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Running in the Dark
The silence of a prairie night hides many secrets. Needing to get out of Manhattan after a personal tragedy, Abby Markstein accepts a teaching job in the heart of flyover country. One night while jogging through a deserted hollow, she comes upon a car consumed in flames. The only thing more horrifying than the dead man at the wheel is the live one smiling at her in the livid glow of the fire. Welcome to Lewisburg, Indiana. The lone witness to the gruesome roadside slaying, Abby quickly learns that the quiet town conceals many secrets. When another brutal murder takes place, she starts seeing signs that somebody is watching her. And this time, running will not help her hide.
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First published January 1, 2018
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About the author
Sam Reaves
24 books69 followersAka Dominic Martell.
Sam Reaves has written ten novels, most set in Chicago, and co-authored the true crime memoir Mob Cop. Under the name Dominic Martell he writes a European-based suspense series featuring Pascual Rose, and ex-terrorist trying to go straight. Reaves has traveled widely in Europe and the Middle East but has lived in the Chicago area most of his life. He has worked as a teacher and a translator.
Sam Reaves has written ten novels, most set in Chicago, and co-authored the true crime memoir Mob Cop. Under the name Dominic Martell he writes a European-based suspense series featuring Pascual Rose, and ex-terrorist trying to go straight. Reaves has traveled widely in Europe and the Middle East but has lived in the Chicago area most of his life. He has worked as a teacher and a translator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 18, 2018
Abby Markstein's ex-boyfriend has just committed the ultimate act of revenge by hanging himself and making sure that Abby will be the one to find his body. Once destined for a plum teaching job at Amherst, Abby now finds herself running the opposite direction in order to come to terms with her nightmares. What she finds instead, is a greater horror waiting for her in the heartland of America.
Landing in a small Midwestern town in Indiana, Abby assumed that her life would be boring. However, while running through a tunnel during her morning run, she discovers a car engulfed in flames. The only thing worse than the burning cadaver inside, is the horrifying smiling man staring down at her on the other side of the tunnel. With her life in danger, Abby soon finds that this small town holds many big secrets and some of those secrets can you get you killed.
Running in the Dark is a well written, fast paced mystery. There are multiple plot lines, perhaps more than necessary, which make this book a very quick, "can't put it down" read. However, because of all of the detail to action and plot, the character development gets left by the wayside. We know about Abby, who she is and usually what she is feeling. What we don't really grasp is why. Tidbits about characters are thrown into the story but they aren't fleshed out in a way that make you want to like or even dislike them. In the end, it becomes just another story that you've read. This was very disappointing to me. I'm from Indiana. I knew many of the places that were mentioned and I live in a town not unlike Lewisburg. I truly wanted to connect to the story and to this author because of my Midwestern roots. Sadly that just didn't happen. In the end, it's a readable book, an interesting story if you come across it but it's not one that I would rush out to get - even if you are from Indiana.
Landing in a small Midwestern town in Indiana, Abby assumed that her life would be boring. However, while running through a tunnel during her morning run, she discovers a car engulfed in flames. The only thing worse than the burning cadaver inside, is the horrifying smiling man staring down at her on the other side of the tunnel. With her life in danger, Abby soon finds that this small town holds many big secrets and some of those secrets can you get you killed.
Running in the Dark is a well written, fast paced mystery. There are multiple plot lines, perhaps more than necessary, which make this book a very quick, "can't put it down" read. However, because of all of the detail to action and plot, the character development gets left by the wayside. We know about Abby, who she is and usually what she is feeling. What we don't really grasp is why. Tidbits about characters are thrown into the story but they aren't fleshed out in a way that make you want to like or even dislike them. In the end, it becomes just another story that you've read. This was very disappointing to me. I'm from Indiana. I knew many of the places that were mentioned and I live in a town not unlike Lewisburg. I truly wanted to connect to the story and to this author because of my Midwestern roots. Sadly that just didn't happen. In the end, it's a readable book, an interesting story if you come across it but it's not one that I would rush out to get - even if you are from Indiana.
February 1, 2018
Abby Markstein is learning that when you run from troubles, the trouble follows you. After a disastrous ending of a relationship, she decides that moving across the country is just the thing. From big city Manhattan to a small university in Indiana ... what can go wrong?
Abby is settling in, getting to know a few people, teaching mathematics at the university. During her nightly run, she finds a car being consumed by fire. She can see the body inside the car, but there is nothing she can do except call the police. But it's the tattooed stranger standing a few feet away that scares the daylights out of her.
While the town buzzes about the death of one its well-known citizens, Abby runs into another problem. One of her students develops a crush on her ... which turns into stalking. And when she tells him bluntly that she is not in the market for a relationship, he goes a little crazy.
