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Run Time
A CrimeReads Most Anticipated Book of Summer 2022 "Dizzy and dazzling.”--Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of The House across the Lake An ingenious new high-concept thriller from #1 internationally bestselling author Catherine Ryan Howard (56 Days and The Nothing Man ). Lights Feeling her stardom fading, struggling soap-actress Adele Rafferty is ready to give up on her dreams when she gets a last-minute offer to play the lead in upcoming horror film Final Draft . Could this be her big break? Will she have redemption for what happened the last time she was on a film set? Adele doesn't think twice before signing the dotted line. Camera Adele quickly makes her way to set, deep into the isolated and wintry woods of West Cork, Ireland, miles away from civilization and cell service. Action When real life on set starts to somehow mirror the sinister events portrayed in the script, Adele fears the real horror lies off the page. Isolated and unsure who in the crew she can trust, is there anywhere or any time left to run?
468 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2022
352 people are currently reading
16379 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Howard
19 books4,313 followersCatherine Ryan Howard is an internationally bestselling crime writer from Cork, Ireland. Her debut novel, DISTRESS SIGNALS, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey/New Blood Dagger. THE LIAR'S GIRL (2018) was shortlisted for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. REWIND (2019) was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year and is currently being developed for screen by Clerkenwell Films (Misfits, Lovesick, The End of the F***ing World.) THE NOTHING MAN was a no. 1 Irish Times bestseller and a no. 1 Kindle bestseller (UK) and was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. Her latest novel, 56 DAYS, was published in August 2021. It is a thriller set in lockdown that Catherine wrote while she was in lockdown.
Prior to writing full-time, Catherine worked as a campsite courier in France and a front desk agent in Walt Disney World, Florida. She still wants to be an astronaut when she grows up.
Prior to writing full-time, Catherine worked as a campsite courier in France and a front desk agent in Walt Disney World, Florida. She still wants to be an astronaut when she grows up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,404 reviews
July 4, 2022
A B-Movie Experience
2.5 stars
Run Time is a psychological thriller about an actress cast in a horror film that begins to mirror real life.
Adele, an out-of-work actress living in L.A., is desperate for her big break. When she receives a last-minute job as the lead in a horror movie being filmed in her home country, Ireland, she jumps at the chance to take the job without really thinking things through. When she arrives at the rural set, weird things begin happening, making Adele question her sanity. Is she having a breakdown, or is there something sinister going on?
The plot tries to encompass a book within a book within a film. Told through Adele’s eyes, the reader also experiences a great deal of foreshadowing with the opportunity to read the screenplay and the book that is the driving force in the screenplay. These plot devices do not add much to the novel.
“It just felt like something bigger was going on.” This quote sums up Run Time to a tee.
Adele is a likable enough MC, but as far as the plot goes, nothing much happens. The atmosphere is dark, creepy, and sinister, but Ryan Howard doesn’t take advantage of this. Although the setting is perfect for creepiness and drama, there is little action and tension. The ending is chaotic, messy, and over-the-top.
Run Time is an easy read. The plot moves slowly, and I was bored, waiting for something to happen. Adele’s character and the creepy atmosphere made this readable, but overall, it was a missed opportunity.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
Run Time is a psychological thriller about an actress cast in a horror film that begins to mirror real life.
Adele, an out-of-work actress living in L.A., is desperate for her big break. When she receives a last-minute job as the lead in a horror movie being filmed in her home country, Ireland, she jumps at the chance to take the job without really thinking things through. When she arrives at the rural set, weird things begin happening, making Adele question her sanity. Is she having a breakdown, or is there something sinister going on?
The plot tries to encompass a book within a book within a film. Told through Adele’s eyes, the reader also experiences a great deal of foreshadowing with the opportunity to read the screenplay and the book that is the driving force in the screenplay. These plot devices do not add much to the novel.
“It just felt like something bigger was going on.” This quote sums up Run Time to a tee.
Adele is a likable enough MC, but as far as the plot goes, nothing much happens. The atmosphere is dark, creepy, and sinister, but Ryan Howard doesn’t take advantage of this. Although the setting is perfect for creepiness and drama, there is little action and tension. The ending is chaotic, messy, and over-the-top.
Run Time is an easy read. The plot moves slowly, and I was bored, waiting for something to happen. Adele’s character and the creepy atmosphere made this readable, but overall, it was a missed opportunity.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2022
I hate to have to say this about a Catherine Ryan Howard novel, but this left me underwhelmed.
Adele is an actress who used to be on a famous Irish soap opera. Her star has plummeted to the ground in recent years, and she’s just about made the decision to quit following her dream...until an offer she can’t refuse presents itself.
The project is a horror movie called Final Draft (terrible title, which the book also acknowledges), and it will be shooting in Ireland. The director is desperate to have her after the previous actress left the project. The film will be shooting in the woods in a house that’s far from any main road or town.
What could possibly go wrong? A lot.
I am a HUGE fan of Howard’s books, and was quite sure this would be a winner…but it wasn’t. I saw where this was heading from a mile away, and even though there was one revelation towards the end that I didn’t know was coming, it was so OTT and unrealistic, and it just didn’t feel legit to me.
There’s also a lot of repetition, as this features a “script within a book”. We read excerpts of the script for Final Draft, and then something very similar happens to Adele while on location. It’s a bit gimmicky and didn’t really work for me.
The ending didn’t blow me away or really redeem itself. As one of the characters even states, “The explanation is actually…Well, it’s pretty mundane, don’t you think?” You got that right!
I will say that this is a super quick read, and despite the repetition, I was never really bored. It also has some great atmosphere, as I’m sure you can imagine when it involves a lone house in the middle of the forest. I probably wouldn’t have been so disappointed if my expectations weren’t sky high, but this was just a decent (not great) thriller to me. That being said, I’ll still be first in line for Howard’s next book, as I genuinely enjoy her writing style. I hope other readers love this one.
2.5 stars
Note to those reading the ARC: There seems to be at least partial sentences missing throughout the book. I don’t think it was enough to have difficulty following the story, but I found it interesting that it would go out to reviewers in such an unfinished state regardless of it being an ARC.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 8/16/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Adele is an actress who used to be on a famous Irish soap opera. Her star has plummeted to the ground in recent years, and she’s just about made the decision to quit following her dream...until an offer she can’t refuse presents itself.
The project is a horror movie called Final Draft (terrible title, which the book also acknowledges), and it will be shooting in Ireland. The director is desperate to have her after the previous actress left the project. The film will be shooting in the woods in a house that’s far from any main road or town.
What could possibly go wrong? A lot.
I am a HUGE fan of Howard’s books, and was quite sure this would be a winner…but it wasn’t. I saw where this was heading from a mile away, and even though there was one revelation towards the end that I didn’t know was coming, it was so OTT and unrealistic, and it just didn’t feel legit to me.
There’s also a lot of repetition, as this features a “script within a book”. We read excerpts of the script for Final Draft, and then something very similar happens to Adele while on location. It’s a bit gimmicky and didn’t really work for me.
The ending didn’t blow me away or really redeem itself. As one of the characters even states, “The explanation is actually…Well, it’s pretty mundane, don’t you think?” You got that right!
I will say that this is a super quick read, and despite the repetition, I was never really bored. It also has some great atmosphere, as I’m sure you can imagine when it involves a lone house in the middle of the forest. I probably wouldn’t have been so disappointed if my expectations weren’t sky high, but this was just a decent (not great) thriller to me. That being said, I’ll still be first in line for Howard’s next book, as I genuinely enjoy her writing style. I hope other readers love this one.
2.5 stars
Note to those reading the ARC: There seems to be at least partial sentences missing throughout the book. I don’t think it was enough to have difficulty following the story, but I found it interesting that it would go out to reviewers in such an unfinished state regardless of it being an ARC.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 8/16/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
August 16, 2022
The psychological horror movie being made deep in the woods of West Cork is called “Final Draft” and its tagline is :” Based on a terrifying true story-that hasn’t happened…YET.”
Former “These Are The Days” soap opera star, Adele Rafferty has stepped in at the last minute to replace the original Actress who had been cast-so there wasn’t a lot of time to ask questions.
