Running for Her Life

Sweet Valley University Thriller Editions #5

by Francine Pascal (Creator), Laurie John

A stab in the dark...

Elizabeth Wakefield's journalism paper my cost her her life. She wrote up her theory that a young movie star's suicide was actually a murder, and two days later her dorm room is trashed. Somebody doesn't like Elizabeth's theory. Somebody may even be willing to kill her for it.

Jessica Wakefield is minding her own business in the campus coffeehouse when a bullet just misses her head. Suddenly she and her twin sister are running for their lives.

Tom Watts, Elizabeth's boyfriend, is frantic. His girlfriend has narrowly escaped campus with her life. Can he help her catch a murderer before the murderer catches her?

Genres: Young Adult

277 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Francine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.

Reviews

[E.H. Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taking a break from the normal ups and downs of the Sweet Valley gang at Sweet Valley University, this thriller edition will keep you on the edge of your seats. And if you’re not that into scary books, feel free to skip this one and move onto For the Love of Ryan without missing anything in the regular timeline. The thriller editions are like “extra credit” and never include critical plot points.
​
Elizabeth, the studious journalist that she is, develops a conspiracy theory about why a famous movie star has mysteriously “committed suicide”. The trouble is, her theory is completely correct! Hollywood big wigs are desperate to stop her article from reaching a wider audience, and while they chase her—and she, well, runs for her life—other lives hang in the balance. As is what usually happens in these books, quite a few ancillary characters don’t make it through, but don’t worry yourself too much about the regular crowd. The next book finds them on summer vacation!

http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/svu-20...

[MissNYix · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright. Basically, Elizabeth the genius, wrote a murder plot (of actress, Julia Reynolds) based on her hunches (theories) and thorough research. Anyhow, this article which was only meant to be an assignment landed in the hands of her professor's ex-colleague (who is now an editor or something?).

This story shows the relationship and the involvement of the entertainment world (Hollywood and higher-ups), the media and the police force in a series of murder.

Anyway, Elizabeth and Jessica is on the run - away from the ruthless murderer (who is forced to make his first killing, Julia Reynold) to silence them from revealing the truth.

During their run, the twins are helped by movie star and also Julia Reynold's fiance, Matt Barron. (Who develops (a little) feelings for Jessica).

Overall: The book was okay, it just reminds me of the book where the twins were running away from a "murderer" in Paris. I think this book lacks a twist (and suspense)...

Totally un-expected moment of the book (spoilers): Elizabeth being un-Elizabeth when she points out to the ten-year old kid, the culprit who "actually" puked on him.

[MissNYix · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright. Basically, Elizabeth the genius, wrote a murder plot (of actress, Julia Reynolds) based on her hunches (theories) and thorough research. Anyhow, this article which was only meant to be an assignment landed in the hands of her professor's ex-colleague (who is now an editor or something?).

This story shows the relationship and the involvement of the entertainment world (Hollywood and higher-ups), the media and the police force in a series of murders.

Anyway, Elizabeth and Jessica is on the run - away from the ruthless murderer (who is forced to make his first killing, Julia Reynold) who wants to silence them before they can reveal the truth.

During their run, the twins are helped by movie star and also Julia Reynold's fiance, Matt Barron. (Who develops feelings for Jessica).

Overall: The book was okay, it just reminds me of the book where the twins were running away from a "murderer" in Paris. I think this book lacks a twist (and suspense)... Totally unexpected moment of the book (spoilers): Elizabeth being unElizabeth when she points out to the ten-year old kid, the culprit who "actually" puked on him.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SWEET VALLEY UNIVERSITY
Written by Francine Pascal
General Review for series as I cannot remember each novel.

I read Sweet Valley University when I was in junior high school to high school. While there is sexual content it is very mild (not explicit) compared to teen books today. If you like the Sweet Valley High you will love this series as it continues with the twins' story as they attend University and are away from their parents. I am not sure how they would relate to teens today as this was before cell phones were common and social media. They are fun teen romances with "real-life" situation. I did not complete the series as I started to save for school so I wasn't able to collect them any further (they are out of print). I still have the books I bought and may try to read one again (I did reread the series a few times).

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up reading all the Sweet Valley Twins books but this is the first one that felt like it was more of a "grown-up" read and had much better writing. The plot was intense and very creative

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read so many of these books I can't remember all of them.