And then there's another brutal killing ... someone Abby has met. And then there's the woman driving Abby's car who is shot and killed.
Is she being targeted? Local law enforcement seems to be looking more at the Mexican drug ring that has settled in Indiana ... but is it?
Sam Reaves is a new author to me, so I wasn't sure what I'd be getting with this book. What I got was a fast read, violence, and a terrific who-dun-it with a fairly large cast of suspects. It's fast paced with realistic characters.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Abby is settling in, getting to know a few people, teaching mathematics at the university. During her nightly run, she finds a car being consumed by fire. She can see the body inside the car, but there is nothing she can do except call the police. But it's the tattooed stranger standing a few feet away that scares the daylights out of her.
While the town buzzes about the death of one its well-known citizens, Abby runs into another problem. One of her students develops a crush on her ... which turns into stalking. And when she tells him bluntly that she is not in the market for a relationship, he goes a little crazy.
And then there's another brutal killing ... someone Abby has met. And then there's the woman driving Abby's car who is shot and killed.
Is she being targeted? Local law enforcement seems to be looking more at the Mexican drug ring that has settled in Indiana ... but is it?
Sam Reaves is a new author to me, so I wasn't sure what I'd be getting with this book. What I got was a fast read, violence, and a terrific who-dun-it with a fairly large cast of suspects. It's fast paced with realistic characters.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 2, 2018
The first chapter was okay. As I kept reading, I started to feel a constant monotony to the story and it bugged me big time. Several times, I fell asleep over the story but maybe that’s because I was tired. Or it could be because it bored me. Who knows? To me, there was so much black and white and maybe a sprinkle of a lighter shade of red, for the murder part. But even for the crime scenes, I could barely see the red. It got me wondering if the mystery genre was for me but then I thought, I’ve actually read other mystery books and the genre as a whole sounded exciting and makes one think. I was ready for a challenge and I was thinking maybe this book would be a good one. I thought wrong.
I was close to DNF-ing but I decided against it because I wanted to know how the murders were set. Maybe my expectation was too high or the plot was just too weak but either way, I did not enjoy it. It left me with the impression “ooookay…? That’s it?” I felt barely any thrill to the story.
Overall, it was an excruciating read, and I don’t think it’s a book for me, hence the one-star rating.
However, I think this book would be great if you’re a rookie in the mystery genre. A bit of some blood spattering but not much that you probably can’t handle. Just maybe.
I was close to DNF-ing but I decided against it because I wanted to know how the murders were set. Maybe my expectation was too high or the plot was just too weak but either way, I did not enjoy it. It left me with the impression “ooookay…? That’s it?” I felt barely any thrill to the story.
Overall, it was an excruciating read, and I don’t think it’s a book for me, hence the one-star rating.
However, I think this book would be great if you’re a rookie in the mystery genre. A bit of some blood spattering but not much that you probably can’t handle. Just maybe.
June 28, 2018
It was ok, but not great. Found it a bit over the top at times but it was an enjoyable read
March 4, 2018
GNab This novel takes place in a small town an hour of so out on the interstate from Chicago, a village called Lewisburg with Tippecanoe College, a small, private, expensive school. There is nothing exciting in Lewisburg but plenty just down the road.
If you happen to have a car. Imagine that. You need a car to go to the grocery store in Lewisburg. And it would help if you happen to have any experience driving a car. Of course our protagonist Abigail Markstein, born and raised and educated in New York City (NYU, Columbia, MIT) has a driver's license - everyone has to have photo ID - but she has never needed to actually use it. And that is just the first of many small niggling problems that normally wouldn't phase her. Abby is the new wonder kid in the math department at Tippecanoe. Her specialty is Combinatorics, and her thesis was on hyperplane arrangements in finite fields. She can handle problems.
But the tragedy that drove her to this posting in Illinois creates such a big lump in her psyche that every small setback feels like a giant sinkhole. Things will get better - she knows this. She has a support system just a phone call away and with time she will make friends and acquaintances in Lewisburg, and once she gets out on a couple of runs - she loves to run - things will get better.
And then on her first run in this new environment she comes upon a murder and the burning of the victim in his car. She learns later the victim was a lawyer she met her first night in town. And she sees the man who killed him. Grinning at her through the smoke and flame just as the sun crests over the hill behind him. And then a real estate personality is killed. Frederick is the typical sleazy slumlord. Abby had also met him on several occasions.