She was once a rising star but something happened on the set of the first movie she was hired for-“We Were Kings” and she hasn’t worked in the industry since.
She is hoping that this role will reopen the door that had been closed on her-and revive what was once a promising career.
But things seem “off” about this production right from the start.
You can FEEL the tension as life on the set begins to mimic the screenplay “First Draft”, that this film is based on.
Was this film meant to be a found -footage style horror movie-like “The Blair Witch Project”-ten years too late to be relevant??
Is the Director trying to produce authentic fear?
Sounds creepy enough, right?
So what went wrong? Why just three stars?
Well, like last year’s offering “Survive the Night” by Riley Sager, this book contains the screenplay within the story, with scenes depicted by the camera location INT (Interior or Inside) or EXT (exterior, outside of), and it is used to show the reader that what is happening on location is mirroring the screenplay for the movie.
Because of this, the story is a bit predictable.
And, at 520 pages, you need more “unexpected”and “surprising”!!
Many readers didn’t enjoy it Sager’s “screenplay” approach, and early reviews for this book are proving that readers aren’t any more enamored with this style, with Catherine Ryan Howard using it either.
For me, it wasn’t the format that bothered me….
I was initially entertained but the story is just TOO long and lost momentum. The ending didn’t have the “wow” factor of the author’s other books either.
While not my favorite by the author, I am still a fan-and will always auto-request her books when I see a new one is being published!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Former “These Are The Days” soap opera star, Adele Rafferty has stepped in at the last minute to replace the original Actress who had been cast-so there wasn’t a lot of time to ask questions.
She was once a rising star but something happened on the set of the first movie she was hired for-“We Were Kings” and she hasn’t worked in the industry since.
She is hoping that this role will reopen the door that had been closed on her-and revive what was once a promising career.
But things seem “off” about this production right from the start.
You can FEEL the tension as life on the set begins to mimic the screenplay “First Draft”, that this film is based on.
Was this film meant to be a found -footage style horror movie-like “The Blair Witch Project”-ten years too late to be relevant??
Is the Director trying to produce authentic fear?
Sounds creepy enough, right?
So what went wrong? Why just three stars?
Well, like last year’s offering “Survive the Night” by Riley Sager, this book contains the screenplay within the story, with scenes depicted by the camera location INT (Interior or Inside) or EXT (exterior, outside of), and it is used to show the reader that what is happening on location is mirroring the screenplay for the movie.
Because of this, the story is a bit predictable.
And, at 520 pages, you need more “unexpected”and “surprising”!!
Many readers didn’t enjoy it Sager’s “screenplay” approach, and early reviews for this book are proving that readers aren’t any more enamored with this style, with Catherine Ryan Howard using it either.
For me, it wasn’t the format that bothered me….
I was initially entertained but the story is just TOO long and lost momentum. The ending didn’t have the “wow” factor of the author’s other books either.
While not my favorite by the author, I am still a fan-and will always auto-request her books when I see a new one is being published!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Blackstone Publishing for the gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
June 29, 2025
Adele Rafferty was once a successful child actor in Ireland, where she performed for years on a popular soap opera.
Adele actually got into acting by chance, when she was selected from the crowd by a casting agent at an audition she simply attended with her best friend, Julia.
Julia was actually the actor, but Adele got real lucky that day. The role was on These Are the Days, the soap that she remained on for years.
Branching out later on, Adele took a role on a movie and it was a wild success. Unfortunately, as sometimes happens, that success went to her head a wee bit.
She began to resent the soap from holding her back from doing other projects. Feeling constrained she abruptly left. Her next project did not end well.
Embarrassed beyond belief and consequentially, partially blacklisted from the industry in Ireland, Adele packed her bags and moved to the United States to try her luck there.
As the hits keep on coming though, that's not a successful venture either. Where once Adele was a big fish in a tiny pond, in L.A. she's more like an amoeba in the ocean.
Just when she's about to call it quits on acting for good, Adele receives a call that could change everything and the opportunity is back home.
She's offered the chance to be the lead in a very secretive project. A Horror movie called Final Draft filming in a remote region of West Cork. This could be exactly what Adele needs to revitalize her career.
With some minor trepidation, she hops a plane and heads home. Once on location, Adele is surprised by the skeleton crew and lack of bells and whistles. This is quite a small production indeed.
As she tries to settle in, Adele is unnerved. When the screenplay she reads begins to come to life, she's properly freaked out. Seemingly abandoned on set and in a desperate search for answers, Adele fears for her life.
Will this be her final cut!?
I had a lot of fun with Run Time. This was my first novel by Catherine Ryan Howard, but I absolutely plan to pick up more from her soon.
I was intrigued with this from the very start. First, I need to point out that I did listen to the audio for this and I absolutely would recommend that format.
This novel has an interesting format. You follow Adele in her present perspective and through her reflections on her career leading her up to this point.
You also get the screenplay from the movie, Final Draft, the one Adele is returning to Ireland to act in.
In Final Draft, one of the main characters, Kate, is reading a book whilst at a remote cottage on a weekend getaway. You also get the portions of that book that Kate is reading.
So essentially, you're reading a book within a screenplay within a book. That's a lot of layers.
Due to the fabulous narration, I found it very easy to keep all of this straight. The multiple narrators kept these sections distinct and easy to follow.
Additionally, I love a screenplay included within a book. I know this is hit or miss for people, but for me it is almost always a hit.
I found some scenes in here genuinely creepy. Putting myself in Adele's shoes, I was proper freaked out. It was claustrophobic and disturbing. I had no idea what was happening.
I liked how the truth behind the movie was revealed. It was surprising, but also sort of not at the same time. Like once it was revealed, it did make a lot of sense, but I didn't see it coming at all.
Since this has a bit of a nontraditional format, I know it won't be for everyone. Luckily, I found it quite enjoyable. I think if you enjoy Horror in general, gritty-feeling found-footage movies, or just stories that go against the grain, you should absolutely give this one a shot.
For Audiobook Readers, I can't stress enough how fun this was in that format. I'm not sure if I would have felt the same about it had I picked up a hard copy.
Thank you to the publisher, Blackstone Publishing and Blackstone Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This was a real treat for me. The exact type of content I can always get into!
Adele actually got into acting by chance, when she was selected from the crowd by a casting agent at an audition she simply attended with her best friend, Julia.
Julia was actually the actor, but Adele got real lucky that day. The role was on These Are the Days, the soap that she remained on for years.
Branching out later on, Adele took a role on a movie and it was a wild success. Unfortunately, as sometimes happens, that success went to her head a wee bit.
She began to resent the soap from holding her back from doing other projects. Feeling constrained she abruptly left. Her next project did not end well.
Embarrassed beyond belief and consequentially, partially blacklisted from the industry in Ireland, Adele packed her bags and moved to the United States to try her luck there.
As the hits keep on coming though, that's not a successful venture either. Where once Adele was a big fish in a tiny pond, in L.A. she's more like an amoeba in the ocean.
Just when she's about to call it quits on acting for good, Adele receives a call that could change everything and the opportunity is back home.
She's offered the chance to be the lead in a very secretive project. A Horror movie called Final Draft filming in a remote region of West Cork. This could be exactly what Adele needs to revitalize her career.
With some minor trepidation, she hops a plane and heads home. Once on location, Adele is surprised by the skeleton crew and lack of bells and whistles. This is quite a small production indeed.
As she tries to settle in, Adele is unnerved. When the screenplay she reads begins to come to life, she's properly freaked out. Seemingly abandoned on set and in a desperate search for answers, Adele fears for her life.
Will this be her final cut!?
I had a lot of fun with Run Time. This was my first novel by Catherine Ryan Howard, but I absolutely plan to pick up more from her soon.
I was intrigued with this from the very start. First, I need to point out that I did listen to the audio for this and I absolutely would recommend that format.
This novel has an interesting format. You follow Adele in her present perspective and through her reflections on her career leading her up to this point.
You also get the screenplay from the movie, Final Draft, the one Adele is returning to Ireland to act in.
In Final Draft, one of the main characters, Kate, is reading a book whilst at a remote cottage on a weekend getaway. You also get the portions of that book that Kate is reading.
