The Run

Will Lee #5

by Stuart Woods

A respected senator from Georgia, Will Lee has loftier aspirations. But a cruel stroke of fate thrusts him onto the national stage unexpectedly, and long before he's ready for a national campaign.

The road to the White House will be more treacherous—and deadly—than Will can imagine. A courageous and principled man thrust into the spotlight, he suddenly finds himself the target of clandestine enemies who will use all their money and influence to stop him . . . dead.

Now Will Lee isn't just running for president, he's running for his life.

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

417 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Stuart Woods was an American novelist best known for Chiefs and his long-running Stone Barrington series. A Georgia native, he initially pursued a career in advertising before relocating to England and Ireland, where he developed a passion for sailing. His love for the sport led him to write his first published work, Blue Water, Green Skipper, about his experiences in a transatlantic yacht race.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.

Reviews

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. Just a little contrived but it's a tremendous dash through an American presidential primary and election campaign with all the electoral pitfalls they entail. Plus the added physical dangers of a thriller only Stuart Woods could author. In its own right an excellent read, authoritative too, but given the extraordinary events of the very real 2024 US election, this piece of fiction from 2000 is eyrie in its similarities. Now, it's a must read. Just a few - a President named Joe with the onset of Alzheimer's (or something similar), unanticipated candidate withdrawals, an assassination attempt in which a candidate incurs minor injuries, far-right conspiracy groups, a surprise party nominee, and a cliffhanger in the polls. Unbelievable. Will Lee is a second-term Senator from Georgia. Doing a good job with ambitions for the highest post. Next time? No, ready or not, the door of opportunity may be creaking open today. Everyone, including Will, anticipates that Vice President Adams will be the Democratic Party's Presidential nominee in the coming election. He deserves it. But Joe has a health secret and urges Will to throw his hat into the ring this time. He does. (Se2024/Jul2025)

[ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Will Lee storyline is always far superior to any other Stuart Woods’s books. Having read these a bit out of order, I knew the outcome of this book. It was still exciting to read and learn how he got there.

Will Lee is clever and I’m glad he was able to outsmart everyone. The Secret Service was able to outmaneuver an assassin who was clever too but had bad luck.

Was the plot believable? No, but this is fiction. Also, the fact that California was considered a “swing state” is pretty laughable AND you can definitely read Woods’s bias but meh I can look past that. I’m sure it will get worse as the books progress but most authors are raging lefty elitists so this is no shock.

The end was just what you wanted which is why this is a 4 star ⭐️ read.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

My pet peeve when reading a novel is when the author interjects uneccessary biased partisan propaganda in to the novel. In the Stuart Woods book The Run, A Democratic Senator from Georgia (Will Lee) runs for President.

Woods largely describes Republicans and conservatives as racists, anti-Semites, and militant milita members. One of the Republicans is Jeb Stuart Calhoun, and another Frederick Wallace. I don't think it is unitentional that that these names are associated with a Confederate General (Jeb Stuart), pro-slavery VP (Calhoun), and a pro segregation Governor (Wallace). Ironically, all 3 historical figures were Democrats and not Republicans. I'm not opposed to writers having a point of view, even one that I may disagree with. That being said, the characterizations of Republicans/conservatives is gratuitous and uneccessary.

As far as the story, it is built on a flimsy premise that a militant militia member continously gets easy access to opportunities to assasinate Presidential candidate Will Lee. Just wasn't very credible or believable.

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found The Run by Stuart Woods interesting. It was a story I could put down and then pick up and continue reading. I do not believe I read any other book by the author before this. After skimming through several passages of past stories he wrote that were in the back of this book, I realized that the main character, Will Lee, was in a series of books. This story stands alone and there was no hint that I missed reading any of the previous stories. The author referred to some past history with Zeke, the killer, but it all tied in together very well. In addition, it gave me an insight to the life of a politician running for office. Too bad there are probably no existing politicians that have the morals and ethics of Will Lee, especially in the party he's associated with.

[- Jared - ₪ Book Nerd ₪ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This terrible book full of cliches and stereotypes has an utter lack of character development and descriptive scene setting. It offers nothing to reader except a story telling that consists of "and then this happened and then this". With it's easy vocabulary, non-immersive, non-thought provoking story it belongs on the New York Times best seller list.

[John Sklar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved this book. I'm a sucker for Stuart Woods. These stories are just real enough to be believable and just fanciful enough to be fun. I like stories with twists and turns and this is one of them. Bravo, I'm sorry there are only a couple left in the series.

