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Cass Raines #4
Runner
Chicago in the dead of winter can be brutal, especially when you’re scouring the frigid streets for a missing girl. Fifteen-year-old Ramona Titus has run away from her foster home. Her biological mother, Leesa Evans, is a recovering addict who admits she failed Ramona often in the past. But now she’s clean. And she’s determined to make up for her mistakes—if Cass can only help her find her daughter.
Cass visits Ramona’s foster mother, Deloris Poole, who is also desperate to bring the girl home. Ramona came to Deloris six months ago, angry and distrustful, but was slowly opening up. The police are on the search, but Cass has sources closer to the streets, and a network of savvy allies. Yet it seems Ramona doesn’t want to be found. And Cass soon begins to understand why.
Ramona is holding secrets dark enough to kill for, and anyone who helps her may be fair game. And if Ramona can’t run fast enough and hide well enough to keep the truth safe, she and Cass may both be out of time.
Cass visits Ramona’s foster mother, Deloris Poole, who is also desperate to bring the girl home. Ramona came to Deloris six months ago, angry and distrustful, but was slowly opening up. The police are on the search, but Cass has sources closer to the streets, and a network of savvy allies. Yet it seems Ramona doesn’t want to be found. And Cass soon begins to understand why.
Ramona is holding secrets dark enough to kill for, and anyone who helps her may be fair game. And if Ramona can’t run fast enough and hide well enough to keep the truth safe, she and Cass may both be out of time.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2021
220 people are currently reading
984 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Clark
8 books925 followersTracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PI Cassandra Raines. A multi-nominated Anthony, Lefty, Edgar, Macavity, and Shamus Award finalist, Tracy is also the 2020 and 2022 winner of the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award and the 2022 Sara Paretsky Award, which honors crime writers from the Midwest. Tracy was also nominated for the 2022 Edgar for Best Short Story for “Lucky Thirteen,” which was included in the crime fiction anthology “Midnight Hour.” She is a proud member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and serves on the boards of Bouchercon National and the Midwest Mystery Conference. HIDE, her new, police procedural, featuring Det. Harriet Foster of the Chicago Police Department, released in January 2023. The second entry in that series, FALL, releases in 2024. Tracy loves old black-and-white movies, a good nap, and a really spicy ginger snap served with ice-cold milk. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing and admits to finding characters in the most unusual places.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
March 16, 2021
Small stones cause big ripples.
Tracy Clark shifts scenes rapidly in Runner and provides a panoramic view of Chicagoland with P.I. Cass Raines slipping in and out of dark corners and tight entry ways. Cass, a former police officer in the CPD, is a private detective who is good at her job and solid in her word.
Cass meets up with Leesa Evans in one of Chicago's famous fast food icons, White Castle. With a sack of burgers in hand, Cass sits across from Leesa. Leesa nervously tells her that her fifteen year old daughter, Ramona, has run away. Ramona has been in foster care while Leesa tries to stay ahead of drugs and a wayward life. She's saving for an apartment when she and Ramona can be reunited.
With little to go on, Cass hits the streets and follows leads in the limited life of a fifteen year old. Ramona has no friends to speak of and a part-time job. To complicate things, Ramona is a chronic runaway and the police seem to think that Ramona will turn up on her own. Cass isn't so sure when two weeks go by and no sign of Ramona. To add to even more doubt in the case, Ramona left everything behind. Too quick of a departure in Cass' mind. And a clue from one of Ramona's co-workers leads Cass to believe that this is a situation far bigger than a runaway girl.
Not to worry if you've not read any of the prior Cass Raines Series. Runner reads as a fast-paced standalone. Tracy Clark insures her readers that they can hit the ground running right alongside Cass from the get-go. Clark has a winner in the likes of Cass who is a thirty-six year old black woman with amazing analytical skills and Chicago street smarts. Cass is highly driven when she takes on a case and highly compassionate to those who keep getting rained on in life.
Runner incorporates snappy dialogue spoken boldly by those who find the streets as their home. It has niches of humor as well in an unlikely duo of nuns who give Cass hell around every corner. These nuns minister to the homeless and the runaways and are as tough as nails. And Tracy Clark takes us to Cass' stompin' grounds involving a bevy of her friends and neighbors. The investigations are top drawer and complicated with an excellent storyline taken from big city life. Seriously sayin', Tracy Clark can't write fast enough for her many, many fans. Bravo, just bravo.
I received a copy of Runner through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Books and to Tracy Clark for the opportunity.
Tracy Clark shifts scenes rapidly in Runner and provides a panoramic view of Chicagoland with P.I. Cass Raines slipping in and out of dark corners and tight entry ways. Cass, a former police officer in the CPD, is a private detective who is good at her job and solid in her word.
Cass meets up with Leesa Evans in one of Chicago's famous fast food icons, White Castle. With a sack of burgers in hand, Cass sits across from Leesa. Leesa nervously tells her that her fifteen year old daughter, Ramona, has run away. Ramona has been in foster care while Leesa tries to stay ahead of drugs and a wayward life. She's saving for an apartment when she and Ramona can be reunited.
With little to go on, Cass hits the streets and follows leads in the limited life of a fifteen year old. Ramona has no friends to speak of and a part-time job. To complicate things, Ramona is a chronic runaway and the police seem to think that Ramona will turn up on her own. Cass isn't so sure when two weeks go by and no sign of Ramona. To add to even more doubt in the case, Ramona left everything behind. Too quick of a departure in Cass' mind. And a clue from one of Ramona's co-workers leads Cass to believe that this is a situation far bigger than a runaway girl.