So essentially, you're reading a book within a screenplay within a book. That's a lot of layers.
Due to the fabulous narration, I found it very easy to keep all of this straight. The multiple narrators kept these sections distinct and easy to follow.
Additionally, I love a screenplay included within a book. I know this is hit or miss for people, but for me it is almost always a hit.
I found some scenes in here genuinely creepy. Putting myself in Adele's shoes, I was proper freaked out. It was claustrophobic and disturbing. I had no idea what was happening.
I liked how the truth behind the movie was revealed. It was surprising, but also sort of not at the same time. Like once it was revealed, it did make a lot of sense, but I didn't see it coming at all.
Since this has a bit of a nontraditional format, I know it won't be for everyone. Luckily, I found it quite enjoyable. I think if you enjoy Horror in general, gritty-feeling found-footage movies, or just stories that go against the grain, you should absolutely give this one a shot.
For Audiobook Readers, I can't stress enough how fun this was in that format. I'm not sure if I would have felt the same about it had I picked up a hard copy.
Thank you to the publisher, Blackstone Publishing and Blackstone Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This was a real treat for me. The exact type of content I can always get into!
May 9, 2022
this may not have been the scary psychological horror i was expecting but, wow, it sure is fun and thoroughly entertaining!
the story is a wild ride that is a little outlandish but, somehow, it just works. the structure reminded me of CRHs previous book, ‘the nothing man,’ in a sense that this is a story within a story, with both plot lines impacting and intertwining with each other. it gives the reader such a meta feeling that, if pulled off well, can be a really trippy, which is what CRH does here. i loved seeing how a fictional book within a screenplay mirrors the events of this story - it felt like a game to see if i could spot all of the parallels and connections!
overall, a very solid and decent addition to CRHs bibliography. i love how consistently her mystery/thrillers hit the mark every time!
thank you, blackstone publishing, for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
the story is a wild ride that is a little outlandish but, somehow, it just works. the structure reminded me of CRHs previous book, ‘the nothing man,’ in a sense that this is a story within a story, with both plot lines impacting and intertwining with each other. it gives the reader such a meta feeling that, if pulled off well, can be a really trippy, which is what CRH does here. i loved seeing how a fictional book within a screenplay mirrors the events of this story - it felt like a game to see if i could spot all of the parallels and connections!
overall, a very solid and decent addition to CRHs bibliography. i love how consistently her mystery/thrillers hit the mark every time!
thank you, blackstone publishing, for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
August 29, 2022
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This book was pretty unique in that it is a book about a movie script that contains a book. Yes, that means three plot threads to follow and I loved every minute of it. Howard writes it in a way that is interesting and easy to follow. The story(ies) sucked me in right away and the character Adele was effective, compelling, charismatic, and unreliable as all hell.
Catherine Ryan Howard is a consummate story within a storyteller. She has done this with other books and always manages to do so effectively. This one has many twists you won't see coming and the turns will give you whiplash. The #metoo theme of the book is front and center and brings to light the misogynic behaviour in the entertainment industry and brought forth the women's empowerment message.
I loved the remote setting in Ireland. It was gothic and creepy in all the best ways and was very remote and atmospheric. It made the book very suspenseful and left me feeling anxious while reading it. This was such a fun and entertaining read and so meta. Highly recommend.
This book was pretty unique in that it is a book about a movie script that contains a book. Yes, that means three plot threads to follow and I loved every minute of it. Howard writes it in a way that is interesting and easy to follow. The story(ies) sucked me in right away and the character Adele was effective, compelling, charismatic, and unreliable as all hell.
Catherine Ryan Howard is a consummate story within a storyteller. She has done this with other books and always manages to do so effectively. This one has many twists you won't see coming and the turns will give you whiplash. The #metoo theme of the book is front and center and brings to light the misogynic behaviour in the entertainment industry and brought forth the women's empowerment message.
I loved the remote setting in Ireland. It was gothic and creepy in all the best ways and was very remote and atmospheric. It made the book very suspenseful and left me feeling anxious while reading it. This was such a fun and entertaining read and so meta. Highly recommend.
August 16, 2022
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Run…to get your copy of Run Time!
Adele Rafferty is a struggling actress looking for her next big role. After the incident on her last movie set in Ireland, she moves to Los Angeles, California to make a name for herself in a country that hasn’t heard about what happened. However, Adele is finding it more difficult than she imagined to land the leading role of her dreams. She is ready to quit acting when she receives a call that is too good to be true. First, she must agree to the terms of the contract.
Sign an NDA.
Fly to Ireland tonight.
Don’t tell anyone.
Adele will be the leading actress in a horror film, and this might be her big break.
Upon arrival on set, she receives a cryptic text from an unknown number. “If you’re not, don’t go. Not safe. Trust me.”
And…the set is in a very remote location, there is barely any cell service, the crew is all men, filming is done at night, and her stylist is very creepy.
When the crew disappears before a night of filming, Adele slowly begins to unravel. Is she really in danger? Mentally unstable? Or is she being gaslit?
Adele must figure out what is going on before it is too late.
This fast-paced, compulsively readable, twisty thriller engages the reader in a compelling metafictitious multi-layered plot.
Metafiction: a form of fiction which examines the elements of fiction itself.
The story within a story within a story subplot is clever, seamlessly written, and intriguing.
At over 500 pages (more than I would usually like to read in one book), it never felt long or dragged in any way. I read it in two sittings and enjoyed First Draft, Final Draft and Run Time equally.
This is by far my favorite book by Catherine Ryan Howard and I highly recommend it to those who also enjoyed After She Wrote Him by Sulari Gentill.
5/5 stars
Expected publication date: 8/16/22
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Run…to get your copy of Run Time!
Adele Rafferty is a struggling actress looking for her next big role. After the incident on her last movie set in Ireland, she moves to Los Angeles, California to make a name for herself in a country that hasn’t heard about what happened. However, Adele is finding it more difficult than she imagined to land the leading role of her dreams. She is ready to quit acting when she receives a call that is too good to be true. First, she must agree to the terms of the contract.
Sign an NDA.
Fly to Ireland tonight.
Don’t tell anyone.
Adele will be the leading actress in a horror film, and this might be her big break.
Upon arrival on set, she receives a cryptic text from an unknown number. “If you’re not, don’t go. Not safe. Trust me.”
And…the set is in a very remote location, there is barely any cell service, the crew is all men, filming is done at night, and her stylist is very creepy.
When the crew disappears before a night of filming, Adele slowly begins to unravel. Is she really in danger? Mentally unstable? Or is she being gaslit?
Adele must figure out what is going on before it is too late.
This fast-paced, compulsively readable, twisty thriller engages the reader in a compelling metafictitious multi-layered plot.
Metafiction: a form of fiction which examines the elements of fiction itself.
The story within a story within a story subplot is clever, seamlessly written, and intriguing.
At over 500 pages (more than I would usually like to read in one book), it never felt long or dragged in any way. I read it in two sittings and enjoyed First Draft, Final Draft and Run Time equally.
This is by far my favorite book by Catherine Ryan Howard and I highly recommend it to those who also enjoyed After She Wrote Him by Sulari Gentill.
5/5 stars
Expected publication date: 8/16/22
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
Although the ending of this one is way over the top and not very believable, I really enjoyed the lead up to it and the overall atmosphere of the book.
It sounds confusing. It's about a book inside a screenplay being filmed as a movie. Although the premise is a tad convoluted, I listened to this as an audiobook and the full cast makes the entire thing come to life and flow better than I did when I switched to reading it on the page. This is a prime example of an audiobook being a superior medium to experience this book, as it helps the reader to visualize much better rather than sorting through whether you're in the script or the movie filming.
It is told from the first person POV of Adele Rafferty, an Irish actor who made a name for herself growing up in a soap opera, but whose meltdown on the set of her last movie made her persona non grata in the industry. She moved to the US in order to pursue acting away from the scandal. However, just as she's about to give up on her acting dreams, she gets a call to star in a very hush hush project in remote Ireland, so she returns to take the role. Remote is an understatement, and she gets a text right before losing all connection that warns her to turn around because she's in danger. As things progress, it appears that the text message might be right--or is it?
