immersive experience. McCulloch's own ultra-running background means every blistering step, every moment of dehydration, every psychological battle felt terrifyingly real. You'll practically feel the sand in your teeth and the sun scorching your skin while you frantically flip pages.
If you fancy a story a la Agatha Christie meets Marathon des Sables with a dash of "who's going to die next?!" energy, then this is for you reader. If you love a good mystery blended with relentless suspense, where the environment itself is a character trying to kill you, then Runner 13 is going to be your summer must-read.
Remember how "Breathless" had us gasping for air on a mountain? Well, this time, McCulloch is taking us to the Sahara Desert for a 250-mile ultra-marathon called the "Hot & Sandy." And let me tell you, "sandy" is probably the least of anyone's worries in this book.
Our protagonist, Adri, is an elite runner trying to stage a comeback after a past scandal. She's got bib #13, which, if you're into superstitions (and in a thriller, you should be!), already screams "DANGER!" The race is organized by the infamous and mysterious Boones, whose events are notoriously sadistic. So, you know, just a chill, relaxing jog through the desert. NOT.
Things quickly go from "extreme endurance challenge" to "OMG IS THAT A BODY?!" because, naturally, someone is turning this race into a hunting ground. Adri isn't just trying to win; she's trying to survive a killer stalking the hot, vast, unforgiving dunes. And being at the front of the pack, with that chilling number on her back, puts her squarely in the crosshairs.
This book was a ridiculously immersive experience. McCulloch's own ultra-running background means every blistering step, every moment of dehydration, every psychological battle felt terrifyingly real. You'll practically feel the sand in your teeth and the sun scorching your skin while you frantically flip pages.
If you fancy a story a la Agatha Christie meets Marathon des Sables with a dash of "who's going to die next?!" energy, then this is for you reader. If you love a good mystery blended with relentless suspense, where the environment itself is a character trying to kill you, then Runner 13 is going to be your summer must-read.
July 11, 2025
Ugh. This author. Not sure why everyone likes her work so much. The concept was incredibly intriguing, but the execution was just bad. She has all the hallmarks of an immature writer… melodramatic chapter cliffhangers, formal (unrealistic) dialogue, over-explaining, a Scooby-Doo ending. Blerrrrgh. I mean I’m clearly an outlier here, so take all this with a grain of salt… but hey, at least I finished her book this time. Progress?
July 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ - tons of fun! I love the way Amy McCullough writes about sports that push humans to their limits. She makes you feel like you are right there alongside them and spares no details. Then throw in some killer twists and voila! A great time!
August 4, 2025
This was good. I’m not a huge thriller fan but this one held my interest and didn’t elicit any significant eye rolls, which means I stayed engaged, didn’t predict twists and enjoyed the ride. Being a runner myself (not one like these characters, though! Hoo boy!) I found the ultrarunner culture fascinating. But I could relate to the “pain cave” from a few races I’ve done, and I understand the determination and grit required to push the body beyond expected limits. Clearly the author does too - this was a voice of experience! Yes, there’s some belief suspension, but often that’s what makes a good story. Nice fast light read - recommend!
March 5, 2025
Amy McCulloch is absolutely fantastic at writing this sort of novel. Breathless had me completely immersed in the mountain-climbing world, and this one had me fascinated by ultra running. The research that went into writing this book was so evident, and I am in awe of anyone who genuinely runs such insane distances!
The world-building was brilliant, I really felt the oppressive heat and sheer scale of the Sahara desert, and could easily picture the setting for the race. The characters were extremely vivid too, and I really enjoyed getting to know them and following their story.
I would 100% recommend this book. I really enjoy a book where I feel that I have learned something as well as just liking the story, and that was definitely the case here.
The world-building was brilliant, I really felt the oppressive heat and sheer scale of the Sahara desert, and could easily picture the setting for the race. The characters were extremely vivid too, and I really enjoyed getting to know them and following their story.
I would 100% recommend this book. I really enjoy a book where I feel that I have learned something as well as just liking the story, and that was definitely the case here.
August 13, 2025
3.5
Fast paced and a lot to unpack. I wasn’t 100% satisfied with all how everything wraps up BUT it was an incredibly unique setting and context for a story so I really enjoyed that.
Fast paced and a lot to unpack. I wasn’t 100% satisfied with all how everything wraps up BUT it was an incredibly unique setting and context for a story so I really enjoyed that.
July 15, 2025
#ad so much love for my finished copy @doubledaybooks #partner
& @prh.audio #partner for the ALC
🅡🅤🅝🅝🅔🅡 ❶❸
< @amymccullochbooks >
ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
And oof! This author is just an amazing human - she used her real life marathon run in the Sahara desert as inspiration for writing this book. (Minus all the dying.)
