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Emma Caldridge #2
Running Dark
International intrigue and adventure combine in Running Dark, by Ja mie Freveletti , the pulse-pounding sequel to Running from the Devil . Bestselling author Lee Child hailed Freveletti’s debut novel as, “Just terrific—full of thrills and tradecraft, pace and peril.” Now she brings back marathon runner and scientist Emma Caldwell in a gripping tale that combines terrorism, Somali pirates, and a possible chemical catastrophe as it races at breakneck speed into the most dangerous places in the world.
352 pages, ebook
First published June 29, 2010
30 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Freveletti
17 books143 followersJamie Freveletti is an internationally bestselling author of six novels, four short stories and is published in four languages. Her Emma Caldridge series of five books won an International Thriller Writers Best First Novel award, a Barry award, and was a VOX media pick in Germany. The latest,
Blood Run,
launched in November 2017. In addition to her own novels, she’s written
The Janus Reprisal
and
The Geneva Strategy
for the Estate of Robert Ludlum’s Covert One series and is a contributor to the 2017 non-fiction anthology,
Anatomy of Innocence, Testimonies of the Wrongfully Convicted
. A former lawyer, avid distance runner and black belt in aikido, a Japanese martial art, she lives in Chicago with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
September 2, 2012
Where I got the book: freebie at a networking event, author present but for some reason it never occurs to me to get Jamie to sign her books.
I feel like I should be nicer, really; I like Jamie Freveletti. But I'm just the wrong reader for these books; the point of the thriller genre escapes me. I mean, you read a book because it gives you something; in my case, I like historicals because I like to think about the past, and mysteries because I love trying to figure things out ahead of the sleuth. Presumably people who love thrillers crave breathless excitement, but all this running about and trying to avoid getting killed just seems exhausting to me.
Plot: Emma Caldridge is injected with a mystery drug just after a bomb interrupts a race. Her attempts to figure out what happened lead her to Somalia and thence out into the ocean, where associate Sumner is helping a disabled cruise liner fend off some pretty determined pirates. The liner's cargo hold may contain the clue to the puzzle...
I do find it interesting how Freveletti comes up with all this stuff about drugs and drug-running and dangerous people in general. She either does her research very well or has a pretty vivid imagination (I have NO clue what's real and what's imagined). Maybe both. I did enjoy learning about the back blast from an RPG; that'll come in handy come the revolution (hint: don't stand behind one).
I'm reading the series backwards, but noting pretty much the same issues I had with The Ninth Day . Especially Emma's speshulness. This time she leaps from a moving boat onto a ladder hanging off a gigantic cruise liner, plots strategy to defeat the bad guys and handles weapons after about two minutes' training. She is a terrorist-fighting MACHINE! And every guy she meets fancies her, even though she hardly ever gets a chance to wash and barely eats. I think we're supposed to think she's looking like this after a week or two on the road:
But I'm thinking this:
but more emaciated.
So the question is, does the Shelf of Shame hold the first novel somewhere down there in Layer 1? Should I read it and unleash more reader-confusion into the reviewsphere? Read some other thrillers (believe me, people keep giving them to me) in an attempt to sync with the genre and achieve enlightenment? Or give up and reach for a book I understand? You may have to wait for the next installment of...
READING DARK™ - Reviews from the Edge.
I feel like I should be nicer, really; I like Jamie Freveletti. But I'm just the wrong reader for these books; the point of the thriller genre escapes me. I mean, you read a book because it gives you something; in my case, I like historicals because I like to think about the past, and mysteries because I love trying to figure things out ahead of the sleuth. Presumably people who love thrillers crave breathless excitement, but all this running about and trying to avoid getting killed just seems exhausting to me.
Plot: Emma Caldridge is injected with a mystery drug just after a bomb interrupts a race. Her attempts to figure out what happened lead her to Somalia and thence out into the ocean, where associate Sumner is helping a disabled cruise liner fend off some pretty determined pirates. The liner's cargo hold may contain the clue to the puzzle...
I do find it interesting how Freveletti comes up with all this stuff about drugs and drug-running and dangerous people in general. She either does her research very well or has a pretty vivid imagination (I have NO clue what's real and what's imagined). Maybe both. I did enjoy learning about the back blast from an RPG; that'll come in handy come the revolution (hint: don't stand behind one).
I'm reading the series backwards, but noting pretty much the same issues I had with The Ninth Day . Especially Emma's speshulness. This time she leaps from a moving boat onto a ladder hanging off a gigantic cruise liner, plots strategy to defeat the bad guys and handles weapons after about two minutes' training. She is a terrorist-fighting MACHINE! And every guy she meets fancies her, even though she hardly ever gets a chance to wash and barely eats. I think we're supposed to think she's looking like this after a week or two on the road:
But I'm thinking this:
but more emaciated.
So the question is, does the Shelf of Shame hold the first novel somewhere down there in Layer 1? Should I read it and unleash more reader-confusion into the reviewsphere? Read some other thrillers (believe me, people keep giving them to me) in an attempt to sync with the genre and achieve enlightenment? Or give up and reach for a book I understand? You may have to wait for the next installment of...
READING DARK™ - Reviews from the Edge.
June 18, 2018
I started this book years ago but was not feeling it. I put it down and forgot about it. Yet, every once in a while when I got to pick up a book from my TBR pile; this book kind of haunts me. I finally decided to give this book a second chance.
When I first started reading this book, it was like a different experience. I was into the story. The characters not right away but I was starting to warm up to them. Emma seemed interesting. However, my excitement faded fast again after about a third of the way in. There was a point where it was just a lot of talking and not much else. Maybe if I had read Running from the Devil I might have stuck with this book longer but than again maybe not. The second time around was not better and it seems that I might never finish this book.
