What do you think?
Rate this book
Aloa Snow Mystery #1
See Her Run
Running for her life could leave her breathless.
A former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Aloa Snow knows what it means to be down and out. Once highly respected, she’s now blackballed, in debt, and dealing with the echoes of an eating disorder. Until she gets one more shot to prove that she has what it takes—with a story some would die for…
After the body of a promising young athlete, Hayley Poole, is recovered in the Nevada desert, authorities rule it a suicide. But when Aloa discovers that the girl’s boyfriend died in a similar accident only months before, her investigative instincts are on high alert. It turns out the girl was on the run from secrets that could kill.
This case is murder for Aloa, and Hayley won’t be the last one to suffer. Someone very powerful forced Hayley to run for her life. Now Aloa must do the same.
A former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Aloa Snow knows what it means to be down and out. Once highly respected, she’s now blackballed, in debt, and dealing with the echoes of an eating disorder. Until she gets one more shot to prove that she has what it takes—with a story some would die for…
After the body of a promising young athlete, Hayley Poole, is recovered in the Nevada desert, authorities rule it a suicide. But when Aloa discovers that the girl’s boyfriend died in a similar accident only months before, her investigative instincts are on high alert. It turns out the girl was on the run from secrets that could kill.
This case is murder for Aloa, and Hayley won’t be the last one to suffer. Someone very powerful forced Hayley to run for her life. Now Aloa must do the same.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2018
696 people are currently reading
1717 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Townsend
6 books209 followersPeggy Townsend is longtime newspaper reporter who has won state and national awards for her work. She has flown with pararescuers, taken a flashlight to a knife fight and narrowly missed being punched in the jaw by a mass murderer. She has rock climbed, run rivers, skied expert slopes, run half-marathons and fished in the Gulf of Alaska: all things at which she is only marginally competent. She is the author of three novels Her Run, The Thin Edge and The Beautiful and the Wild. Her newest book, The Botanist's Assistant, will release on Nov. 18, 2025.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 1, 2019
Persistence
Hayley is an endurance runner, she is running for her life, running through a desert suffering from exhaustion, heat exposure and dehydration. When death comes it is ruled suicide, yet Michael Collins from Novo, an independent newsroom, doesn’t accept suicide. Reaching out to Aloa, a one-time lover from a family that fostered him, he contacts her for her professional help. Needing the money to keep the family home from receivership she accepts, however, this will be difficult to manage. There is that bewitching pull, that never left her, towards Michael, even though she is determined to fight against it.
Peggy Townsend creates a wonderful character in Aloa Snow. She is a disgraced journalist, who was destined for the very top but shortcut source validation so she could get the story off her desk and deal with a dying Mother.
I loved the smart detailed dialogue, the pace, and the movement throughout the story was well executed. The imagery of San Francisco was very well depicted and the gradual revealing of the plot was deftly delivered. Her little group of retired learned gentlemen brought an important and useful aspect to the storyline. It’s good to see that all geeks don’t need to be 18-year-old bedraggled computer nerds.
One criticism I have is that this is that several characters are introduced that don’t really contribute to the story. There is also a hidden conflicted romantic attraction bubbling between Aloa and Michael – will they won’t they. I won’t spoil but this but I was disappointed in how far that went in this novel.
I really enjoyed this debut story, loved the characters and will certainly follow this series, although the next book isn’t due until May 2019.
Hayley is an endurance runner, she is running for her life, running through a desert suffering from exhaustion, heat exposure and dehydration. When death comes it is ruled suicide, yet Michael Collins from Novo, an independent newsroom, doesn’t accept suicide. Reaching out to Aloa, a one-time lover from a family that fostered him, he contacts her for her professional help. Needing the money to keep the family home from receivership she accepts, however, this will be difficult to manage. There is that bewitching pull, that never left her, towards Michael, even though she is determined to fight against it.
Peggy Townsend creates a wonderful character in Aloa Snow. She is a disgraced journalist, who was destined for the very top but shortcut source validation so she could get the story off her desk and deal with a dying Mother.
“Regret was a wound that bled at the slightest touch and, right now, she couldn’t stand the ache of it.”Aloa's vulnerabilities are endearing and she is a recovering anorexic, however, she is not totally fragile as her intellect and resolve are admirable, all attributes that help her as a runner. Peggy Townsend is herself a runner so with that amount of content around running it’s not surprising that an important context within the book deals with that aspect.
I loved the smart detailed dialogue, the pace, and the movement throughout the story was well executed. The imagery of San Francisco was very well depicted and the gradual revealing of the plot was deftly delivered. Her little group of retired learned gentlemen brought an important and useful aspect to the storyline. It’s good to see that all geeks don’t need to be 18-year-old bedraggled computer nerds.