I'll say that the journey was better than the resolution in this case. I really enjoyed my listening experience, but the explanation and motivation for what was happening was lackluster. I can forgive that because the overall plot was original and kept me glued to listening even when I had other things to do. I also really liked Adele and was rooting for her success throughout.
There are some good twists throughout, some of which I had figured out and others I didn't. Despite its over the top climax, this novel is fast paced and gripping.
I'm a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Howard and I look forward to her next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Although the ending of this one is way over the top and not very believable, I really enjoyed the lead up to it and the overall atmosphere of the book.
It sounds confusing. It's about a book inside a screenplay being filmed as a movie. Although the premise is a tad convoluted, I listened to this as an audiobook and the full cast makes the entire thing come to life and flow better than I did when I switched to reading it on the page. This is a prime example of an audiobook being a superior medium to experience this book, as it helps the reader to visualize much better rather than sorting through whether you're in the script or the movie filming.
It is told from the first person POV of Adele Rafferty, an Irish actor who made a name for herself growing up in a soap opera, but whose meltdown on the set of her last movie made her persona non grata in the industry. She moved to the US in order to pursue acting away from the scandal. However, just as she's about to give up on her acting dreams, she gets a call to star in a very hush hush project in remote Ireland, so she returns to take the role. Remote is an understatement, and she gets a text right before losing all connection that warns her to turn around because she's in danger. As things progress, it appears that the text message might be right--or is it?
I'll say that the journey was better than the resolution in this case. I really enjoyed my listening experience, but the explanation and motivation for what was happening was lackluster. I can forgive that because the overall plot was original and kept me glued to listening even when I had other things to do. I also really liked Adele and was rooting for her success throughout.
There are some good twists throughout, some of which I had figured out and others I didn't. Despite its over the top climax, this novel is fast paced and gripping.
I'm a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Howard and I look forward to her next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
August 12, 2022
Adele Rafferty was once a popular soap actor who left her show after 14 years to pursue other options. But after an incident(s) on the set of a movie, she has not found work. She moved to Los Angeles where she worked at a Motel and auditioned during the day. When she was contacted to be the last-minute replacement star in a low budget movie, she jumped at the chance. Hoping this would get her back in the game, what it got her into was much, much more.
Adele can't help but notice that strange things were happening. This didn't feel right, but work is work, right?
Run Time is about a book within a book in a movie. Things that happen in the book, happen to the person reading to the book and then Adele beings experiencing things on set. It all becomes a little muddled.
What I liked is that what Adele thought was happening felt real and plausible then there was another explanation as to what was happening and that felt plausible and then...…
Whew. This was an interesting concept that I enjoyed until I wanted to throw my hands up in the air toward the end and at the very end. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy it, I did but also felt let down by the ending to a degree.
I've enjoyed the other books by Catherine Ryan Howard more than I enjoyed this one but that won’t stop me from jumping up and down when I see she has a new book coming out.
#RunTime #NetGalley
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Adele can't help but notice that strange things were happening. This didn't feel right, but work is work, right?
Run Time is about a book within a book in a movie. Things that happen in the book, happen to the person reading to the book and then Adele beings experiencing things on set. It all becomes a little muddled.
What I liked is that what Adele thought was happening felt real and plausible then there was another explanation as to what was happening and that felt plausible and then...…
Whew. This was an interesting concept that I enjoyed until I wanted to throw my hands up in the air toward the end and at the very end. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy it, I did but also felt let down by the ending to a degree.
I've enjoyed the other books by Catherine Ryan Howard more than I enjoyed this one but that won’t stop me from jumping up and down when I see she has a new book coming out.
#RunTime #NetGalley
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
August 28, 2022
Adele Rafferty was a rising soap star in Ireland before her acting career took a nose-dive. Now living in the U.S, she’s desperate for any gig she can land.
When an opportunity to star in a film in Ireland falls in her lap she quickly says yes. I mean, how could she not! But without an agent to vet the offer she’s in for more than she bargained for.
First issue….Adele isn’t the first choice for starring in this film. But as the saying goes, beggars can’t be choosers.
Second issue…Filming is slated to be entirely filmed at night in a desolate forest. Hello…can anyone say ‘Blair Witch’!?🙈
Sadly this was probably my least favorite work from this author. I never warmed up to Adele no matter how hard I tried. I also found the format extremely confusing.
I attempted the audio as well as the digital version, but neither seemed to work. The audio, which appeared to be a finished copy had multiple errors of repeating sentences. Perhaps it was just my copy?🤷🏻♀️Again, since I had issues with the flow of the book, this certainly didn’t help!
But after having positive experiences with this author in the past I’ll still be watching for her next release!
A buddy 🎧 & 📚 with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing
When an opportunity to star in a film in Ireland falls in her lap she quickly says yes. I mean, how could she not! But without an agent to vet the offer she’s in for more than she bargained for.
First issue….Adele isn’t the first choice for starring in this film. But as the saying goes, beggars can’t be choosers.
Second issue…Filming is slated to be entirely filmed at night in a desolate forest. Hello…can anyone say ‘Blair Witch’!?🙈
Sadly this was probably my least favorite work from this author. I never warmed up to Adele no matter how hard I tried. I also found the format extremely confusing.
I attempted the audio as well as the digital version, but neither seemed to work. The audio, which appeared to be a finished copy had multiple errors of repeating sentences. Perhaps it was just my copy?🤷🏻♀️Again, since I had issues with the flow of the book, this certainly didn’t help!
But after having positive experiences with this author in the past I’ll still be watching for her next release!
A buddy 🎧 & 📚 with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing
September 27, 2022
A book about a film featuring a book.
Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? No. That's why it gets a 3-star review from me.
Adele Rafferty is ready to quit her career as an actress. She used to be in a popular soap opera in Ireland after being "discovered" as a teenager. She left the soap opera in order to star in new projects. However, during her first new one, an "incident" happened on set that made her leave Ireland.
At present, Adele is working in a motel and auditioning for commercials when she gets a call with a movie offer. The caveat is that it will begin filming in the next couple of days in Ireland. It's a hush-hush horror movie and she will need to take the job asap if she wants to get it. Without any other choices, Adele signs the NDA. As soon as she arrives at the remote location, weird things start happening. She begins wondering if she is losing her mind or if someone wants her to believe she is.
Run Time was predictable and yet I was never bored. I do wish the ending would have been a little different.
Even though this one is not my favorite by Catherine Ryan Howard, I would definitely read her next.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Blackstone Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? No. That's why it gets a 3-star review from me.
Adele Rafferty is ready to quit her career as an actress. She used to be in a popular soap opera in Ireland after being "discovered" as a teenager. She left the soap opera in order to star in new projects. However, during her first new one, an "incident" happened on set that made her leave Ireland.
At present, Adele is working in a motel and auditioning for commercials when she gets a call with a movie offer. The caveat is that it will begin filming in the next couple of days in Ireland. It's a hush-hush horror movie and she will need to take the job asap if she wants to get it. Without any other choices, Adele signs the NDA. As soon as she arrives at the remote location, weird things start happening. She begins wondering if she is losing her mind or if someone wants her to believe she is.
Run Time was predictable and yet I was never bored. I do wish the ending would have been a little different.
Even though this one is not my favorite by Catherine Ryan Howard, I would definitely read her next.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Blackstone Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
May 29, 2022
This is a highly anticipated read for me after loving the authors last two books and the premise is good with a sort of life imitating art concept. A psychological horror movie is to be made deep in the remote forests of West Cork directed by Steve Dade of Cross Cut films. Cast in the lead role is Adele Rafferty formerly a successful soap star but currently working in a seedy LA motel. A phone call out of the blue summons her back to Ireland to hopefully get her career back on track. The filming and the narrative is interspersed with extracts of the movie script “First Draft“
First of all first of all, the positives. The atmosphere created in the filming location is really good with a claustrophobic feel especially with the encroaching woods and the adverse weather adding to Adele‘s feeling of isolation. In addition, the film crew are unprofessional and there is one member that gives you the creeps. It is very slow to get going but after about 30 to 40% it ramps up and does for a time become an intense, tension fuelled mystery of the “what the? is going on here” variety as all kinds of dupery, trickery and manipulation are evident.