When I first started reading this book, it was like a different experience. I was into the story. The characters not right away but I was starting to warm up to them. Emma seemed interesting. However, my excitement faded fast again after about a third of the way in. There was a point where it was just a lot of talking and not much else. Maybe if I had read Running from the Devil I might have stuck with this book longer but than again maybe not. The second time around was not better and it seems that I might never finish this book.
May 7, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! It’s action/suspense and I like that I’m able to follow along without getting confused, as I usually do in these types of books. It’s straightforward and not romance-filled or full of bad language. There were some sexual references/innuendo but even there the author showed restraint - which I appreciated.
May 23, 2023
This book came out in 2010, when Somali pirates were not a big thing yet, so the premise underlying “Running Dark” was ahead of its time.
What’s also different is the main character, Emma Caldridge, a female action hero in a genre dominated by men. She’s a biochemist and a distance runner.
Here, she gets knocked off her feet in a race when a car explodes nearby and injected with a mystery chemical.
Meanwhile, special agent Cameron Sumner has smuggled the only weapon on a cruise ship that gets attacked by pirates. Emma gets sent to find if the ship is carrying toxic cargo, but has to finagle her own air transportation from a seedy government contractor.
It’s a strong, easy-to-read action thriller. Emma exudes confidence, humility and vulnerability, all in an attractive package. I like Emma much better than Cameron, who’s a prepackaged soldier of fortune.
While there are flaws, such as improbable coincidences and cliche characters, I would recommend this book and I’ll seek out some others by this now-veteran author.
What’s also different is the main character, Emma Caldridge, a female action hero in a genre dominated by men. She’s a biochemist and a distance runner.
Here, she gets knocked off her feet in a race when a car explodes nearby and injected with a mystery chemical.
Meanwhile, special agent Cameron Sumner has smuggled the only weapon on a cruise ship that gets attacked by pirates. Emma gets sent to find if the ship is carrying toxic cargo, but has to finagle her own air transportation from a seedy government contractor.
It’s a strong, easy-to-read action thriller. Emma exudes confidence, humility and vulnerability, all in an attractive package. I like Emma much better than Cameron, who’s a prepackaged soldier of fortune.
While there are flaws, such as improbable coincidences and cliche characters, I would recommend this book and I’ll seek out some others by this now-veteran author.
May 2, 2010
This is the follow-up to last year's debut novel "Running From The Devil". Once again we have Emma Caldridge, brilliant chemist and ultramarathon runner; Edward Banner of the very powerful security company Darkview; Richard Stark of the mega-corporation Price, and Special Agent Cameron Sumner. However, there is WAY too much going on in this book for us to do more than acknowledge their familiarity before the action is up and roaring and pages are being turned at a blistering pace. All wound up together, tighter and tighter as the book goes on, is a mysterious drug that improves endurance but creates odd manifestations of various addictions, a Somali pirate attack on a brand new cruise ship, and a terrorist threat that may involve the deadly compound sarin mixed in with a medical aid package. It's all edge of the seat stuff that will make this an excellent summer read (though maybe now a beach read--there are killer jellyfish in the mix as well!).
December 20, 2017
An excellent read
This is the second installment of the running series. Since I read the first immediately before this, I am not sure how it would fare as an independent read. As an action packed thriller , it is first rate. There is Emma, a tough ultra marathon runner chemist who seems both brave and vulnerable. Not being able to fire a gun helps. The hero is a special ops sniper who seems like the ultimate good guy, although his taciturn character doesn't create too much development. Then there are a number of assorted good guys and bad guys, held together by a string of improbable but entertaining developments.
This is the second installment of the running series. Since I read the first immediately before this, I am not sure how it would fare as an independent read. As an action packed thriller , it is first rate. There is Emma, a tough ultra marathon runner chemist who seems both brave and vulnerable. Not being able to fire a gun helps. The hero is a special ops sniper who seems like the ultimate good guy, although his taciturn character doesn't create too much development. Then there are a number of assorted good guys and bad guys, held together by a string of improbable but entertaining developments.
June 6, 2017
3.5 stars
A book about a doctor who is also a ultra marathon runner gets injected with something to see what it will do to her. This starts happening around the world to other people. At the same time Somali pirates try to take a cruise ship that supposedly has something on board that shifty people want. I think you could read this book without reading the first in the series and still enjoy the story. It is fast paced with lots of action. I like how this author has combined her love of running into the two books so far but at the same time not tried to make it just about the running. Very fun.
A book about a doctor who is also a ultra marathon runner gets injected with something to see what it will do to her. This starts happening around the world to other people. At the same time Somali pirates try to take a cruise ship that supposedly has something on board that shifty people want. I think you could read this book without reading the first in the series and still enjoy the story. It is fast paced with lots of action. I like how this author has combined her love of running into the two books so far but at the same time not tried to make it just about the running. Very fun.
August 9, 2017
It took a few pages to get into this book, but once it hooked me, I couldn't put it down! Emma Caldridge rocks as the decisive, smart and brave heroine who keeps her wits in emergencies and does her job regardless of the danger. This book is a fast read with short chapters and an engaging flow. I'm excited to read book #3 in this series!
November 5, 2017
As I very much enjoyed Running with the Devil (Emma Caldridge #1), I eagerly got my hands on Running Dark. However, the plotting felt uneven and the various situations of intrigue were hollow. An interesting concept, but not fully satisfying.
June 21, 2017
The writing is good. The action is non-stop and the relationships are extreme.
March 15, 2019
So many bad guys - it was hard to keep track. Unclear why anyone would want a drug that enhanced performance with the first dose and killed with the second.
May 12, 2019
took my mind off things which is exactly what I needed...:)
January 3, 2020
This was excellent, great characters, settings, plot, everything kept me in suspense till the end...
January 19, 2012
Inhalt:
Zu Beginn des Romans befindet sich Emma Caldridge in Südafrika und macht beim Comrades, einem Ultramarathon mit. Der größte Teil der Strecke ist schon überstanden und Emma sowie die anderen Läufer werden immer erschöpfter. Als Emma an einem am Straßenrand geparkten Auto vorbei läuft, explodiert dieses und Emma wird von der Wucht der Explosion weggeschleudert. Als sie noch bewegungsunfähig am Boden liegt, kommt ein ihr unbekannter Afrikaner und verpasst ihr eine Injektion mit einem EpiPen. Nach dieser erholt sie sie plötzlich und kann schneller und ausdauernder weiter laufen. Zudem hat sie jedoch noch Angszustände und leidet plötzlich an Verfolgungswahn. Angetreten ist sie im Team von Price Pharmaceuticals und in deren Lager angekommen lässt sie sofort ihr Blut testen.
Zur gleichen Zeit befindet sich Cameron Sumner auf der Kaiser Franz einem deutschen Kreutzfahrschiff, welche sich grade in der Nähe somalischer Gewässer befindet. Da der Verdacht bestand, dass sich Drogen bzw. Drogendeal und Konsumenten an Bord der Kaiser Franz befinden, wurde Sumner an Bord geschickt. Während Sumner sich grade an Deck befindet, wird die Kaiser Franz von somalischen Piraten angegriffen.
Außerdem erhält man einen Einblick in eine Verhadlung zwischen einem Europäer, welcher nur unter dem Namen "Der Geier" bekannt ist und einem Somalier namens Mungabe. Diese handeln aus, zu welchem Preis die Piraten Mungabes die Kaiser Franz und ihre gesamt Besatzung sowie Ladung in ihren Besitz bringen. Interessanter Weise scheint der Geier jedoch nur an auf dem Schiff befindlichen Medikamenten interessiert zu sein.
Darkview hat zur selben Zeit mit Anfeindungen und Verfahren in Bezug auf die Geschehnisse in Kolumbien zu kämpfen und wird zudem auch noch abgehört. Dies alles bringt Banner und Strohmeyer in große Bedrängnis. Zudem wissen sie, dass sich auf der Kaiser Franz gefährliche Kampfstoffe befinden sollen und suchen nach jemandem, den sie mit diesem Auftrag betreuen können, da sich die Kaiser Franz unter Attacke der Piraten befindet. Als sich Emma bei ihnen wegen des Vorfalls mit dem EpiPen meldet, nimmt sie sich dieser Aufgabe an, da sie Sumner unbedingt helfen möchte und macht sich auf den Weg ins gefährliche Somalia.
Stil:
Der Schreibstil des Romans gefällt mir, genauso wie bei seinem Vorgänger sehr gut. Er ist sehr leicht zu lesen, schön fließend und beschreibt viele der Situationen sehr detailliert und bildhaft. Alles in allem finde ich es auch sehr gut, wie Freveletti die Beziehungen zwischen den unterschiedlichen Charakteren, insbesondere zwischen Banner und Strohmeyer sowie zwischen Caldridge und Sumner, beschreibt. Auch die Darstellungen der Kämpfe auf offenem Meer und die vielen chemischen Gegebenheiten, die sie erläutert sind sehr interessant. Zudem vermittelt sie auf eine sehr angenehme Weise ein so aktuelles Thema, wie die somalischen Piratenangriffe und stellt auch sehr gut die landestypischen Gegebenheiten in und um Somalia dar.
An dem Aufbau des Romans finde ich unter anderm auch sehr gut, dass es so viele parallele Hnadlungen gibt, die nach und nach immer mehr miteinander verwoben werden, bis sie zum Schluss auf einen einzelnen Handlungsstrang zusammenlaufen. Denn durch dieses stilistische Mittel werden Romane im allgemeinen immer spannender und auch Freveletti gelingt es sehr gut, durch dieses Mittel eine große Spannung aufzubauen.
Alles in allem finde ich den Roman noch ein kleines bisschen besser als seinen Vorgänger und würde ihn als einen sehr gelungenen Roman mit einem sehr aktuellen Thema bezeichnen.
Zu Beginn des Romans befindet sich Emma Caldridge in Südafrika und macht beim Comrades, einem Ultramarathon mit. Der größte Teil der Strecke ist schon überstanden und Emma sowie die anderen Läufer werden immer erschöpfter. Als Emma an einem am Straßenrand geparkten Auto vorbei läuft, explodiert dieses und Emma wird von der Wucht der Explosion weggeschleudert. Als sie noch bewegungsunfähig am Boden liegt, kommt ein ihr unbekannter Afrikaner und verpasst ihr eine Injektion mit einem EpiPen. Nach dieser erholt sie sie plötzlich und kann schneller und ausdauernder weiter laufen. Zudem hat sie jedoch noch Angszustände und leidet plötzlich an Verfolgungswahn. Angetreten ist sie im Team von Price Pharmaceuticals und in deren Lager angekommen lässt sie sofort ihr Blut testen.
Zur gleichen Zeit befindet sich Cameron Sumner auf der Kaiser Franz einem deutschen Kreutzfahrschiff, welche sich grade in der Nähe somalischer Gewässer befindet. Da der Verdacht bestand, dass sich Drogen bzw. Drogendeal und Konsumenten an Bord der Kaiser Franz befinden, wurde Sumner an Bord geschickt. Während Sumner sich grade an Deck befindet, wird die Kaiser Franz von somalischen Piraten angegriffen.
Außerdem erhält man einen Einblick in eine Verhadlung zwischen einem Europäer, welcher nur unter dem Namen "Der Geier" bekannt ist und einem Somalier namens Mungabe. Diese handeln aus, zu welchem Preis die Piraten Mungabes die Kaiser Franz und ihre gesamt Besatzung sowie Ladung in ihren Besitz bringen. Interessanter Weise scheint der Geier jedoch nur an auf dem Schiff befindlichen Medikamenten interessiert zu sein.