One criticism I have is that this is that several characters are introduced that don’t really contribute to the story. There is also a hidden conflicted romantic attraction bubbling between Aloa and Michael – will they won’t they. I won’t spoil but this but I was disappointed in how far that went in this novel.
I really enjoyed this debut story, loved the characters and will certainly follow this series, although the next book isn’t due until May 2019.
March 16, 2019
This is a crime fiction debut featuring Aloa Snow, an investigative reporter who made one mistake which sandbagged her career. Once highly respected, she's now blackballed and in debt. She's also a recovered anorexic, but she still plays the garbage in, garbage out game, although she makes sure to eat more times than not.
A young woman's body is found in the desert. A well-known athlete, it is determined that her death was a suicide. The woman's boyfriend died a month earlier in a similar way.
When Aloa begins her investigation, she finds that the couple may have been murdered for deep, dark secrets that may have led to blackmail.... and to a story that no one may believe.
What a terrific debut! Aloa is a wonderful character, flawed, trying to overcome the knowledge that she was never good enough for her mother. She has some unique friends who watch her back.
This is a page turner with lots of action. The mystery starts on Page 1 and doesn't let up until the very surprising ending. I'm looking forward to seeing Aloa's next adventure.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 18, 2018
I am torn between 3 and 4 stars, so I'll just average the ranking and give it a 3.5.
See Her Run
is an original crime-fiction novel in the same vein of Two Girls Down or The Cuckoo's Calling. In this story, we meet Aloa Snow, a struggling private detective and journalist who has been universally shunned from her industry because of a mysteriously dark past. Aloa is the typical struggling American in today's vastly difficult economy, hoping to save her family's house from repossession. One day, she gets a phone call from a man from her past with a deal she cannot refuse. A woman has been found dead in the desert and police have ruled it a suicide. However, people are not convinced and many are ruling this as something more sinister. When Aloa begins investigating, everything is leading her down the wrong turn. As she gets more immersed into the case, Aloa is introduced to a world that she has never seen. In a world where political agendas and power players are reigning supreme, Aloa needs to crack the case before someone stops her.
See Her Run was very refreshing to pick up for many reasons. The first reason behind the originality of the story is that we have a flawed protagonist that many can relate to. We don't have an unreliable narrator, but we have a narrator with troubles and demons that can play a part in her psyche. Aloa is not only trying to figure out what happened with the case she is working on, but she is also trying to figure out life and her problems. In life, we all tend to have our own struggles play a part in how we handle stress and decision-making. One critique that I had with this story was that Aloe was not extremely likable nor unlikable. She really was just middle of the line for me and although she didn't lack any depth or relatability, I wanted something more to differentiate her from the rest. However, we do meet a group of secondary characters that I truly enjoy. Seriously, I absolutely LOVED THEM. I was living for Erik's pizazz and personality; I loved the Brain Farm group (they really reminded me The Lone Gunmen from X-Files mixed with the Hells Angels); and I felt that Hank Tremblay was the rich asshole that we all hate, but desperately need for these types of stories.
Peggy Townsend has a very interesting backstory and is a very successful newspaper reporter. I can't help but see similarities between her and Aloe Snow, which makes me want to know MORE. Thank you Amazon Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
See Her Run was very refreshing to pick up for many reasons. The first reason behind the originality of the story is that we have a flawed protagonist that many can relate to. We don't have an unreliable narrator, but we have a narrator with troubles and demons that can play a part in her psyche. Aloa is not only trying to figure out what happened with the case she is working on, but she is also trying to figure out life and her problems. In life, we all tend to have our own struggles play a part in how we handle stress and decision-making. One critique that I had with this story was that Aloe was not extremely likable nor unlikable. She really was just middle of the line for me and although she didn't lack any depth or relatability, I wanted something more to differentiate her from the rest. However, we do meet a group of secondary characters that I truly enjoy. Seriously, I absolutely LOVED THEM. I was living for Erik's pizazz and personality; I loved the Brain Farm group (they really reminded me The Lone Gunmen from X-Files mixed with the Hells Angels); and I felt that Hank Tremblay was the rich asshole that we all hate, but desperately need for these types of stories.
Peggy Townsend has a very interesting backstory and is a very successful newspaper reporter. I can't help but see similarities between her and Aloe Snow, which makes me want to know MORE. Thank you Amazon Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2018
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing for my free copy of SEE HER RUN by Peggy Townsend- all opinions are my own.
Aloa Snow is a journalist who has been ostracized by the industry she works in and is struggling with the current economy, but one day gets a call offering her a job to investigate a story. A woman is found dead of an overdose and the police have ruled it a suicide, but there is something sinister going on. Aloa is in desperate need of a paycheck, so she decides to take the case, but it ends up leading her down a dark and dangerous path.