Not to worry if you've not read any of the prior Cass Raines Series. Runner reads as a fast-paced standalone. Tracy Clark insures her readers that they can hit the ground running right alongside Cass from the get-go. Clark has a winner in the likes of Cass who is a thirty-six year old black woman with amazing analytical skills and Chicago street smarts. Cass is highly driven when she takes on a case and highly compassionate to those who keep getting rained on in life.
Runner incorporates snappy dialogue spoken boldly by those who find the streets as their home. It has niches of humor as well in an unlikely duo of nuns who give Cass hell around every corner. These nuns minister to the homeless and the runaways and are as tough as nails. And Tracy Clark takes us to Cass' stompin' grounds involving a bevy of her friends and neighbors. The investigations are top drawer and complicated with an excellent storyline taken from big city life. Seriously sayin', Tracy Clark can't write fast enough for her many, many fans. Bravo, just bravo.
I received a copy of Runner through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Books and to Tracy Clark for the opportunity.
January 4, 2023
Dangerous secrets are uncovered by Cass Raines as she helps a recovering drug addict find her missing teen daughter. We visit the dark side of the city of Chicago and the equally dark side human nature in a novel that is well written and shiveringly exciting. A 15-year-old girl from foster care is missing and a Chicago winter is no time to be on the streets. Cassandra Raines is a former police officer with the Chicago Police Department, who after a horrific incident resigned from the force and became a Private Investigator. This is the fourth book in the series but it's the first time I’m meeting Cass Raines. Even though the book is the fourth series, if this one is any indication, they read well as standalones. The book was a page-turner. Tracy Clark allows Cass to completely take the lead, guiding readers through the investigation and allowing us to solve the case with her. The further I got into the story, the more invested I became into finding the missing Ramona and learning why she ran away at all much less during a brutal Chicago winter. When we do find out, the reason leads us to even more questions. Ramona is holding secrets... some dark enough to kill for.
May 14, 2023
The 4th book in the Chicago Mystery series featuring private detective Cass Raines is another strong crime novel that shoves us back into the darker, seamier parts of Chicago. The case that takes us there is a missing 15 year old girl, Ramona, who has walked out of her foster home and disappeared.
It’s just past Thanksgiving and Chicago is putting on an early start to winter with freezing weather conditions making things extremely uncomfortable. Diabolical conditions for a young girl who has chosen to hit the streets and it’s these very conditions that inspires Cass to make progress on her case.
“I wished PI work was more exact but it was just a lot of knocking on doors, getting doors slammed in my face, and whittling away at lies people told me.”
With very little to go on, the early stages of the investigation yields sketchy results and progress is very slow. Interviews with relatives and known friends and work colleagues take up a lot of the time and effort with very little to show. But then we get the first glimmer of a clue that this may be more than simply a girl choosing to walk out of her foster home thanks to a few photos picked up from the restaurant where Ramona worked.
What becomes apparent is that there is a lot more behind Romona’s disappearance than simply a girl wishing to move on from an unhappy life in a foster home. The photos raise a bunch of questions, particularly in relation to the agency involved in the placement of foster children.
The great thing about asking a lot of questions from a lot of people is that, eventually, you stumble upon a person who says or does something that doesn’t jibe with what everyone else is saying. Cass Raines’ strength is her ability to keep going when others would have given up and her persistence eventually pays off and the fireworks start exploding all over the place.
Giving this book, and the series as a whole, greater depth and continued interest is the dogged determination displayed by Cass as she works her case. But even more is her network of friends Ben, Barb, Whip, Muna, Deek and others who provide simple but important snippets of input that gives her investigation the necessary impetus to keep things rolling along.
A side story running in parallel to the main investigation comes in the form of the mysterious absence of Whip. He is usually a constant presence in Cass’ life and tends to keep her grounded and steered in the right direction. Out of the blue he’s become scarce which is very unusual and becomes a growing source of angst as her investigation rolls on. While this part of the story doesn’t have a direct impact on the outcome of the case, I’ve got a feeling there’s more to play out further down the line (perhaps in a subsequent book in the series).
Enriched by sharp, snappy dialogue, every scene cuts straight to the heart of the ongoing investigation with barely a wasted word. The sharpness is tempered by plenty of humorous moments, particularly between Cass and Barb, a lifelong friend with a shared past who is now a nun and comes bearing promises of unholy retribution.
Runner continues what has been a high quality PI series featuring a tough and uncompromising lead character. Cass Raines provides a great mix of sensible reasoning combined with the refreshing what-the-hell attitude when she’s been pushed just that little bit too far. It keeps you on your toes and makes following along just that little bit more interesting.
It’s just past Thanksgiving and Chicago is putting on an early start to winter with freezing weather conditions making things extremely uncomfortable. Diabolical conditions for a young girl who has chosen to hit the streets and it’s these very conditions that inspires Cass to make progress on her case.
“I wished PI work was more exact but it was just a lot of knocking on doors, getting doors slammed in my face, and whittling away at lies people told me.”
With very little to go on, the early stages of the investigation yields sketchy results and progress is very slow. Interviews with relatives and known friends and work colleagues take up a lot of the time and effort with very little to show. But then we get the first glimmer of a clue that this may be more than simply a girl choosing to walk out of her foster home thanks to a few photos picked up from the restaurant where Ramona worked.
