The Runaway

by Linda Huber

Keep your secrets close to home...

Bad things happen in threes – or so it seems to Nicola. The death of her mother-in-law coincides with husband Ed losing his job and daughter Kelly getting into trouble with the police. Time to abandon their London lifestyle and start again by the sea in far-away Cornwall.

It should be the answer to everything – a new home, a new job for Ed and a smaller, more personal school for fifteen-year-old Kelly. But the teenager hates her new life, and it doesn’t take long before events spiral out of control and the second set of bad things starts for Nicola.

Some secrets can’t be buried.
Or… can they?

A gripping family drama, perfect for fans of Diane Chamberlain, Linda Green, and Sophie Hannah.

Genres: Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Fiction

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

Linda Huber grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged twenty-two, and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and schools for handicapped children, and teaching English in a medieval castle. Not to mention several years spent as a full-time mum to two boys, a rescue dog, and a large collection of goldfish and guinea pigs.

Linda now lives in Switzerland, in a little town on the banks of beautiful Lake Constance.

Her debut psychological suspense novel The Paradise Trees was published in 2013, and was followed by The Cold Cold Sea, The Attic Room, Chosen Child, Ward Zero, Baby Dear, and Death Wish. Linda has also had over 50 short stories and articles published, some of which can be read in The Saturday Secret, a charity collection of short (feel-good) stories.

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A Highly Engrossing, Dark and Twisty Psychological Thriller, You won't be able to put down!

Nicola, husband Ed & their teenage Daughter Kelly has just been given some awful news. Ed's Mother has passed away.
Ed knows he has to go back home to St Ives to help his sister, but just the thought of going back to his home town gives him nightmares!
Just being in his Mother's house is making him unsettled, claustrophobic and snappy.

So when Ed's mother leaves them the house in the Will, the family decides to return to St Ives and live in Ed's Family home.

But Ed just isn't himself as the memories of his childhood start to play on his mind. Things start to happen and life as the family know it literally spiral out of their control.

The Runaway.....Wow oh wow, this is one highly compelling, very taut, dark and gripping read.
It will play with your mind, take you on a twisty, dark, gritty psychological adventure and leave you with chills.
The characters are perfectly written, complex and well developed.
I loved how the pace is Twisty and ramps up as the tension builds.

If you love your Psychological Thrillers is be Highly Engrossing, Page Turners, with plenty of Drama, twists and Chills... then The Runaway is definitely your kind of book!

This is my first book by Linda Huber and I'm definitely adding her on my Authors to watch out for list!


Thank you to BOTBS Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.




My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a very embarrassing confession to make. Although I have several of Linda's books on my 'to be read' mountain, I haven't actually read one yet. What a mistake to make. Now having just finished reading 'The Runaway', I can guarantee that Linda's other books will not be on that 'TBR' mountain for very much longer. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Runaway' but more about that in a bit.
Oh. My. Goodness. 'The Runaway' was one seriously fantastic and chilling read. The synopsis for 'The Runaway' certainly grabbed my attention immediately and from then on, I just couldn't wait to start reading. I made the infamous mistake of starting to read this book shortly before I went to bed. Let's just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a lack of sleep hangover the next day. I literally had to force myself to put the book down. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book and I found myself jumping at any little noise that I heard. I must be a sadist because as much as this book spooked me, I just couldn't get enough of the story and I had to keep reading. I would pick the book up only intending to read the book for a few minutes but over half an hour later I was still sat there reading. I immersed myself in the story to the extent that I was able to shut out all other distractions and allow my focus to stay on the story itself. I soon reached the end of the book, which I had mixed feelings about. Don't get me wrong I was pleased to finish as I knew how the story concluded but I wasn't pleased to finish because I was enjoying the story, the characters and the author's writing style so much that I just wish the book had continued for longer.
'The Runaway' is brilliantly written and it certainly lives up to its description as a chilling, psychological thriller. On several occasions I felt a shiver go up my spine as I read certain chilling bits of the story. I won't go into details because I don't want to give anything away. To a degree, the book messed with my head a bit. The author drew me into the story from the first word on the first page and then I was taken on one hell of a psychological rollercoaster ride of a journey. Once the author had my attention she didn't let me have it back until the moment I read the last word on the last page. I smugly thought that I had worked out what was going to happen, only for the author to throw me a curveball and send me off down another path entirely. 'The Runaway' was a gripping read that had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Runaway' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Linda's work in the not too distant future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read from Linda Huber, and it most definitely will not be my last. I started reading The Runaway in the morning and had it finished by mid-afternoon, very rarely stopping. This is a gripping psychological thriller with a tale of family drama weaved in.

