Never Run

May Moore #1

by Blake Pierce

May Moore, 29, an average Midwestern woman and deputy sheriff, has always lived in the shadow of her older, brilliant FBI agent sister. Yet the sisters are united by the cold case of their missing younger sister—and when an eerily similar serial killer strikes in May’s quiet, Minnesota lakeside town, it is May’s turn to prove herself, to try to outshine her sister and the FBI, and, in this action-packed thriller, to outwit and hunt down a diabolical killer before he strikes again.

May Moore wastes no time investigating, but things quickly go south when her older sister, an accomplished FBI BAU agent who constantly outshines her, is called in by local authorities to help. Making matters worse, the case brings up dark memories and buried secrets from her family’s history—and neither May nor her sister are ready to confront the past.

But with a ticking clock, May and her sister will have to put aside old grievances to find this killer and save the next victim, and they will have to be careful not to assume this is the same killer from their past.

But is he?

A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured Deputy Sheriff, the MAY MOORE series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, jaw-dropping twists, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense

165 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2022

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐
Genre ~ police procedural
Series ~ May Moore #1
Setting ~ Minnesota
Publication date ~ book ~ May 17, 2022, audio ~ August 16, 2022
Est Page Count ~ 167 (p+ 31 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 5 hours 54 minutes
Narrator ~ Melissa Durbin
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ serial killer, cold case

May has just been promoted to Deputy Sheriff. Her first case is the dead body of a young woman found in the lake. The same lake her sister disappeared near a few years ago.

Overall, this was fine, nothing groundbreaking. I thought May did a great job investigating. But then her other sister, the hot shot FBI agent, is called on to the case and May is cast aside. I didn't like her parents and sister not being supportive of her.

Narration notes:
Didn't seem too excited to narrate, but overall fine. A bit monotone and sounded a little too young for the character. I'm not sure if something was going on with the audio, but some phrases were unnecessarily repeated that didn't seem like they would be written that way in the book.

*Another Hoopla bonus borrow*

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[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the Blake Pierce heroine's, May Moore is not my favorite. There's something about the "I just have to," mindset that sounds ridiculous. As if, a person doesn't have agency to make choices; because she is told to stop working on the case by her boss. The FBI is taking control of the serial murder case, and she is told to write parking tickets and answer phones. Sure, it's obnoxious that your own sister tells you that you have to sit on the sidelines, but she's been given specific orders.

The first time Deputy Sheriff May Moore's caught disobeying a directive, she gets yelled at by her boss and her sister, but she does not relent. I would be like, you don't want my help forget you, I know when I'm not wanted. Yet, she persists, knowing that there will be consequences. Persistence can be a virtue, but not when there's a threat of losing your job. Again, she defends herself by, "I just had to." My response is, "Then you deserve what you get."

The novel itself is gripping, because the case is mesmerizing. Pierce has a way of building suspense that sweeps up the reader, and in the case of this novel, it is no different. My only complaint is the main character. I like the story and the supporting characters along with the red herrings and story deviations. It's just that minor self-destructive plot point by May Moore. In any case, this is a recommend but not quite as avidly as the others.

[Jeanette M Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barely held

I think I finished this book only out of curiosity. Very predictable table. Juvenile charactors and language. I felt like a 13 year old wrote this!

[Laur]

DNF after 30%.
Review on Audiobook version - narrated voice was my breaking point. The reader read well…just couldn’t take the voice (sounded young/unbelievable for action or mystery….just personal opinion.) No interest in rest of story.

Not a fan of the character development for main protagonist, May Moore.

Honestly, this just didn’t feel like Blake Pierce authored this. The writing was simplistic and uncharacteristic of his usual style. I have read/listened to many Blake Pierce novels, really liked or loved most all of them. Just not this one. Won’t continue with THIS series, but will continue to seek out other series (and characters) from Mr. Pierce I enjoy.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another good book by Blake Pierce. If you enjoy serial murder mysteries and police books, this one is quick and easy. I personally enjoyed the dynamics and the characters. The author is well-known for teasers and cliffhangers, and this one is no exception. I love how it ended. The main plot is resolved, but there is an overarching plot that I'd assume will carry on throughout the series.