What becomes apparent is that there is a lot more behind Romona’s disappearance than simply a girl wishing to move on from an unhappy life in a foster home. The photos raise a bunch of questions, particularly in relation to the agency involved in the placement of foster children.
The great thing about asking a lot of questions from a lot of people is that, eventually, you stumble upon a person who says or does something that doesn’t jibe with what everyone else is saying. Cass Raines’ strength is her ability to keep going when others would have given up and her persistence eventually pays off and the fireworks start exploding all over the place.
Giving this book, and the series as a whole, greater depth and continued interest is the dogged determination displayed by Cass as she works her case. But even more is her network of friends Ben, Barb, Whip, Muna, Deek and others who provide simple but important snippets of input that gives her investigation the necessary impetus to keep things rolling along.
A side story running in parallel to the main investigation comes in the form of the mysterious absence of Whip. He is usually a constant presence in Cass’ life and tends to keep her grounded and steered in the right direction. Out of the blue he’s become scarce which is very unusual and becomes a growing source of angst as her investigation rolls on. While this part of the story doesn’t have a direct impact on the outcome of the case, I’ve got a feeling there’s more to play out further down the line (perhaps in a subsequent book in the series).
Enriched by sharp, snappy dialogue, every scene cuts straight to the heart of the ongoing investigation with barely a wasted word. The sharpness is tempered by plenty of humorous moments, particularly between Cass and Barb, a lifelong friend with a shared past who is now a nun and comes bearing promises of unholy retribution.
Runner continues what has been a high quality PI series featuring a tough and uncompromising lead character. Cass Raines provides a great mix of sensible reasoning combined with the refreshing what-the-hell attitude when she’s been pushed just that little bit too far. It keeps you on your toes and makes following along just that little bit more interesting.
April 6, 2021
Runner is the fourth book in the Cass Reines series. The book is fast paced, funny and well-written but unfortunately I didn't care much about the characters. I'm sure a lot of people will love this book but for me it's a solid crime thriller without that wow-feeling.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Kensington for this ARC..
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Kensington for this ARC..
July 5, 2021
This is easily my favorite new mystery series discovery in recent memory. Clark writes Chicago extremely well (she nails the weather in this book) and Cass continues to be smart, savvy and competent to the point of giving me a girl crush. This time out Cass is looking for a 15-year-old girl who ran away from (by all accounts) a good foster home. As she recovers some of the ground the cops already have, Cass uncovers a new lead at the girl's part-time job that poses more questions than answers. The "found family" aspect of the series continues to be strong in this outing and Clark sets up a potential book #5 plot when old friend, former con turned short order cook Whip, starts acting hinky - vanishing for days and keeping secrets. Good, solid read - can't wait for the next book.
August 30, 2021
I fell in love with stubborn, courageous, vulnerable, wise-cracking Cass Raines in the first book of this series. I love her even more in this fourth book because of her compassion, and dogged determination to do right by a vulnerable teen.
Her client—a mother with issues and a missing child— doesn’t saunter into the PI’s office with a purse full of money. Cass meets her in the middle of a frigid night at a White Castle joint; and thus begins the investigation of a runaway teen who doesn’t want to be found—and for good reasons.
Clark makes you care about the people in this book. From Cass’s gaggle of quirky friends, associates, and regulars, to the kids on the streets who carry secrets and loyalties with as much aplomb as the CIA.
Runner is a page turner. Clark very methodically lays out the procedure, the clues, the doubts, the suspicions until the reader is on the case with Cass Raines knocking down doors; stepping on toes; climbing over fences; chasing people down the street…in the snow and ice; and conking a guy on the head. All in the name of her investigation. She’s my kind of tough cookie.
I have many favorite scenes from the book. But I’ll point out that Cass is at her very best when she’s kibbitzing. Be it with a cop, a kid, a pickpocket, a waitress or a nun.
Let me say it, again. Runner is a page turner. Imagine my glee when the last page was a cliffhanger leaving me already salivating for the next Cass Raines adventure.
Brava!
Her client—a mother with issues and a missing child— doesn’t saunter into the PI’s office with a purse full of money. Cass meets her in the middle of a frigid night at a White Castle joint; and thus begins the investigation of a runaway teen who doesn’t want to be found—and for good reasons.
Clark makes you care about the people in this book. From Cass’s gaggle of quirky friends, associates, and regulars, to the kids on the streets who carry secrets and loyalties with as much aplomb as the CIA.
Runner is a page turner. Clark very methodically lays out the procedure, the clues, the doubts, the suspicions until the reader is on the case with Cass Raines knocking down doors; stepping on toes; climbing over fences; chasing people down the street…in the snow and ice; and conking a guy on the head. All in the name of her investigation. She’s my kind of tough cookie.
I have many favorite scenes from the book. But I’ll point out that Cass is at her very best when she’s kibbitzing. Be it with a cop, a kid, a pickpocket, a waitress or a nun.
Let me say it, again. Runner is a page turner. Imagine my glee when the last page was a cliffhanger leaving me already salivating for the next Cass Raines adventure.
Brava!