Darkview hat zur selben Zeit mit Anfeindungen und Verfahren in Bezug auf die Geschehnisse in Kolumbien zu kämpfen und wird zudem auch noch abgehört. Dies alles bringt Banner und Strohmeyer in große Bedrängnis. Zudem wissen sie, dass sich auf der Kaiser Franz gefährliche Kampfstoffe befinden sollen und suchen nach jemandem, den sie mit diesem Auftrag betreuen können, da sich die Kaiser Franz unter Attacke der Piraten befindet. Als sich Emma bei ihnen wegen des Vorfalls mit dem EpiPen meldet, nimmt sie sich dieser Aufgabe an, da sie Sumner unbedingt helfen möchte und macht sich auf den Weg ins gefährliche Somalia.
Stil:
Der Schreibstil des Romans gefällt mir, genauso wie bei seinem Vorgänger sehr gut. Er ist sehr leicht zu lesen, schön fließend und beschreibt viele der Situationen sehr detailliert und bildhaft. Alles in allem finde ich es auch sehr gut, wie Freveletti die Beziehungen zwischen den unterschiedlichen Charakteren, insbesondere zwischen Banner und Strohmeyer sowie zwischen Caldridge und Sumner, beschreibt. Auch die Darstellungen der Kämpfe auf offenem Meer und die vielen chemischen Gegebenheiten, die sie erläutert sind sehr interessant. Zudem vermittelt sie auf eine sehr angenehme Weise ein so aktuelles Thema, wie die somalischen Piratenangriffe und stellt auch sehr gut die landestypischen Gegebenheiten in und um Somalia dar.
An dem Aufbau des Romans finde ich unter anderm auch sehr gut, dass es so viele parallele Hnadlungen gibt, die nach und nach immer mehr miteinander verwoben werden, bis sie zum Schluss auf einen einzelnen Handlungsstrang zusammenlaufen. Denn durch dieses stilistische Mittel werden Romane im allgemeinen immer spannender und auch Freveletti gelingt es sehr gut, durch dieses Mittel eine große Spannung aufzubauen.
Alles in allem finde ich den Roman noch ein kleines bisschen besser als seinen Vorgänger und würde ihn als einen sehr gelungenen Roman mit einem sehr aktuellen Thema bezeichnen.
October 8, 2013
Running Dark "Running Dark"Synopsis:"From internationally bestselling author Jamie Freveletti comes a riveting new thriller featuring brilliant biochemist Emma Caldridge, except this time there's nowhere to run. . .
Emma Caldridge is on mile thirty-six of the fifty-five-mile Comrades ultramarathon in South Africa when a roadside car bomb explodes. Dazed and disoriented, she regains consciousness after the blast to find a man standing over her with a white plastic injector. She feels the prick of a needle and the rush of medication under her skin, but before she can make a sound, the man is gone.
Shaken by the event and unsure of what substance was pumped into her, Emma calls the one person who can help her figure things out: Edward Banner of the security company Darkview. But Banner has his hands full with another emergency: Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden have attacked a cruise ship, and Darkview has been hired to assist with the rescue."My take,The book starts off with a "bang" with the roadside bomb that throws Emma Caldridge to the ground and she is approached and stuck with an object that looks like an epi-pen. She is able to get herself to her feet and is compelled to finish the race at breakneck speeds considering the injuries she sustained in the blast. She is very concerned with what might have been injected into her at the bombing site and proceeds to do testing to diagnose the substance. While this is going on Cameron Sumner (a coworker) is on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Aden and pirates proceed to overtake the ship and Cameron is forced to expose his identity to help protect the cruise ship and its occupants from the pirates.Edward Banner is the head of Darkview which is a security company that was hired to protect areas of the Gulf of Aden and convinces Emma Caldridge to sneak onto the cruise ship and help Cameron Sumner. Emma's main objective is to determine what the cargo is and how dangerous it may be to the world.I won this book in the Librarything.com Early Reviewers Giveaway. This is the first book by Jamie Freveletti that I've read. I had heard great things about her first book "Running with the Devil" but did not have the opportunity to read it. As I read "Running Dark" there were some areas that probably would have been better understood had I read her first book. There were also times while reading Running Dark that things seem to be cut short or left hanging or unfinished. I hope that some day I will have the opportunity to read her first book and then read Running Dark and maybe things will come to light.
Emma Caldridge is on mile thirty-six of the fifty-five-mile Comrades ultramarathon in South Africa when a roadside car bomb explodes. Dazed and disoriented, she regains consciousness after the blast to find a man standing over her with a white plastic injector. She feels the prick of a needle and the rush of medication under her skin, but before she can make a sound, the man is gone.
Shaken by the event and unsure of what substance was pumped into her, Emma calls the one person who can help her figure things out: Edward Banner of the security company Darkview. But Banner has his hands full with another emergency: Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden have attacked a cruise ship, and Darkview has been hired to assist with the rescue."My take,The book starts off with a "bang" with the roadside bomb that throws Emma Caldridge to the ground and she is approached and stuck with an object that looks like an epi-pen. She is able to get herself to her feet and is compelled to finish the race at breakneck speeds considering the injuries she sustained in the blast. She is very concerned with what might have been injected into her at the bombing site and proceeds to do testing to diagnose the substance. While this is going on Cameron Sumner (a coworker) is on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Aden and pirates proceed to overtake the ship and Cameron is forced to expose his identity to help protect the cruise ship and its occupants from the pirates.Edward Banner is the head of Darkview which is a security company that was hired to protect areas of the Gulf of Aden and convinces Emma Caldridge to sneak onto the cruise ship and help Cameron Sumner. Emma's main objective is to determine what the cargo is and how dangerous it may be to the world.I won this book in the Librarything.com Early Reviewers Giveaway. This is the first book by Jamie Freveletti that I've read. I had heard great things about her first book "Running with the Devil" but did not have the opportunity to read it. As I read "Running Dark" there were some areas that probably would have been better understood had I read her first book. There were also times while reading Running Dark that things seem to be cut short or left hanging or unfinished. I hope that some day I will have the opportunity to read her first book and then read Running Dark and maybe things will come to light.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2014
Chemist Emma Caldridge is in the middle of running an ultra-marathon in South Africa when a car bomb explodes right next to her. She is literally knocked out of her shoes, lying on the side of the road when she realizes that someone has come up to her and injected her with something.
“Running Dark” brings back Emma, as well as Edward Banner, president of Darkview security company, and Special Agent Cameron Sumner, whom Emma hasn’t sorted out her feelings for yet, from Freveletti’s debut novel “Running From the Devil.”
If you have not read her previous novel, as I hadn’t, never fear because this works well as a stand-alone story.
When Emma calls her friend, Edward, to tell him about the injection and the fact that after she was injected she immediately got up, found her shoes and finished her ultra-marathon in record time due to a strange boost of adreneline, Edward decided he needed to find out who injected Emma and why.
Simultaneously, Edward’s company had hired Cameron to escort a cruise ship carrying pharmaceutical cargo in the Gulf of Aden, and that cruise ship has just been attacked by Somali pirates. Cameron has enlisted the crew and a few passengers to fend off the attack, however Edward informs Emma that he needs her to try to board the ship to find out why the pirates want their pharmaceutical cargo so badly.
After the pirates first unsucessful attack, the cruise ship has been rendered partially-mobile, having to “run dark” with its power and lights off to save energy and hide from a return attack by the pirates. Cameron begins building all the defenses he can, knowing the pirates won’t give up so easily.
Storylines toggle between Edward and Darkview chasing down more injection attacks on higher-up officials worldwide, and how Emma and Cameron fare on the cruise ship. Both stories are compelling and action-packed.
I had heard that Freveletti’s debut novel was disappointing, however after how much I enjoyed this story, I think I’ll go back and check it out anyway.
“Running Dark” brings back Emma, as well as Edward Banner, president of Darkview security company, and Special Agent Cameron Sumner, whom Emma hasn’t sorted out her feelings for yet, from Freveletti’s debut novel “Running From the Devil.”
If you have not read her previous novel, as I hadn’t, never fear because this works well as a stand-alone story.
When Emma calls her friend, Edward, to tell him about the injection and the fact that after she was injected she immediately got up, found her shoes and finished her ultra-marathon in record time due to a strange boost of adreneline, Edward decided he needed to find out who injected Emma and why.
Simultaneously, Edward’s company had hired Cameron to escort a cruise ship carrying pharmaceutical cargo in the Gulf of Aden, and that cruise ship has just been attacked by Somali pirates. Cameron has enlisted the crew and a few passengers to fend off the attack, however Edward informs Emma that he needs her to try to board the ship to find out why the pirates want their pharmaceutical cargo so badly.
After the pirates first unsucessful attack, the cruise ship has been rendered partially-mobile, having to “run dark” with its power and lights off to save energy and hide from a return attack by the pirates. Cameron begins building all the defenses he can, knowing the pirates won’t give up so easily.
Storylines toggle between Edward and Darkview chasing down more injection attacks on higher-up officials worldwide, and how Emma and Cameron fare on the cruise ship. Both stories are compelling and action-packed.
I had heard that Freveletti’s debut novel was disappointing, however after how much I enjoyed this story, I think I’ll go back and check it out anyway.
June 8, 2011
I really enjoyed this book especially having read her first book, Running from the Devil, the week before. Running Dark picks up where the first book left off so I strongly encourage readers to read them in order - although the author provides enough background so the book can standalone I am not sure it would have been as much fun to read. In the latest book, Emma (an ultramarathoner and chemist), Sumner (an agent with a drug taskforce of South America), and Banner (head of Darkview security agency) are trying to get there lives back to some sort of normality after their "adventure" in South America where Sumner saved Emma's life yet of course this does not actually happen. This book starts with Emma running an ultramarathon in South Africa when she is blown out of her shoes by an explosion near her. While still on the ground she is stabbed with an epipen and is immediately able to get back up and finish the rest of the race at a pace faster than she has ever run before. What was in the injection? At the same time, Sumner is providing security for a cruise ship in the Gulf of Aden when it is attacked by Somali pirates and Banner is fighting for the survival of his company (Darkview) in front of Congress and other unknown entities. Are these simultaneous events coincidental or are the related? In this book the author does an excellent job bringing these three storylines together in a fun, actionpacked and easy read. In the previous novel there were questions about the development of her characters - this is not the case here. The familiar characters from the first novel are fleshed out and the characters introduced in this novel are well developed. The combination of science, international political conflict, and the author's superb writing make this a book not to be missed.
August 6, 2010
Emma Caldridge, Edward Banner and Cameron Sumner made it out of the Colombian jungle, but they’re adventures are far from being over. While Emma is running an ultramarathon in South Africa, a roadside bomb goes off and she is stuck with an epi-like pen. Whatever is in this pen gives her extreme energy. Little does she know this isn’t the only pen around and it will soon lead her to the pirated waters of Somalia to help save Sumner, in return for saving her life in Running from the Devil.
Good news to all of you have been reading Freveletti’s book, she told me through Twitter that she IS working on a third installment for this series!
Normally, I am all about the fluff books. I go through work, on a daily basis and have stories about murder, shootings, stabbings, rape, you name it. So by the time I get home, all I want to read about are frilly dresses, high school drama and puppies. So, as you can imagine, coupling some current events into my reading isn’t what I normally go for. But I absolutely love this series, for just that reason. I love that what happens in these books could really happen in real life. And it makes it kind of scary. I did read though that Freveletti had written this before pirating got big. Maybe she shouldn’t write another one if she’s going to cause crazy things like pirates to take over
As in the first book, Emma Caldridge is a great character. She’s very empowering for women. She is extremely smart, she thinks on her toes and she makes the rest of us look good, even if we would be sitting in the corner crying while she is stirring concoctions to kill the pirates.
I did feel like this one lagged a little compared to the first book. I give Running Dark 4 bookmarks.
Good news to all of you have been reading Freveletti’s book, she told me through Twitter that she IS working on a third installment for this series!
Normally, I am all about the fluff books. I go through work, on a daily basis and have stories about murder, shootings, stabbings, rape, you name it. So by the time I get home, all I want to read about are frilly dresses, high school drama and puppies. So, as you can imagine, coupling some current events into my reading isn’t what I normally go for. But I absolutely love this series, for just that reason. I love that what happens in these books could really happen in real life. And it makes it kind of scary. I did read though that Freveletti had written this before pirating got big. Maybe she shouldn’t write another one if she’s going to cause crazy things like pirates to take over
As in the first book, Emma Caldridge is a great character. She’s very empowering for women. She is extremely smart, she thinks on her toes and she makes the rest of us look good, even if we would be sitting in the corner crying while she is stirring concoctions to kill the pirates.
I did feel like this one lagged a little compared to the first book. I give Running Dark 4 bookmarks.
August 13, 2010
Emma Caldridge is running an ultramarathon in South Africa when a roadside bomb explodes. As she lay dazed, a man injected her with some chemical and left. She was able to finish the event with surprising speed and endurance.
Kahlil Ibrahim Mungabe is in Dubai when his contact tells him that he will pay to have Mungabe and his Somalia pirates intercept a cruise ship. The ship holds pharmacetical products that his contact, The Vulture, wants.
The ship is protected by a U.S. security company, Darkview. It has sunk a number of Mugabe's boats and captured the pirates to stand trial. Mungabe wants them put out of business and The Vulture tells him that a plan to do that is in motion.
On the "Kaiser Franz" Cameron Sumner, an employee of Darkview is the first to observe the pirates approaching. Since it's a cruise ship, there are no official weapons but Sumner snuck his rifle aboard when he arrived on the ship. He is able to fire a few rounds at the pirates, wounding one and discouraging the others, for the moment.
The Vulture tells the man who does his dirty work that he wants Emma injected again. They know that this will have fatal results for her.
There are several attempts to discredit and disrupt Darkview and Emma volunteers to sneak on to the ship in order to analyze the pharmaceuticals.
The story flows skillfully and the suspense is constant. The characters are wll drawn and with the care that they show for each other, they are most sympathetic.
The author has done fine work with this novel and it adds to her high literary regard.
Kahlil Ibrahim Mungabe is in Dubai when his contact tells him that he will pay to have Mungabe and his Somalia pirates intercept a cruise ship. The ship holds pharmacetical products that his contact, The Vulture, wants.
The ship is protected by a U.S. security company, Darkview. It has sunk a number of Mugabe's boats and captured the pirates to stand trial. Mungabe wants them put out of business and The Vulture tells him that a plan to do that is in motion.
On the "Kaiser Franz" Cameron Sumner, an employee of Darkview is the first to observe the pirates approaching. Since it's a cruise ship, there are no official weapons but Sumner snuck his rifle aboard when he arrived on the ship. He is able to fire a few rounds at the pirates, wounding one and discouraging the others, for the moment.
The Vulture tells the man who does his dirty work that he wants Emma injected again. They know that this will have fatal results for her.
There are several attempts to discredit and disrupt Darkview and Emma volunteers to sneak on to the ship in order to analyze the pharmaceuticals.
The story flows skillfully and the suspense is constant. The characters are wll drawn and with the care that they show for each other, they are most sympathetic.
The author has done fine work with this novel and it adds to her high literary regard.
April 12, 2013
Emma Caldridge is on mile thirty-six of the fifty-five-mile Comrades ultramarathon in South Africa when a roadside car bomb explodes. Dazed and disoriented, she regains consciousness after the blast to find a man standing over her with a white plastic injector. She feels the prick of a needle and the rush of medication under her skin, but before she can make a sound, the man is gone.
Shaken by the event and unsure of what substance was pumped into her, Emma calls the one person who can help her figure things out: Edward Banner of the security company Darkview. But Banner has his hands full with another emergency: Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden have attacked a cruise ship, and Darkview has been hired to assist with the rescue.
However, according to intelligence sources, the ship is carrying cargo far more valuable than wealthy passengers—something that could be a new weapon of unknown origin. Suspecting the weapon may be chemical in nature, Banner asks Emma to infiltrate the ship and use her professional expertise to identify it. Emma knows it's a risky job, one that she might not survive. But when she learns that special agent Cameron Sumner—a man who has saved her life in the past—is among the hostages, nothing will stop her from getting onboard, no matter what the cost.
August 22, 2010
"Running Dark" starts with Emma Caldridge running an ultramarathon in South Africa, and roadside bomb goes off and she is stuck with an Epi-pen like device. Whatever is in this pen gives her extreme energy and miraculous healing because her wounds begin to heal right before her eyes. Little does she know this isn’t the only pen around and it will soon lead her to the pirated waters of Somalia to help save Cameron Sumner, in return for saving her life in Freveletti’s previous novel “Running from the Devil.” Caldredge's attempts to find out what the drug is also intertwined with two other subplots: a group of Somali pirates attacking a cruise ship and an effort by bad guys in the DOD to bring down a subcontractor who is getting a little too close to finding out about their illegal activities. I think all three plots are interesting ideas and each could have been more completely developed.