[Mike French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page turner in the Will Lee series!

[Susan Claxon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book but not much suspense or mystery. It is mainly about Will Lee’s run for president, with a few side bars. A must read in the Will Lee series.

[Linda Roberti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a roll with Wood's "Will Lee" books. I keep reading one after the other in this series and am enjoying each one. Reading about the same characters, though time in the story is not standing still, helps me to become attached and concerned for their well-being. Sure becoming President so quickly like Will Lee proably isn't that realistice, but I like the clarity for the reasons he is moving forward. Will Lee doesn't move away from his values no matter what; his love for his family remains strong; and the acceptance of his wife for who she is and for his admiration and respect for her in what she does, makes me wish I was part of the story and also had an opportunity to vote for Will Lee. Thanks Mr. Woods.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book knowing very little about it, but I was hoping for a good political drama and full of scandal. I really like this one, but here's the thing I didn't realize until after I started reading it that it was the fifth book in the series. I really want to find out what is next, so do I go ahead and read the sixth novel and finish the series. Or do I start with book one and go in order from there.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded of the current presidential "runs" ... sans the murder attempts! I am not usually a fan of political stuff, but I have grown to care about what happens to Will - simple as that. The fringe groups after him I can see forming in the US today ... Our current president has a knack for attracting this type of fanatic. Sorry state of the union indeed.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is short, solid, smart, and suspenseful novel about a presidential candidate running for the White House at the beginning of this century. It includes political disagreements, illegal behavior, sex, the death penalty, and other worthwhile fodder for a political novel. Like most of Woods writings, this will keep your attention.

[D.B. McBrierty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book I enjoyed completely

Great book I enjoyed completelyGreat book I enjoyed completelyGreat book I enjoyed completelyGreat book I enjoyed completelyGreat book I enjoyed completely
20 Word min is stupid

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well... on one hand it is interesting to read a novel about running for President.
On the other hand...
We are now so engulfed with so much negative political "fake news" that I want to get away from it.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Stuart Woods, 5th book, in the Will Lee series. It’s a good story, and I thoroughly enjoyed the parts where Will Lee was directly portrayed. But, for me, the story was too political, way too political. There were major political details, of specific characters, which I did not enjoy st all.

[Caryl Moulder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Lee and his wife Kate survive a tumultuous run for president. Great read in a Stuart woods series

[Kathy LeJeune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Lee series is a great read. I love Stuart Woods and this is another excellent series.

[John Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I would read some of these in order it might make more sense. Nevertheless it was some history and some fiction, well mostly fiction.

[Scott Chastain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m slowly working my way through Stuart Woods’ main character books, starting with Chiefs, after originally reading some of the later Stone Barrington novels. This book has interesting crossover elements, as Hollywood figures Vance and Arrington—who play a major role in Stone’s story—make appearances. There are also callbacks to the previous Will Lee book and his Senate run.

Woods is clearly a big fan of the Democratic Party, and this novel is set at the end of the Clinton presidency. Will Lee is portrayed as a centrist, but much of the political landscape in the book feels dated given how much has changed in the past 25 years. That said, one theme remains prescient: a president with possible cognitive decline, concealed from the public. While Woods was likely referencing Reagan, the parallels to recent events with Biden make it feel especially relevant today.

As usual, Woods leans on right-wing militias as his go-to villains, a trope that feels very much of its time, rooted in the political anxieties of the Clinton era—think Waco and militia movements. Compared to Stone Barrington, Will Lee, now married, has far fewer romantic escapades.

I read this quickly and enjoyed it. A solid entry in Woods’ world, even if some elements feel like a time capsule of 1990s political concerns.

[J. Michael Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woods wrote seven novels with Will Lee as the primary character. In this novel, Lee runs for president of the United States. He not only has to fight other Democrats for the nomination, and the Republican nominee, but also fend off a right-wing nut job from Idaho who wants to kill him.

The novel, written in 1990s, is politically dated, having been written during the Clinton impeachment period. The theme is shallow (let’s all just meet in the center and get along with each other) and naïve of 9-11, Obama’s election, Trump’s election, and Covid. The characters are shallow and stereotyped.

But it’s a good read if you like politics and want to turn off your brain for a while. I read something out of the Will Lee series anytime I’m looking for an escape, mainly because of my addiction to political stories. It is, however, never satisfying in the end. Political junk food. And stale at that.

