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Vengeance #1
The Girl on the Run
A riveting, edgy Young Adult thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen with a memorable protagonist who is a mix of Lisbeth Salander and Dexter Morgan.
A twisted murder, a tangle of lies . . . Now Rylee must run for her life. What if you discovered that everything you thought you knew about yourself was a lie? Rylee has spent her life being shuttled from city to city by her parents. She assumes the reasons are normal. But the truth couldn't be more shocking. One day Rylee comes home from school to find the most horrifying thing imaginable — her father dead, with a knife through his heart, and a key clutched in his hand. Her mother's purse is on the counter, but she appears to be long gone. A message in blood is written on the floor . . . RUN.
With her brother in tow, Rylee begins a dark journey that will uncover horrific and chilling crimes and lead her to an unexpected and gruesome discovery and who is behind these horrific crimes. Run is the first book in the Vengeance series, following Rylee as she begins to piece together the story of her life.
A twisted murder, a tangle of lies . . . Now Rylee must run for her life. What if you discovered that everything you thought you knew about yourself was a lie? Rylee has spent her life being shuttled from city to city by her parents. She assumes the reasons are normal. But the truth couldn't be more shocking. One day Rylee comes home from school to find the most horrifying thing imaginable — her father dead, with a knife through his heart, and a key clutched in his hand. Her mother's purse is on the counter, but she appears to be long gone. A message in blood is written on the floor . . . RUN.
With her brother in tow, Rylee begins a dark journey that will uncover horrific and chilling crimes and lead her to an unexpected and gruesome discovery and who is behind these horrific crimes. Run is the first book in the Vengeance series, following Rylee as she begins to piece together the story of her life.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2014
36 people are currently reading
1430 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Olsen
117 books7,145 followersThroughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 27, 2016
A total impulse read I grabbed from the library I almost didn't check it out because it wasn't on my insane tbr. I am so glad I did this book was a total dark gem full of twists.
March 1, 2014
really, really good, but really freaky and a little too uncomfortable!I liked the story but the ending was a bit.... um. Strange and unexpected in not so much of a good way for me.
January 28, 2018
Ok this book will win no awards for being realistic BUT I DIDN’T EVEN CARE! It’s good and I flew through it. Can’t wait to read book 2.
May 5, 2020
Loved this book! So many twists and turns, just couldn’t put it down!
March 3, 2014
I got a proof from hot key books of this book. Thank you so much! I so enjoyed it! Fast passe, exciting, unexpected and sometimes brutal.
This is a book that has a fifteen year old main character, but at least in my opinion, this is something between a young adult and "adult" novel, if not all adult.
The story is about Rylee a teen on the run with her brother after finding their father dead. Rylee is young but feels rootless, all her life having to move from one place to another. She doesn't really have any friends and she doesn't trust anyone. She has her mind set to find her mother, figure out what has happened and make someone play for it.
I really like Rylee, she feels like a very well rounded character to me. She is strong, smart and brave at the same time she doubts herself being only fifteen and alone. She's someone I liked to follow and see how she gets herself out of one situations to the other and how she solves the problems she's faced with.
I don't want to give away anything more about the story, because I felt it was better to just start it and see where it takes you. I had no idea what was going to come next and I enjoyed being keep on my toes throughout this novel.
If you like a thrillers with a well thought out plot, fast passe that will keep you interested from pages one - pick up this book!
I will definitely pick up the next part in the Vengeance series.
This is a book that has a fifteen year old main character, but at least in my opinion, this is something between a young adult and "adult" novel, if not all adult.
The story is about Rylee a teen on the run with her brother after finding their father dead. Rylee is young but feels rootless, all her life having to move from one place to another. She doesn't really have any friends and she doesn't trust anyone. She has her mind set to find her mother, figure out what has happened and make someone play for it.
I really like Rylee, she feels like a very well rounded character to me. She is strong, smart and brave at the same time she doubts herself being only fifteen and alone. She's someone I liked to follow and see how she gets herself out of one situations to the other and how she solves the problems she's faced with.