I read somewhere that Freveletti had written this book before modern pirating had gotten big media coverage. I really enjoyed this book because it seems like it could really happen; and that makes it kind of scary. I would say read “Running Dark” and enjoy, I am going to pick up a copy of “Running from the Devil” but I don’t think you have to know about the first book to read this one.
I read somewhere that Freveletti had written this book before modern pirating had gotten big media coverage. I really enjoyed this book because it seems like it could really happen; and that makes it kind of scary. I would say read “Running Dark” and enjoy, I am going to pick up a copy of “Running from the Devil” but I don’t think you have to know about the first book to read this one.
December 2, 2012
"Running Dark" by Jamie Freveletti continues the story of Emma Caldridge and Cameron Sumner, a chemist and a government agent whose lives cross in Freveletti's first book, "Running From the Devil."
The story alternates from Washington, D.C. to South Africa to a cruise ship off the west coast of Africa. There are bad guys galore including pirates, war lords and crooked politicians. Add in some illegal, not-approved dangerous drugs and you have an explosive read.
The good guys are very good and the bad guys are very bad -- but that's standard in thrillers of this type. Can a book have too many characters? If so, this book borders on that, but it's a minor complaint. The main characters are easy to keep track of and, while not drawn in depth, are carefully created to highlight strengths -- they don't seem to have any weaknesses.
Although Emma and Sumner don't physically get together until the end of the book, the romantic tension is apparent throughout. Emma is still nursing her grief from the death of her fiance, yet she can't stop thinking of Sumner.
Read the whole review at: Running Dark
The story alternates from Washington, D.C. to South Africa to a cruise ship off the west coast of Africa. There are bad guys galore including pirates, war lords and crooked politicians. Add in some illegal, not-approved dangerous drugs and you have an explosive read.
The good guys are very good and the bad guys are very bad -- but that's standard in thrillers of this type. Can a book have too many characters? If so, this book borders on that, but it's a minor complaint. The main characters are easy to keep track of and, while not drawn in depth, are carefully created to highlight strengths -- they don't seem to have any weaknesses.
Although Emma and Sumner don't physically get together until the end of the book, the romantic tension is apparent throughout. Emma is still nursing her grief from the death of her fiance, yet she can't stop thinking of Sumner.
Read the whole review at: Running Dark
May 31, 2010
Jamie Freveletti's "Running Dark" starts off strong, with a roadside bombing during an ultramarathon in South Africa. Chemist Emma Caldredge, an enthusiastic ultra runner, is stuck with something like an EpiPen during the aftermath of the bombing and finds herself compelled to keep running -- on injuries that have begun to heal before her eyes.
Caldredge's attempts to find out what the drug happens to be intertwine with two other subplots: a group of Somali pirates attacking a cruise ship and a concerted effort by certain elements of the DoD to bring down a subcontractor who is getting a little too close finding out their illegal foibles to suit those elements.
All three of the plots are very interesting ideas, and each could have done well with more space/development. My major problem with this book is that, in order to bring all three of the stories together, it feels as though Freveletti has given each of them short shrift. Each separate element is well-researched and believable, but the book feels both rushed and incomplete.
It's not a bad read, overall, but real technothriller junkies may come away disappointed.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
Caldredge's attempts to find out what the drug happens to be intertwine with two other subplots: a group of Somali pirates attacking a cruise ship and a concerted effort by certain elements of the DoD to bring down a subcontractor who is getting a little too close finding out their illegal foibles to suit those elements.
All three of the plots are very interesting ideas, and each could have done well with more space/development. My major problem with this book is that, in order to bring all three of the stories together, it feels as though Freveletti has given each of them short shrift. Each separate element is well-researched and believable, but the book feels both rushed and incomplete.
It's not a bad read, overall, but real technothriller junkies may come away disappointed.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
October 25, 2010
After reading this author's first book, Running from the Devil I had to read the second one. She showed so much potential in her first thriller that I wanted to see how it played out.
Wow! This was an excellent thriller involving Somali pirates, a cruise ship with a mysterious cargo, and lots of action. I mentioned before how nice it was to read a thriller with a competent female hero and this is true here. Emma will stop at nothing to ensure the success of her mission, even flying into Mogadishu on a khat plane on her way to the cruise ship.
The other characters in this book are just as well written including a pair of passengers from Texas that prove to be more than equal to fighting off pirates. Lots of interesting information about Somali pirates is a bonus.
This thriller is perfectly paced with enough details and plot twists to keep you interested, but not so many that it just begins to seem pointless. Romantic undercurrents - check, romance as the focus - not. Personally I read thrillers for the action-packed escapism and could care less about who's kissing who so this was just perfect for me.
Great, fun, entertaining read - go get this book!
Wow! This was an excellent thriller involving Somali pirates, a cruise ship with a mysterious cargo, and lots of action. I mentioned before how nice it was to read a thriller with a competent female hero and this is true here. Emma will stop at nothing to ensure the success of her mission, even flying into Mogadishu on a khat plane on her way to the cruise ship.
The other characters in this book are just as well written including a pair of passengers from Texas that prove to be more than equal to fighting off pirates. Lots of interesting information about Somali pirates is a bonus.
This thriller is perfectly paced with enough details and plot twists to keep you interested, but not so many that it just begins to seem pointless. Romantic undercurrents - check, romance as the focus - not. Personally I read thrillers for the action-packed escapism and could care less about who's kissing who so this was just perfect for me.
Great, fun, entertaining read - go get this book!
August 5, 2010
I won this book through the First Reads Giveaway!
Running Dark is a modern day pirate story. Emma Caldridge is a chemist that gets injected with an unknown substance on the first page of the book and it catapaults her into the scary Somalian world. Cameron Sumner works for a security company hoping to get the pirates to stop targeting ships. Sumner (whom Emma has a brief history with) is dealing with the Somali pirates on a cruise ship amidst a couple hundred wealthy socialites that the pirates hope to ransome.
I haven't read anything by Jamie Freveletti before, but I will read anything she comes out with now. She writes a very realistic modern day pirate story. She doesn't pack the story with a lot of fluff words and just gets right into the meat of what is going on. I loved it! Such an easy read - easy to pick up and begin reading where you had to stop last, you don't have to go back and read a few pages to remind you - no, you remember! Great character development ... just a wonderful story.
Running Dark is a modern day pirate story. Emma Caldridge is a chemist that gets injected with an unknown substance on the first page of the book and it catapaults her into the scary Somalian world. Cameron Sumner works for a security company hoping to get the pirates to stop targeting ships. Sumner (whom Emma has a brief history with) is dealing with the Somali pirates on a cruise ship amidst a couple hundred wealthy socialites that the pirates hope to ransome.
I haven't read anything by Jamie Freveletti before, but I will read anything she comes out with now. She writes a very realistic modern day pirate story. She doesn't pack the story with a lot of fluff words and just gets right into the meat of what is going on. I loved it! Such an easy read - easy to pick up and begin reading where you had to stop last, you don't have to go back and read a few pages to remind you - no, you remember! Great character development ... just a wonderful story.
November 15, 2010
Running Dark
By Jamie Freveletti
This book was received from Library Thing in the Early Reviewers program.
Without reading her first book “Running from the Devil”, I plunged into her second book and felt that it could stand alone.
A fast paced thriller that right from the beginning, has you guessing what is taking place after our heroine, Biochemist Emma Caldridge is stabbed with an epi-pen during a marathon race in Africa. What was she shot up with?
As she rushes to find answers, we are caught up with drugs, murder, and pirates off the coast of Somalia. The boarding of a cruise ship from a running boat is very suspenseful. Our heroine is fearless.
The book is full of interesting characters and lots of intrigue that moves at a fast pace. The author pulls you in and never lets you go.
I am definitely going to read “Running from the Devil”, her first book, and will follow her in the future.
If you want to read an intriguing thriller, this is for you. You will not be able to put the book down.
By Jamie Freveletti
This book was received from Library Thing in the Early Reviewers program.
Without reading her first book “Running from the Devil”, I plunged into her second book and felt that it could stand alone.
A fast paced thriller that right from the beginning, has you guessing what is taking place after our heroine, Biochemist Emma Caldridge is stabbed with an epi-pen during a marathon race in Africa. What was she shot up with?
As she rushes to find answers, we are caught up with drugs, murder, and pirates off the coast of Somalia. The boarding of a cruise ship from a running boat is very suspenseful. Our heroine is fearless.
The book is full of interesting characters and lots of intrigue that moves at a fast pace. The author pulls you in and never lets you go.
I am definitely going to read “Running from the Devil”, her first book, and will follow her in the future.
If you want to read an intriguing thriller, this is for you. You will not be able to put the book down.
January 7, 2013
Running Dark was the second book that I read written by Jamie Freveletti and it was even better than Running From The Devil. Running Dark's storyline starts off from Running With The Devil but can easily be read on its own.
Emma Caldridge is in South Africa running an ultramarathon when a car explodes and sends her flying into the dirt. Although dazed and confused she becomes aware that someone has just injected a syringe into her. She finishes the race and orders blood tests and contacts Edward Banner whose security company helped recue her in Columbia.
Edward Banner's security company has just been hired to help a cruise ship off the coast of Somalia which is carrying a dangerous chemical and being attacked by Somalia pirates. Banner asks Emma to board the ship and find out what chemical is exactly.
Emma's trip into Somalia is dangerous as well as exciting and leaves the reader not wanting to put the book down.
Emma Caldridge is in South Africa running an ultramarathon when a car explodes and sends her flying into the dirt. Although dazed and confused she becomes aware that someone has just injected a syringe into her. She finishes the race and orders blood tests and contacts Edward Banner whose security company helped recue her in Columbia.
Edward Banner's security company has just been hired to help a cruise ship off the coast of Somalia which is carrying a dangerous chemical and being attacked by Somalia pirates. Banner asks Emma to board the ship and find out what chemical is exactly.
Emma's trip into Somalia is dangerous as well as exciting and leaves the reader not wanting to put the book down.
March 31, 2013
Emma Caldridge is a marathon runner and a Biochemist she is halfway through the south Afrcia comrades ultra marathon when a car bomb explodes. Dazed and disoriented, a stranger is injecting her with an unknown substance which makes her stronger than before. Than he vanishes. When Emma approaches Edward Banner the head of Darkview a security company. He already has his hands full, thanks to some Somali pirates attacking a cruise ship in the Gulf of Aden- A ship which carries a weapon that he needs Emma to identify. And Cameron Sumner - a man who she owes her life to is among the hostages. Emma knows this is a dangerous mission and she may die. But nothing is going to stop her getting onboard. And trying to save the passengers.A real thrill ride of a ride. look forward to reading more by Jamie Freveletti
October 18, 2010
Thoroughly enjoyable fast paced suspense story of a runner chemist who has a previous bond with a Edward Banner who works for security company "Darkview". Written before Somali pirates capturing cruise ships came onto the news, this is a thriller for those who ordinarily would not read thrillers. So much happens all over the continent by people who couldn't care less if they were in danger or had to put someone else in danger. The main theme is about a drug which may enhance life or kill if given twice but we don't know that in the begining of the story. Any movie of this would have to be simplified in order to fit so many happenings within two hours.
What surprises me is how the author, a female trial lawyer and runner could imagine this level of detail to make the story so real, while living in Chicago. A fast gripping read!
What surprises me is how the author, a female trial lawyer and runner could imagine this level of detail to make the story so real, while living in Chicago. A fast gripping read!
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