Linda Huber had me on the edge of my seat as I watched Nicola’s life. I loved the characters. Motivation and behaviour was spot on, making me feel as though they were real characters.

When a book has me this excited, I have trouble writing coherent, well-thought out reviews, so I hope this is getting my point across. Five stars, hands down. Highly recommended!!

5/5☆

*I received a free copy of this book from BOTBS Publicity in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT. THE. FREAK!! Author Linda Huber had a mean right hook, and she didn't hesitate to use it on me. A suckerpunch. And I was reeling for an hour all the while staring blankly at my kindle. This was the effect of the book on me. An atmospheric read, I would say.

Ed's mother died and left him the family home. Due to a few unfortunate events in London, the entire family had to shift to the family home in Cornwall. Cracks appeared in the family, and the daughter Kelly disappeared. Mom Nicola shifted back to London to search for her Runaway daughter.

Having read a few books by this author, I have to say this was her best. The darkness and poison in a human psyche was best shown in this book. Writing this review, I didn't know how to put my feelings into words. I read the whole book with my heart in my throat, trying to swallow back my fear. The prose brought the known world crashing down on me when the author cleverly made the words twist and turn, spiraling them deeper into the murky depths of control and abuse.

Chapters of the past helped me understand the characters better. I had guessed the story very early on but still couldn't stop reading. Not a single moment was I distracted. (nowadays I am constantly reading world news about the pandemic every very few minutes) This book kept me so engrossed that I forgot everything for a couple of hours. Due credit to Linda Huber for giving me those moments of peace where I was pushed into The Runaway's world.

My heart was still pounding fast even after writing the review. Whew. WHAT. A. BOOK!!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What should be a fresh start in a wonderful area, turns out to be Nicola’s worst nightmare. As a mother, it is so hard juggling work and home life so I had every empathy for her. The move was supposed to mean more time with her daughter and a safer environment away from the big city.

It’s hard to say to much about the story as not a lot is given away in the blurb. The story is one of drama/suspense but definitely has a psychological feel to it. The chapters alternate between a couple of the characters so we get to better understand them and discover what secrets have been hidden.

I loved Kelly’s character, she is a typical teen and she did make my eyes roll at the beginning but that didn’t last long as I had so much sympathy for this young adult. Being taken away from her friends and trying to build new friendships in a new area is definitely not easy to do and she is struggling with the move. As with her mother, things are about to get so much worse for her and this is where she is a shining light in this dark story.

The Runaway is a dark and at times disturbing read. It makes you question how well you really know the ones you love. There is a certain amount of tension and suspense that drew me in and had me hooked. A great story of family dynamics with an unexpected outcome.

My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[Tony Riches · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fast paced psychological thriller is the perfect weekend read, with a great location which I knew well, and believable characters with complicated back stories.

The subject is any parent's nightmare, and the sense of helplessness is convincing. I guessed the harrowing outcome early in the book, but then couldn't wait to find out if I was right. I particularly liked the way Linda Huber teases the reader by nearly resolving the mystery - then backing off to keep you guessing.

Another great book from an accomplished author, which would make a great TV thriller. Recommended.

[Neats · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read a book by Linda Huber, she is one of my go-to authors so I was excited to hear that she had a new book coming out.

The Runaway is a gripping and taut family drama that had me hooked right from the outset.

Kelly is a typical 15 year old girl who lives with her parents Nicola and Ed in London. Life is initially good for the family but then bad things start happening from job losses to Kelly being in trouble with the police and to top it all off Ed receives news that his mother has sadly passed away. The family travel to Cornwall to make the funeral arrangements but Ed doesn't seem happy about having to return to his childhood home and even less so when he discovers that his mother has left the house to him in her will.

When the family decide to relocate to the house in Cornwall for a fresh start things begin to take a dark turn and Ed seems to be retreating further and further away from his beloved family. What is causing such a major change in this normally loving and supportive family man?

Linda Huber has a real talent for bringing her characters to life which means that it's easy to connect and feel empathy for them and The Runaway was no exception. My heart was genuinely in my mouth several times as I was reading. As the novel flashes back to Ed's childhood it becomes evident why he's uncomfortable being back at his old family home and you begin to understand him, but maybe not like him. He was clearly a victim of circumstance and the insights into his head make this very comprehensible. If only he had spoken to someone about this, things could have turned out very differently.