This novel is peopled with folks you feel like you know and understand. There is Ned McLaren, Abby's new landlord who lives in the house and Abby rents the basement which was set up nicely for his aging parents. He seems a bit mysterious but sweet and conscientious and the rent is very reasonable, the house just a block or so from the college. Some of his friends, not so clean cut. Natalia is a clerk in her father's little Mexican grocery store just down the street. Natalia is bright and kind and ambitious, wanting college, wanting travel, wanting help with math so she can retake the SAT and qualify for college.... Her father and brother are in free fall, facing years in prison for various crimes - and mom will be moving back to Mexico, where Natalia has never been. Lisa Beth Quinton is the hard drinking local press writing most of the stories that actually show up in the local paper. She and her husband Jerry Collins, Psychology, take Abby under their wings. Phil Herzler in Classics, and his wife Ruth are fellow Jews though probably the only other one's in Lewisburg. Ben Larch, the student who falls hard for Abby and won't take no for an answer and reminds her too much of Evan back home. And Officer Ruffner is the policeman who steers Abby though the search for the man she saw at the site of the first murder.
This is a tight, fast read, one that is entertaining and holds your interest. I will want to read more by Sam Reaves.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Sam Reaves, and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Pub date Feb 6, 2018
Thomas & Mercer
If you happen to have a car. Imagine that. You need a car to go to the grocery store in Lewisburg. And it would help if you happen to have any experience driving a car. Of course our protagonist Abigail Markstein, born and raised and educated in New York City (NYU, Columbia, MIT) has a driver's license - everyone has to have photo ID - but she has never needed to actually use it. And that is just the first of many small niggling problems that normally wouldn't phase her. Abby is the new wonder kid in the math department at Tippecanoe. Her specialty is Combinatorics, and her thesis was on hyperplane arrangements in finite fields. She can handle problems.
But the tragedy that drove her to this posting in Illinois creates such a big lump in her psyche that every small setback feels like a giant sinkhole. Things will get better - she knows this. She has a support system just a phone call away and with time she will make friends and acquaintances in Lewisburg, and once she gets out on a couple of runs - she loves to run - things will get better.
And then on her first run in this new environment she comes upon a murder and the burning of the victim in his car. She learns later the victim was a lawyer she met her first night in town. And she sees the man who killed him. Grinning at her through the smoke and flame just as the sun crests over the hill behind him. And then a real estate personality is killed. Frederick is the typical sleazy slumlord. Abby had also met him on several occasions.
This novel is peopled with folks you feel like you know and understand. There is Ned McLaren, Abby's new landlord who lives in the house and Abby rents the basement which was set up nicely for his aging parents. He seems a bit mysterious but sweet and conscientious and the rent is very reasonable, the house just a block or so from the college. Some of his friends, not so clean cut. Natalia is a clerk in her father's little Mexican grocery store just down the street. Natalia is bright and kind and ambitious, wanting college, wanting travel, wanting help with math so she can retake the SAT and qualify for college.... Her father and brother are in free fall, facing years in prison for various crimes - and mom will be moving back to Mexico, where Natalia has never been. Lisa Beth Quinton is the hard drinking local press writing most of the stories that actually show up in the local paper. She and her husband Jerry Collins, Psychology, take Abby under their wings. Phil Herzler in Classics, and his wife Ruth are fellow Jews though probably the only other one's in Lewisburg. Ben Larch, the student who falls hard for Abby and won't take no for an answer and reminds her too much of Evan back home. And Officer Ruffner is the policeman who steers Abby though the search for the man she saw at the site of the first murder.
This is a tight, fast read, one that is entertaining and holds your interest. I will want to read more by Sam Reaves.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Sam Reaves, and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Pub date Feb 6, 2018
Thomas & Mercer
March 24, 2018
running in the Dark by Sam Reeves.
Abby Markslein accepts a teaching job after a personal Tragedy. Abby loves to run. but while running she comes across a burning car. afterwards she has the sense of someone following her. who are they? Are they dangerous?
a very enjoyable read. couldn't guess who it could be. 4*.
Abby Markslein accepts a teaching job after a personal Tragedy. Abby loves to run. but while running she comes across a burning car. afterwards she has the sense of someone following her. who are they? Are they dangerous?
a very enjoyable read. couldn't guess who it could be. 4*.
March 6, 2018
I want to thank Sam Reaves, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the eBook Kindle copy of Running in the Dark that I won in the Giveaway.
Dr. Abby Markstein, a math professor moves from a personal tragedy to a small town in Indiana to escape her bad memories and teach at a small local college for two years. Compared to Manhattan, Lewisburg, Indiana is a cultural shock although the University offers some culture and friendship with fellow professors.
One morning after getting settled in a basement apartment that opens onto a large yard with a creek at the back, Abby wakes up early and decides to go Running in the Dark before daylight. On this run, she sees a car catch fire with a man inside and that starts a series of events with two murders. She lives in fear and moves in with her new friends until her friend borrows her car and is murdered too.
A kidnapping and two more times that night Abby finds she is Running in the Dark for her life. This is an exciting story with several twists and an interesting ending.
Dr. Abby Markstein, a math professor moves from a personal tragedy to a small town in Indiana to escape her bad memories and teach at a small local college for two years. Compared to Manhattan, Lewisburg, Indiana is a cultural shock although the University offers some culture and friendship with fellow professors.
One morning after getting settled in a basement apartment that opens onto a large yard with a creek at the back, Abby wakes up early and decides to go Running in the Dark before daylight. On this run, she sees a car catch fire with a man inside and that starts a series of events with two murders. She lives in fear and moves in with her new friends until her friend borrows her car and is murdered too.
A kidnapping and two more times that night Abby finds she is Running in the Dark for her life. This is an exciting story with several twists and an interesting ending.
February 26, 2018
Stars: ✦✦.5✧✧
So as usual, I'll tell 2.5 things I liked about the book and 2.5 thing I didn't like.
So what did I think?
+/- 0.5 | The idea is great. That and the cover was definitely what drew me into it. It is quite a typical thriller regarding to what happens, but since the setting is completely new to the main character, it brought a new layer of mystery
+1 | Entertainment value. It started off really well and I did read it to the end, meaning I definitely wanted to know what happens - which is a great sign for me with thrillers and books in general
+/- 0.5 | I enjoyed the main character, but a lot of characters were introduced in a short span which made me confused heading to the end
-1 | Like I mentioned in a previous point it started well, but I felt the pace decline
+/-0.5 | The writing I enjoyed, but the ending wasn't as shocking as I'd hoped
Read on lovelies,
S
So as usual, I'll tell 2.5 things I liked about the book and 2.5 thing I didn't like.
So what did I think?
+/- 0.5 | The idea is great. That and the cover was definitely what drew me into it. It is quite a typical thriller regarding to what happens, but since the setting is completely new to the main character, it brought a new layer of mystery
+1 | Entertainment value. It started off really well and I did read it to the end, meaning I definitely wanted to know what happens - which is a great sign for me with thrillers and books in general
+/- 0.5 | I enjoyed the main character, but a lot of characters were introduced in a short span which made me confused heading to the end
-1 | Like I mentioned in a previous point it started well, but I felt the pace decline
+/-0.5 | The writing I enjoyed, but the ending wasn't as shocking as I'd hoped
Read on lovelies,
S
June 4, 2018
Good Story lack of character depth.
Very interesting suspense, but the characters in the story never connect on a deeper level. As a reader I need to feel what the characters are experiencing, but emotions in this book despite being visceral are glossed over by the writer. For a suspense book to work for me, I need to care about the characters and the characters lack of true emotional commitment to each other made me not care. There were moments in this book that the author almost achieved that connection, but they were fleeting. I think a good critical editor could bring the best out of the author. They would have cut the extraneous characters that didn’t propel the story.
I listened and read this book via kindle unlimited subscription service.
Very interesting suspense, but the characters in the story never connect on a deeper level. As a reader I need to feel what the characters are experiencing, but emotions in this book despite being visceral are glossed over by the writer. For a suspense book to work for me, I need to care about the characters and the characters lack of true emotional commitment to each other made me not care. There were moments in this book that the author almost achieved that connection, but they were fleeting. I think a good critical editor could bring the best out of the author. They would have cut the extraneous characters that didn’t propel the story.
I listened and read this book via kindle unlimited subscription service.
January 9, 2018
In the aftermath of a personal tragedy Abby Markstien feels the need to escape Manhattan. She accepts a teaching position in small town rural Lewisburg, Indiana. What Abby doesn't know, but is about to find out, is that little towns can hold just as many secrets as any big city.
After witnessing a gruesome murder Abby starts uncovering secret after secret and just when she can't take anymore she must stop and face what is coming at her.
I started out really liking this book. I felt for Abby and definitely understand the need to run away after a life altering event. The problem I had with the start of this book is so many characters were thrown at me. I didn't know who was who and that became a problem later on in the book.
The momentum of the book also died out quickly. The twist at the end also seems to be thrown in just for the sake of a twist. I didn't think it was really necessary for the story.
All in all it was a quick read and would be a great book the read for a lazy Sunday at home.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sam Reaves and Thomas & Mercer for the Advanced copy!
After witnessing a gruesome murder Abby starts uncovering secret after secret and just when she can't take anymore she must stop and face what is coming at her.
I started out really liking this book. I felt for Abby and definitely understand the need to run away after a life altering event. The problem I had with the start of this book is so many characters were thrown at me. I didn't know who was who and that became a problem later on in the book.
The momentum of the book also died out quickly. The twist at the end also seems to be thrown in just for the sake of a twist. I didn't think it was really necessary for the story.
All in all it was a quick read and would be a great book the read for a lazy Sunday at home.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sam Reaves and Thomas & Mercer for the Advanced copy!
January 19, 2018
This story started off very promising! You're set up for lots of mystery and intrigue. There are many characters introduced all at once that makes it a little disconcerting at first. Then the action seems to slow down drastically until the ending, which leaves you with a strange twist that feels like it ought not to be included. Altogether a quick read, if you can chug past the slow points. Worth the read.
February 10, 2018
I received an advance copy of this book, and overall it was a good book. I didn't love it though. I am not sure if I didn't like a lot of the characters or wasn't crazy about parts of the plot, but I was a little disappointed with the story after I had finished it. Maybe it wasn't as suspenseful as I had assumed it would be.
February 12, 2018
Thank you to Sam Reaves and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
Fast paced, thrilling story that will keep you reading and make you lock your doors. My only complaint is that the story went several different directions in an attempt to make sure you didn't see the ending coming. I had to re-read some sections to make sure I understood.
Fast paced, thrilling story that will keep you reading and make you lock your doors. My only complaint is that the story went several different directions in an attempt to make sure you didn't see the ending coming. I had to re-read some sections to make sure I understood.
February 18, 2018
Good read.
Evolving characters & plot. Interesting twists. Main character, Abby, portrayed as a little too stilted & aggressive in reaction to student's excessive attention. But resolved in the ending. Big city corruption & Vice in small town college of mid-America. Definitely, a good read!
Evolving characters & plot. Interesting twists. Main character, Abby, portrayed as a little too stilted & aggressive in reaction to student's excessive attention. But resolved in the ending. Big city corruption & Vice in small town college of mid-America. Definitely, a good read!
December 30, 2017
Running in the Dark written by author Sam Reaves starts out well but the story fizzles out. There is definitely a lot of mystery. The characters need more development. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advance copy.
February 16, 2018
Wow! Talk about a nail biter.
This has so many plots to it. Just when I thought I had one thing figured out, along came another. Read it straight through and thoroughly enjoyed it.
This has so many plots to it. Just when I thought I had one thing figured out, along came another. Read it straight through and thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 26, 2018
Where is the head
If you cut off a head where do you put it? How many can a person kill without being caught?
An excellent choice in reading has unexpected twists and a superb ending.
If you cut off a head where do you put it? How many can a person kill without being caught?
An excellent choice in reading has unexpected twists and a superb ending.
March 2, 2018
I Love Suspense
I love suspense and this book has plenty.
Anne moves to get away from her previous life and instead finds murder and a stalker.
This well crafted novel gives you vivid characters that I very much enjoyed.
This book is recommended for those that like thrillers.
I love suspense and this book has plenty.
Anne moves to get away from her previous life and instead finds murder and a stalker.
This well crafted novel gives you vivid characters that I very much enjoyed.
This book is recommended for those that like thrillers.
March 15, 2018
A really good read
I did not really know about this book, but thought I give it a try. Read it in three days, so that's says something about the book. Would have given a five, but book could have been a bit longer.
I did not really know about this book, but thought I give it a try. Read it in three days, so that's says something about the book. Would have given a five, but book could have been a bit longer.
March 27, 2018
I didn't love this as much as I thought I would. Didn't attach to any characters, and the multiple whodunits was a little over-the-top for such a small community.
May 30, 2018
I love the female protagonist. This was my second book by Sam Reaves and plan on reading them all. I could not wait to finish this book, I even found a way to read while blow drying my hair 😁.
February 11, 2018
3.5 out of 5
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A tragic event leads Abby Markstein to leave her life in Manhattan behind for the quiet and tranquility of Lewisburg, Indiana. She knows she’s probably just hiding from her problems, but for the time being she’s okay with it.
But Lewisburg isn’t as event-free as she’d hoped. On a morning run she comes across a car, lit up in a blaze, and a bubbling body burning inside it. The face of a tattooed stranger grinning at her from behind the car is the blood-red cherry on top of her trauma cake.
As much as she tries to forget about what she saw, more murders occur in the small-town, and as the only eye-witness she’s the only one who can help the police identify the killer.
Dealing with this, as well as a lovesick student who won’t take no for an answer, Abby has to come to terms with the fact that life in Lewisburg is full of more secrets than she though one small town could hold.
Running in The Dark is my kind of book. Dark, creepy, full of murders. What more could you ask for? You’re hooked from the very first scene, of Abby missing a phone call while out running, and coming home to find her ex-boyfriend waiting for her in a way she never imagined (I won’t say any more than that, you’ll have to read it for yourself).
I found Abby to be a very realistic character as well. Often in books like this the person who witnesses the crime becomes a sort of amateur detective and goes about trying to solve the crime themselves. A lot of the time they out-do the police and figure it all out before them.
But not Abby. Abby is just plain freaked out by the whole situation. She’s scared the killer is after her because she saw his face. She’s convinced someone is watching her. She’s scared to go home alone at night. She eventually ends up moving in with a friend when it all gets too much for her.
I think that fear is much more realistic than trying to solve the crime herself. You’re not Ms. Marple, leave it to the police, it’s their damn job. (Side note, I actually don’t like Ms. Marple. She’s the one Agatha Christie character I can’t stand, mostly for this reason. She’s a nosy aul biddy who should just leave the police work to the police. Okay, rant over.)
The only thing I thought was a bit unrealistic was the amount of information Detective Ruffner was willing to give to Abby about the case. I don’t know much about how police stuff works, so maybe I’m completely wrong, but I feel like he gives away information about who they’re looking at, why they’re looking at them, and general sensitive stuff way too freely to be professional.
The ending is also a tiny-weeny bit disappointing. You kind of know throughout that the Mexican-angle the police are looking at isn’t right, but what it ends up being is kind of anti-climactic. I like to be properly shocked by the ending of a book, and this didn’t blow my mind.
In saying that, it’s not an unenjoyable ending, and it did have me staying up a little past when I should have gone to sleep to finish it. So, don’t be put off.
Running in The Dark is an easy read, and fans of a good thriller will like it. The pace is good and is kept up throughout the book, and there was nothing about it that made me want to put it down and never pick it up again. A good book overall.
Read more reviews on rachelsramblingreflections.com
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A tragic event leads Abby Markstein to leave her life in Manhattan behind for the quiet and tranquility of Lewisburg, Indiana. She knows she’s probably just hiding from her problems, but for the time being she’s okay with it.
But Lewisburg isn’t as event-free as she’d hoped. On a morning run she comes across a car, lit up in a blaze, and a bubbling body burning inside it. The face of a tattooed stranger grinning at her from behind the car is the blood-red cherry on top of her trauma cake.
As much as she tries to forget about what she saw, more murders occur in the small-town, and as the only eye-witness she’s the only one who can help the police identify the killer.
Dealing with this, as well as a lovesick student who won’t take no for an answer, Abby has to come to terms with the fact that life in Lewisburg is full of more secrets than she though one small town could hold.
Running in The Dark is my kind of book. Dark, creepy, full of murders. What more could you ask for? You’re hooked from the very first scene, of Abby missing a phone call while out running, and coming home to find her ex-boyfriend waiting for her in a way she never imagined (I won’t say any more than that, you’ll have to read it for yourself).
I found Abby to be a very realistic character as well. Often in books like this the person who witnesses the crime becomes a sort of amateur detective and goes about trying to solve the crime themselves. A lot of the time they out-do the police and figure it all out before them.
But not Abby. Abby is just plain freaked out by the whole situation. She’s scared the killer is after her because she saw his face. She’s convinced someone is watching her. She’s scared to go home alone at night. She eventually ends up moving in with a friend when it all gets too much for her.
I think that fear is much more realistic than trying to solve the crime herself. You’re not Ms. Marple, leave it to the police, it’s their damn job. (Side note, I actually don’t like Ms. Marple. She’s the one Agatha Christie character I can’t stand, mostly for this reason. She’s a nosy aul biddy who should just leave the police work to the police. Okay, rant over.)
The only thing I thought was a bit unrealistic was the amount of information Detective Ruffner was willing to give to Abby about the case. I don’t know much about how police stuff works, so maybe I’m completely wrong, but I feel like he gives away information about who they’re looking at, why they’re looking at them, and general sensitive stuff way too freely to be professional.
The ending is also a tiny-weeny bit disappointing. You kind of know throughout that the Mexican-angle the police are looking at isn’t right, but what it ends up being is kind of anti-climactic. I like to be properly shocked by the ending of a book, and this didn’t blow my mind.
In saying that, it’s not an unenjoyable ending, and it did have me staying up a little past when I should have gone to sleep to finish it. So, don’t be put off.
Running in The Dark is an easy read, and fans of a good thriller will like it. The pace is good and is kept up throughout the book, and there was nothing about it that made me want to put it down and never pick it up again. A good book overall.
Read more reviews on rachelsramblingreflections.com
April 3, 2023
Traumatised by the suicide of her boyfriend Evan, Abigail Markstein leaves New York to take up the post of mathematics teacher at Tippecanoe College in Lewisburg, Indiana. Like so many small towns, everyone in Lewisburg seems to know each other and news soon spreads of her arrival. Unfortunately, the only place available for her to stay is a seedy motel whose clientele leave a lot to desires.