“And, in his mind, diamonds are only made under extreme pressure. Otherwise they remain part of the dirt,” (p. 104).
Adrienne has just received a special invitation to one of the most selective marathons in the world. At first, she thought it had to be a joke - until she turned the invite over. What she saw on the back? It stole the breath from her lungs. She’s going to this race - it wasn’t a joke.
The race? Only ten people have ever finished it - and none of them were women.
Boone, the sadistic mastermind behind the event, has created a brutal, nearly impossible course. He’s not just the head honcho - he’s a twisted genius with a plan that pushes runners to their breaking point. And somehow, 34 runners have already dropped out before the race even starts.
But with half a million dollars on the line, what would you do to win?
Then there’s Stella - she’s here to document the race as a photographer. She also happens to be the race owner’s daughter… something she doesn’t like to advertise. Oh, and did I mention? She’s now engaged to Adrienne’s ex-husband. Yep.
Adrienne is Runner 13. The runner expected to either win it all - or crash and burn. And she has the number.
Let the race begin.
𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤:
The Pain Cave
The Sahara Shuffle 😂😂
Oof! The drama!! I devoured this book. It was an absolute blast to read. When I first discovered this gem of a book I knew I had to read it - and Amy DELIVERED. The setting? Perfect. The theme? Even better.
It entertains straight through to the jaw-dropping end.
🎧 I listened to the audiobook while following along, and let me just say - this is one of those stories you have to experience in audio! The narrators bring this to life. The podcast chapters were equally amazzzzing. Jill Winternitz and Sarah Durham deserve awards for this performance.
Netflix, Hulu, Fox - where you at?!
This book needs to be a movie or limited series. 🥳
TW:
Sexual assault
Cancer
Hit & Run
Suicide
& @prh.audio #partner for the ALC
🅡🅤🅝🅝🅔🅡 ❶❸
< @amymccullochbooks >
ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
And oof! This author is just an amazing human - she used her real life marathon run in the Sahara desert as inspiration for writing this book. (Minus all the dying.)
“And, in his mind, diamonds are only made under extreme pressure. Otherwise they remain part of the dirt,” (p. 104).
Adrienne has just received a special invitation to one of the most selective marathons in the world. At first, she thought it had to be a joke - until she turned the invite over. What she saw on the back? It stole the breath from her lungs. She’s going to this race - it wasn’t a joke.
The race? Only ten people have ever finished it - and none of them were women.
Boone, the sadistic mastermind behind the event, has created a brutal, nearly impossible course. He’s not just the head honcho - he’s a twisted genius with a plan that pushes runners to their breaking point. And somehow, 34 runners have already dropped out before the race even starts.
But with half a million dollars on the line, what would you do to win?
Then there’s Stella - she’s here to document the race as a photographer. She also happens to be the race owner’s daughter… something she doesn’t like to advertise. Oh, and did I mention? She’s now engaged to Adrienne’s ex-husband. Yep.
Adrienne is Runner 13. The runner expected to either win it all - or crash and burn. And she has the number.
Let the race begin.
𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤:
The Pain Cave
The Sahara Shuffle 😂😂
Oof! The drama!! I devoured this book. It was an absolute blast to read. When I first discovered this gem of a book I knew I had to read it - and Amy DELIVERED. The setting? Perfect. The theme? Even better.
It entertains straight through to the jaw-dropping end.
🎧 I listened to the audiobook while following along, and let me just say - this is one of those stories you have to experience in audio! The narrators bring this to life. The podcast chapters were equally amazzzzing. Jill Winternitz and Sarah Durham deserve awards for this performance.
Netflix, Hulu, Fox - where you at?!
This book needs to be a movie or limited series. 🥳
TW:
Sexual assault
Cancer
Hit & Run
Suicide
August 16, 2025
Imagine running for your life across the scorching Sahara Desert, where every step could be your last, that's the exhilarating world Amy McCulloch has carved out in her unique thriller niche. "Runner 13" showcases her talent for combining extreme environments with endurance sports, creating the perfect backdrop for heart-stopping suspense.
The chase scenes left me breathless (no pun intended). I found myself reading with tense muscles, as if I too was racing across scorching sand dunes, heart pounding, desperate to escape whatever was closing in. McCulloch has a knack for making you feel the physical strain alongside the psychological terror.
Adri quickly became a character I rooted for wholeheartedly. Her guts and resilience shine throughout, but what really hooked me was understanding her deeply personal reasons for joining such a punishing race. By contrast, I struggled to connect with Stella. Her storyline never quite grabbed me the way Adri's did, and I found myself rushing through her sections to get back to the main action.
McCulloch's writing is impressively tight, with not a wasted word in sight. The reveals came at perfect intervals, each one genuinely surprising me when I thought I had it all figured out.
That ending, though? My moral compass went haywire. Days later, I'm still debating whether I loved or hated it. The best kind of ethical gray area that makes you question what you would do in the same situation.
The overall audiobook production was an immersive, pulse-racing listen that kept me riveted through every chapter. The dual narration made the POV shifts more distinct, especially when experiencing the book exclusively through audio.
Despite my mixed feelings about the conclusion, "Runner 13" is absolutely worth your time especially if you crave thrillers that venture beyond ordinary settings into territory as unforgiving as the human psyche.
Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for my gifted copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
The chase scenes left me breathless (no pun intended). I found myself reading with tense muscles, as if I too was racing across scorching sand dunes, heart pounding, desperate to escape whatever was closing in. McCulloch has a knack for making you feel the physical strain alongside the psychological terror.
Adri quickly became a character I rooted for wholeheartedly. Her guts and resilience shine throughout, but what really hooked me was understanding her deeply personal reasons for joining such a punishing race. By contrast, I struggled to connect with Stella. Her storyline never quite grabbed me the way Adri's did, and I found myself rushing through her sections to get back to the main action.
McCulloch's writing is impressively tight, with not a wasted word in sight. The reveals came at perfect intervals, each one genuinely surprising me when I thought I had it all figured out.
That ending, though? My moral compass went haywire. Days later, I'm still debating whether I loved or hated it. The best kind of ethical gray area that makes you question what you would do in the same situation.
The overall audiobook production was an immersive, pulse-racing listen that kept me riveted through every chapter. The dual narration made the POV shifts more distinct, especially when experiencing the book exclusively through audio.
Despite my mixed feelings about the conclusion, "Runner 13" is absolutely worth your time especially if you crave thrillers that venture beyond ordinary settings into territory as unforgiving as the human psyche.
Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for my gifted copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
August 31, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I'm not a runner in any stretch of the imagination but my husband is. In fact, he used to be an ultramarathon runner so reading this felt like stepping inside his world and I could understand more about what his body would have gone through. Also recognized a few famous races thrown in!
I loved Adri and her resilience and determination. The storyline was easy to follow and oh my there were some shocks and twists too.
Felt like I was actually there! Hot & Sandy is not for me! Brilliantly executed and an all round fantastic adventure thriller. I'm now giving it to the husband to read.
I loved Adri and her resilience and determination. The storyline was easy to follow and oh my there were some shocks and twists too.
Felt like I was actually there! Hot & Sandy is not for me! Brilliantly executed and an all round fantastic adventure thriller. I'm now giving it to the husband to read.
September 5, 2025
Ultra meets thriller meets… hunger games??
August 13, 2025
Wow, turns out that an ultramarathon thriller was the book I didn’t know I needed!
April 6, 2025
This is an incredible heart pounding story of survival. Boones has invited runners to compete in his race. Each runner is promised a special reward that can only be granted if they win. This race will not only test their endurance but will also put their lives at risk. If you love reading about corrupt and evil, revenge driven, along with strong characters then you will differently love this book.
Everything about this book was so interesting including the characters, the plot, and the setting. It was chilling knowing that there was someone targeting the runners but not knowing who or when they would attack next. Just when I thought I had figured out who everyone was and their involvement in the situations of the story, a shocking twist would be revealed that would make me second guess the characters intentions. I had predicted a part of Stella’s secret but when it was all revealed I was surprised by the true extent of her secret.
My favorite character was Adrienne. Her determination and grit for surviving and was what i loved most about her character. I was so worried for her throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Everything about this book was so interesting including the characters, the plot, and the setting. It was chilling knowing that there was someone targeting the runners but not knowing who or when they would attack next. Just when I thought I had figured out who everyone was and their involvement in the situations of the story, a shocking twist would be revealed that would make me second guess the characters intentions. I had predicted a part of Stella’s secret but when it was all revealed I was surprised by the true extent of her secret.
My favorite character was Adrienne. Her determination and grit for surviving and was what i loved most about her character. I was so worried for her throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2025
“Runner 13” by Amy McCulloch is a tense, and gripping thriller that will leave you breathless! The story revolves around a fiercely determined woman who was once a rising star in the world of ultramarathons. She gave it up years ago when her young son was hit by a car while she was racing and unable to come to his aid. At the same time she leveled a career ending accusation to the world’s most celebrated coach that ended her career in disgrace and mystery.
She became an instant pariah, but now after 7 years she has been invited to run the race of all races, 250 miles in the Sahara Desert. She participates in the race even though it organizer is know to be a sadistic and elusive. As the race begins the Sahara becomes a fantastic character itself, a living breathing threat and our heroines journey to peel back the layers of betrayal, trauma and ambition are riveting and explosive.
I was breathless reading the whole time and finished the book in one sitting. A unique story about reclaiming one’s power and the strength to survive. I loved it!
Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 20, 2025
All I can say right now is WOW. Something about Amy’s writing that has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!!
A fantastic thriller that grips you right from the start to finish with a twist bigger than the sandstorms of the Sahara.
Make sure you grab this book!
A fantastic thriller that grips you right from the start to finish with a twist bigger than the sandstorms of the Sahara.
Make sure you grab this book!
June 16, 2025
I have been wanting to get into reading thrillers in an attempt to branch out and this book felt at a great intersection between exploring a new genre and an interest of mine: running. Although, I do not participate in ultra marathons, I found Amy McCulloch's descriptions about running and the depth of feeling involved to resonate with me.
Adrienne, once an acclaimed distance runner, has taken years off from the sport after she felt a terrible accident involving her son was caused by her status in the community. After years go by, she is offered the answers she has been looking for, if only she finishes a race.
However, it seems those invited to race have more in common that any of them realize, as they all race for their own promised reasons the route turns deadly. It turns into more than a race to the finish, but a race for their lives.
While we are given multiple points-of-views, there are still so many things that the characters know that we don't. I have realized that, although the plot of the story feels fast and that there are so many page turning moments at the end of the chapters, I needed a lot of breaks. I think maybe, I'm not ready to but a full-on thriller girlie. I was so nervous!
I had a great time with these characters and I am looking forward to reading more from McCulloch in the future! There were some points where, even though we were in different POVs, the language felt a little too casual, but maybe it was just me feeling weird about reading the word "legit" during a descriptive paragraph.
The Characters felt well defined and clear in their voices and motives. The twist was wild but also believable and the dialogue felt natural.
Runner 13 comes out July 1st. This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.
Adrienne, once an acclaimed distance runner, has taken years off from the sport after she felt a terrible accident involving her son was caused by her status in the community. After years go by, she is offered the answers she has been looking for, if only she finishes a race.
However, it seems those invited to race have more in common that any of them realize, as they all race for their own promised reasons the route turns deadly. It turns into more than a race to the finish, but a race for their lives.
While we are given multiple points-of-views, there are still so many things that the characters know that we don't. I have realized that, although the plot of the story feels fast and that there are so many page turning moments at the end of the chapters, I needed a lot of breaks. I think maybe, I'm not ready to but a full-on thriller girlie. I was so nervous!
I had a great time with these characters and I am looking forward to reading more from McCulloch in the future! There were some points where, even though we were in different POVs, the language felt a little too casual, but maybe it was just me feeling weird about reading the word "legit" during a descriptive paragraph.
The Characters felt well defined and clear in their voices and motives. The twist was wild but also believable and the dialogue felt natural.
Runner 13 comes out July 1st. This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2025
4 stars! I ended up liking this way more than I thought I would. I’m not a runner, I have no idea how the world of ultramarathons work and I thought I’d be bored by it but it grabbed me from the start. I was equally drawn in by all the context of running world as I was by the actual mystery and thriller.
Adri left the running world under a cloud of scandal 7 years ago but has now been brought back in by invitation to one of the most intense and exclusive races. 5 days of running across the Sahara desert. However from the start things seem to be going sideways and when someone dies, Adri has to ask herself if it really is the elements or if someone is out to get them all.
The setting is vivid and I could feel the sand and grit and thirst these runners faced. The sandstorms and the heat felt so real. I was also immediately immersed in the world without much wind up and I love a book that can teach me stuff without making it feel like a lecture. This was an unexpectedly enjoyable thriller!
Adri left the running world under a cloud of scandal 7 years ago but has now been brought back in by invitation to one of the most intense and exclusive races. 5 days of running across the Sahara desert. However from the start things seem to be going sideways and when someone dies, Adri has to ask herself if it really is the elements or if someone is out to get them all.
The setting is vivid and I could feel the sand and grit and thirst these runners faced. The sandstorms and the heat felt so real. I was also immediately immersed in the world without much wind up and I love a book that can teach me stuff without making it feel like a lecture. This was an unexpectedly enjoyable thriller!
November 17, 2025
A thriller featuring ultra running? Sold.
The major event in RUNNER 13 is a 250-mile five-day stage marathon in the Sahara called Hot & Sandy and organized by a "mysterious and famously sadistic race director."
Adri used to be one of the ultra greats, but has taken seven years away from the sport, basically hiding away. And now she's back to compete, in part because she's been promised answers if she does. What brings the other runners to the Sahara? And what dangers await?
I read this one in a day; I didn't want to put it down. The most I've run in one go is 26.2 miles, but I felt like author Amy McCulloch captured a lot about what drives so many of us to run, and how it feels. At the same time, one need not be a runner to find a fast-paced, engaging thriller within these pages.
The major event in RUNNER 13 is a 250-mile five-day stage marathon in the Sahara called Hot & Sandy and organized by a "mysterious and famously sadistic race director."
Adri used to be one of the ultra greats, but has taken seven years away from the sport, basically hiding away. And now she's back to compete, in part because she's been promised answers if she does. What brings the other runners to the Sahara? And what dangers await?
I read this one in a day; I didn't want to put it down. The most I've run in one go is 26.2 miles, but I felt like author Amy McCulloch captured a lot about what drives so many of us to run, and how it feels. At the same time, one need not be a runner to find a fast-paced, engaging thriller within these pages.
July 20, 2025
I received this as a giveaway from Goodreads. Read this quickly on my vacation in the South Okanagan. It felt like a good choice given the heatwave at that time.
I haven't read many suspense/thrillers in recent years (maybe none at all) but I loved them as a young adult. I enjoyed Runner 13. The approach of adding past intel periodically to help move the current day plot along was appropriate and worked well to build the suspense (a little Ocean's 11 vibe). As I hit the halfway point, I was more interested in reading then doing any socializing with friends. This worked well as a beach read and as we moved through the plot I was unsuccessful in predicting the true culprit. Depth was added to the characters as we saw some growth, reflection and forgiveness.
I'm not a runner so I can't speak to the accuracy of those specifics but I certainly felt empathy as the gruelling environment took its toll. Some parts seemed a little surreal, but maybe that's just my ignorance about ultra-marathon.
I haven't read many suspense/thrillers in recent years (maybe none at all) but I loved them as a young adult. I enjoyed Runner 13. The approach of adding past intel periodically to help move the current day plot along was appropriate and worked well to build the suspense (a little Ocean's 11 vibe). As I hit the halfway point, I was more interested in reading then doing any socializing with friends. This worked well as a beach read and as we moved through the plot I was unsuccessful in predicting the true culprit. Depth was added to the characters as we saw some growth, reflection and forgiveness.
I'm not a runner so I can't speak to the accuracy of those specifics but I certainly felt empathy as the gruelling environment took its toll. Some parts seemed a little surreal, but maybe that's just my ignorance about ultra-marathon.
December 17, 2025
If you want a book that’s going to keep you flipping the pages this is the thriller for you!
It’s been years since Adrienne last ran an ultra marathon, but she’s in Morocco to compete in the Ampersands race on invitation from the infamous Boones. He’s promised to give her answers to events involving her son 7 years earlier, but first she has to finish the race. Making things harder is that fact she was ostracised from the running community after making allegations against her now dead ex-coach, so it’s not necessarily a welcome return to elite racing. Then during the race people start dying, and Adri realises there’s a killer on the hunt.
This was SO addictive - I literally couldn’t put this down. It was full of nail biting action and tension. I admired Adri’s strength and resilience, not only as an athlete but as a mum. I couldn’t even imagine running an ultra marathon, let alone one in the Sahara Desert! I’ve knocked half a star off purely because I guessed the ending, but this was still such an incredible book overall, and I highly recommend it!!
It’s been years since Adrienne last ran an ultra marathon, but she’s in Morocco to compete in the Ampersands race on invitation from the infamous Boones. He’s promised to give her answers to events involving her son 7 years earlier, but first she has to finish the race. Making things harder is that fact she was ostracised from the running community after making allegations against her now dead ex-coach, so it’s not necessarily a welcome return to elite racing. Then during the race people start dying, and Adri realises there’s a killer on the hunt.
This was SO addictive - I literally couldn’t put this down. It was full of nail biting action and tension. I admired Adri’s strength and resilience, not only as an athlete but as a mum. I couldn’t even imagine running an ultra marathon, let alone one in the Sahara Desert! I’ve knocked half a star off purely because I guessed the ending, but this was still such an incredible book overall, and I highly recommend it!!
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