Unfortunately the momentum keeps falling off and that’s due to the format with the insertion of the film script which not only interrupts the flow but it inevitably leads to some repetition. There is a lot of hurtling through the forest in panic mode and some of this is after a miraculous recovery from injuries caused in the first flee. I wish I had Adele’s powers of recovery!
The ending isn’t great, it’s very underwhelming and just sort of fizzles out out after all the buildup. Maybe this is meant to be a parody of a slasher movie but if that’s the case it doesn’t quite work. This is definitely not my favourite book by this talented author but I do look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books/Corvus for that much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
First of all first of all, the positives. The atmosphere created in the filming location is really good with a claustrophobic feel especially with the encroaching woods and the adverse weather adding to Adele‘s feeling of isolation. In addition, the film crew are unprofessional and there is one member that gives you the creeps. It is very slow to get going but after about 30 to 40% it ramps up and does for a time become an intense, tension fuelled mystery of the “what the? is going on here” variety as all kinds of dupery, trickery and manipulation are evident.
Unfortunately the momentum keeps falling off and that’s due to the format with the insertion of the film script which not only interrupts the flow but it inevitably leads to some repetition. There is a lot of hurtling through the forest in panic mode and some of this is after a miraculous recovery from injuries caused in the first flee. I wish I had Adele’s powers of recovery!
The ending isn’t great, it’s very underwhelming and just sort of fizzles out out after all the buildup. Maybe this is meant to be a parody of a slasher movie but if that’s the case it doesn’t quite work. This is definitely not my favourite book by this talented author but I do look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books/Corvus for that much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 24, 2022
My anonymous friend was back. This time, they’d sent a command, and typed it in all caps.
GET OUT OF THERE NOW.
This would be a pretty perfect campfire read - if you dare... 😳😅🔥
Run Time is the second Catherine Ryan Howard's book I’ve read, and it gave me all the vibes I was craving. Great atmosphere, great setting and enough mystery and suspense to make you turn those pages faster.
I enjoyed how unnerving the feeling of isolation sometimes felt. I wouldn't say the book was very scary, but it occasionally gave me the goosebumps.
I'm really glad I got a chance to read the early copy of Run Time. It was just the kind of slow suspenseful thriller I was in the mood for.
I’ve listened to Run Time as an audiobook, which is full cast and done pretty well. I especially liked switching between audio and ebook, plus I added the sound of rain in the background – perfect to set the atmosphere!
I loved 56 Days and, after this one, Howard has become one of my favorite thriller authors. There's something about her writing that really works for me. Can't wait to read more from her.
If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Run Time by Catherine Ryan Howard in exchange for an honest review.
GET OUT OF THERE NOW.
This would be a pretty perfect campfire read - if you dare... 😳😅🔥
Run Time is the second Catherine Ryan Howard's book I’ve read, and it gave me all the vibes I was craving. Great atmosphere, great setting and enough mystery and suspense to make you turn those pages faster.
I enjoyed how unnerving the feeling of isolation sometimes felt. I wouldn't say the book was very scary, but it occasionally gave me the goosebumps.
I'm really glad I got a chance to read the early copy of Run Time. It was just the kind of slow suspenseful thriller I was in the mood for.
I’ve listened to Run Time as an audiobook, which is full cast and done pretty well. I especially liked switching between audio and ebook, plus I added the sound of rain in the background – perfect to set the atmosphere!
I loved 56 Days and, after this one, Howard has become one of my favorite thriller authors. There's something about her writing that really works for me. Can't wait to read more from her.
If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Run Time by Catherine Ryan Howard in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2022
Horrors on a movie set; took a while for this one to pick up; a really good storyline which I thought was unique; I did not like the ending, it needed a bit more bang to pull it through.
January 27, 2023
Adele Rafferty, a shunned Irish actress, gets a phone call from assistant director, Donal. He is hoping she might be interested in playing the lead (she’d be filling in for another actress who canceled) in the new horror fil, Final Draft, which he’s directing. She quickly says yes despite the quick start date (immediately), thrilled to finally be returning to the screen undeterred by everything that occurred at her last production. This was the phone call she’d been waiting for, after all.
Arriving in Ireland the next day tired and slightly overwhelmed, Adele is driven out to the remote, very isolated house in West Cork where it’s going to be filmed. Surrounded by woods miles from any neighbors, it feels perfectly suited for a horror movie.
However, she quickly begins to realize that things aren’t quite what they seem on the film set. When events in the script begin to happen to her as well, she begins to wonder if perhaps she doesn’t have the full picture. Is she in danger? And who is behind the rising terror?
The first book by Catherine Ryan Howard that I’ve read, Run Time showed me that I definitely need to pick up more of her novels. An intense, ominous psychological thriller filled with foreboding, I was captivated by the book from the first sentence and kept transfixed until the very last page. And don’t worry, this is not a horror book (which I was initially afraid it might be), just a riveting tale that will rival the best creepy thriller/non-horror book you’ve ever read.
Starting off with a slightly confusing mix of timelines and POVs, I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on initially. But once I discovered the lay of the land, I became drawn in by Adele’s character, a potentially untrustworthy and unreliable narrator who was living what we can only assume is a living nightmare. Built around a secretive past, she is well-drawn and genuine, causing me to feel invested in her safety throughout the book while, at the same time, questioning her reality. Can we trust her? Or is her mind playing tricks on her? Unfortunately, the other characters felt a little flat without sufficient backgrounds, but, somehow, I didn’t care.
With a complex, original storyline that weaves together the present with the script of a horror movie, not once did the tempo lag or the events feel contrived or unrealistic. They appropriately felt right out of a horror movie. I could sense the fear Adele was experiencing seep out of the page, leaving me worried for her physically as well as for her mental state. And the twists surprised me from the get-go, providing a claustrophobic plot that kept me guessing (and properly freaked out). As long as you go into this anticipating a novel of suspense/psychological thriller you’ll love this one, too.
There were a few little peripheral things that did bug me, however. Such as how many italicized words there were in the text (who really speaks with that much emphasis?), the slightly melodramatic ending, and the lack of character development of everyone excluding Adele (and marginally Kate from the script). None of this was significant enough to really impact my final impressions of the book, though, and after reading at a lightning pace, I finished satisfied and way too quickly for my liking (despite its length at 379 pages).
If it wasn’t already obvious, I was completely won over by this novel and look forward to reading more by Catherine Ryan Howard in the very near future. If a story that makes you feel like you’re behind the scenes of your favorite horror movie or reveling in found-footage about some very real crime sounds like your thing, this book will be right up your alley. Because this metafiction story within a story within a story is both clever and intriguing, revealing a wholly prototypical book that you’ll enjoy to the very last word. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: gaslighting
Arriving in Ireland the next day tired and slightly overwhelmed, Adele is driven out to the remote, very isolated house in West Cork where it’s going to be filmed. Surrounded by woods miles from any neighbors, it feels perfectly suited for a horror movie.
However, she quickly begins to realize that things aren’t quite what they seem on the film set. When events in the script begin to happen to her as well, she begins to wonder if perhaps she doesn’t have the full picture. Is she in danger? And who is behind the rising terror?
The first book by Catherine Ryan Howard that I’ve read, Run Time showed me that I definitely need to pick up more of her novels. An intense, ominous psychological thriller filled with foreboding, I was captivated by the book from the first sentence and kept transfixed until the very last page. And don’t worry, this is not a horror book (which I was initially afraid it might be), just a riveting tale that will rival the best creepy thriller/non-horror book you’ve ever read.
Starting off with a slightly confusing mix of timelines and POVs, I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on initially. But once I discovered the lay of the land, I became drawn in by Adele’s character, a potentially untrustworthy and unreliable narrator who was living what we can only assume is a living nightmare. Built around a secretive past, she is well-drawn and genuine, causing me to feel invested in her safety throughout the book while, at the same time, questioning her reality. Can we trust her? Or is her mind playing tricks on her? Unfortunately, the other characters felt a little flat without sufficient backgrounds, but, somehow, I didn’t care.