Yet to make any friends and unhappy with her accommodation, Abby attends a small reception at the college, where she is introduced to Lisa Beth Quinton, a local newspaper journalist and wife of the psychology teacher, Jerry Collins. Horrified to learn where Abby is staying, Lisa Beth immediately tells her about a basement flat available for rent, which Abby eagerly agrees to check out. Fortunately, both the flat and the landlord, Ned McLaren, turn out to be to her liking, so she moves in.
Having been a keen runner back in New York, Abby decides it is time to start working her idle muscles again. So, waking early before dawn, she heads off along the suggested route she had been given by Jerry. Beginning to feel slightly uneasy in the darkness of an unfamiliar road, she is surprised to hear a car approaching from behind her. Letting it pass and continuing to run, her surprise soon turns to horror when she hears an explosion and discovers the same car, consumed by fire in the middle of the road with the driver still inside. Worst still, a man is standing by the roadside, smiling at her before disappearing into the darkness.
‘Running in the Dark’ is a gripping and unsettling thriller that will make you think twice about walking alone at night. Not afraid to portray the darker side of human nature, the author’s graphic descriptions bring a chilling reality to the story, allowing the reader to not only share the anxiety of running alone through a dark and unfamiliar countryside, but also the fear of being alone in a flat with a possible stalker outside.
Together with skilfully drawn characters, each with their own agendas and secrets, the story is both engrossing and disturbing in equal measures. ‘Running in the Dark’ is a novel well worth reading – although it is probably best not to be alone when you do.
Yet to make any friends and unhappy with her accommodation, Abby attends a small reception at the college, where she is introduced to Lisa Beth Quinton, a local newspaper journalist and wife of the psychology teacher, Jerry Collins. Horrified to learn where Abby is staying, Lisa Beth immediately tells her about a basement flat available for rent, which Abby eagerly agrees to check out. Fortunately, both the flat and the landlord, Ned McLaren, turn out to be to her liking, so she moves in.
Having been a keen runner back in New York, Abby decides it is time to start working her idle muscles again. So, waking early before dawn, she heads off along the suggested route she had been given by Jerry. Beginning to feel slightly uneasy in the darkness of an unfamiliar road, she is surprised to hear a car approaching from behind her. Letting it pass and continuing to run, her surprise soon turns to horror when she hears an explosion and discovers the same car, consumed by fire in the middle of the road with the driver still inside. Worst still, a man is standing by the roadside, smiling at her before disappearing into the darkness.
‘Running in the Dark’ is a gripping and unsettling thriller that will make you think twice about walking alone at night. Not afraid to portray the darker side of human nature, the author’s graphic descriptions bring a chilling reality to the story, allowing the reader to not only share the anxiety of running alone through a dark and unfamiliar countryside, but also the fear of being alone in a flat with a possible stalker outside.
Together with skilfully drawn characters, each with their own agendas and secrets, the story is both engrossing and disturbing in equal measures. ‘Running in the Dark’ is a novel well worth reading – although it is probably best not to be alone when you do.
January 4, 2018
Abby was uprooted from the booming city of New York to Lewisburg, Indiana for a teaching position. By all accounts, Lewisburg is a sleepy college town where everything is in walking distance. Hoping for a new start and to leave behind a tragedy, Abby moves alone expecting for a quite solitude two years as a professor. No place to live and no car immediately throws Abby into a quarry on places to go. After one night at the sleazy hotel, Abby is offered an apartment, which has been converted from a two-story home. The apartment appears to be tranquil, and Abby immediately signs the lease.
The following day Abby witnesses a crime and is completely shaken and ready to run back to Manhattan. The plot thickens but centers primarily on the crime. There are several bumps along the way stemming from a lovesick student. Abby is constantly looking over her shoulder expecting the worst.
I found myself rooting for Abby but not so much the other characters. I liked the university background especially since I am a university instructor and can relate. However, the student’s involvement in the plot appeared to be rushed and slightly far-fetched. The book started off well but ended in a crawl to the finish, which abruptly ended with a twisted ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing for suppling me this book for an honest review.
The following day Abby witnesses a crime and is completely shaken and ready to run back to Manhattan. The plot thickens but centers primarily on the crime. There are several bumps along the way stemming from a lovesick student. Abby is constantly looking over her shoulder expecting the worst.
I found myself rooting for Abby but not so much the other characters. I liked the university background especially since I am a university instructor and can relate. However, the student’s involvement in the plot appeared to be rushed and slightly far-fetched. The book started off well but ended in a crawl to the finish, which abruptly ended with a twisted ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing for suppling me this book for an honest review.
February 23, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads for my review. After experiencing a tragedy, Abby Markstein leaves New York to teach at a small college in Indiana. On her morning run she witnesses a car in flames with the body of a local lawyer inside. She also sees someone else on the scene, but after only a moments glance he disappears into the bushes. As the only witness, Abby fears for her safety but has an obligation to her students to keep her occupied.
A second murder soon follows. One of Abby’s new friends is Lisa Beth, a local reporter. Lisa Beth is looking for her big story and doesn’t believe that the police are on the wrong track. She provides the support that Abby needs as well as a place to stay when she feels unsafe in her own apartment.
Sam Reaves has written a mystery with several unexpected twists. Abby’s fear comes across not only in her words, but in the sounds and scents around her. Despite her fears she learns to deal with trauma and seek help. By the end she has grown into a stronger character, one that you can’t help rooting for.
A second murder soon follows. One of Abby’s new friends is Lisa Beth, a local reporter. Lisa Beth is looking for her big story and doesn’t believe that the police are on the wrong track. She provides the support that Abby needs as well as a place to stay when she feels unsafe in her own apartment.
Sam Reaves has written a mystery with several unexpected twists. Abby’s fear comes across not only in her words, but in the sounds and scents around her. Despite her fears she learns to deal with trauma and seek help. By the end she has grown into a stronger character, one that you can’t help rooting for.
April 15, 2018
I won this novel in a #Goodreads Giveaway, Math professor Abby has ended a relationship with boyfriend Evan, then he has the nerve to commit suicide in her apartment. Abby needs to get away from New York, so takes a position at a small town college in Indiana; it will be peaceful and quiet, right? Only there a few days and she practically runs up onto a murder scene, and sees the murderer make his getaway towards the creek.
Is the murderer stalking Abby, or is it someone else....one of the single professors; a student with a crush; her mysterious, good looking landlord. Then there is all the talk going on about Mexican cartels running the small town, but this is out in the middle of nowhere Indiana! The only crimes the cops should be worried about are mailboxes being smashed by bats being wielded by drunk frat boys, and cow tipping, right? Very, very wrong!!!!
This novel will keep you guessing right up to the very last chapter.
Is the murderer stalking Abby, or is it someone else....one of the single professors; a student with a crush; her mysterious, good looking landlord. Then there is all the talk going on about Mexican cartels running the small town, but this is out in the middle of nowhere Indiana! The only crimes the cops should be worried about are mailboxes being smashed by bats being wielded by drunk frat boys, and cow tipping, right? Very, very wrong!!!!
This novel will keep you guessing right up to the very last chapter.
March 4, 2021
Runner and college math professor, Abby, moves to a small Midwest town to take a job at a local college. She was supposed to be teaching at Amherst College, but a personal tragedy caused that job to go away. Abby moved from Manhattan to this little Indiana town, and experienced loneliness and culture shock. Knowing how to handle herself from growing up in NYC, Abby begins to feel afraid after a being a witness to a violent car torching while out running early one morning. In addition, one of her students starts to make overtures that he wants a personal relationship with her. How these events expand, overlap, and progress made this an enjoying read for me.
January 30, 2018
A quick suspenseful read. Abby has left behind all she knows to move to Indiana, a decision she will come to regret. A New Yorker without a driver's license or any experience in a small town, she runs into a horrible situation with a dead man in a burning car. That's only the beginning of the creepiness. Who committed the murder and who is stalking Abby? Abby's the best fleshed out of the characters and she's also the most sympathetic. The others, while interesting, are familiar tropes (although I had a soft spot for Natalia.). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
February 7, 2018
Small town, Indiana, college town. Wouldn't guess much crime happens in such a little burg. Wrong! Running across a burning car with a man burning inside is a big deal, a scary thing for Abby Markstein, newly hired math professor at Tippecanoe College in Lewisburg, Indiana. Abby seems to have a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time a lot.
There's lots of action and suspense in this well-plotted-out story. The author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing about what's going to happen next. I enjoyed reading this book.
There's lots of action and suspense in this well-plotted-out story. The author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing about what's going to happen next. I enjoyed reading this book.
April 30, 2019
This wasn't an Audio Book, Good Reads. It was good. Strong main character, atmosphere, interaction, & resolution. I would have liked the details of the mystery to have been more clear. And, at one point there was an apparent lack of recognition, but then recognition. Was the recognition hidden or did it come during the scene? Authors are taking us by the hand, walking us through an experience where we see only what they show us, and while there may be things I miss, I read pretty carefully & I don't like to be left guessing little things. : ) It takes a lot to make a story plausible.
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