September 24, 2021
Gah, I love this series! Each installment keeps getting better as I’m invested in the characters and I love seeing the character development. I can’t wait for the next book to come out! 😩
November 5, 2022
4.5 stars
The main character in this book is Cass Raines, a former Chicago police officer who is now a private detective. Her latest case is locating a fifteen-year-old girl who has run away from her foster home. Cass finds the case is more complicated than it originally seemed, and I love that she refused to give up until it was solved. I really enjoyed getting to know Cass and following along with her during her investigation. This is the fourth book in the series, but it worked fine as a standalone. I admired Cass's determination and bravery in continuing to investigate this case even when faced with danger.
Cass is able to get answers in the case she was investigating, but something mysterious involving a close friend ends on a cliffhanger. I am happy the main mystery is wrapped up, but I don't love having other unresolved threads. I am assuming there will be a subsequent book at some point to continue that storyline. In the meantime, I enjoyed this book so much, I plan to go back and read some of the prior books.
The main character in this book is Cass Raines, a former Chicago police officer who is now a private detective. Her latest case is locating a fifteen-year-old girl who has run away from her foster home. Cass finds the case is more complicated than it originally seemed, and I love that she refused to give up until it was solved. I really enjoyed getting to know Cass and following along with her during her investigation. This is the fourth book in the series, but it worked fine as a standalone. I admired Cass's determination and bravery in continuing to investigate this case even when faced with danger.
Cass is able to get answers in the case she was investigating, but something mysterious involving a close friend ends on a cliffhanger. I am happy the main mystery is wrapped up, but I don't love having other unresolved threads. I am assuming there will be a subsequent book at some point to continue that storyline. In the meantime, I enjoyed this book so much, I plan to go back and read some of the prior books.
April 6, 2021
Runner is the fourth book in the Cass Reines series. The book is fast paced, funny and well-written but unfortunately I didn't care much about the characters. I'm sure a lot of people will love this book but for me it's a solid crime thriller without that wow-feeling.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Kensington for this ARC..
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Kensington for this ARC..
June 2, 2025
I enjoy so many things about this series. It came to my attention initially because the author is a Black woman, and there just doesn’t seem to be much detective fiction by Black women. I lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago during graduate school, so it’s fun to read about a character who lives there, especially since her experience of the neighborhood is very different from mine. When I lived there it was not many years after a series of “urban renewal” projects that the effect (doubtless also the intent) of insulating white and international students from the long-term Black residents, so I appreciate getting glimpses of what I missed. I also really like Cass Raines’ character and background, though I am a little disappointed that some of her interests that drew my attention in the series’ first book have faded from view as the subsequent volumes have settled into a more standard detective mystery format.
The mystery here was well plotted. It heads in a fairly obvious direction, but I was glad to see that it didn’t do that right away, so it remained interesting. I was sorry that several supporting characters—Cass’ old partner, her childhood friend Whip, and her current romantic interest—received far less attention here than in earlier volumes. The scenes with the romantic interest were not as well integrated into the novel as I’ve come to expect. One might say that whereas earlier books were about Cass Raines, who happens to be a private detective, and her life, this book is about the detection, and that the bits about her life that are visible are interruptions to the mystery. That made the book less satisfying for me, but it probably is more what readers of detective fiction are looking for.
I wonder if Clark has abandoned the series. At least one major thread regarding Cass and her friends was left hanging, so it doesn’t feel like the series is intended to end here, but I notice that whereas the 4 volumes came out annually, this most recent of the series was published four years ago.
3.5 stars
The mystery here was well plotted. It heads in a fairly obvious direction, but I was glad to see that it didn’t do that right away, so it remained interesting. I was sorry that several supporting characters—Cass’ old partner, her childhood friend Whip, and her current romantic interest—received far less attention here than in earlier volumes. The scenes with the romantic interest were not as well integrated into the novel as I’ve come to expect. One might say that whereas earlier books were about Cass Raines, who happens to be a private detective, and her life, this book is about the detection, and that the bits about her life that are visible are interruptions to the mystery. That made the book less satisfying for me, but it probably is more what readers of detective fiction are looking for.
I wonder if Clark has abandoned the series. At least one major thread regarding Cass and her friends was left hanging, so it doesn’t feel like the series is intended to end here, but I notice that whereas the 4 volumes came out annually, this most recent of the series was published four years ago.
3.5 stars
November 3, 2021
Cassandra Raines, ex-homicide detective turned P.I., trudges the frigid cold city streets of Chicago searching for a 16 year old runaway. Hired by the girl's mom, a struggling addict, who is so sure something is wrong that she uses the money she has saved to rent an apartment for the two of them. As Cass investigates, things just don't add up. From there the search for the truth grows increasingly more dangerous. Sharp solid series, one of the best that feature a female P.I.. Well plotted and paced with an engaging, but flawed, lead character. Just discovered I missed reading one book in the series and I added it to my library reserve list. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2021
PI fans should not miss this series which has so much to love. Not only is each book a solid mystery with a great PI lead, but there is also a nun best friend and a pickpocket klepto.
Cass Raines was a former homicide cop who quit after a traumatic incident to become a PI. Her father figure was a priest, murdered in the first book, and she has two childhood friends currently in her life: a nun and a no-longer-criminal who is acting suspicious. Add in dating a recent divorcé with a not-happy-kid and Cass is full up on personal life things considering she likes to keep everyone a good arm’s distance out. So she focuses on work.
The case involves a mother with a history of addiction who recently completed a program and is getting her life back in order. Her daughter, a teenager in foster care, has gone missing and no one is paying the case much attention; they’re just treating it as a runaway case and only see the mother as an addict who doesn’t have custody. But Cass takes the case and decides to look into it, trying her best to work with the assigned police detective on the case and the retired cop also helping out. And by that I mean that Cass is going to piss a lot of people off, because don’t tell her what to do and don’t stand in her way. I like her a lot.
