Black River

Run and Hide Thrillers #2

by J.J. Marsh

Life on a Brazilian beach is relaxing, beautiful and quiet. Ann Sheldon wants to keep it that way. The nightmares about her previous life are fading, her dog and a few friends keep her company, and if she can avoid the nearest town, there’s no danger of meeting Gil Maduro. Getting involved with a police inspector would be madness. Thousands of miles away, a girl goes missing from a camp on the Rio Negro. Her frantic parents beg for help and Gil Maduro agrees to investigate. Would Ann like to see the rainforest, the Amazon river and the extraordinary city of Manaus? She knows it’s risky, both physically and emotionally, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The trip gets off to a rocky start as they encounter good guys turned bad and bad guys turned ugly. Ann is in a vulnerable position, with plenty of people ready to take advantage, but now she faces the most serious threat of all. Someone knows who she really is. That could be deadly.

268 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2021

About the author

As a child, Jill read so obsessively she got kicked out of the school library. But her passion for words continued. She graduated in English Literature and Theatre Studies from the University of Wales and set up a theatre company. Since then, as an actor, director, teacher, writer and journalist, she’s worked in fifteen countries. She learnt something from each one.
Now, with her husband and three dogs, Jill lives in Switzerland, a country with four languages and mountains of new words.
She works as a language trainer all over Europe, collaborates with Nuance Words and Triskele Books, and contributes regularly to Words with JAM magazine. But most of the time, she writes. And reads.

Behind Closed Doors is the first Beatrice Stubbs novel, a European crime series set in compelling locations all over the Continent.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLACK RIVER by JJ Marsh is Book #2 in Ms. Marsh’s Run and Hide Thriller series.
Ms. Marsh has written several novels, the Beatrice Stubbs series (a personal favorite of mine)
and the new Run and Hide Thriller series.

‘Ann Sheldon’ is running away and has chosen a remote Brazilian beach as her hideaway.
In BLACK RIVER, ‘Ann’ takes up with smart, sexy cop, Gil, and finds herself up the Amazon River tangling with the Manaus Mafia and risking her life confronting ruthless rainforest loggers in search of a missing prostitute.
BLACK RIVER is very much a thriller and has a very exotic (and dangerous) location. A tense, exciting plot and good characters make this a good title and series ****
* The next installment in this BLACK RIVER series is entitled GOLD DRAGON and is due to be published in the autumn of 2022.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I got to the last chapter, I'd put the book down and make a cup of tea. Read a few pages. Put the book down and step onto the balcony to watch the Foehn winds that come down out of the Alps. Read a few pages. Put the book down and warm a hot pack for my puny knee. Read a few pages more. I had thought that the Beatrice Stubbs characters were complex, but the Olivia/Ann Sheldon crew are equal to those of Beatrice. And not to provide a spoiler, but the ending will not disappoint. I would invite all of JJ Marsh's characters to my imaginary dinner party. (The one with guests like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sting, Rosalind Russel and my Mom.) This is the first book that I've given a 5 star review to in months. Most excellent.

[Terri Giffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good follow up to the first book and I did enjoy it - I just found there to be too many plot lines going on at once and at times they were hard to follow. The way the book opens you really think the main focus will be on the missing girl but then all sorts of other things come into play and that ends up being a relatively small plot point.

Anyway, still love this new series and the new lead character - excited to see where her adventures take her next and also getting a little more of her backstory each time. Looking forward to #3.

[Dawn Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up promptly from where the first novel ended, this fleshes out the characters we met in the first novel further and subtly gives us more information on Ann's past.
It's a pacey read - I found it incredibly hard to stop reading and get on with my day job, and it feels very well researched with the locations being vividly described. I'm very relieved to live where there are no creatures that bite or glide, and where I feel safe
I enjoyed this hugely and have pre-ordered the third in the series.
Thrilling, convincing and engaging. An excellent read.

[Liz Krummell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is fast paced and parts of the story are very good. Loved the resolution of the missing girl. As this is book 2 I would like more of Ann's background vs just hints, what is it that so much energy is being spent chasing her from Europe to South America where she is hidden in a very remote spot and really the gang in Manaus is connected to the gang in Europe? Disappointed it appears she is heading off to Asia after 2 books of developing the supporting characters. . Also if she is trying to stay under the radar red hair is probably not the way.

[Mary Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast paced story with a long and complex tale. Many tall, strong, indestructible hero’s have featured in similar stories using all their physical prowess as much (if not more) than their intellect. ‘Ann’s’ character is a mixture of cold, crisp boundaries with caring, capable, nurturing, sensual traits in relation to others.

Not a fan of books set in foreign parts featuring alpha males, these books intrigue me. The author writes with authority about foreign parts, skilfully bringing these places and indigenous population/s to life. I’m glad I found you.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating Book

Great characters and storyline. Enjoyed reading about life in South America. So glad Ann (Olivia), found some happiness with Gil. Very sad she had to leave her beach hut and current life to get away from those hunting her down from her previous life. So sad she has to also leave her dog Branco behind. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series when it’s released. I hope Olivia can reconnect with Gil in the future.

[Gillian Relf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

Only taken two days to read, I couldn’t put it down, at least not for long. This is another fantastic book. You can almost smell the the rain forest, and hear the birds. JJ MARSH has done it again. I just hope there will be more books about this lady, where she goes and what she does. Read it and you will be hocked like me.

[MRS C ARMSTRONG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Having read the entire Beatrice Stubbs series I wondered how I would like the Run and Hide series. Needn't have worried, they are excellent and I eagerly await book 3

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never manage in a jungle but it is an interesting series. Where to next?

[Kirsten Bett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new series from a great writer. Grabs you right from the start. Exciting, intriguing characters. Page turner in a stunning setting. Looking forward to the next one.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a let down after the first book in the series.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series!

[Maxine Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fast pace continued in this second book in JJ Marsh's "Run and Hide" thrillers. I had to keep on reading to find out what would happen next!