The Runaway is another run away success for Linda Huber and one that I would highly recommend.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I have to say I enjoyed The Runaway a huge amount.

This is a book that is told from the perspectives of the three main characters. They are husband and wife, Ed and Nicola and their daughter Kelly. After Ed’s mother dies the family leave London and move into Ed’s old family home in St. Ives, Cornwall.

As the story unfolds it becomes apparent that Ed does not have the happy family memories of home, in fact the memories still haunt him. It is through his recollections and memories that I gradually found out more about him. He is unsettled and distracted and it is noticed by Nicola and Kelly.

The family are in the midst of upheaval of moving to a new house, new school, new jobs and trying to get settled. Kelly isn’t happy about leaving her friends and cracks start to show within the family.

The author has done a great job of gradually upping the tension in this story. When I started the story there were little hints at things not being well with Ed’s Cornwall home, but it is only as the story progresses that /i started to get a better picture. The story line is quite dramatic and as I said the tension is ever present.

The full impact of the story is quite an unsettling one as things take a turn. While I did get the main plot this wasn’t about “working it out” it was very much about each of the characters journeys. I enjoyed the way the story was laid out and the quick changes of perspectives between the characters and it meant that I could really get each ones point of view.

A wonderful and atmospheric character driven read. The pacing was good, not too fast but at a pace that kept my attention completely. The story line is captivating and from the start I felt its grip. Ideal for readers who like a tense, and in someways it is a domestic thriller but it also has a good psychological aspect to it as well as being a family drama. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am looking forward to checking out and reading some of the other books by this author. I would definitely recommend it.

[Clare Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real read-in-one-go, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller – the adrenaline is still coursing round my body! Linda Huber is absolutely expert at putting you in the shoes of her characters – from the most sympathetic to most frightening, which gives her books huge power. You’re pulled along by your involvement with the protagonists. The novel covers historical as well as present-day drama, each as compelling as the other, giving you an understanding of what unfolds. You can see the future being written in the past with an awful inevitability. A brilliant book – and tense, tense, tense!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I thought that this book was excellent, a brilliant gripping drama that had me hooked!

I loved that it was fast paced and really kept me on my toes, the plot was well developed and there was plenty happening throughout the story. The writing style was perfect for the story.

The characters were excellent, they were really well developed and I liked their interaction too, it had me addicted to the story trying to guess what was going to happen next with them.

This was a book that had me staying up well past my bedtime as there was no way I was putting it down before I knew how it all ended!!

I loved every page and it was really well developed, the characters were superb and I thought it was a gripping read – it is 5 stars from me – very highly recommended!!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was 2am when I turned my light off the other night. “A gripping family drama” they said – could I also add “beware of sleep deprivation”, because there was absolutely no way I was putting this one down until I’d read the very last page.

But it’s also incredibly difficult to write a review without any spoilers – that “second set of bad things” is much of the substance of the story, and to even hint at the way events spiral would be entirely unforgivable. I will tell you something though – it was all entirely unexpected, and an incredibly gripping read. This is a book that certainly won’t disappoint anyone, even those people who read thrillers (psychological or otherwise) far more often than I do.

The writing is taut and entirely engaging, the whole story quite perfectly paced and absolutely compelling: there are surprises, some you might just begin to guess at, but the uncertainty and achy tension really doesn’t let up until the very end, when you get to be able to breathe again because… no, not telling you!

I remember commenting on the author’s wonderful characterisation in my review of the earlier book, and she’s certainly done it again with this one: the legacy of the past, the complex emotional responses, people’s feelings and reactions, the impacts of events on individuals are all totally real, something you really feel. It’s dark – really dark – but then at other times it isn’t, because it’s set against that backdrop of people’s mundane daily lives. And it takes place in Cornwall, in a perfectly drawn location – and bad things really don’t happen there, do they?

And I’m going to stop there, before I say something I shouldn’t – but, if by chance I’ve left you in any doubt, I thought this book was quite wonderful. Highly, highly recommended – and who needs sleep, eh?