I don't want to give away anything more about the story, because I felt it was better to just start it and see where it takes you. I had no idea what was going to come next and I enjoyed being keep on my toes throughout this novel.
If you like a thrillers with a well thought out plot, fast passe that will keep you interested from pages one - pick up this book!
I will definitely pick up the next part in the Vengeance series.
December 21, 2022
Not my fave. I don't buy how some of the characters and motivations worked. I believe that people, no matter their circumstances, always have a choice, and this book made it seem like in many ways the characters did not--that their choices were fixed and determined by their circumstances.
June 10, 2017
Riveting to the very end!
I really enjoyed the journey with Rylee! So fast paced and riveting, held me captive all the way thru. Another great work from Gregg Olsen I can hardly wait to get into the next one.
I really enjoyed the journey with Rylee! So fast paced and riveting, held me captive all the way thru. Another great work from Gregg Olsen I can hardly wait to get into the next one.
May 5, 2014
For a start, I must tell you that I finished reading this book the end of last week. It has taken me until now to compose myself enough to write a review. Talk about a book hangover - this hangover lasted for several days!
Why did I take so long to write my review? Simple. I needed to distance myself from the book. Had I sat down and written a review as soon as I had finished, I would have spent too long talking about the things I enjoyed and I would have had to write SPOILER ALERT over the whole thing because I wouldn't have been able to keep it all in. I didn't want to do that. I don't like spoilers. So, on to what I thought....
Firstly, let me tell you I am in such awe of Gregg Olsen. As an author myself, I can honestly say my novels feel like a kind of 'ten a penny drivel' but Gregg is an author to beware of. He is my new idol. I think I have a bit of an author crush on him, if I'm honest. He has a way with words that cannot be explained, it has to be experienced first-hand. He is masterful and oh so very clever. He commands your attention in such a way that you dare not put the book down. This book was all-consuming and what every thriller should be!
I didn't know what to expect during reading Run, but I found myself shocked at the twists and turns, the nature of this particular beast, it was gripping and had my internal alarm bells ringing. The first thing I wanted to know was who "He" was and when I found out, it was like a knife in the heart, I mean, poor Rylee. Then, I had other questions that I needed the answer to the same way I need air to breathe. I was reading this book every spare moment I got.
There was nothing in this book that disappointed me, absolutely NOTHING! The only bad thing about the whole story was the fact that it had to end.
Run was dark and edgy, gritty and sinister, and super intense!! I was hooked from the first word to the last. I am in awe of what a terrific author Gregg is, and what a beautiful thing his mind must be, especially when it's dark and edgy. Run seriously has any book I've read recently beaten hands down for how addictive it is.
Rylee is a mere fifteen years old when she comes home one day to find her father dead, her brother next to his prone body and a message scrawled on the floor in blood, it says 'RUN'. It has to have been their mother who wrote it, she's nowhere to be found.
Forced to flee their home and go on the run, Rylee and Hayden have no money, no family, no plan. All they know is they have to keep running if they are to survive. Rylee also knows she must find her mother before 'he' gets her. Or does he already have her? If so, where is he keeping her and why.
All Rylee's life, they have been forced to up and move at but a moment's notice. They call it 'the switch' and they never know where they are going. It's best not to plan ahead, to just up and leave. Why? Well Rylee has never really understood. All she knows is she has never settled in one place long enough to make any friends, let alone a boyfriend. Now she's got to find out who the mysterious 'he' is that might have her mother and free her from him. How? She doesn't know. But she manages to come up with a plan and hopes that it will help her gather more intelligence about who he is as well as where.
What ensues is a perilous journey that no fifteen year old should have to undertake. She won't call the police and thinks she is capable of everything that can possibly be thrown at her. But when she finds out who he is, what he wants with her mother - and more frighteningly - what he wants with Rylee, things take on a whole new meaning.
I was in the grips of this book from the start and the treacherous journey Rylee undertakes to rescue her mother is one of the most intriguing, haunting, bone-chilling I have read.