With a complex, original storyline that weaves together the present with the script of a horror movie, not once did the tempo lag or the events feel contrived or unrealistic. They appropriately felt right out of a horror movie. I could sense the fear Adele was experiencing seep out of the page, leaving me worried for her physically as well as for her mental state. And the twists surprised me from the get-go, providing a claustrophobic plot that kept me guessing (and properly freaked out). As long as you go into this anticipating a novel of suspense/psychological thriller you’ll love this one, too.
There were a few little peripheral things that did bug me, however. Such as how many italicized words there were in the text (who really speaks with that much emphasis?), the slightly melodramatic ending, and the lack of character development of everyone excluding Adele (and marginally Kate from the script). None of this was significant enough to really impact my final impressions of the book, though, and after reading at a lightning pace, I finished satisfied and way too quickly for my liking (despite its length at 379 pages).
If it wasn’t already obvious, I was completely won over by this novel and look forward to reading more by Catherine Ryan Howard in the very near future. If a story that makes you feel like you’re behind the scenes of your favorite horror movie or reveling in found-footage about some very real crime sounds like your thing, this book will be right up your alley. Because this metafiction story within a story within a story is both clever and intriguing, revealing a wholly prototypical book that you’ll enjoy to the very last word. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: gaslighting
July 20, 2022
Catherine Ryan Howard is a total auto-read author for me. Every one of her novels is so completely different from her last one, that you can NOT skip one. I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed by her thrillers and RUN TIME is no exception.
The story focuses on a struggling actor, Adele, who finds the opportunity to revitalize her career after taking the role as a lead in a new film. Without going into much detail (never go into Catherine Ryan Howard novels knowing too much!), it’s safe to say that shooting the film doesn’t go as planned. Adele is shooting in rural Ireland (West Cork), and the production team is pretty low budget. What’s the worst that could happen?
RUN TIME follows a similar story-within-a-story format that I loved in THE NOTHING MAN (still my fave of all of the author’s books—read it now!), so if you liked that way of storytelling, you’ll enjoy this one! RUN TIME is longer than typical thrillers, but it’s so fast paced that you’ll notice turning the pages faster than expected—I finished in three sittings!
Overall, RUN TIME is a fun read that further staples my enjoyment for all Catherine Ryan Howard!
The story focuses on a struggling actor, Adele, who finds the opportunity to revitalize her career after taking the role as a lead in a new film. Without going into much detail (never go into Catherine Ryan Howard novels knowing too much!), it’s safe to say that shooting the film doesn’t go as planned. Adele is shooting in rural Ireland (West Cork), and the production team is pretty low budget. What’s the worst that could happen?
RUN TIME follows a similar story-within-a-story format that I loved in THE NOTHING MAN (still my fave of all of the author’s books—read it now!), so if you liked that way of storytelling, you’ll enjoy this one! RUN TIME is longer than typical thrillers, but it’s so fast paced that you’ll notice turning the pages faster than expected—I finished in three sittings!
Overall, RUN TIME is a fun read that further staples my enjoyment for all Catherine Ryan Howard!
August 19, 2022
This book was a ton of fun! This was my second book from this author (following 56 Days, a 5-star read for me) and I really enjoyed it, so I'll definitely be checking out more from Catherine Ryan Howard.
What I liked:
- the isolated setting in the cabin in the woods
- the ominous, mysterious atmosphere that creates scenes edging into horror
- the connectedness of the meta-narratives running throughout the story
- the narratives around believing women/gaslighting
What I disliked:
- towards the middle the pacing felt a bit slow so it felt like this book could've been a bit shorter
- the ending reveal wasn't entirely satisfying to me
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read in this reading vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozgqj...
What I liked:
- the isolated setting in the cabin in the woods
- the ominous, mysterious atmosphere that creates scenes edging into horror
- the connectedness of the meta-narratives running throughout the story
- the narratives around believing women/gaslighting
What I disliked:
- towards the middle the pacing felt a bit slow so it felt like this book could've been a bit shorter
- the ending reveal wasn't entirely satisfying to me
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read in this reading vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozgqj...
August 12, 2022
Thank you so much to Catherine Ryan Howard and Blackstone Publishing for my copy of this book that comes out on August 16.
The scene is set. The actors are in place. The setting is a remote cabin in the woods. Adele Rafferty is running scared.
Final Draft is a psychological horror set in the remote woods of Ireland. Based on a “true story that hasn’t happened yet”, Adele thinks this movie is both her big break and recovery from the disaster that was her first foray into the silver screen. After the whirlwind 24 hours it takes her to drop everything in LA and arrive in remote Ireland, she receives a text that tells her to GET OUT OF THERE NOW and begins to suspect there is something more nefarious going on than just a horror movie.
Thoughts: This is the best book you will read in 2022 and you can quote me on that. The premise of a book within a screenplay within a movie within a book is not as confusing as it sounds, and turned out to be one of the most riveting books I’ve read in a long time. Adele is a wonderful main character, both dynamic and unreliable. The story is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Catherine Ryan Howard, and that is well-written, full of twists, and symbolic of the world around us.
I loved the greater message about women empowerment and how sometimes we have to save ourselves. It was both relatable and heartbreaking to read the male characters in show business, but even more interesting to hear about women and the results of men’s actions. This story is powerful, creepy, and extremely meta in the best way.
I haven’t read a book that truly creeped me out like this in a long time. The setting was dark and slimy and had all the right elements to make me keep the lights on while reading. I could never quite put my finger on what was really going on, and I think that’s what makes for an exceptional story. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone as one of the biggest successes of the year. FIVE STARS!
The scene is set. The actors are in place. The setting is a remote cabin in the woods. Adele Rafferty is running scared.
Final Draft is a psychological horror set in the remote woods of Ireland. Based on a “true story that hasn’t happened yet”, Adele thinks this movie is both her big break and recovery from the disaster that was her first foray into the silver screen. After the whirlwind 24 hours it takes her to drop everything in LA and arrive in remote Ireland, she receives a text that tells her to GET OUT OF THERE NOW and begins to suspect there is something more nefarious going on than just a horror movie.
Thoughts: This is the best book you will read in 2022 and you can quote me on that. The premise of a book within a screenplay within a movie within a book is not as confusing as it sounds, and turned out to be one of the most riveting books I’ve read in a long time. Adele is a wonderful main character, both dynamic and unreliable. The story is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Catherine Ryan Howard, and that is well-written, full of twists, and symbolic of the world around us.
I loved the greater message about women empowerment and how sometimes we have to save ourselves. It was both relatable and heartbreaking to read the male characters in show business, but even more interesting to hear about women and the results of men’s actions. This story is powerful, creepy, and extremely meta in the best way.
I haven’t read a book that truly creeped me out like this in a long time. The setting was dark and slimy and had all the right elements to make me keep the lights on while reading. I could never quite put my finger on what was really going on, and I think that’s what makes for an exceptional story. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone as one of the biggest successes of the year. FIVE STARS!
July 12, 2022
Former soap opera star Adele Rafferty is about to give up on her dream of acting when she is made an offer that she cannot refuse. This project may be her big break.
Adele is set to replace an actress that just left the set of an upcoming ‘based on a true story’ horror film. The film is going to be shot in a rural area in Ireland that’s far away from any civilization. But something is just a little off to Adele, and she is about to discover that the real horror lies off the pages of the script.
Even though Run Time is a whopping 520 pages, it still is a fast read. I was immediately drawn into the story and there was a shocking twist at the end that completely blindsided me. I also loved the creepy atmosphere of the woods where the film was set.
But unfortunately I did find a couple of issues with this one. I was disappointed that this one wasn’t a horror book but instead more of a mystery. I also felt that this one was way too repetitious at times. The book alternates between the movie script and the story and the same thing would be going on in the book as in the script.
Overall I do think a lot of mystery readers will enjoy this one. I loved 56 Days and The Nothing Man so I look forward to reading whatever Catherine Ryan Howard writes next!
Run Time will be available on August 16. Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Adele is set to replace an actress that just left the set of an upcoming ‘based on a true story’ horror film. The film is going to be shot in a rural area in Ireland that’s far away from any civilization. But something is just a little off to Adele, and she is about to discover that the real horror lies off the pages of the script.