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicola and Ed live with their 15 year old daughter Kelly in London..When Ed receives the sad news that his mother who had lived in St.Ives, Cornwall has died..the family go back there to his childhood home to sort out the funeral with his sister.On finding out that he has inherited his mother's house ,Ed begins to retreat into himself as memories that have faded to grey begin to resurface. When just a while later Ed loses his job due to cutbacks..he finds the perfect job as manager of a country park..and Nicola is determined that this will be a fresh start for them .Back in St.Ives their neighbours Rob his partner Phoebe ,and Rob's adorable little girl Mia welcome them .For Kelly ,Nicola's bright beautiful daughter ..a typical adolescent it is difficult to settle into her new school..being a totally new place..all she wants to do is go back to London.When her grandmother from her mothers side ends up in hospital ,her mother Nicola goes to help her grandfather for a while..but when Nicola returns home her daughter has vanished..Nicola devastated..never gives up looking for her..As the days turn into weeks..then into months..Nicola and Ed slowly drift apart..Nicola begins to trawl the streets of London..Never sleeping, sometimes forgetting to eat..little by little Nicola is dying inside..Elsewhere in a dark place..a child cries out in the dark..A Damaged mind with a broken spirit holds the key..And then without warning a monster takes what is not theirs..Will a mother ever see her child again ..?..Cold Ice Cold Chilling Storytelling..5 stars..

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my! What a heartbreaker of an opener! Family deaths are never easy, but to learn of one when you’re settling down to a quiet evening for two….but then what follows leads to so so much more that just the death of a loved one!

What was Ed’s “demon past”? Why was he reluctant to stay to long in Cornwall for the funeral? As the story developed, I got to know more of Ed’s past and the ghosts that haunt his mind. And it’s not a pretty place to be! Huber really painted a picture of a seriously messed up adolescence and hell, that will not leave my head!

I loved how the story jumped from the various perspectives of the family now and the sporadically dropping into the young Ed’s world. This stopped me from getting too comfortable and trying to work out what was going on too quickly. The more the story went on in this way, the more tense I became.

The story wouldn’t let me be comfortable with my thought process, but it wouldn’t be a psych/thriller if I did! I had an idea what happened to poor Kelly was but the question is.. was I right?!?

This is the first novel I’ve read by Linda Huber but I’ve indulged in her rather interesting blog posts. Huber has written a tense family thriller where the characters are entirely believable and relatable. Kelly with her teenage angst and want for freedom, Nicola wanting the less stressful life and Ed being eaten up by his past! The big question is, will Kelly be found before it’s too late?

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first they seem like any other family. Their contented life is disturbed by unemployment and teenage angst, but worse things can happen and do. Nicola believes a new life in Cornwall, living in the old house on the cliff which husband Ed has inherited, will help them all, but Ed is not keen and teenage daughter, Kelly, rebels.
Although written in the third person we read the point of view of each of the three character in separate chapters. Our empathy is with Nicola who will do anything for her daughter, but Kelly’s distress is understandable, and Ed is facing horrors from his childhood. Soon life falls apart for all of them. Meanwhile, next door, Dorothy, a grandmother to young Mia, is happy that her son Rob is making a new life with partner, Phoebe. Their life seems idyllic but soon they are filled with the same fear as Nicola.
This psychological thriller gradually builds up to a thrilling conclusion. Will life ever be the same for the two families? A thought provoking story questioning how much we know about other members of our family and how secrets cannot be hidden for ever.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the free ebook in exchange for my honest review

If you’re looking for a real binge read, then look no further! This is a book you want to make sure you have some time cleared out in your schedule for. The fast pacing makes the 250 pages fly by and the author keeps you gripped in all the suspense and drama. It’s really hard to go into any real detail of this book because I don’t want to give any spoilers.

We get dual timelines, multiple POV’s with the different characters, and the author does an incredible job fully immersing us in their lives. You really connect with our narrators and get to experience everything along the way with them. We get the complexities of family dynamics and of course the age old question, do you ever truly know those you’re closest to?

I highly recommend picking this one up if you want something quick and suspenseful. Linda Huber is on my radar and I plan to look for more from her!

[Nicci McShane-Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a thriller that toys with your nerves from page one, The Runaway delivers exactly that. Linda Huber wastes zero time pulling you into a web of secrets, manipulation, and that stomach-dropping “oh no…” feeling you get when you realise everyone is lying about something.

This isn’t your typical runaway-child trope — it’s darker, twistier, and far more psychological. Huber drip-feeds tension so well that I found myself internally screaming just one more chapter until suddenly… it was 1am. The pacing? Spot on. The characters? Unsettling in the best way. The ending? Let’s just say I audibly exhaled.

If you want a thriller that keeps your mind racing long after you’ve closed the book, this one’s a solid 4.5⭐ page-turner.