This is one of the few series that I am always up to date with: I love the characters, am always treated to a great mystery that walks readers through an entire case, and I don’t feel so bad sweating during summer while reading about the brutal Chicago winter.
You can jump in here mid- series because anything you need explained is, but I do recommend enjoying the entire series and getting to know Cass and her small circle of peeps–including the diner she’s obsessed with: Broken Places.
(TW side character brief mention of cancer/ suicide scene discovered/ suicide scene, detail/ mentions forced adoption without parent consent)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
Cass Raines was a former homicide cop who quit after a traumatic incident to become a PI. Her father figure was a priest, murdered in the first book, and she has two childhood friends currently in her life: a nun and a no-longer-criminal who is acting suspicious. Add in dating a recent divorcé with a not-happy-kid and Cass is full up on personal life things considering she likes to keep everyone a good arm’s distance out. So she focuses on work.
The case involves a mother with a history of addiction who recently completed a program and is getting her life back in order. Her daughter, a teenager in foster care, has gone missing and no one is paying the case much attention; they’re just treating it as a runaway case and only see the mother as an addict who doesn’t have custody. But Cass takes the case and decides to look into it, trying her best to work with the assigned police detective on the case and the retired cop also helping out. And by that I mean that Cass is going to piss a lot of people off, because don’t tell her what to do and don’t stand in her way. I like her a lot.
This is one of the few series that I am always up to date with: I love the characters, am always treated to a great mystery that walks readers through an entire case, and I don’t feel so bad sweating during summer while reading about the brutal Chicago winter.
You can jump in here mid- series because anything you need explained is, but I do recommend enjoying the entire series and getting to know Cass and her small circle of peeps–including the diner she’s obsessed with: Broken Places.
(TW side character brief mention of cancer/ suicide scene discovered/ suicide scene, detail/ mentions forced adoption without parent consent)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
October 24, 2021
I found this to be not just an entertaining "read," but also a sobering and sad observation the plight of so many children in this country. For a people who talk a lot about how much we value children, it appears to me that we "talk" a far better game than we deliver.
Among the most broken are those who are shunted from one foster-home or institution to another; we know from numerous studies how it is during their initial years that children's concept of themselves and the world around them is formed -- am I safe, is the world safe, etc. -- and yet it is precisely during those formative years that so many of our kids suffer immeasurably.
This novel follows the efforts of one private investigator -- a former cop and very single-minded when it comes to who or what she is pursuing -- to locate a runaway young teenager before something irrevocably bad can happen to her.
In the midst of telling her story, the author gives us grim views of the back streets of Chicago, as well as the often-broken system of placements for children in need.
The story is well-told but the sadness is far from fictional, as our daily papers reveal.
Among the most broken are those who are shunted from one foster-home or institution to another; we know from numerous studies how it is during their initial years that children's concept of themselves and the world around them is formed -- am I safe, is the world safe, etc. -- and yet it is precisely during those formative years that so many of our kids suffer immeasurably.
This novel follows the efforts of one private investigator -- a former cop and very single-minded when it comes to who or what she is pursuing -- to locate a runaway young teenager before something irrevocably bad can happen to her.
In the midst of telling her story, the author gives us grim views of the back streets of Chicago, as well as the often-broken system of placements for children in need.
The story is well-told but the sadness is far from fictional, as our daily papers reveal.
August 2, 2021
If you enjoy this series you'll love my interview with Tracy on the Crime Writers of Color podcast!
Listen here: https://www.crimewritersofcolor.com/c...
robert
Listen here: https://www.crimewritersofcolor.com/c...
robert
July 1, 2021
Gritty, engaging, and propulsive!
In this engrossing fourth instalment in the Cass Raines series, Runner, Clark has written a fast-paced thrill ride that takes us into the life of the tenacious PI Cassandra Raines as she takes on a new case to find a fifteen-year-old foster care runaway who seems to have a lot of concerned people out on the icy Chicago streets looking for her, but as clues start to surface, and motivations don’t seem to be quite as altruistic as they first appeared, it will quickly become a race against time to find and protect Ramona from those who supposedly care.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are raw, vulnerable, and resourceful. And the plot unravels quickly into a suspenseful mix of twists, turns, manipulation, familial drama, lies, secrets, corruption, coercion, violence, and murder.
Overall, Runner is a fast-paced, tortuous, complex tale by Clark that does an exceptional job of reminding us that money and greed can easily sway perspective and is, in fact, often the root of all evil.
Thank you to Kaye Publicity & Kensington Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this engrossing fourth instalment in the Cass Raines series, Runner, Clark has written a fast-paced thrill ride that takes us into the life of the tenacious PI Cassandra Raines as she takes on a new case to find a fifteen-year-old foster care runaway who seems to have a lot of concerned people out on the icy Chicago streets looking for her, but as clues start to surface, and motivations don’t seem to be quite as altruistic as they first appeared, it will quickly become a race against time to find and protect Ramona from those who supposedly care.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are raw, vulnerable, and resourceful. And the plot unravels quickly into a suspenseful mix of twists, turns, manipulation, familial drama, lies, secrets, corruption, coercion, violence, and murder.
Overall, Runner is a fast-paced, tortuous, complex tale by Clark that does an exceptional job of reminding us that money and greed can easily sway perspective and is, in fact, often the root of all evil.