Gregg Olsen has to be one of my favourite authors. After reading the perfection that is Run, how could he not be? I am still thinking abut how awesome it was even though I finished it days ago. I know that it's the first book in the Vengeance series, I am hoping that means that there is more Rylee. It could mean one of two things, I guess. 1) the rest of the series is based around Rylee or 2) the rest of the series are about other characters and their lives. I personally hope it's option 1. I want need to know what happens to her from here.
June 8, 2014
Run, is a special one my friends. You know I'm weird, right? You know I like serial killer books, right? You know I loved Dear Killer for that very reason, right? Don't judge. ;) This book was made for me.
Whereas Dear Killer was set in the mindset of a teenage serial killer, it wasn't quite as disturbing as Run. I know. Hard to believe. Being in a teenage serial killers head, what's worse or creepier than that? Run. That's what. It's also really inappropriate to say I laughed . (But I'll get to that reason later, because you know, I don't make it a habit to laugh at murder books. I'm not that weird.)
Rylee has been on the run with her parents (and later on, brother) for most of her life, it's pretty much all she's known, and though she doesn't know much about why, she just knows that she's here one place, then there the next. To avoid being caught, the family has a very important system. Be ready at all times. Never plan ahead. Nobody can follow you if you yourself don't know where you're going. You leave no trace. Trust no one. Don't get attached.
When Rylee's brother calls for her and she comes down to find her father dead and her mother missing- the word Run written from her father's blood on the floor. She does.
Rylee follows the rules.
She also breaks one of them.
Run is hard to review, and not because it's short but because if I say one thing wrong, it'll spoil it all. Dominos. It's dominos. Nobody likes to set them off. But I will say there's a bunch of holy shit in there, I even said it out loud a few times. With people in the room. Don't do that. It's also dark and slightly twisted, okay, a whole lot of twisted and Rylee, on a psychological aspect is pretty interesting to dissect. She's a tough character, and she's had to be. She's smart and a little devious, she knows something's not right about their lives, and she doesn't believe what her mother's told her but she goes with it. She's pretty cold in the beginning, and everything seemed a little methodical but once it gets going you'll be addicted.
You'll never completely warm to Rylee, it's pretty hard to, like I said she's cold in the beginning, doing what she's told and trying to reign in her emotions, but once she learns out the truth, she's angry, hurt, and that ignites her want for revenge. You might not warm to her but you will understand her, on whatever level. She goes where nobody wants to go, she's a part of something nobody ever wants to be a part of and she also does what every one of us would love to do to someone as evil as that. And she's rational about it. She has a personal vengeance to it, but she also has this underlying need to do what she did. She's been lied to her whole life, everything she thought she knew isn't what it was supposed to be, even the people she thought she knew. She doesn't even know who she is herself. She's trying to use what she has to do for good. To even the score. Which blurs the lines between right and wrong. Is an eye for an eye ever right? Is something unspeakable to someone that's evil, make it right?
And that rule that she broke? You'll have to find out.
Run is a quick and addictive read with a story that's dark and twisted with a lot of lies and secrets that'll shock you, but it's also about the lengths people can go to, to survive. Run pushes boundaries and it's not afraid to do so.
~~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.~
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Review originally posted on Studio Reads
May 5, 2014
Fast-paced, bloody and unflinchingly brutal, 'Run' is a book you will not be able to put down. It is a scary and terrifying suspense thriller which will keep you on your toes the whole way through.
Rylee and her younger brother Hayden go on the run after their father is murdered and their mother disappears. They have been trained for this but nothing could have prepared Rylee for the truth she is about to discover. A truth which will change her whole life forever. I had my theories at the start about Rylee and her family and why they had moved so many times and assumed different identities but I was so wide of the mark that my original thoughts seem ridiculous now. The actual reason behind it all was utterly terrifying and shocking and very, very scary.