This is book one of a series and I thought it was a quick, compelling read. Aloa is a flawed, intriguing character with demons in her past, so the narrative keeps you invested in what happens next. I absolutely loved the supporting characters in the book, as they are dynamic, quirky, and balance out the main protagonist’s personality. The storyline is brisk and complex with multiple murders and motives that will keep you guessing. SEE HER RUN is quite the addictive page-turner, so it was a breeze to read in a few hours. Townsend wrote some great characters and is obviously talented - I cannot wait to read to what happens next!
My rating is 3.5 stars!
Aloa Snow is a journalist who has been ostracized by the industry she works in and is struggling with the current economy, but one day gets a call offering her a job to investigate a story. A woman is found dead of an overdose and the police have ruled it a suicide, but there is something sinister going on. Aloa is in desperate need of a paycheck, so she decides to take the case, but it ends up leading her down a dark and dangerous path.
This is book one of a series and I thought it was a quick, compelling read. Aloa is a flawed, intriguing character with demons in her past, so the narrative keeps you invested in what happens next. I absolutely loved the supporting characters in the book, as they are dynamic, quirky, and balance out the main protagonist’s personality. The storyline is brisk and complex with multiple murders and motives that will keep you guessing. SEE HER RUN is quite the addictive page-turner, so it was a breeze to read in a few hours. Townsend wrote some great characters and is obviously talented - I cannot wait to read to what happens next!
My rating is 3.5 stars!
February 28, 2019
3.5 Stars
See Her Run features an intriguing mystery with a fantastic group of side characters and I found it to be a good start to the Aloa Snow mystery series.
Aloa Snow is struggling after she lost her job with the LA Times for breaking the cardinal rule of journalism, don’t make up your sources. In debt and forced to contemplate selling her family home, Aloa is relieved when she’s contacted for an investigative piece. A young athlete, Hayley Poole, has been found dead in the Nevada desert with the authorities ruling it a suicide, but the girl’s mother is convinced it was foul play. As Aloa digs into Hayley's life, she discovers Hayley had secrets that someone would do anything to keep hidden.
Aloa is fantastic at her job as she’s great at uncovering connections and getting people to open up to her. I liked that because she was already a successful reporter from prior to her firing, she already had the skills to research the Hayley story. I was happy she wasn’t someone new to reporting who somehow magically had all the skills required. Aloa is someone who is recovering from an eating disorder and she has a hard time stopping some of the habits she developed during her eating disorder. As someone who had issues similar to Aloa’s, there were a few bits that were difficult to read as I related to them quite a bit.
Hayley’s story was quite interesting from the start and I was curious to find out what exactly happened to her and why. While I did end up enjoying the concept of the mystery, there were several times where Aloa is following a lead and then she’s randomly looking into something else with little transition. Other than those disjointed moments, the story moves along at a quick pace with a few surprising twists along the way. I’m interested to see where Aloa goes from here as she tries to get back into journalism while she’s still dealing with the fallout from her made up source.
Aloa spends quite a bit of time at a local bar and has found somewhat of a family with the two men who own it. She also developed a friendship with a few retirees who spend time there who are nicknamed the Brain Farm. I really enjoyed Aloa’s friendships with these men and there were quite a few funny moments courtesy of the Brain Farm. During her investigation, the Brain Farm helps her out with her research as the men have great connections. I’m looking forward to seeing more of these guys in future books.
Overall I enjoyed See Her Run despite finding the mystery a bit disjointed at times. I’m looking forward to continuing with this series soon with the upcoming release of the second book, The Thin Edge.
See Her Run features an intriguing mystery with a fantastic group of side characters and I found it to be a good start to the Aloa Snow mystery series.
Aloa Snow is struggling after she lost her job with the LA Times for breaking the cardinal rule of journalism, don’t make up your sources. In debt and forced to contemplate selling her family home, Aloa is relieved when she’s contacted for an investigative piece. A young athlete, Hayley Poole, has been found dead in the Nevada desert with the authorities ruling it a suicide, but the girl’s mother is convinced it was foul play. As Aloa digs into Hayley's life, she discovers Hayley had secrets that someone would do anything to keep hidden.
Aloa is fantastic at her job as she’s great at uncovering connections and getting people to open up to her. I liked that because she was already a successful reporter from prior to her firing, she already had the skills to research the Hayley story. I was happy she wasn’t someone new to reporting who somehow magically had all the skills required. Aloa is someone who is recovering from an eating disorder and she has a hard time stopping some of the habits she developed during her eating disorder. As someone who had issues similar to Aloa’s, there were a few bits that were difficult to read as I related to them quite a bit.