Even though Run Time is a whopping 520 pages, it still is a fast read. I was immediately drawn into the story and there was a shocking twist at the end that completely blindsided me. I also loved the creepy atmosphere of the woods where the film was set.
But unfortunately I did find a couple of issues with this one. I was disappointed that this one wasn’t a horror book but instead more of a mystery. I also felt that this one was way too repetitious at times. The book alternates between the movie script and the story and the same thing would be going on in the book as in the script.
Overall I do think a lot of mystery readers will enjoy this one. I loved 56 Days and The Nothing Man so I look forward to reading whatever Catherine Ryan Howard writes next!
Run Time will be available on August 16. Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2022
My 800th book🎉🤩🥳 Long winded at times but I never wanted to put this one down. The writing was excellent! Complex plot with an intriguing mystery and excellent insight into the movie industry. It’s eerily atmospheric too. The epitome of girl, run!!! I was so stressed for the main character!!! This isn’t one that blows you away because of the twists in my opinion but more so because of the overall execution of the story. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again - I am exhausted thinking about the work this took to write!!!! Kudos, CRH!
April 15, 2024
«Хронометраж» Кетрін Раян Говард – герметичний трилер з нотками містики та хорору, який намагався вразити, майже це зробив, але в результаті розчарував.
Капелюшечку про сюжет.
Головна героїня – Адель, молода акторка, кар’єра якої зараз перебуває у глибокій кризі. Останній проект закінчився гучним скандалом та невдачею, а спроби реанімувати статус та репутацію не приводять до успіху. Аж тут підвертається несподівана пропозиція, яка в перспективі може допомогти повернутись в кіношну тусовку. Але не все так просто – діло з перших хвилин «пахне кєросіном». Члени знімального процесу дивні, та й самі зйомки організовані не в класичному стилі – що ж буде далі?
Прикольно, так? Мені, як людині з досвідом роботи в українській кіноіндустрії, було вельми цікаво дізнатись реалії кінематографу в Ірландії. Було цікаво, не більше. Інколи навіть смішно. Наприклад, навіть в Ірландії використовують статистів (максимально схожих на лінійних акторів людей), яких використовують для виставлення світла, постановки кадру та інших маніпуляцій. У нас я такого і близько не спостерігав – бюджети не ті😊.
Тепер перейдемо до історії. Перші дві третину роману історія працює просто шикарно. Справді, жодних мінусів я не знайшов. Текст тримав в напрузі, лякав, змушував оглядатись, хоча я сидів у власній кухні. Прям вух, вау. Кожна деталь працювала для створення саспенсу, гнітючої атмосфери та тиску на психіку – і головної героїні, і моєї.
А от даліііі…..а далі щось пішло не так. Взагалі не так. Авторка точно повернула не туди. Скажу пряму – Кетрін треба було ще більше ускладнити історію, загнути так, щоб просто голова луснула від вражень. А вона скотилась у відверту банальщину, і весь шарм та позитивне враження просто розвіялось, як міраж. І це дуже сумно, коли ти береш в руки книгу на 500+ сторінок, а в результаті виходить «пшик».
Резюмую. «Хронометраж» - підступна книга. Вона повністю візьме Вас під свій контроль, вселить думку про свою геніальність, а потім скаже «Читачу, я тебе розіграла» і скотиться в посередність. Для мене це «трійка», не більше. Читайте на Ваш страх і ризик.
Капелюшечку про сюжет.
Головна героїня – Адель, молода акторка, кар’єра якої зараз перебуває у глибокій кризі. Останній проект закінчився гучним скандалом та невдачею, а спроби реанімувати статус та репутацію не приводять до успіху. Аж тут підвертається несподівана пропозиція, яка в перспективі може допомогти повернутись в кіношну тусовку. Але не все так просто – діло з перших хвилин «пахне кєросіном». Члени знімального процесу дивні, та й самі зйомки організовані не в класичному стилі – що ж буде далі?
Прикольно, так? Мені, як людині з досвідом роботи в українській кіноіндустрії, було вельми цікаво дізнатись реалії кінематографу в Ірландії. Було цікаво, не більше. Інколи навіть смішно. Наприклад, навіть в Ірландії використовують статистів (максимально схожих на лінійних акторів людей), яких використовують для виставлення світла, постановки кадру та інших маніпуляцій. У нас я такого і близько не спостерігав – бюджети не ті😊.
Тепер перейдемо до історії. Перші дві третину роману історія працює просто шикарно. Справді, жодних мінусів я не знайшов. Текст тримав в напрузі, лякав, змушував оглядатись, хоча я сидів у власній кухні. Прям вух, вау. Кожна деталь працювала для створення саспенсу, гнітючої атмосфери та тиску на психіку – і головної героїні, і моєї.
А от даліііі…..а далі щось пішло не так. Взагалі не так. Авторка точно повернула не туди. Скажу пряму – Кетрін треба було ще більше ускладнити історію, загнути так, щоб просто голова луснула від вражень. А вона скотилась у відверту банальщину, і весь шарм та позитивне враження просто розвіялось, як міраж. І це дуже сумно, коли ти береш в руки книгу на 500+ сторінок, а в результаті виходить «пшик».
Резюмую. «Хронометраж» - підступна книга. Вона повністю візьме Вас під свій контроль, вселить думку про свою геніальність, а потім скаже «Читачу, я тебе розіграла» і скотиться в посередність. Для мене це «трійка», не більше. Читайте на Ваш страх і ризик.
August 15, 2022
Adorei 🤯
Estou fã desta escritora
Estou fã desta escritora
August 22, 2022
3.5 or so, rounded up... I enjoyed it & it certainly flew by for a 500+ page book. Overall, I found the story about just what was going on at the making of "Final Draft" fairly engrossing and the last 25% flew by. However, this one does try a bit too hard to be "Meta" (IYKYK). What worked so well in her earlier hit "The Nothing Man" - the whole "story within a story" trope seems just over-the-top & forced here. Still, it was better than a few others lately, so overall recommend.
September 19, 2022
This had no business being so long. It dragged on and on and on.. Adele is so whiny and annoying, constantly breaking into feminist tirades, which isn't as bad as when she's over-explaining dumb details through multiple chapters. There's atmospheric and then there's whatever this is.
I loved 56 Days. I was excited for this one but I ended up having to skim through a lot of it. It's confusing and switches between her babbling, the set, and then I guess someone explaining the set. It doesn't tell you when it's switching, you just have to figure that out on your own. I guess it's part of the surprise.
This would have been good if it was shortened 25%. There are only so many details I need to know.
I loved 56 Days. I was excited for this one but I ended up having to skim through a lot of it. It's confusing and switches between her babbling, the set, and then I guess someone explaining the set. It doesn't tell you when it's switching, you just have to figure that out on your own. I guess it's part of the surprise.
This would have been good if it was shortened 25%. There are only so many details I need to know.
January 11, 2023
WOW this was quite the ride. Need a minute to wrap my head around everything that just happened but overall I really enjoyed this one (especially the audiobook!)!
August 17, 2022
Irish actress Adele Rafferty's career has seen better days. Having started acting as a child, she was on a successful soap opera for over ten years and a career in the movies was taking shape. But after an incident that virtually ended any future film prospects in Ireland, she headed to Los Angeles. With auditions leading nowhere, Adele started working at a local motel. So, when she is offered the starring role in Final Draft, a horror movie being filmed back in Ireland, Adele jumps at the opportunity. She flies out the next day but as soon as she arrives at the remote West Cork wooded setting, things get very suspicious. First, a mysterious text arrives, “If you’re not, don’t go. Not safe. Trust me.” And then Adele realizes that she is the only woman on the set. Her male co-star has yet to arrive and there are some creepy men in the film's very small crew. Adele's story is interspersed with the movie's screenplay, and it becomes eerily clear that the film's story is running parallel to Adele's unsettling experiences on the set. But is this all truly happening or is Adele losing her mind?