Perfect for fans of domestic suspense, messy secrets, and that creeping sense of dread you can’t shake 👀📖

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins when Ed's mother Amelia dies and he inherits his childhood home in Cornwall. His wife Nicola persuades him that they should move from London and take residence in his family home. Despite Ed's misgivings for reasons that will become apparent as the story progresses, he bows to his wife's pressure for a new life in Cornwall. Kelly, their fifteen-year old daughter did not want to leave her life in London, and vowed that she would leave home as soon as she turns sixteen.
The story is set in present time, and also during Ed's childhood in Cornwall. Linda Huber successfully builds up an equal amount of suspense during both of these eras, giving the reader two stories in one that will eventually come together for a climatic ending.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a great fan of Linda Huber’s work & this latest novel is the best so far. Centred around a family drama, where teenager Kelly rebels against her unexpected move from London to Cornwall, the storyline runs parallel with scenes from her father’s past. Bullied, toughened up & abandoned, Ed’s childhood has caused untold resentment & when his own daughter begins to show her true feelings, there are dire consequences. This is a novel where you know exactly what’s going on behind closed doors & want to yell at the characters to watch out & take care. Very moving & written with realistic prose.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline is told from three perspectives - Nicola, the mother, Ed, the father, and Kelly, their teenage daughter.
When Ed’s mother dies the family move from London to St Ives, the childhood home that Ed grew up in. It should have been a new start, but Kelly is desperately missing her London life and Ed is troubled. Nicola can see the rift between them. Then Kelly goes missing, followed by the little girl next door.
It took me a while to get into the book and it was a bit drawn out in parts, but not a bad plot, though a little obvious.

[Laura Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc in return for an honest review.
When Nicola's mother in law passes away and her husband Ed loses his job, she decides a move from london to Cornwall is the best idea for their family.
Ed is not keen on the idea of being back in his childhood home and daughter Kelly hates their new life and constantly talks about going back to London.
When Kelly goes missing it's assumed that she has runaway to London and Nicola spends her time there searching, her marriage begins to deteriorated and then things become more mysterious when the neighbours granddaughter also goes missing.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a very quick and interesting read..... although I did guess what was happening. I love Linda's writing and will definitely be looking for more books by her.

[Sylv Kerslake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a beautifully haunting mystery set against the stunning backdrop of Cornwall? Nicola and her family have been dealt a tough hand, but that makes the story all the more intriguing!

The way you captured the slow burn of suspense escalating into a thrilling race towards the end was so well written!

If you’re craving a mix of mystery and the unexpected, this book certainly should be next on your reading list! Perfect for those cozy evenings where you want to lose yourself in a gripping tale!

[Margaret Duke-Wyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic - missed so much sleep reading this - really didn't want to put it down. A really easy read, well structured, great characters and quite a simple premise. Don't be fooled though. The title 'The Runaway' is just to simplistic to convey how much more there is to this book. Tension, empathy, fear - great plot. Cannot speak highly enough of it.

[Sue Lilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as gripping as the description implied. It took so long to get going I almost didn’t finish it. There were huge sections which added nothing to the plot. It was obvious who the “bad guy” was, right from the beginning. But the pace did pick up by the end and I stuck with it to find out how it would all be resolved. Not bad but could have been over in half the time without all the padding.

[Irene Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Lina Huber. Although I guessed what was happening in the story and I normally could not read about the event taking place ( do not want to giveaway spoilers) I could not put this book down. Gripping is the word that best describes this book for me. I wil look into other books by Linda Huber.

[Lisa Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a perfect family is not so perfect

It can be easy for people to put on an act around strangers and the world sees a lovely, normal family. But how hard would it be for a person to keep that act up in front of their closest family? Until the cracks start to form and everything comes tumbling down! Truely gripping story

[Jayne Mapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of heart in mouth moments

A roller coaster of a read. I literally carried it around the house tripping over things. Proper escapism for a rainy afternoon, with a fair dose of peril thrown in for good measure

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

Characters developed well, good plot, poor execution as situation is not believable. This had potential with two runaways next door to each other, but the outcome fell flat.

[Mandy Innes · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would seem I am in the minority with this book. I found it a bit of a slog to be honest. The whole storyline was extremely predictable and it just dragged on for me. This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and don’t think I would rush to read any more

[Dayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read

A gripping thriller that's full of twists and turns I love this author and have read all her books this one didn't disappoint

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually better from this author

I liked it, but a lot of dragging out when we knew what was going on... but not bad. I won’t write her off!