Running

Deadly Pursuit #1

by Barbara Spencer

Fifteen year old Scott Anderson has a secret so big he daren’t share it even with his best friends. He and his dad are American. If you’re American, you don’t talk about it. If you don’t talk about that, you don’t talk about any of the other secrets that haunt your life – that your dad’s really a computer scientist and people are searching for him.

When Bill Anderson disappears, Scott is determined to find him. He has already lost his mother. She disappeared in the California earthquake, which killed ninety percent of the world’s computer scientists; a tragedy for which America is held responsible. But there’s little for Scott to go on; a scrap of paper left in a printer and a poster pinned to the wall.
Now someone’s looking for Scott, too. Is it the mysterious Frenchman, who pretends to be a radiation expert, or Sean Terry of the American Secret Service, who believes the United States innocent of the crimes levelled against it? Could it be Hilary Stone, the prettiest girl in class, who also claims to work for the American Secret Service? Or is it someone else entirely?

Following the clues, Scott heads north on his dad’s bike. As his pursuers catch up with him, it is Hilary Stone who saves him. Despite not trusting her, he grudgingly allows her to go with him to Scotland, where he believes the answer lies. After all, as Hilary points out; she has the gun.

Genres: Science Fiction

Paperback

First published May 3, 2010

About the author

In 1967, considering herself to be destined for a life of mediocrity, Barbara Spencer hi-tailed it to the West Indies to watch cricket, the precursor to a highly colourful career spanning three continents, in which she was caught up in riots, wars and choosing Miss World. She eventually settled in Somerset, to bring up a family, tap-dance and teach at the local swimming club. But, as her daughter says: 'teaching swimming and tap dancing does rather lack the wow factor, Mum.'
After a dozen books for children and YA's after another memorable visit to Amsterdam, Barbara changed tack and embarked on a series of books associated at various times with the city. Beginning with 'The Year the Swans Came' an historical romance, which was published in 2018. The Click of a Pebble, book 1 of the trilogy Children of Zeus, followed with Books 2 & 3, and finally the sequel to Swans: Sunset on Golden Wings in April 2021which links up the stories of all the characters and brings them all to a conclusion.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plot of this book and the idea of it, but just couldn't come to "love" the book itself. The writing was decent and the characters were really great, which is what kept me going on in the book. I loved Scott and Hilary and all the others in the book. I thought the concept of the plot was decent, being that it was different than I am used to reading. It was looking at the United States as being the "outside" country and the country that you didn't want to be from. I found it to be a bit politic or government orientated in a way and, not that it was bad, it just wasn't for me. It was a bit wordy and off task at times too for my personal taste. I like a book that doesn't have much lull time in it once the action starts. I did, however, like the action and adventure that Scott goes on to try and find his Dad and stay out of the hands of whoever is chasing him too. All the what if's of this book keep the reader wondering what will happen next. So, in the end, I say this...I would recommend this book to you if you have different tastes in books than I do. It was not by any means a horrible book, it just was not a book for my personal tastes is all. I never like giving a "bad" review of a book, and this one is no different. It was not "bad" as a book, just didn't "trip my trigger" personally. Like I stated before, the characters were very well written and were developed fantastically. I loved watching them all grow into the final characters they were.

3/5 Stars

Received free via author for honest review.

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling Young Adult Mystery

An earthquake takes lives, tears apart families, and destroys Silicon Valley computer technologists. The earthquake also kills fifteen-year-old Scott Anderson's mother.

When Scott's father disappears leaving behind only a piece of paper and a poster as clues, Scott decides to find his missing parent.

"Scott’s brain seized. He could feel the gears grinding but not a single coherent thought passed through its cogs, as if he’d been knocked out in a fist fight. He shook his head to clear it and flashbacks of their miserable day on the river swam into view.

"He glared at Hilary. ‘That’s just great! With her in the Secret Service you’ll have the world sorted out in no time – they give in ’cos she’ll bore them to death.’

"Hilary flushed scarlet. Scott felt the adrenaline rush. He’d never been in the habit of using sarcasm, but boy, did it feel good!"

Barbara Spencer offers an exciting, well-written mystery/thriller for young adults. Running is an excellent book for readers of all ages.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued from the first few paragraphs. The earthquake scene had me believing for that instant that this was an end-of-the-world sort of story. It isn't. But it's that good. After the earthquake that shook California off of the United States to bury it beneath the Pacific Ocean, the story begins again in England. I loved the discussion from the teens about Americanisms used by other students. The big secret in this "broom cupboard" discussion is that two of these students are Americans hiding the fact. Because after the earthquake the rest of the world has "disowned" the U.S., cut them off from import, export, and everything else. So being an American is not something to be proud of, even in Britain, or so thinks young Scott Anderson. For this reason he keeps it quiet. He doesn't realize that there is a far more important reason to keep himself to himself. From a fast-paced chase from Cornwall to Scotland and then to Holland, Scott doesn't know who to believe much less trust, and neither does the reader. Recommended reading!!!

[Demelza Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start, I liked this one. It reminded me a little of he Lorien Legacies series, by Pittacus Lore, in that it's the story of a teenage boy who's spent all his life in hiding, training for survival, only to have to fend for himself when his father disappears. A story with plenty of action, too.

I admit I like Spencer's Running more than I liked "I Am Number Four" simply because Scott is human...and the near-future society he lives in is so intriguing.

I was surprised to hear that this book has a sequel, because, while the ending does leave the story open to continue further, it doesn't end in a cliffhanger that would've left me unsatisfied.

Realistic characters, well-written action and a crackingly fast pace, all in a fascinating world I'd like to know more about. Is it any surprise that I gave it five stars?

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Running" by Barbara Spencer is a well written adventure book for young adults. It is an action-packed and fast paced story full of suspense about two 15 year olds on the run. The main characters are well chosen and the suspense is held up nicely throughout. This makes for a compulsive read while the story takes us to Britain and Holland and into a generally quite scary world.
There were hints of conspiracy and politics in this that for me didn't quite work but that caveat aside, I enjoyed the book and the imaginative talents of the author.

[Pumpkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable storyline full of action and intrigue. The characters were credible, though Hilary took a little bit to warm up to. (Scott found the same thing!) I did have a bit of trouble with the idea of a fifteen year old FBI agent.
Overall, it was a well written and engaging story.

[Zoë Hayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is amazing, I literally could not put It down once I had started reading it! I can't wait to read the sequel Turninh Point

[Beth Cooper · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst Book EVER!!

[Socks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm really sorry but it didn't capture my attention at all.

[Tara-Jayne (♥ I Read, I Love ♥) Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

review to come

[A.B. Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had trouble relating to the characters. Story was interesting and I enjoyed it, but not enough to read book 2.