Hayley’s story was quite interesting from the start and I was curious to find out what exactly happened to her and why. While I did end up enjoying the concept of the mystery, there were several times where Aloa is following a lead and then she’s randomly looking into something else with little transition. Other than those disjointed moments, the story moves along at a quick pace with a few surprising twists along the way. I’m interested to see where Aloa goes from here as she tries to get back into journalism while she’s still dealing with the fallout from her made up source.
Aloa spends quite a bit of time at a local bar and has found somewhat of a family with the two men who own it. She also developed a friendship with a few retirees who spend time there who are nicknamed the Brain Farm. I really enjoyed Aloa’s friendships with these men and there were quite a few funny moments courtesy of the Brain Farm. During her investigation, the Brain Farm helps her out with her research as the men have great connections. I’m looking forward to seeing more of these guys in future books.
Overall I enjoyed See Her Run despite finding the mystery a bit disjointed at times. I’m looking forward to continuing with this series soon with the upcoming release of the second book, The Thin Edge.
February 3, 2020
This book was a good start to a mystery series. Aloa Snow made a good main character, even with her baggage and former mistakes in judgement. She was very determined and courageous. I liked the way she wanted to overcome her past.
In this story, disgraced former reporter, Aloa Snow is contacted by a man she knew when they were teens. He wants her to investigate the death of an athlete. Aloa reluctantly takes on the job, finding more to the death than she ever expected. Her investigation takes off and is soon a murder case that she has to solve.
The storyline was interesting and fast-paced. There were some very odd characters that made the murder aspect even more compelling.
I'm really interested in learning more of the past between Aloa and Michael. We got the story, but there's obviously more there on Aloa's part, and there was a little foreshadowing as to the context. I'd like to see all of that revealed.
In this story, disgraced former reporter, Aloa Snow is contacted by a man she knew when they were teens. He wants her to investigate the death of an athlete. Aloa reluctantly takes on the job, finding more to the death than she ever expected. Her investigation takes off and is soon a murder case that she has to solve.
The storyline was interesting and fast-paced. There were some very odd characters that made the murder aspect even more compelling.
I'm really interested in learning more of the past between Aloa and Michael. We got the story, but there's obviously more there on Aloa's part, and there was a little foreshadowing as to the context. I'd like to see all of that revealed.
October 8, 2018
Full review posted on blog.
*Good start to a new series!
*Love Aloa - love that she is deeply flawed...she has demons that she is constantly battling. She's no unreliable narrator & that's refreshing...but her flaws and demons make her interesting and attractive as a main character.
*The other characters are quite memorable - I hope they continue on in the series - they each add their own unique quirk to the book.
*Story is full of twists & turns, keeping you guessing until the very end.
*Looking forward to next book!
*Good start to a new series!
*Love Aloa - love that she is deeply flawed...she has demons that she is constantly battling. She's no unreliable narrator & that's refreshing...but her flaws and demons make her interesting and attractive as a main character.
*The other characters are quite memorable - I hope they continue on in the series - they each add their own unique quirk to the book.
*Story is full of twists & turns, keeping you guessing until the very end.
*Looking forward to next book!
May 22, 2018
A good debut book. Believable main character with problems of her own. Quick paced and easy to read. However the ending is quite abrupt.
May 29, 2019
I was hooked into See Her Run by the unusual protagonist. Aloa Snow is a disgraced investigative journalist who had a glittering career ahead of her—until she made one terrible professional blunder, and lost the trust of her peers, as well as the reading public. She’s also a keen (you might even say compulsive) runner, and recovering anorexic, who is teetering on the edge relapse at the start of the narrative. Aloa is behind in her mortgage payments and one step away from destitution when a request for her unique skillset and a very welcome cheque from an extremely UNwelcome source turns up. During this intriguing and absorbing investigation, I enjoyed meeting Aloa’s band of likeable misfit friends, always willing to lend a hand, and I was fascinated by the insights into investigative aspects of journalism. But most importantly for me, See Her Run has a wonderfully empathic character at its heart; favourably reminiscent of the Kinsey Millhone series—except for the fact that Kinsey LOVED her food! I look forward with eager anticipation to reading more by Peggy Townsend.
April 14, 2021
Really enjoyed, I loved the cover as well!
See Her Run features an intriguing mystery with a fantastic group of side characters and I found it to be a good start to the Aloa Snow mystery series.
Aloa Snow is struggling after she lost her job with the LA Times for breaking the cardinal rule of journalism, don’t make up your sources.
It had allot going for it!
See Her Run features an intriguing mystery with a fantastic group of side characters and I found it to be a good start to the Aloa Snow mystery series.
Aloa Snow is struggling after she lost her job with the LA Times for breaking the cardinal rule of journalism, don’t make up your sources.
It had allot going for it!
June 17, 2019
Aloa Snow has a secret.