I'd rate it 3.5 stars.✨

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This title from the collective known as Blake Pierce is one of the weakest yet. Blake Pierce novels always include British words rather than the American version, even though these are set in America. The "author" does not do enough research into American law enforcement so there are often occasions where I find myself saying, "they wouldn't do it that way". So to say this is the weakest is saying something.

May Moore has been living in her sister's shadow all her life. Her parents openly favor her sister serving in the FBI, even as May announces her own promotion in the sheriff's office. This would certainly engender insecurity, but this character takes it too far. As she is solving a murder, she constantly expresses her self-doubt every step of the way, to an annoying degree.

Though this is marked as Kindle, I listened to the audio on Hoopla. The narrator ruins this book. Though the character is late 20s, the narrator sounds like a petulant teenager with a bit of Valley Girl. It made a bad story even more unbearable. I had chosen this for a Popsugar category so I gritted through the 5 1/2 hours of the audio but don't think anyone else should bother.

[Jessi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great idea for a series, terrible execution. The writing is just bad - things are worded so awkwardly and in ways that no adult would ever say them. It's supposed to take place in Minnesota, where I do live, and there is absolutely nothing about it that seemed Midwestern American at all; it could have been set in Washington or New York and it would have been the exact same story. May, the main character, is annoyingly meek and is only successful because of some huge lucky breaks. You can absolutely tell this wasn't written by someone familiar with US policing. Yikes, yikes, yikes.

I won't be continuing the series, but hopefully they get better.

[The Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good murder mystery. A deputy and her FBI sister have to put aside sibling rivalry in order to find a serial killer.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree this book is the weakest yet for Blake Pierce. It almost felt like this was the very first book he’d ever written - a poor one at that. Most of it was pretty unbelievable.

The main FC (May) just gets a promotion yet I wonder how because her hands are always shaking or she’s got shivers trying to do her job. She has a sister with the FBI who is a total strutter assuming she’s the best so May feels like she’s always been second best.
As for the FBI sister - since when does the FBI stand outside the police station with a suspect and announce to the media present that it was a violent, dangerous takedown but because as Agents they are extensively trained so they were able to apprehend the suspect. Since when do they charge said suspect with Obstruction of Justice because he won’t answer questions and asks for his lawyer? Also since when are the suspects sent to prison that night? A holding cell yes but that isn’t prison.

I haven’t decided whether I will give the second book in this series a chance or not yet.

[Dree · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it 36% into the audiobook before abandoning. The writing is not great, the story is fine--and the narration is terrible. The main character is a sheriff deputy apporaching 30, the narrator reads her as if she is a petulant 15-year-old.

AND. And. I think the narrator is British (per her Linked In basic bio)--but she is doing an American accent. There is a reason actors have voice coaches for accents. She needs a voice coach. Pronunciations are weird and forced, so she sounds like AI (maybe she actually is AI?!). Imagine listening to Siri reading you a book. Or the google maps narrator reading a book. It is hard to take. There are also issues with cuts and tone changes (I don't know the correct terms, but it is weird), which I guess is in the sound editing.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly terrible all around. Starting with grammar errors, bad sentence structure, and repeat pages on the digital version, it got worse with unrealistic investigation tactics, dumb characters, and the worst dialogue I’ve ever read.

[Ariana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got halfway through this and just couldn't continue on. It was so absurd. Some of it could have been the narrator, who is horrible by the way. The lady officer questioning the family or suspects is a joke the way it is written. Then, to just be promoted and put on the lead case, running it is so lame. She is the one who is figuring little things out, and everyone else is just foolish old sherriffs. Just got annoying. This was written as if it were by a little kid. It's just simple, and no real conversation is going on, and the main character is always getting stroked and told how good she is. Blah, Blah, Blah.

[Margaret R Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven’t read a Blake Pierce novel for a number of months now. This May Moore character is so disappointing and not believable. His worst book for me so far. I had to abandon it as it was so poorly written.

[(Grace) Kentucky Bohemian]

Sadly, I Couldn't Handle the Narration
This seemed like a book I would enjoy. The ratings suggest it's a good one. I haven't given it a star rating because I simply don't know. I couldn't take the narration of the audiobook and did something I rarely do: I gave up less than 20% of the way into the book.

The audiobook I tried to listen to was narrated by Abigail Townson. It was bad enough that it had that awkward, stilted "first-reading" style to it. But I completely gave up when some of the character voicings suffered bleed-through from the narrator's apparently natural British accent. The lack of consistency finally did me in.

I suggest reading the book and skipping the audio version for now.

[Jorun Tharaldsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not well written, slightly hysterical prose. I have a feeling it's written by and for very young and uncritical people.

[Heather Littman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ story was pretty good, but there were some problems with editing in the audiobook that made it less enjoyable

[Richard Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

It works, but....

I've read a lot of Blake.Pete's books in other series, and when I came across a package of the first three of the six volumes, I took a chance. If I had only bought this first volume, I doubt I would read more.

His protagonist, May Moore, struck me as needy and insecure (out off by her older sister's success as an FBI Agent, convinced that her parents played favorites and constantly second guessing herself. Oj, in the end she solves the case and emerges as hero, but I d,left the next volume won't show her as strong and powerful. Odd.

The second piece is - in my opinion, lazy writing. Two young women are found dead with sounds from the same weapon and the sheriff declares "we have a serial killer, we need the FBI." The FBI shows up the same day? Not likely! It takes at least three deaths before they consider it. And they don't come running the same day.

Then the sheriff just lays down and turns it all over to them? And the agent (May's sister, naturally) gives a press conference that is completely unrealistic?

But May comes through. Her sister publicly acknowledges her, and it ends as May is waiting for permission to investigate the cold case around their younger sister. Maybe it'll improve in the second volume.

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook, and it was entertaining enough to get through a 6 hour car ride, but the ending was super anticlimactic and the writing was really not very good 😂 felt like it was written by AI!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the overall plot, but the conflict between the characters seemed childish. So I would give it a 2.5.

[Victoria Makarenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Connie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery held my interest. Liked the angle of the sisters - one a deputy sheriff and the other in the FBI. A solid thriller that plodded along until the mystery was solved.

[Sharon Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable

A predictable story line told in a basic, simple manner. It does not entice me to read any further books with this character. Rather flat writing.

[Bryan Slomp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goed boekje wel, makkelijk geschreven waardoor je er snel doorheen bent 👌🏻

[Allison Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The structure, plot and details of this novel had the potential to be fantastic. Unfortunately the dialogue between characters was really disappointing. The degrading banter dished out from Carrie and her parents towards Mae was a turn off. Also, the dialogue between Carrie and Agent Adam’s was ridiculously unrealistic.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good mystery. My only criticism is that in attempting to show friction between the two main characters, the author made both highly unprofessional until the end and it didn't ring true. Petty for two people so highly regarded in their professions. Otherwise, an interesting story with just enough detail.

[Desirae Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listening to the audiobook of this, on my phone reading app. The narrator was so difficult to handle. She made goofy voices for the men and made the females sound like little girls. I noticed none of the characters have much depth, so it was really hard for me to actually like any of the characters.

[EMP · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Not the author's fault. Unless he picked the narrator for his book. She was awful.

[Alycia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe it was who narrated this but I hated this book. Like did the author even watch an episode of ncis and know how an investigation goes?!? Bad

[Crystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

audiobook

[BlueFalkon95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Run
A May Moore suspense thriller
Book 1
Blake Pierce

5+

Another great page turning and edge of the seat suspense thriller. This book does contain content which might effect readers who have suffered any loss or even parental or sibling relationship issues. Certainly not for a quick reader as you could miss out on the obvious and subtle details that can give readers hints of the suspect or victim or future victims. The feelings and thoughts of those who find the gruesome bodies can be imagined while reading the horrific find. I love the visual effects regarding the background scenery and what the characters are looking at, and going through in each scene. I have an understanding of the relationship May has with her parents and sister; I empathise and comprehend with her thoughts and reactions to how she is treated by them. I am looking forward to reading the next book to find out on how she fares with the relationship between her and her parents and sister and her workmates and boss. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read suspense thrillers. I advise readers who have been effected by the storyline or characters to please know that it’s just a fictional story, it’s not your personal story and please obtain help if required.
I have received an advanced copy of this book, I am writing this review voluntarily in my own words, thoughts and feelings on reading of the book. I have included a screenshot of the cover of the book so readers of my reviews know what the book looks like.