Catherine Ryan Howard has done an excellent job creating the perfect atmosphere for her latest thriller. The remote location, the dense woods, the cabins and more felt very real and very creepy. There's lots of suspense and tension with its creative device of a story within a story, within a story. It took some time for it all to become fully clear, but it worked. Run Time was entertaining, chilling and kept me guessing. It's a solid read.
Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read Run Time in advance of its publication.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Catherine Ryan Howard has done an excellent job creating the perfect atmosphere for her latest thriller. The remote location, the dense woods, the cabins and more felt very real and very creepy. There's lots of suspense and tension with its creative device of a story within a story, within a story. It took some time for it all to become fully clear, but it worked. Run Time was entertaining, chilling and kept me guessing. It's a solid read.
Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read Run Time in advance of its publication.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
August 18, 2022
This is my first Catherine Ryan Howard thriller – I’ve heard good things about the others, just never got round to picking one up. But this is about the making of a horror film, so naturally I was all over it. The focus is on struggling ex-soap actress Adele, whose unexpected casting as the lead of Final Cut brings her back to her home country, Ireland. She’s terrified of an incident from her past resurfacing, so it initially seems great that the film is being shot in the middle of a forest with no phone reception and a tiny crew of amateurs. Of course, when things start going wrong on set, these ‘perks’ prove rather more of a problem.
Run Time has a surprising and unusual structure: something that seems like it should be the climactic event starts happening far too early, so you know there must be much more to come, but what? The atmosphere is fantastic; I read most of the book on a mild, sunny afternoon, but it made me feel like I was reading it on a dark, rainy winter night. The full-throttle plot also replicates the experience of actually watching a horror film in clever and entertaining style. It’s engrossing, twisty and very enjoyable. ‘Run Time is a fun time!’ – me (put that on the cover).
I received an advance review copy of Run Time from the publisher through NetGalley.
TinyLetter | Linktree
Run Time has a surprising and unusual structure: something that seems like it should be the climactic event starts happening far too early, so you know there must be much more to come, but what? The atmosphere is fantastic; I read most of the book on a mild, sunny afternoon, but it made me feel like I was reading it on a dark, rainy winter night. The full-throttle plot also replicates the experience of actually watching a horror film in clever and entertaining style. It’s engrossing, twisty and very enjoyable. ‘Run Time is a fun time!’ – me (put that on the cover).
I received an advance review copy of Run Time from the publisher through NetGalley.
TinyLetter | Linktree
May 15, 2022
Adele Rafferty is a struggling actress who is offered the chance to star in a new film when the original choice to play the role is no longer available. Adele previously starred on a soap but since leaving the series has seen her career dwindle considerably. This latest offer could be the opportunity she needs to put her career back on course. Adele is due to star in the psychological thriller ‘Final Draft’, being filmed at a house deep in a forest, miles from anywhere in the wintry wilds of West Cork. It is not long before Adele starts to sense something is not quite right.
I love the writing of this author but this one didn’t quite hold me like many of her other novels. There was still plenty to enjoy with good characters but the plot itself didn’t have the pull for me.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Atlantic Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I love the writing of this author but this one didn’t quite hold me like many of her other novels. There was still plenty to enjoy with good characters but the plot itself didn’t have the pull for me.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Atlantic Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: August 16, 2022
Best-selling author Catherine Ryan Howard returns with “Run Time”, a novel about the cost of wanting something too badly, and the price people are willing to pay for their dreams to come true.
Adele is an Irish born actress, who has fled to L.A after an emotional breakdown on the set of a TV show in Ireland has left her unemployed. Working as a hotel receptionist, Adele can’t turn down an offer to work on a top-secret production of the film “Final Draft”, even though it’s last minute. Even though she’s replacing someone who left the show under mysterious circumstances. Even though she keeps getting random text messages telling her not to go. So when she arrives in Ireland at the old cottage being used as the set, Adele quickly realizes something isn’t right. The cottage is very secluded, there’s no cell phone signal and definitely no Wi-Fi, and she is the only female in the entire cast and crew, of which there totals only a handful overall. But Adele needs the work and she needs to restore her reputation, but how much is she willing to ignore to be a star?
Howard is a phenomenal novelist, and I loved a lot of her previous works (56 Days and The Nothing Man to name a few), but “Run Time” was simply mediocre. I loved the creepy, rustic cottage in Ireland that made up the setting (and sure, maybe the “no cell signal, middle-of-the-night shoot schedule” had a cheesy horror movie vibe about it, but that’s why horror movies are so great, no?) but it took too long to get to any of the action.
The movie is loosely based on a novel also called “First Draft”, so this novel (“Run Time”) contains script segments from the movie Adele is acting in, a few passages from the novel “First Draft”, and of course the plot of “Run Time”(with different protagonists in all). So if you can keep all of that straight (which I admit, took some doing) you’ll end up with a plot that is entertaining enough to make you want to find out how it ends.
“Run Time” highlights the intriguing world of movie making (the good and the bad), which was interesting (to a point, but this part dragged on too long), and once the story gets going, I was pulled in. The characters were all suspicious, except for Adele, and the all-male crew were misogynistic perverts (purposely), which adds a feminist #metoo angle. The ending was only predictable if you’re a lifelong reader of this genre (like I am), but it still tied up all the plot points with a neat bow.
Although this is not one of Howard’s best, I am still an avid fan and will continue to read anything else she chooses to release into the world.
Expected publication date: August 16, 2022
Best-selling author Catherine Ryan Howard returns with “Run Time”, a novel about the cost of wanting something too badly, and the price people are willing to pay for their dreams to come true.
Adele is an Irish born actress, who has fled to L.A after an emotional breakdown on the set of a TV show in Ireland has left her unemployed. Working as a hotel receptionist, Adele can’t turn down an offer to work on a top-secret production of the film “Final Draft”, even though it’s last minute. Even though she’s replacing someone who left the show under mysterious circumstances. Even though she keeps getting random text messages telling her not to go. So when she arrives in Ireland at the old cottage being used as the set, Adele quickly realizes something isn’t right. The cottage is very secluded, there’s no cell phone signal and definitely no Wi-Fi, and she is the only female in the entire cast and crew, of which there totals only a handful overall. But Adele needs the work and she needs to restore her reputation, but how much is she willing to ignore to be a star?
Howard is a phenomenal novelist, and I loved a lot of her previous works (56 Days and The Nothing Man to name a few), but “Run Time” was simply mediocre. I loved the creepy, rustic cottage in Ireland that made up the setting (and sure, maybe the “no cell signal, middle-of-the-night shoot schedule” had a cheesy horror movie vibe about it, but that’s why horror movies are so great, no?) but it took too long to get to any of the action.
The movie is loosely based on a novel also called “First Draft”, so this novel (“Run Time”) contains script segments from the movie Adele is acting in, a few passages from the novel “First Draft”, and of course the plot of “Run Time”(with different protagonists in all). So if you can keep all of that straight (which I admit, took some doing) you’ll end up with a plot that is entertaining enough to make you want to find out how it ends.
“Run Time” highlights the intriguing world of movie making (the good and the bad), which was interesting (to a point, but this part dragged on too long), and once the story gets going, I was pulled in. The characters were all suspicious, except for Adele, and the all-male crew were misogynistic perverts (purposely), which adds a feminist #metoo angle. The ending was only predictable if you’re a lifelong reader of this genre (like I am), but it still tied up all the plot points with a neat bow.
Although this is not one of Howard’s best, I am still an avid fan and will continue to read anything else she chooses to release into the world.
October 14, 2024
Головну героїню запрошують знятися у бюджетному таємному фільмі у ірландській глушині. А якщо глушина, то що? Правильно, неабиякі проблеми зі зв’язком. Та ще й невелика, але все ж знімальна команда просто раптово зникає і геро��ня раптом лишається одна-самісінька посеред темного всеохопного лісу майже без електрики та без розуміння, що ж коїться. Але ми у трилері, тож знаємо, що точно не сама і аж ніяк не самісінька.
Атмосфера була, але вона розпадається там, де ми отримуємо чудернацькі, але все ж відповіді на питання. На один раз.
Атмосфера була, але вона розпадається там, де ми отримуємо чудернацькі, але все ж відповіді на питання. На один раз.
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