This book centers around Aloa Snow an disgraced investigative reporter, who stumbles onto a second chance via her her past through a childhood friend Michael Collins. Micheal and Aloa’s past is a foundation on what Aloa, built her life on, or so the narration tells. The suspense centers around the deaths of two athletes, that no one suspects were murder except one of the victims mothers.
Aloa Snow is a very complex character that deals daily with an eating disorder. Her disorder is centered around something in her past, something that is eluded to but never revealed in book one. I think I have it figured out, as the author left a few bread crumbs to follow. The eating disorder OCD may seem like a stumbling block to some readers, but I completely understood it, as stressors from her past make it rear it’s ugly head. The disorder is Aloa’s, Achilles heal, as she needs to control this aspect as emotionally she might spin out of control. Aloa being on the outs with her journalism community has a motley crew that she is friends with, and they are a hoot. They make a unique community and add to the books enjoyment.
I read and listened to this via kindle unlimited and I was thrilled with the narrator.
This book centers around Aloa Snow an disgraced investigative reporter, who stumbles onto a second chance via her her past through a childhood friend Michael Collins. Micheal and Aloa’s past is a foundation on what Aloa, built her life on, or so the narration tells. The suspense centers around the deaths of two athletes, that no one suspects were murder except one of the victims mothers.
Aloa Snow is a very complex character that deals daily with an eating disorder. Her disorder is centered around something in her past, something that is eluded to but never revealed in book one. I think I have it figured out, as the author left a few bread crumbs to follow. The eating disorder OCD may seem like a stumbling block to some readers, but I completely understood it, as stressors from her past make it rear it’s ugly head. The disorder is Aloa’s, Achilles heal, as she needs to control this aspect as emotionally she might spin out of control. Aloa being on the outs with her journalism community has a motley crew that she is friends with, and they are a hoot. They make a unique community and add to the books enjoyment.
I read and listened to this via kindle unlimited and I was thrilled with the narrator.
June 10, 2018
A good story until things didn't really add up in the end. Aloa Snow is a down on her luck investigative reporter who takes a job from an old friend. Her assignment is to determine the cause of death of a supposed suicide. Extreme marathon runners, anorexia and performance supplements are just some of the subjects touched upon. The ending throws some other elements in that aren't really necessary and compromise the plot. I like the characters and would read another in a series.
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
August 23, 2018
3.5 stars.
My biggest pet peeve with this book is the protagonist. The writing is good, but without trying to offend the author, I feel like she's writing a character that twenty-somethings might find "cool" but falls tragically short of the mark. I don't know many twenty somethings, but the ones that I do know do not find Timberland boots, spiky short hair and eating disorders to be "de rigeur". Maybe I'm wrong. Other than the perennial notations about how much she ate (Aloa Snow - another annoying thing about this protagonist is the name), the story itself was quite compelling and I enjoyed the writing style. Seeing as this is marked as #1 in a series, I'm expecting more. I just hope she decides to make the protagonist more likeable while keeping the other parts of her writing the same.
My biggest pet peeve with this book is the protagonist. The writing is good, but without trying to offend the author, I feel like she's writing a character that twenty-somethings might find "cool" but falls tragically short of the mark. I don't know many twenty somethings, but the ones that I do know do not find Timberland boots, spiky short hair and eating disorders to be "de rigeur". Maybe I'm wrong. Other than the perennial notations about how much she ate (Aloa Snow - another annoying thing about this protagonist is the name), the story itself was quite compelling and I enjoyed the writing style. Seeing as this is marked as #1 in a series, I'm expecting more. I just hope she decides to make the protagonist more likeable while keeping the other parts of her writing the same.
May 16, 2019
“She deserved to die.”
When shamed journalist, Aloa receives a call from someone in her past, she’s given the opportunity to find out the truth of a supposed suicide. But what started out as one story, quickly grows to the biggest story of her life. Now, she just has to survive to write it. Super read! Enjoy!!!
When shamed journalist, Aloa receives a call from someone in her past, she’s given the opportunity to find out the truth of a supposed suicide. But what started out as one story, quickly grows to the biggest story of her life. Now, she just has to survive to write it. Super read! Enjoy!!!
May 23, 2019
Fantastic New series!
This book is action packed whilst still thoughtful book about a previously disgraced journalist who takes on a commission to check if a supposed suicide was actually murdered. It's a gripping book into what I like to refer to as shenanigans by people with money, power and a willingness to kill to get what they want!
A must read for thriller lovers! 5 stars!
This book is action packed whilst still thoughtful book about a previously disgraced journalist who takes on a commission to check if a supposed suicide was actually murdered. It's a gripping book into what I like to refer to as shenanigans by people with money, power and a willingness to kill to get what they want!