[Nanine Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

Said the celebrity Hollywood host at his million dollar fund raising dinner: “Good evening, and thank you all for coming. I think it’s time you all met the reason we’re here. Ladies and gentlemen, the next president of the United States, Senator Will Lee.”

Georgia Senator Will Lee, an honest and principled man, and his beautiful wife, Kate, an associate director in the Central Intelligence Agency, thought they were prepared for the campaign that was thrust upon them as a result of the set of unfortunate circumstances in the White House. But in no time, the couple would discover that Will was not only running for president, but also for his life.

Deception, corruption, sex, and scandal drive the narrative in this fast moving and dizzying, twist-and-turn story, starring Hollywood’s collaborating players, and Washington’s self-serving politicians, hard at oiling the wobbly political wheel.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Senator Will Lee is propelled into running for the Presidency of the United States. This is a kind of interesting look into a credible, if light-weight, story of our political system. There is a threat from white supremacy militia thrown in for good measure. It's not a heavy read but it worked to the end. The most interesting part of the book is a rather lengthy Author's Note at the end. For 2 and a half pages, Woods outlines that he will not answer postal mail but will answer email if it deals with a prescribed subject. The subjects he will not address are listed such as errors, editorial and publishing situations… It's really one of the strangest things I've ever read.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woods skillfully blends political intrigue with personal drama, creating a narrative that is both engaging and timely. The book captures the inner workings of a campaign trail—the strategy, the compromises, and the relentless media scrutiny—while also weaving in threats from a shadowy extremist group that adds a layer of tension and danger to the plot.

What makes The Run particularly enjoyable is Woods’ trademark pacing. The chapters move quickly, each ending with a hook that propels the reader forward. Will Lee is portrayed as principled yet pragmatic, and the supporting characters, including his politically astute wife, Kate, add depth and texture to the story.

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3). I was not aware that there were so many Will Lee books in Stuart Woods catalog. I thought of him as a side character in the Barrington books. But here he is as the main guy, and he is good fun. This whole story spins nicely, with all of its political themes, from many different angles. Lots of moving parts, side stories and some strong twists and turns. This does not feel quite as formulaic as Woods style is now, but you can certainly feel the framework from whence it started. Good stuff.

[Janice Llewellyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must be a glutton for punishment because I decided to read another Stuart Woods book. Ehh...his writing style is terrible. But this character series, Will Lee, is better tban Stone Barrington. But the drawn out campaign for the Presidency was torture. Much too long and boring. The multiple sib plots weregood; they could have been developed more and added to the story but were not. Another nail in Woodscoffin for me. Ugh.

[lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoyable reading something by Stuart Woods. The Run is no exception. Will Lee is caught up in the presidential campaign and some people are ecstatic and others not so much. It's a turbulent running and we get to see how many points of view are actually involved in this election.

I do love how Will and Kate are fairly down to earth and stand by their decisions. They say what they mean, take a stand on issues and don't back down.

[Edward Amato · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gets a star for not having Stone Barrington in it. In fact that should be the baseline for all books. Actually enjoyed this fast read. Liked that I caught an error in the story. Will, Kate, peter and Will's folks show up for election night results but somehow they lose Peter on their way to the election party. Miraculously, he rematerializes in the family house the next day. haha. Only one more S Woods book in pile...need to catch up on my yearly goal. ACCCHHHK!

[Carol A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this one, especially the real-life references to George Wallace & Grace Kelly staring at JFK. I find Will Lee to be likable, and I'm more interested in his career as a lawyer & his run (like the title says) for president, but not when he's actually president (I'm glad Stuart Woods treats Lee as a secondary character after his ascent to the presidency). I enjoyed the Zeke character, along with the overall political race depicted in the novel. I definitely think it's worth a read!

[Nancy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a number of Stone Barrington books by Stuart Woods, I was afraid to branch off into the Will Lee books. I shouldn't have worried though - I liked this book much better. I really enjoyed reading about the behind-the-scenes story of what is it like to run for president even if it was fictional. The attempts on his life were especially interesting given what has happened to Trump lately. I would really like to read more in this series.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story especially the introduction and background of characters I am familiar with from the Stone Barrington books. My only complaint - I listened to the audiobook and the previous books in this series were narrated with a southern tone…I missed that voice in this book - especially for Will and his father.