As I was reading 'Run', half of me didn't want to know what was going to happen next and the other half of me was impatient to tear through the story and see what lay in store for Rylee. She is a pretty spectacular main character. She is strong, courageous, determined and resourceful and she is brilliantly depicted as a whirlwind force of nature that has one goal in sight - to get her mother back. I was gripped by her journey and the way in which she refused to back down or give up, even when she was confronted by some horrible revelations. I enjoyed following her as she put all the clues together and came up with some clever ways of tracking her mother down.
The content of the story is extremely hard-hitting and there are some disturbing scenes in the book which I wouldn't recommend for younger readers. The ending in particular is full on and although it is brilliantly truthful to Rylee's character, did cause my jaw to drop big time. I may even have wanted to hide behind the sofa at times!
Gregg Olsen has written an incredible book and never once takes his foot off of the gas. 'Run' is the first in his Vengeance series, which will be followed soon by 'Hunt'. I can't even begin to imagine what lies in wait for Rylee next but I'm eager to follow her as she takes her next steps.
Rylee and her younger brother Hayden go on the run after their father is murdered and their mother disappears. They have been trained for this but nothing could have prepared Rylee for the truth she is about to discover. A truth which will change her whole life forever. I had my theories at the start about Rylee and her family and why they had moved so many times and assumed different identities but I was so wide of the mark that my original thoughts seem ridiculous now. The actual reason behind it all was utterly terrifying and shocking and very, very scary.
As I was reading 'Run', half of me didn't want to know what was going to happen next and the other half of me was impatient to tear through the story and see what lay in store for Rylee. She is a pretty spectacular main character. She is strong, courageous, determined and resourceful and she is brilliantly depicted as a whirlwind force of nature that has one goal in sight - to get her mother back. I was gripped by her journey and the way in which she refused to back down or give up, even when she was confronted by some horrible revelations. I enjoyed following her as she put all the clues together and came up with some clever ways of tracking her mother down.
The content of the story is extremely hard-hitting and there are some disturbing scenes in the book which I wouldn't recommend for younger readers. The ending in particular is full on and although it is brilliantly truthful to Rylee's character, did cause my jaw to drop big time. I may even have wanted to hide behind the sofa at times!
Gregg Olsen has written an incredible book and never once takes his foot off of the gas. 'Run' is the first in his Vengeance series, which will be followed soon by 'Hunt'. I can't even begin to imagine what lies in wait for Rylee next but I'm eager to follow her as she takes her next steps.
June 16, 2014
I think I have found my YA book of the year.
I know it's only early June, but I have never read anything like this before in my life.
I am speechless, Run is beyond brilliant. I don't even want to write a review, I just want to write GO BUY IT NOW!
I won't though because that's not fair. You need to know that it is a book that you devour in one sitting because you need to know what's going on and you have far too many questions in your head. One you want to rush through, but can't. Why? Because Gregg Olsen has given us a steady paced, descriptive, easy read that makes you need and want to drink in every single word carefully.
The twists and turns in the plot were unbelievable, my mouth was open, my eyes bulging, my heart beating ten to the dozen. From start to finish you are in a dark bad world and you do not come out of it either. Oh no, Mr. Olsen has decided to leave us hanging dangerously on a cliff. And as you all know, I hate abrupt endings. I can't think of a book with a cliff hanger ending that I haven't rolled my eyes too a bit. This has now changed and I am on pins needing that next book.
I can't stress enough how much I loved it. It's truly amazing and I promise you that you will will love it too.
A dark and dangerous book about secret, lies and obsession.
5/5
I know it's only early June, but I have never read anything like this before in my life.
I am speechless, Run is beyond brilliant. I don't even want to write a review, I just want to write GO BUY IT NOW!
I won't though because that's not fair. You need to know that it is a book that you devour in one sitting because you need to know what's going on and you have far too many questions in your head. One you want to rush through, but can't. Why? Because Gregg Olsen has given us a steady paced, descriptive, easy read that makes you need and want to drink in every single word carefully.
The twists and turns in the plot were unbelievable, my mouth was open, my eyes bulging, my heart beating ten to the dozen. From start to finish you are in a dark bad world and you do not come out of it either. Oh no, Mr. Olsen has decided to leave us hanging dangerously on a cliff. And as you all know, I hate abrupt endings. I can't think of a book with a cliff hanger ending that I haven't rolled my eyes too a bit. This has now changed and I am on pins needing that next book.
I can't stress enough how much I loved it. It's truly amazing and I promise you that you will will love it too.
A dark and dangerous book about secret, lies and obsession.
5/5
December 31, 2016
I read this book as an advanced readers copy during the blizzard and it was a perfect read for such a day -- quick, fast-paced, and with an extremely likable protagonist and lots of plot twists and turns. I would have give it four stars, but there were a few things in the book that were a little cliche and at times it felt obvious that the author was trying a little too hard to make this a young adult novel. I have never read anything by this author before, so I looked up his web site. He has written other books in this genre for adult and also some non-fiction books about true life crimes. This seems to be his first YA book and I would say it was better than average and now am thinking I should up my 3 stars to four ... this is one of those times that I really need 1/2 stars on GoodReads. In the meantime, I am going to seek out another of his books.
January 15, 2016
I Loved it. Mr Olsen can draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat! I simply could NOT put it down! this book has a great plot , you feel and pull for the main characters throughout the entire book, the more Rylee finds out the more riveting it becomes! MR. Olsen does not disappoint again. I've read almost all of his books.I mean there's maybe two more I need to complete my collection.I can honestly say ALL of his books kept me on the edge of my seat.I never read one I did not love! The Girl on the Run is one of the best.The plot is amazing, the characters are very loveable and you want them to be ok. Greg Olsens #greggolsens1kittyfan, Trouble, gave it two paws up and I give it two thumbs up!! We loved it!
Love, Rusti & trouble kitty :)
Love, Rusti & trouble kitty :)
June 1, 2014
Very disturbing book! Reading it from a school librarians viewpoint, I have to say that this will certainly be an "age restriction" category - probably age 17 & 18. Apparently this is Mr Olsen's first foray into YA fiction, and he certainly doesn't pull any punches. But I thoroughly enjoyed it, and there sure is a twist at the end. I'm not yet aware of his adult "back catalogue", but I might need to explore further. The main character is well rounded and feisty, with just the right amount of guts and trauma for a 16 year old. And if I say she reminds me slightly of Lisbeth Salander, that is meant as a compliment...
February 1, 2016
Gregg Olsen’s newest fascinating woman - 16-year old Rylee - is thrust into a quest. She doesn’t react like most teenagers. This book is captivating with surprises and new questions at each turn. You won’t be able to put it down and you will close the book checking eagerly for the publication date of the next book in the series. While technically a young adult/thriller, adults will enjoy the action and interplay.
April 12, 2015
A good quick read. I loved the pace and the ending. The strong female main character contrasts well with her some what flakey mother who is consistent throughout especially when we learn more about her abduction and Rylee's early years. I'm not sure about the ending but...
February 20, 2016
4.5 stars
felt so good to not read a romance or YA! i loved this book. it always kept me guessing and on the edge, needing to read more and more. I just wished it was a little bit longer and her relationship with caleb was more established
felt so good to not read a romance or YA! i loved this book. it always kept me guessing and on the edge, needing to read more and more. I just wished it was a little bit longer and her relationship with caleb was more established
Read
May 20, 2014raylee is 15 and discovers a body. this young lady is smart and ruthless as she tries to find out more about her life and her family. a great read. very well written with many twists and turns....
May 17, 2014
Review to come...
August 3, 2016
Really enjoyed reading this book! It's a page turner and keeps you hooked on wanting to know more! Great book once again written by Gregg!
September 15, 2018
The resident teen (in Oct 2014) wanted to know why I read YA books instead of 'normal adult' books. Are they better? You bet they are!
RUN features a protagonist named Rylee.
Rylee has been on the run from since she can remember. Every now and then, her paranoid mother (not really, in case someone is really out to get you, are you still paranoid?) will uproot the whole family, stepfather, stepbrother and all, and they will change their names and city. Rylee has reached the grand old age of 16 or so, and wants to have a normal life and normal friends, like schoolmate Caleb.
Who's after them? Why can't normal law enforcement keep the villain at bay? Rylee doesn't know, and nobody's telling.
Till one day she reaches home to find her brother calling for her in terror. Someone has killed her stepfather, and her mother is missing. Rylee goes on the run, to save seven-year-old Hayden, and possibly her mother, too. There are clues her mother has left her, and there are clues she finds out for herself. All the while avoiding being caught for a murder she did not do. There are so many lies she has to go through, and so many layers of lies, the book begins to look fairly onion-shaped. There are evil villains, convoluted reasons why people do the things they do, idols with feet of clay, unexpected help, serial killers, crooked cops, even facebook. What more could a young adult want?
I loved the book, and would want to read more about Rylee (whose 'real' name we do find out at some stage) and her further adventures. Here is one ninja you'd want on your side: fearless, dedicated, intelligent, compassionate and a chameleon! Every girl's hero fantasy, written in a pacy, no-nonsense first-person style that is so very believable and true to the character.
Strongly recommended!
RUN features a protagonist named Rylee.
Rylee has been on the run from since she can remember. Every now and then, her paranoid mother (not really, in case someone is really out to get you, are you still paranoid?) will uproot the whole family, stepfather, stepbrother and all, and they will change their names and city. Rylee has reached the grand old age of 16 or so, and wants to have a normal life and normal friends, like schoolmate Caleb.
Who's after them? Why can't normal law enforcement keep the villain at bay? Rylee doesn't know, and nobody's telling.
Till one day she reaches home to find her brother calling for her in terror. Someone has killed her stepfather, and her mother is missing. Rylee goes on the run, to save seven-year-old Hayden, and possibly her mother, too. There are clues her mother has left her, and there are clues she finds out for herself. All the while avoiding being caught for a murder she did not do. There are so many lies she has to go through, and so many layers of lies, the book begins to look fairly onion-shaped. There are evil villains, convoluted reasons why people do the things they do, idols with feet of clay, unexpected help, serial killers, crooked cops, even facebook. What more could a young adult want?
I loved the book, and would want to read more about Rylee (whose 'real' name we do find out at some stage) and her further adventures. Here is one ninja you'd want on your side: fearless, dedicated, intelligent, compassionate and a chameleon! Every girl's hero fantasy, written in a pacy, no-nonsense first-person style that is so very believable and true to the character.
Strongly recommended!
November 11, 2023
I have had this physical book sitting in my house for over a year so, it was WELL overdue for a read.
AND!
I’m so glad I finally did.
This is a girl on the run , racing against time to save her mother , novel.
It all starts the morning Sixteen year old Rylee Cassidy discovers her little brother Hayden, leaning over the dead body of her stepdad.
He has been murdered, her mother, is missing.
This is the type of situation her mother had been preparing her for.
Because.
Rylee had always known there was something g different about her family.
The constant changes if names, addresses, appearances…
Yep, they had been a family of runners. ( as in … “ on the run” )
Now, what ever they had been running from has caught up with them.
Rylee and Hayden have to keep their wits about them, and run.
In this book Rylee is the super, street smart teen, that is able to think on her feet, never miss an opportunity when it is presented , as she, and Hayden eventually make their way to Aunt Gingers house.
( an aunt she only recently found out about due to the contents of her mother’s safety deposit box)
Once there, she has a tougher decision to make.
Now, in an effort to find her mother, she will have to face, and deal with an ugly past.
The past her mother had been running from for sixteen years.
Leaving her brother in his aunts care, Rylee sets out with her plan..
To find her POS bio, Dad, and rescue her Mom.
Unfortunately, along the way she puts herself in the sights of a serial killer that has been obsessing about having his family back together for some time.
Rylee is an amazingly strong female lead character.
Incredibly self sufficient, she careful manages to track down a serial killer and solve several crimes along the way.
She is going to be a force to be reckoned with
Fast paced. Intriguing read
AND!
I’m so glad I finally did.
This is a girl on the run , racing against time to save her mother , novel.
It all starts the morning Sixteen year old Rylee Cassidy discovers her little brother Hayden, leaning over the dead body of her stepdad.
He has been murdered, her mother, is missing.
This is the type of situation her mother had been preparing her for.
Because.
Rylee had always known there was something g different about her family.
The constant changes if names, addresses, appearances…
Yep, they had been a family of runners. ( as in … “ on the run” )
Now, what ever they had been running from has caught up with them.
Rylee and Hayden have to keep their wits about them, and run.
In this book Rylee is the super, street smart teen, that is able to think on her feet, never miss an opportunity when it is presented , as she, and Hayden eventually make their way to Aunt Gingers house.
( an aunt she only recently found out about due to the contents of her mother’s safety deposit box)
Once there, she has a tougher decision to make.
Now, in an effort to find her mother, she will have to face, and deal with an ugly past.
The past her mother had been running from for sixteen years.
Leaving her brother in his aunts care, Rylee sets out with her plan..
To find her POS bio, Dad, and rescue her Mom.
Unfortunately, along the way she puts herself in the sights of a serial killer that has been obsessing about having his family back together for some time.
Rylee is an amazingly strong female lead character.
Incredibly self sufficient, she careful manages to track down a serial killer and solve several crimes along the way.
She is going to be a force to be reckoned with
Fast paced. Intriguing read
May 29, 2025
On a trip to the library, one of my family members borrowed this book for me. (Yes, they do that). So it lay in my borrowed books area. I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover but I did. The cover is not the best in my opinion. It's like someone took a picture of a girl and slapped some text on it and called it a book cover.
Anyways, I was going to the beach and I wanted to bring a book to read and for reasons I can't remember, I brought this one.
It was probably a good thing that it was the only form of entertainment I had at the beach because the start wasn't that interesting so I was forced to keep reading.
But once I got further in, it got so good! Even though the main character didn't have much personality, I still liked them because they felt real.
I was reading and reading. Then I got towards the end and my jaw dropped. Several times. It got very dark and intense very quickly. I loved it. But I was also a little disturbed even though I read it at fifteen. After reading I couldn't stop thinking about this book. I think the author did an amazing job of slowly investing the readers emotions into the book.
Even the the book started out not quite as interesting, I grew to love it. The writing style is unique but also refreshing. Would highly recommend, but only to people mature enough to deal with abuse, SA, violence, gruesome things, etc. So yeah, read it!
Side note: I read part of the book to that family member who borrowed it for me and they were like 'oh no, what did I give you' 🤣
Anyways, I was going to the beach and I wanted to bring a book to read and for reasons I can't remember, I brought this one.
It was probably a good thing that it was the only form of entertainment I had at the beach because the start wasn't that interesting so I was forced to keep reading.
But once I got further in, it got so good! Even though the main character didn't have much personality, I still liked them because they felt real.
I was reading and reading. Then I got towards the end and my jaw dropped. Several times. It got very dark and intense very quickly. I loved it. But I was also a little disturbed even though I read it at fifteen. After reading I couldn't stop thinking about this book. I think the author did an amazing job of slowly investing the readers emotions into the book.
Even the the book started out not quite as interesting, I grew to love it. The writing style is unique but also refreshing. Would highly recommend, but only to people mature enough to deal with abuse, SA, violence, gruesome things, etc. So yeah, read it!
Side note: I read part of the book to that family member who borrowed it for me and they were like 'oh no, what did I give you' 🤣
November 9, 2016
I first discovered Gregg Olsen a few years back with one of his teen books "Envy" and loved it, loved the horror and the suspense in the story as it kept you guessing right till the last couple of chapters and it left you wanting more. When I saw The Girl on the Run, I was eager to read it, and I am glad I did as I loved it. We are immediately introduced to a gruesome crime scene where Rylee's dad has been murdered, and her mom has disappeared. We then learn that Rylee and her family are constantly moving and never in one place very long, at first I thought that they might have been in the Witness Protection Programme, but it turns out that they were more or less in their version of it. With Rylee as the main suspect in the murder and only her brother, the pair must create their rules and put the lessons they have been taught to work as they must learn to survive and track down their mother to discover what has happened. In doing so, Rylee will discover that her parents had been keeping a lot of secrets from them and now the past that they were hiding from has caught up and if Rylee isn't careful - she and her mother may be the next to wind up dead. The Girl on the Run was a fast-paced YA suspense novel that if you love family history, suspense and murder then this book will be right up your alley.
June 18, 2018
Rylee has been on the run for so long she doesn't even know the beginning of her life. Her mother tells her it is best if she doesn't know, and Rylee doesn't ask questions. Until one day when she comes home to the find the word run drawn in blood on the floor. Rylee gathers her younger brother and leaves without knowing where her mother is or knowing where she is going. Rylee determined to find her mother discovers dark secrets, and has to face her past.
I though this book is a page-turner. Rylee is a captivating main character that has to make hard decisions and face her past. Her past being something that she knew little about, and there is nothing that shocks Rylee more than what she finds out, not only about her past but herself. The story kept me on edge always wanting to know what happens next.
I though this book is a page-turner. Rylee is a captivating main character that has to make hard decisions and face her past. Her past being something that she knew little about, and there is nothing that shocks Rylee more than what she finds out, not only about her past but herself. The story kept me on edge always wanting to know what happens next.
October 18, 2025
Riveting teen page turner! A twisted murder, a tangle of lies . . . Now Rylee must run for her life. What if you discovered that everything you thought you knew about yourself was a lie? Rylee has spent her life being shuttled from city to city by her parents. She assumes the reasons are normal. But the truth couldn't be more shocking. One day Rylee comes home from school to find the most horrifying thing imaginable — her father dead, with a knife through his heart, and a key clutched in his hand. Her mother's purse is on the counter, but she appears to be long gone. A message in blood is written on the floor . . . RUN. With her brother in tow, Rylee begins a dark journey that will uncover horrific and chilling crimes and lead her to an unexpected and gruesome discovery and who is behind these horrific crimes.
January 4, 2024
As a fan of Olsen's true crime work, I was curious to read his take on YA. This proved resoundingly disappointing. With a premise that a teen and her young brother go on the lam when their step-father is brutally murdered and her mother disappears, there is enough intrigue to get the plot moving. However, the story arc quickly becomes too implausible to be believable by anyone but a naive teen while a series of surprise twists near the end destroy any hope of salvaging this muddled mess.
I'm sure there are teens who would absolutely love this book and get into the subsequent series this led to, but any logical reader would find this an annoying poorly conceived joke.
I'm sure there are teens who would absolutely love this book and get into the subsequent series this led to, but any logical reader would find this an annoying poorly conceived joke.
January 5, 2020
I really liked it, but it didn't really leave me the urging sensation to read the next page. I finished it because I was half way through and I thought, "why not". This was another book that I put off for other books, and to tell the truth I really wanted to keep putting it off, because I wanted to read other far-more-interesting books. Again, I liked it, it's a good book, but it's not on the list of my top favorites.
February 23, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. It captured my attention from the very first page and held it until the very end. I found myself chuckling out loud as I read Rylee's descriptive observations of various people and places. The book was full of twists and turns and I was not able to predict the ending. This book deserves more than 5 stars. Author Gregg Olsen is one of my favorites.
June 14, 2017
WOW!!
I love this book.
Feels like I just finished watching the movie.
Much better than that. Because Mr. Olsen has written very well. (As always)
It's so speedy built and page turned for sure.
I really love the character of Rylee(Alexandra).
I was so impressed her smartness and toughness from that she's been through.
I love this book.
Feels like I just finished watching the movie.
Much better than that. Because Mr. Olsen has written very well. (As always)
It's so speedy built and page turned for sure.
I really love the character of Rylee(Alexandra).
I was so impressed her smartness and toughness from that she's been through.
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