Thank you to Kaye Publicity & Kensington Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2025
Book #4 in the Cassie Raines series, and a great addition to the series.
I love Cassie and her PI work, her great cast of friends, and her fabulous sense of humor. Klepto Pouch even had a surprisingly important role in this story.
Cassie is hired by a mother to find her runaway 15 year old daughter, Ramona. The mother has not had custody of her daughter for years, but her mother has straightened out her life and truly wants her daughter black I her life. So if Ramona was doing ok in a foster home, why did she run and is staying in hiding? As Cassie does her searching, she uncovers some very disturbing information and she understands Ramona’s life is in grave danger.
I love Cassie and her PI work, her great cast of friends, and her fabulous sense of humor. Klepto Pouch even had a surprisingly important role in this story.
Cassie is hired by a mother to find her runaway 15 year old daughter, Ramona. The mother has not had custody of her daughter for years, but her mother has straightened out her life and truly wants her daughter black I her life. So if Ramona was doing ok in a foster home, why did she run and is staying in hiding? As Cassie does her searching, she uncovers some very disturbing information and she understands Ramona’s life is in grave danger.
January 7, 2022
Chicago based PI Cass Rained fast paced mystery in the dead of winter which provides urgency to finding a runaway teen.
June 16, 2022
Important topic - teen homelessness, and corrupt support systems. I liked the "stupidly tenacious" private investigator. I would want her on my side.
November 5, 2022
The mystery flowed along nicely. I liked the character of Cassandra Raines and the peripheral characters, and the setting of Chicago. I'd read another.
3.8 stars
3.8 stars
March 25, 2024
This PI has always been bull-headed, but this story really stretched any credibility. Several aspects were not well thought out, and the mystery morphed quickly from a who-dun-it to when-will-she-figure-it-out.
Plus a tertiary side-plot ended up as a teaser for the next book. No thanks.
Plus a tertiary side-plot ended up as a teaser for the next book. No thanks.
August 6, 2021
(I have not read the previous books in the series. I feel you can read this as a standalone)
The main character is Cass Raines. She use to be a cop and is now a PI. She is passionate about solving any case sent her way. And, she’s not above bypassing the police to get justice for her clients.
The setting is Chicago in the wintertime. The author writes about the frigid, dreary Chicago weather in a way that you can feel the freezing cold.
The story covers homelessness, foster homes, runaways, addiction and much more.
I loved the nuns…they brought humor to the story.
There a a few situations going on within the story. You definitely will not get bored reading Runner.
Anyone that enjoys a well written detective series will definitely enjoy the Cass Raines series. I will be reading the previous books in the series so I can get the backstory about Cass.
I really liked Tracy Clark’s writing style.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
The main character is Cass Raines. She use to be a cop and is now a PI. She is passionate about solving any case sent her way. And, she’s not above bypassing the police to get justice for her clients.
The setting is Chicago in the wintertime. The author writes about the frigid, dreary Chicago weather in a way that you can feel the freezing cold.
The story covers homelessness, foster homes, runaways, addiction and much more.
I loved the nuns…they brought humor to the story.
There a a few situations going on within the story. You definitely will not get bored reading Runner.
Anyone that enjoys a well written detective series will definitely enjoy the Cass Raines series. I will be reading the previous books in the series so I can get the backstory about Cass.
I really liked Tracy Clark’s writing style.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 16, 2022
Wow! Finally a smart savvy female detective! This page turner is packed with well-developed characters, a believable plot, and a great sense of location. Runner is the 4th installment in the Cass Raines series, but the first one that I have read and definitely won't be the last.
Chicago-based private eye Cass Raines is hired by Ramona's mother, a recovering addict, to find her daughter who ran away from her foster care home. But as Cass Raines soon discovers this is not the typical runaway case and she must find Ramona before those who do not want Ramona to expose their secrets do.
I won't say any more about the plot, but if you are someone who likes crime novels with a strong sense of social justice and absolutely no lecturing, this is the book for you.
Chicago-based private eye Cass Raines is hired by Ramona's mother, a recovering addict, to find her daughter who ran away from her foster care home. But as Cass Raines soon discovers this is not the typical runaway case and she must find Ramona before those who do not want Ramona to expose their secrets do.
I won't say any more about the plot, but if you are someone who likes crime novels with a strong sense of social justice and absolutely no lecturing, this is the book for you.
July 1, 2021
Tracy Clark delivers another stellar novel for her Cass Raines series that had me shivering from the cold and heated up for justice. Clark writes with the perfect balance of dogged sleuthing, Chicago style, and authentic characters. A must-read author for contemporary crime fiction.
June 27, 2022
The fourth book in the series, I liked Runner even more than the first book!
I originally checked out the series because it features a Black, female, detective-turned-PI and is written by a Black woman.
Cass Raines is fully-formed, hard-boiled and still fun.
As a foster parent, this case hit close to home - a foster youth (teen) runs away from a seemingly-perfect foster home and Cass is hired by her birth mom when it seems no one cares. I appreciated the realistic details of the system and the way it respected both the teen and her birth mom.
I’ll be reading the next books in the series!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free review copy
I originally checked out the series because it features a Black, female, detective-turned-PI and is written by a Black woman.
Cass Raines is fully-formed, hard-boiled and still fun.
As a foster parent, this case hit close to home - a foster youth (teen) runs away from a seemingly-perfect foster home and Cass is hired by her birth mom when it seems no one cares. I appreciated the realistic details of the system and the way it respected both the teen and her birth mom.
I’ll be reading the next books in the series!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free review copy
June 10, 2021
"I got angry that there were monsters with human faces who walked the streets, hunting for prey."
Runner is a propulsive thriller, set in Chicago just as winter is really kicking off (and wow, does Clark make you feel it!) Former cop turned PI Cass Raines is searching for a missing teenager, and ends up uncovering a dangerous (and depressing) secret that someone would kill for. If you like detective novels, definitely give this a read.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for sending me a copy of Runner.
Runner is a propulsive thriller, set in Chicago just as winter is really kicking off (and wow, does Clark make you feel it!) Former cop turned PI Cass Raines is searching for a missing teenager, and ends up uncovering a dangerous (and depressing) secret that someone would kill for. If you like detective novels, definitely give this a read.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for sending me a copy of Runner.
April 6, 2022
So slow. Too much time wasted with conversation that was irrelevant. It went like Raines: blah blah blah Other person: blah blah blah. I felt like someone was reading a text message to me. I finished it, but wouldn’t recommend it.
January 27, 2023
Good until the ending
Interesting story that kept my interest. The last chapters however were a disappointment. Too much banter and they just didn't ring true. I think the author wanted to make them dramatic, but I found them tedious.
Interesting story that kept my interest. The last chapters however were a disappointment. Too much banter and they just didn't ring true. I think the author wanted to make them dramatic, but I found them tedious.
August 25, 2021
CASSANDRA RAINES, former Chicago homicide cop turned uncompromising P.I. searches for 15-year old teen, RAMONA TITUS who has run away from her foster home. She soon finds Ramona doesn’t want to be found and Cass understands why. (Cass has no family, but does have a host of interesting friends she calls family.) LEESA EVANS, biological mother, recovering addict; DELORIS POOLE, foster mother, says Ramona was starting to open up to her. The male former cop, Martini, and Ronald Shaw, the man who helped find kids foster parents, and Deloris Poole, who the foster mother, all 3 have lied to Cass while insisting they are “only trying to find Ramona to help her” and they are cooperating with her search, but they’re not. The 3 of them seem to know each other before Ramona was reported missing. Rose, about age of Ramona, is the only one Ramona trusted and was a friend; she's loyal but naïve, not wanting to talk about Ramona’s disappearance. Rose is with her own family, stable , safe– the only one. BEN, Cass’s former cop partner still on the job, is likely the only one she can confide in who believes in her… she's all about detail and he’s about the big picture in his opinion, saying that’s what made them good partners. She’s dating a det., ELI, with a 16 yr dau. who’s determined to hate her.
We’re left wondering what happened to all those runaway girls over the years, doubting police have time track them all down. Whatever novel follows this, I’ll likely read to find out how she helps her close friend/“family” WHIP get out his messy situation that could end with him back in prison or dead. She doeesn't know what that situation is.
One issue I had was the Pittson police approaching the house with sirens and lights, giving the good guys and bad guys a warning they were caught; tiny rural town, snowy weather, and no traffic made that unnecessary. And there must be an earlier novel (this is #4) that tells us why Cass doesn’t want to shoot anybody, not even evil guys trying to kill her. My only let-down was wondering if there would be an investigation of the Pittson police and if they, father and dau, were involved for the money too.
I liked Cass and her colorful "2nd family."
We’re left wondering what happened to all those runaway girls over the years, doubting police have time track them all down. Whatever novel follows this, I’ll likely read to find out how she helps her close friend/“family” WHIP get out his messy situation that could end with him back in prison or dead. She doeesn't know what that situation is.
One issue I had was the Pittson police approaching the house with sirens and lights, giving the good guys and bad guys a warning they were caught; tiny rural town, snowy weather, and no traffic made that unnecessary. And there must be an earlier novel (this is #4) that tells us why Cass doesn’t want to shoot anybody, not even evil guys trying to kill her. My only let-down was wondering if there would be an investigation of the Pittson police and if they, father and dau, were involved for the money too.
I liked Cass and her colorful "2nd family."
June 11, 2021
Runner
Tracy Clark
June 29, 2021
Clark gives us number 4 in the Chicago Mystery/Cass Raines series. Cassidy Raines is an ex-cop. She was so tired of seeing the people hurt, the children left by their parents on the street or abandoned apartments. She’s become a Private Investigator. She handles all sorts of cases but prefers to search for those who are missing. Parents or family paying to have her help find their loved ones. Leesa Evans is a mother who loved her daughter, Ramona. Trying to keep her safe while also leaving the drug addiction behind. Ramona was placed in foster care with a family she loved. They cared for her. The day came, as it does often in foster care, that a counselor from Child Support Services turned up at the door. The time had come to transfer Ramona to a new home. There are never reasons why the child is moved, it just happens. She was placed with Delores Poole, a woman who likes to say wonderful things about her home and the girls that live there. Unfortunately Delores is not as honest as she appears. In this case Ramona disappeared after a short while at the Poole household. Although the police were contacted, Evans never heard about the progress, if any that they were making on the case. Leesa contacted Cassidy Raines for help in locating her 15 year old daughter.
Runner takes place in winter in Chicago. Our protagonist, Raines, finds the weather nasty and life difficult. Her tone is honest yet humorous. Living in the midwest will do that to you. I appreciate Clark’s writing style. Cass Raines lives where the people live - apartments that have to be buzzed into and restaurants are underneath or next to many. The mystery is well written and easy to read. I enjoyed this one and must look into more of Tracy Clark’s novels.
Runner will be published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on June 29, 2021. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Clark’s newest book. The Chicago Mystery series is a good one to follow. Not into a series? Runner is a good read as a single. Do pick up this one and by all means - Enjoy!
Tracy Clark
June 29, 2021
Clark gives us number 4 in the Chicago Mystery/Cass Raines series. Cassidy Raines is an ex-cop. She was so tired of seeing the people hurt, the children left by their parents on the street or abandoned apartments. She’s become a Private Investigator. She handles all sorts of cases but prefers to search for those who are missing. Parents or family paying to have her help find their loved ones. Leesa Evans is a mother who loved her daughter, Ramona. Trying to keep her safe while also leaving the drug addiction behind. Ramona was placed in foster care with a family she loved. They cared for her. The day came, as it does often in foster care, that a counselor from Child Support Services turned up at the door. The time had come to transfer Ramona to a new home. There are never reasons why the child is moved, it just happens. She was placed with Delores Poole, a woman who likes to say wonderful things about her home and the girls that live there. Unfortunately Delores is not as honest as she appears. In this case Ramona disappeared after a short while at the Poole household. Although the police were contacted, Evans never heard about the progress, if any that they were making on the case. Leesa contacted Cassidy Raines for help in locating her 15 year old daughter.
Runner takes place in winter in Chicago. Our protagonist, Raines, finds the weather nasty and life difficult. Her tone is honest yet humorous. Living in the midwest will do that to you. I appreciate Clark’s writing style. Cass Raines lives where the people live - apartments that have to be buzzed into and restaurants are underneath or next to many. The mystery is well written and easy to read. I enjoyed this one and must look into more of Tracy Clark’s novels.
Runner will be published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on June 29, 2021. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Clark’s newest book. The Chicago Mystery series is a good one to follow. Not into a series? Runner is a good read as a single. Do pick up this one and by all means - Enjoy!
June 12, 2021
Runner
Tracy Clark
June 29, 2021
Clark gives us number 4 in the Chicago Mystery/Cass Raines series. Cassidy Raines is an ex-cop. She was so tired of seeing the people hurt, the children left by their parents on the street or abandoned apartments. She’s become a Private Investigator. She handles all sorts of cases but prefers to search for those who are missing. Parents or family paying to have her help find their loved ones. Leesa Evans is a mother who loved her daughter, Ramona. Trying to keep her safe while also leaving the drug addiction behind. Ramona was placed in foster care with a family she loved. They cared for her. The day came, as it does often in foster care, that a counselor from Child Support Services turned up at the door. The time had come to transfer Ramona to a new home. There are never reasons why the child is moved, it just happens. She was placed with Delores Poole, a woman who likes to say wonderful things about her home and the girls that live there. Unfortunately Delores is not as honest as she appears. In this case Ramona disappeared after a short while at the Poole household. Although the police were contacted, Evans never heard about the progress, if any that they were making on the case. Leesa contacted Cassidy Raines for help in locating her 15 year old daughter.
Runner takes place in winter in Chicago. Our protagonist, Raines, finds the weather nasty and life difficult. Her tone is honest yet humorous. Living in the midwest will do that to you. I appreciate Clark’s writing style. Cass Raines lives where the people live - apartments that have to be buzzed into and restaurants are underneath or next to many. The mystery is well written and easy to read. I enjoyed this one and must look into more of Tracy Clark’s novels.
Runner will be published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on June 29, 2021. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Clark’s newest book. The Chicago Mystery series is a good one to follow. Not into a series? Runner is a good read as a single. Do pick up this one and by all means - Enjoy!
Tracy Clark
June 29, 2021
Clark gives us number 4 in the Chicago Mystery/Cass Raines series. Cassidy Raines is an ex-cop. She was so tired of seeing the people hurt, the children left by their parents on the street or abandoned apartments. She’s become a Private Investigator. She handles all sorts of cases but prefers to search for those who are missing. Parents or family paying to have her help find their loved ones. Leesa Evans is a mother who loved her daughter, Ramona. Trying to keep her safe while also leaving the drug addiction behind. Ramona was placed in foster care with a family she loved. They cared for her. The day came, as it does often in foster care, that a counselor from Child Support Services turned up at the door. The time had come to transfer Ramona to a new home. There are never reasons why the child is moved, it just happens. She was placed with Delores Poole, a woman who likes to say wonderful things about her home and the girls that live there. Unfortunately Delores is not as honest as she appears. In this case Ramona disappeared after a short while at the Poole household. Although the police were contacted, Evans never heard about the progress, if any that they were making on the case. Leesa contacted Cassidy Raines for help in locating her 15 year old daughter.
Runner takes place in winter in Chicago. Our protagonist, Raines, finds the weather nasty and life difficult. Her tone is honest yet humorous. Living in the midwest will do that to you. I appreciate Clark’s writing style. Cass Raines lives where the people live - apartments that have to be buzzed into and restaurants are underneath or next to many. The mystery is well written and easy to read. I enjoyed this one and must look into more of Tracy Clark’s novels.
Runner will be published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on June 29, 2021. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Clark’s newest book. The Chicago Mystery series is a good one to follow. Not into a series? Runner is a good read as a single. Do pick up this one and by all means - Enjoy!
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