A must read for thriller lovers! 5 stars!
January 12, 2019
Great! Aloa Snow is a strong, flawed, smart and interesting character and the nerd team that ultimately accompanies her makes for a nice sidekick - kind of like the Lone Gunman from the x-files. I'm looking forward to Aloa Snow, #2. Keep this series going!
July 29, 2018
A riveting ride through the manipulation of big business, feeding on the people’s fear of terrorism, told through the eyes of a disgraced journalist. I devoured this in less than 24 hours, I just couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading more about Aloa Snow. #NetGalley
May 28, 2019
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed this story and the character of aloa and her brain farm. looking to more books of the series.
I really enjoyed this story and the character of aloa and her brain farm. looking to more books of the series.
December 16, 2018
Like the character. More please.
October 21, 2018
A former reported for the Los Angles Times knows what it means to ne down and out. She was once highly respected, but she is now black balled, in debt, and falling back into her eating disorder woes. The body of a young athlete is found in the Nevada desert and ruled a suicide. But, when her boyfriend is found in similar circumstances months later, Aloa realizes that a story that might rebuild her reputation is possible. When an old boyfriend gets in touch with Aloa wanting to hire her to investigate the two deaths, she can't refuse. As she gets involved, she realizes the danger she is in and might have to run for her life. So, the question becomes if she will be able to solve the crimes before she is murdered too. This was an interesting novel with death literally on the line if she can't solve the case before she also becomes a victim. Can she make up for her own sins by solving the deaths of the others?
April 21, 2018
Narrative was a bit dry. Plot also somewhat far-fetched insofar as global implications. Very different premise. Side kick characters were interesting, though.
January 29, 2020
Too Many Mysteries! One Struggling Reporter!
A disgraced reporter, Aloa Snow, is struggling just to survive. Nearly out of money and living with an eating disorder, Aloa gets writing job offer to investigate a woman's suspicious death, but the offer comes from publisher, who is also her estranged first love boyfriend from high school. She recoils at first from a job she desperately needs. Ugh!
Author, Peggy Townsend's journalist background serves her well in creating this San Francisco based thriller of reporter, trying to make sense of several unexplained deaths among people who know each other. The suspense builds.
I admit that it took several chapters to understand all the characters, but this slowburner suspense soon takes form as the characters develop and the plotline thickens. The storyline focuses around Aloa's personal struggles with her past and personal interest in understanding the unfolding details behind the unexplained deaths. Too many questions, but not enough answers.
It seems the author purposely makes the story a bit confusing, as Aloa Snow tries making sense from conflicting facts and reluctant sources. I did enjoy seeing how a reporter approaches a mystery different from a police investigation.
This first book in the series develops the primary character well, while keeping the other multiple characters rather flat, my only disappointment. However, it's possible this describes well the detached life reporters must live to remain objective. The book is a good standalone escape read, but I plan to read the next installment to learn what happens next.
I liked how the author focused on the ongoing struggles of Aloa's recovery from her eating disorder and her love-hate relationship with food. Throughout the story, Aloa's reflections of experiences with her father and his sage advice adds many thought-provoking images and perspectives worth remembering.
The Audible narration added to my reading enjoyment, something I've learned to appreciate.
A disgraced reporter, Aloa Snow, is struggling just to survive. Nearly out of money and living with an eating disorder, Aloa gets writing job offer to investigate a woman's suspicious death, but the offer comes from publisher, who is also her estranged first love boyfriend from high school. She recoils at first from a job she desperately needs. Ugh!
Author, Peggy Townsend's journalist background serves her well in creating this San Francisco based thriller of reporter, trying to make sense of several unexplained deaths among people who know each other. The suspense builds.
I admit that it took several chapters to understand all the characters, but this slowburner suspense soon takes form as the characters develop and the plotline thickens. The storyline focuses around Aloa's personal struggles with her past and personal interest in understanding the unfolding details behind the unexplained deaths. Too many questions, but not enough answers.
It seems the author purposely makes the story a bit confusing, as Aloa Snow tries making sense from conflicting facts and reluctant sources. I did enjoy seeing how a reporter approaches a mystery different from a police investigation.
This first book in the series develops the primary character well, while keeping the other multiple characters rather flat, my only disappointment. However, it's possible this describes well the detached life reporters must live to remain objective. The book is a good standalone escape read, but I plan to read the next installment to learn what happens next.
I liked how the author focused on the ongoing struggles of Aloa's recovery from her eating disorder and her love-hate relationship with food. Throughout the story, Aloa's reflections of experiences with her father and his sage advice adds many thought-provoking images and perspectives worth remembering.
The Audible narration added to my reading enjoyment, something I've learned to appreciate.
July 5, 2018
his book follows a journalist, Aloa Snow, as she takes a special job investigating the death of a woman who police had decided committed suicide. I found this book to move slower than what I usually find with the genre. What I normally find is that if a thriller/mystery book starts slowly, it tends to pick up in the middle. This one really didn’t feel like it got into anything really interesting until about 80 percent in. When that finally got going I found that the answer wasn’t all that intriguing to me, personally. This book might have benefited from being a bit shorter so you could feel the momentum better.
There was a writing mechanic used that I usually like because it typically propels the story faster, but in this case it seemed like for the first half of the book it was only used to establish that it was something the author was doing and wanted set up for later. It didn’t actually act in a way that moved the story much until later on.
The pacing of the book wasn’t my least favorite aspect. I found that the thing that annoyed me the most was the use of stereotypes. There is a character who, although is pleasant, (perhaps the only character in the book I liked) followed a stereotype too closely. I got past it because I liked him anyway. About halfway through they introduced another, more damaging stereotype. At 80ish percent in, when there was a thoughtless remark that could be taken as trans-phobic popped up, I had pretty much lost patience. This one was perhaps an oversight but it was one too many.
When it came down to it, I didn’t care find I cared for the main character at all and as a result it was harder to be interested in what did or didn’t happen to her.
There was a writing mechanic used that I usually like because it typically propels the story faster, but in this case it seemed like for the first half of the book it was only used to establish that it was something the author was doing and wanted set up for later. It didn’t actually act in a way that moved the story much until later on.
The pacing of the book wasn’t my least favorite aspect. I found that the thing that annoyed me the most was the use of stereotypes. There is a character who, although is pleasant, (perhaps the only character in the book I liked) followed a stereotype too closely. I got past it because I liked him anyway. About halfway through they introduced another, more damaging stereotype. At 80ish percent in, when there was a thoughtless remark that could be taken as trans-phobic popped up, I had pretty much lost patience. This one was perhaps an oversight but it was one too many.
When it came down to it, I didn’t care find I cared for the main character at all and as a result it was harder to be interested in what did or didn’t happen to her.
May 7, 2018
A story that draws you into a complex web of connections and proves conspiracy theorists are right! Some capitalists don't care. Except for money.
The story also explores what character trait makes people undertake extreme sports whether it is walking, running or climbing. i wish I knew the answer to that definitively as our son is determined to run the Marathon des Sables, one of the top ultra marathons in the world - across the desert in searing heat! Heb has already run the entire length of Hadrian's Wall in one day... So I do get some of this desire to compete with yourself not just with others and to go faster and further than before. he seems such a normal person our son, until you mention marathons!
In this intriguing novel we meet a large number of the world's misfits - of all types and varieties, and yet it is these very misfits, who because of their very belief in conspiracy theories, uncover a real one...
I am giving it a 5 for the story line, but the writing style was somewhat confusing at times and the story was perhaps over complicated? So 4 for the style. Although this is the start of a series i shall not follow up the remainder as Aloa didn't 'attract' me enough.
The story also explores what character trait makes people undertake extreme sports whether it is walking, running or climbing. i wish I knew the answer to that definitively as our son is determined to run the Marathon des Sables, one of the top ultra marathons in the world - across the desert in searing heat! Heb has already run the entire length of Hadrian's Wall in one day... So I do get some of this desire to compete with yourself not just with others and to go faster and further than before. he seems such a normal person our son, until you mention marathons!
In this intriguing novel we meet a large number of the world's misfits - of all types and varieties, and yet it is these very misfits, who because of their very belief in conspiracy theories, uncover a real one...
I am giving it a 5 for the story line, but the writing style was somewhat confusing at times and the story was perhaps over complicated? So 4 for the style. Although this is the start of a series i shall not follow up the remainder as Aloa didn't 'attract' me enough.
July 8, 2018
Aloa Snow gets a chance to revive her journalism career after a lapse in ethics unlikely to be set aside in real life. Her estranged stepbrother is conveniently a rich online news mogul, and he hires her to investigate the death of an endurance athlete. The runner's body was found in the desert barefooted and with drugs and alcohol in her system. Her death is ruled a suicide, but Aloa's stepbrother, Michael, is suspicious and challenges her to prove otherwise. Aloa uncovers links to an evil corporation that makes an energy powder with harmful side effects and attempts to cover it up. Aloa learns the runner and her late husband had plans to expose the evil corporation, plans that may have cost their lives. Aloa is a regular at a bar and is assisted in her investigation by a quirky band of senior citizens, one conveniently with computer hacking skills, who hang out there. A tortured woman with plenty of problems in her past, including being a recovering anorexic, Aloa is met with a fresh set of problems when her investigation puts her in the crosshairs of a killer.
June 14, 2018
My kind of book. SHR hooks the reader with a young woman running desperately and dying horribly in the Nevada desert.
Enter Aloa Snow, a recovering anorexic thirty-four hours into food deprivation. Snow is also an investigative reporter disgraced by violating the sacred commandment of journalism: Thou Shalt Not Make Stuff Up. In a time of great stress, the award-winning journalist did just that, losing her job and her reputation.
Via a challenging past relationship, the story of the dead girl in the desert wings into Aloa's lap. Game on.
SHR offers enough San Francisco details to satisfy the aficionado without overwhelming the story. Townsend dishes up delightful minor characters. The husbands Eric and Guillermo own Aloa's North Beach hangout where they serve equal measures of comfort and bizarre food. Justus, the hangout, is also refuge to The Brain Farm, a trio of crusty anarchists. All characters you'll look forward to seeing again in the next installment.
Enter Aloa Snow, a recovering anorexic thirty-four hours into food deprivation. Snow is also an investigative reporter disgraced by violating the sacred commandment of journalism: Thou Shalt Not Make Stuff Up. In a time of great stress, the award-winning journalist did just that, losing her job and her reputation.
Via a challenging past relationship, the story of the dead girl in the desert wings into Aloa's lap. Game on.
SHR offers enough San Francisco details to satisfy the aficionado without overwhelming the story. Townsend dishes up delightful minor characters. The husbands Eric and Guillermo own Aloa's North Beach hangout where they serve equal measures of comfort and bizarre food. Justus, the hangout, is also refuge to The Brain Farm, a trio of crusty anarchists. All characters you'll look forward to seeing again in the next installment.
February 12, 2019
It was a bit show to get off the ground - protagonist spent too much time obsessing over food- yes I know she's anorexic but do WE have to hear every single obsession about food and excercise - I just wanted to slap her PLUS she has a huge chip on her shoulder(about a young man who used to live with her family but I never figured why she was so upset by his leaving) which makes her character a bit hard to like. She's definitely not into forgiveness (I see an episode about that in the future)
BUT having said all that, I enjoyed the story line once it got going, and the topic was definitely different so made it interesting. I really like the Old Man Group (forgot their nickname). They made it fun - I hope she introduces them more often in the next novel.
Side Note - she tried to throw a little politics in here and there, which I do NOT want to read in my fun books. Save it for a political book. I read to escape !!
BUT having said all that, I enjoyed the story line once it got going, and the topic was definitely different so made it interesting. I really like the Old Man Group (forgot their nickname). They made it fun - I hope she introduces them more often in the next novel.
Side Note - she tried to throw a little politics in here and there, which I do NOT want to read in my fun books. Save it for a political book. I read to escape !!
May 29, 2018
A breathless read tracking a 21st century noir protagonist, Aloa Snow, disgraced journalist on the scent of her path to redemption. Townsend sets a brisk pace loaded with just enough atmospheric setting—San Francisco—a gang of aging nerd/Vietnam Vets, and a kick-ass heroine determined to set the record straight, hers and that of a murdered adventure athlete. Tons of detail, yet not enough to bog down the non-stop action, peppers this study in a troubled personality who keeps her wits even as the conspiracies close in on all sides.
I read this book in a single sitting, admiring the author's resourcefulness in creating three-dimensional setting, characters, and unexpected plot twists. A terrific thriller. And I've got more to say about "See Her Run."
Stay tuned!
I read this book in a single sitting, admiring the author's resourcefulness in creating three-dimensional setting, characters, and unexpected plot twists. A terrific thriller. And I've got more to say about "See Her Run."
Stay tuned!
June 16, 2018
See Her Run was a novel that I read about on a blog and ordered on my Kindle. Aloa Snow is a disgraced journalist, she wrote a story using, let’s say “alternative facts” and now has no real career. Someone she has a history with, who is now wealthy contacts her to investigate a case of an ultramarathoner who committed suicide. The athlete is found barefoot dead in the desert, literally ran to death. The local authorities did a cursory investigation and closed the case. The more Aloa digs, the more evidence she finds of connections far beyond this one death. Very good mystery with a suspenseful plot and engaging characters
September 22, 2018
Well written, first fiction published work by an accomplished journalist & non-fiction writer. Some excellent descriptions and sometimes lyrical prose. The author's writing about the protagonist/heroine as an award-winning & now discredited journalist, who also has past & current struggles with family memories and her own history with anorexia, is excellent & insightful. The reach of her plot has international ramifications and sometimes pithy observations, perhaps due to her past journalistic career. Likewise with her "brain trust", which sometimes brings levity into challenging situations.
This book is listed as #1 in the Aloa Snow series, so I look forward to the next book.
This book is listed as #1 in the Aloa Snow series, so I look forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews