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Runaway
A runaway is found dead in an alley. How did she get there? Why was she living on the streets. Working with the homeless community to find her killer, the police uncover a web of deception and exploitation of our most vulnerable. City Streets Series Book 1.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 29, 2021
This is a good detective crime novel, with a plot that managed to keep me guessing until the end with a couple of neat and realistic twists leading up to the whodunnit reveal. It also shone a light on the plight of homeless people and those that struggle to survive on the streets without support, and the courageous care workers who try to do what they can to help. The main character, Detective Liz Jordan, is well-rounded and likeable, and you will her to succeed. It was well-written and plotted and engaging. A perfect read for a quiet afternoon.
August 24, 2021
Susanne Perry’s Runaway is both a classic crime story and a sensitive exploration of life on the streets. She presents us with twists and turns that keep us guessing to the end, and yet adds a depth and sensitivity not commonly seen in the genre.
Early on, we read the words: ‘Next to Mike was a man who looked to be a few years older, although with men living on the street, age was relative to how long they had been invisible…’ and it is this type of delicacy of expression - respect for all her characters - that distinguishes Perry’s work from many others. Gripping and thought-provoking.
Early on, we read the words: ‘Next to Mike was a man who looked to be a few years older, although with men living on the street, age was relative to how long they had been invisible…’ and it is this type of delicacy of expression - respect for all her characters - that distinguishes Perry’s work from many others. Gripping and thought-provoking.
December 16, 2021
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book in an Instagram giveaway, and found myself quickly caught up in this gripping crime thriller. The book opens with the discovery of a body in an alley. The victim is a young woman, who’d been briefly staying at a local homeless shelter. As investigations get underway, Perry takes us between two sides; the struggles of the homeless, and the perseverance of the police force.
There’s little emotive language in Runaway, instead it reads much like a police report with concise information given for places, character descriptions, and even the action scenes. I enjoyed this format, whether intentional or not by the author, and felt it added integrity and realism.
Detective Liz Jordan is a likeable strong female character who works tirelessly to find Leah’s killer. Her interactions with colleagues—even those with whom she doesn’t get along—all came across as intelligent and genuine. Likewise the people involved in the homeless community. Perry shone a light on both the workers and the homeless with sensitivity and respect.
Runaway is a thought-provoking read that’s so much more than just a whodunnit. Straddling the worlds of power and wealth, and destitution and hopelessness, she has crafted a story that’ll linger in your thoughts long after you turn the final page.
There’s little emotive language in Runaway, instead it reads much like a police report with concise information given for places, character descriptions, and even the action scenes. I enjoyed this format, whether intentional or not by the author, and felt it added integrity and realism.
Detective Liz Jordan is a likeable strong female character who works tirelessly to find Leah’s killer. Her interactions with colleagues—even those with whom she doesn’t get along—all came across as intelligent and genuine. Likewise the people involved in the homeless community. Perry shone a light on both the workers and the homeless with sensitivity and respect.
Runaway is a thought-provoking read that’s so much more than just a whodunnit. Straddling the worlds of power and wealth, and destitution and hopelessness, she has crafted a story that’ll linger in your thoughts long after you turn the final page.
May 17, 2021
I would have loved to give Runaway 5 stars as I absolutely loved the story and the characters. It captures the attention from the beginning and doesn’t let you go until you run out of pages. Runaway is a whodunnit that will keep you guessing until the very end.
The only thing keeping me from a 5 star rating are the grammar and style issues throughout the novel. Despite these, Runaway is well worth the read with strong female characters and supportive, compassionate men.
I will definitely be reading more from Susanne Perry.
The only thing keeping me from a 5 star rating are the grammar and style issues throughout the novel. Despite these, Runaway is well worth the read with strong female characters and supportive, compassionate men.
I will definitely be reading more from Susanne Perry.
October 3, 2021
“Runaway” is the first book in The City Streets Trilogy. This was so so good!!! It is filled with moments I absolutely didn’t see coming!! Twist and Turns that made this a absolutely page turner!!!
April 2, 2025
Runaway is the first book in The City Streets Trilogy and my first book by Perry. A young woman staying in a nearby homeless shelter is found brutally murdered in an alley. In a community of street dwellers where most prefer to remain anonymous, have no permanence, are desperate, battle addiction or mentally ill, face constant danger, and are frequently victimized and shunned, there is little trust…especially for the police. Sergeant Liz Jordan knows the challenges in finding the killer in this community, but she is determined to find justice for the unknown young woman.
Liz is crisp, professional, determined, and resourceful. She knows it’s important to connect with people who support and have earned the trust of people in the homeless community, which is no small feat. With the help of Mike, the manager of a shelter and Liz’s friend/ex-boyfriend, and Officer Conner, a policeman who works within the community, she is able to connect with key witnesses and slowly piece the clues together. The plot is intricately woven with twists and surprises all the way to the end. Some of my favorite characters are secondary characters who are part of the homeless community. Ty, the Gulf war vet who helps at the shelter and supports others on the streets in trouble. Skip and Nyla, a homeless couple, who are totally devoted to each other and saving money to get off the streets. Perry does a stellar job of portraying the desperation, hopelessness, and fear of the street dwelling community as well as humanizing and endearing many of these characters to us.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Although the story is vividly descriptive and is told with compassion and empathy, the narrative reads in a procedural style. I would like to have explored more about Leah, and how she emotionally came to such a violent end. I am excited to see that Perry just published a book about her. She is a fascinating but mysterious victim. I would also have enjoyed exploring more about the personal relationship between Liz and Mike.
This is an exciting police procedural murder mystery that will keep you engaged and guessing until the end.
Liz is crisp, professional, determined, and resourceful. She knows it’s important to connect with people who support and have earned the trust of people in the homeless community, which is no small feat. With the help of Mike, the manager of a shelter and Liz’s friend/ex-boyfriend, and Officer Conner, a policeman who works within the community, she is able to connect with key witnesses and slowly piece the clues together. The plot is intricately woven with twists and surprises all the way to the end. Some of my favorite characters are secondary characters who are part of the homeless community. Ty, the Gulf war vet who helps at the shelter and supports others on the streets in trouble. Skip and Nyla, a homeless couple, who are totally devoted to each other and saving money to get off the streets. Perry does a stellar job of portraying the desperation, hopelessness, and fear of the street dwelling community as well as humanizing and endearing many of these characters to us.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Although the story is vividly descriptive and is told with compassion and empathy, the narrative reads in a procedural style. I would like to have explored more about Leah, and how she emotionally came to such a violent end. I am excited to see that Perry just published a book about her. She is a fascinating but mysterious victim. I would also have enjoyed exploring more about the personal relationship between Liz and Mike.
This is an exciting police procedural murder mystery that will keep you engaged and guessing until the end.
June 9, 2022
Author Perry had me hooked from the start with "the girl" is dead. Who is this girl and why is she dead?
When Leah Bishop is found in an alley it causes fear to spread through the homeless community as they are left to wonder if it was one of them or some other evil outside their circle. Are they in danger as well and could one of them be next?
Liz Jordan, the detective on the case is determined to find out. Through all the twists, turns and surprise ending one thing resonated with me most - how the author truly showed how messed up our system is showing how easily we allow the homeless to fall through the cracks. Yes, some prefer to be there, but there are others who just need a hand up.
It made me stop and think about how many times I avoided eye contact, not because I think I'm better but to hide the shame I feel for not being able to help them. I always think "if I had the funds" but what I realize after reading this is that it isn't always funds that help another person. Time and just showing they matter is a huge thing and it doesn't cost a dime.
I hope that someday there is a better system to help those out there who don't want to be there but have no other choice. I also hope that human kindness starts to spread over this world like a virus, because if we all cared as much as Liz and Kyle and Mike and so many more, maybe less people would fall through the cracks like Leah.
Ok, off my soapbox. This was a good crime mystery and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
When Leah Bishop is found in an alley it causes fear to spread through the homeless community as they are left to wonder if it was one of them or some other evil outside their circle. Are they in danger as well and could one of them be next?
Liz Jordan, the detective on the case is determined to find out. Through all the twists, turns and surprise ending one thing resonated with me most - how the author truly showed how messed up our system is showing how easily we allow the homeless to fall through the cracks. Yes, some prefer to be there, but there are others who just need a hand up.
It made me stop and think about how many times I avoided eye contact, not because I think I'm better but to hide the shame I feel for not being able to help them. I always think "if I had the funds" but what I realize after reading this is that it isn't always funds that help another person. Time and just showing they matter is a huge thing and it doesn't cost a dime.
I hope that someday there is a better system to help those out there who don't want to be there but have no other choice. I also hope that human kindness starts to spread over this world like a virus, because if we all cared as much as Liz and Kyle and Mike and so many more, maybe less people would fall through the cracks like Leah.
Ok, off my soapbox. This was a good crime mystery and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
June 5, 2022
This is how you build a mystery! The story opens with Ty finding a body of "the girl". Sadly, she didn't seem to make that big of an impression on the other frequentors of the homeless shelter, seeing as how they can't remember the last time they saw her. This book hits on a topic that sadly don't seem like there will ever be a solution to... homelessness. We all need to do our part to help those in need, because there is without a doubt a deep need. After the news of the murder is out, the question arises if the other residents of the shelter are at risk. Another interesting question is... if the killer was another homeless person, they'll be virtually uncatchable without a paper trail. We are given an in-depth look at the characters and their involvement with trying to crack the case, when we are hit with the biggest surprise... Leah, the deceased girl, had recently given birth. This opens up a whole new line of questions, and twists!
May 9, 2022
Chock full of ample mountain road twisty turns to satisfy any avid mystery fan, Runaway, also makes a powerful statement about the gaping inequalities and cracks in our economic and social welfare system. It’s quite easy to imagine many of the scenarios playing out in communities across the world.
The main characters were three dimensional with idiosyncrasies, addictions, and flaws all well-packaged. As someone who’s spent years in law enforcement, Runaway, brought up a question that I’ve pondered for years. Is someone’s behavior and personality influenced to a greater extent by nature or nurture? I’ve never been able to figure that one out.
Regardless of your stance on this, I’d highly recommend this read for all the reasons mentioned above. I’m looking forward to diving into the rest of this series.
Five Stars!
The main characters were three dimensional with idiosyncrasies, addictions, and flaws all well-packaged. As someone who’s spent years in law enforcement, Runaway, brought up a question that I’ve pondered for years. Is someone’s behavior and personality influenced to a greater extent by nature or nurture? I’ve never been able to figure that one out.
Regardless of your stance on this, I’d highly recommend this read for all the reasons mentioned above. I’m looking forward to diving into the rest of this series.
Five Stars!
January 23, 2023
This is the second book I've read from the author. (I read Veteran, book two, in this City Streets Trilogy, and while it was out of order, the books are standalone so I had no trouble at all). I was thoroughly invested in this story of a runaway teenager found dead in an alley. This was a murder mystery feast, and Perry shows her in-depth knowledge of the city life that most do not see, or ignore: the homeless and their daily plight. I followed along with Detective Sergeant Liz Jordan as she pieced the clues together, picking up on subtle hints and mentions that I had to keep my wits about me. There were startling twists and turns, the pace fast and the characters themselves, memorable. I'm looking forward to reading the final book in this trilogy.
March 10, 2022
Compassionate story about a murdered young woman for a debut novel. Plot moves fast and characters are well-rounded. Kept me guessing til the end. Will read more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews