Cover Image: Run to the Blue

Run to the Blue

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Member Reviews

"Run to the Blue" by P N Johnson is a pulse-pounding action thriller that takes readers on a gripping journey from the bustling streets of London to the picturesque Greek islands. The novel introduces Tess Anderson, a seasoned reporter whose life takes an unexpected and tumultuous turn on what was supposed to be a triumphant day in her career.

Johnson skillfully weaves a tale of suspense, betrayal, and danger as Tess finds herself entangled in a web of crime and deceit. The narrative is fast-paced, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat with each twist and turn. The author's vivid descriptions transport readers seamlessly between the high-stakes world of television news in London and the serene landscapes of the Greek islands.

Tess's character is well-crafted, and her journey from a celebrated reporter to a woman facing death threats is both compelling and relatable. The emotional depth adds a layer of authenticity to the story, allowing readers to empathize with Tess as she confronts not only external threats but also the personal challenges that arise.

The introduction of a mysterious American yachtsman adds an intriguing element to the plot, creating an air of suspense and unpredictability. The question of trust becomes central as Tess navigates through a world where enemies lurk in unexpected places.

The novel successfully maintains a balance between action-packed sequences and unraveling the mystery at its core. The pacing is well-managed, ensuring that the tension builds steadily until the satisfying conclusion. The theme of secrets and the desire to keep them buried adds depth to the narrative, creating an additional layer of intrigue.

"Run to the Blue" is a riveting thriller that offers readers an immersive experience in the worlds of journalism, crime, and international intrigue. P N Johnson's storytelling prowess shines in this fast-moving and engaging novel, making it a highly recommended read for fans of action-packed thrillers.

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Didn’t love this one. I found my attention waning and it was difficult to follow the story line. Not a strong thriller IMO.

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Run to the Blue is a is a well written standalone thriller by PN Johnson. Released 12th April 2023 by Burning Chair, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an action driven thriller with an intelligent female protagonist and relentless pace. The characters are well rendered, the dialogue flows well and it's not clunky or awkward, and the star of the show is beautifully drawn settings and descriptions. Set in and around Paxos, Greece, the island paradise setting is used to advantage against the very palpable sense of threat and dread. Excellent writing.

Four stars. Fast paced, delicious beach read or weekend binge.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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Lots of action in this story of an ace reporter with a big story that puts her life in danger…from London to Greece, with a failing marriage and a new love. I was entertained thoroughly by this story.

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Action-packed and relentless, this novel follows star reporter Tess as she evades a relentless gang. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Greece, the deadly cat and mouse game keeps you hooked. The author's expertise in journalism and the Greek islands shines through, immersing you in the story. A fantastic follow-up to "Killer in the Crowd." Can't wait for the next thrilling installment!

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Run To The Blue has a bit of everything! There is scandal, tension, secrets, lies, betrayal and romance and it all comes together in an incredibly fast paced story. The novel starts with a bang and from there it is totally relentless. It was really difficult to put down to eat or sleep.

The protagonist is Tess Anderson and she's thrown in the deep end from the very beginning. I admired her tenacity, intelligence and feistiness and this made me root for her the whole way through. Throughout the novel, Tess meets a lot of people and it's clear that not all of them have her best interests at heart. The author does a good job of making us suspicious of everyone and I wasn't always sure who to trust. Tess' relationship with Jason is lovely - there is humour and affection between them that provides light relief from a plot that is otherwise fraught with danger.

There are several scenes in the novel that are set in Greece and I love the way that the author takes us here. On a rainy April day, it was lovely to imagine the places to which Tess travelled, even if she wasn't always having the most relaxing time!

As we reach the ending of Run To The Blue, the tension and sense of danger is really heightened and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how the different characters would fare!

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Tess is an award winning TV journalist, who is responsible for the arrest and subsequent conviction of a renowned gangster and murderer. At the very moment he is sentenced, screaming that he will have her killed, big news breaks of Tess’ husband’s affair with a top government minister.

Tess runs to the Greek Islands to hide out, but someone is leaking information to the people who want her dead, and to add to the chaos and danger, in her rush, she grabbed her husband’s iPad instead of her own and his government lover clearly has more to hide than Tess realised.

Mainly set around the Greek Islands, with a little bit of sleepy Sussex village and a decent dose of London, the escapism is real, especially when Tess flees to the nearest Yacht to outrun the assassin on her heels.

Great characters, a brilliant story and gorgeous scenery made this book a winner for me.

My only criticism would be that I would have liked to have understood more about Sven’s attraction to Heffle and why she seemed to have him wrapped around her little finger - that would have earned that last half a star from me ⭐️

4.5/5⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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Okay, I loved this book. I had to force myself to put this book down. Thank you to NetGalley, PN Johnson, and Burning Chair for this eARC.

Let’s start with my favorite moment in the book:
“XYZ, you’re under arrest”
“Me!? Do you know who I am?!”
“Yes, that’s why we’re arresting you”
I audibly laughed at this part, because that’s 100% something I would say - “yes I know you, that’s why I said your name” 💀
*name redacted to avoid spoiler

This was such a great beach read. I absolutely loved this book. What’s keeping me from 5 stars is the way Crusher Lean spoke. It gave me very cheesy Lifetime vibes, and it made me cringe. Also, the last chapter was written like a Lifetime/Hallmark movie and I was not impressed. It wasn’t up to the par with the rest of the writing.

Other than those moments? This book was gooooood. I felt like I was able to travel through Greece (life long goal of mine) through this book, and it kept me on edge the entire time wondering who the mole was and if the criminals would get to Jane and Tess in the end.

I can’t wait for this to be released so everyone can experience Greece through Tess’s eyes.

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Run to the Blue, written by P N Johnson, is a gripping thriller that follows the story of ace reporter Tess Anderson, whose life takes a dramatic turn for the worse after her husband is exposed as having an affair with a top government minister. As a result, Tess faces death threats from the notorious Lean crime family and is forced to flee to a friend's villa on the Greek island of Paxos.

The story is fast-paced and full of suspense, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed, and Tess's struggles are both relatable and heart-wrenching. The book also touches on themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths that people will go to protect their secrets.

The writing in Run to the Blue is excellent, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the Greek island of Paxos. The action sequences are well-written and keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The dialogue is also well-crafted, with believable conversations between the characters that help to move the story along.

Overall, Run to the Blue is an exciting thriller that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. The story is well-written, the characters are engaging, and the themes are relevant and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel and is looking for a thrilling and satisfying read.

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I was intrigued by this book due to the setting of Paxos. Having spent a large amount of time there over the years I was looking forward to seeing it become part of the story line.

The book is fine for reading around the pool, definite poolside vibes if you want something unchallenging and easy to read between the retsina or ouzo. But look a little closer and you’ll see glaring pot holes, a fair amount of repetition, and very little character development with a subplot thrown in for good measure to add a romance angle. It all felt very rudimentary. Unfortunately the charm of Paxos didn’t come through, you could have been on any island.

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Tess Anderson, star London crime reporter, is poised to report on story of her career, when she becomes the story – news reports are that her husband has been having an affair with a high-level government official. Forced to flee to Greece, she is dogged by repeated attempts on her life. Tess is a gritty female protagonist and this could be the start of a very interesting series. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.

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i really loved this mystery. so much drama and i absolutely enjoyed the characters. this one is a must read.

thanks netgalley and publissher for allowing me to read this book.

all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Run to the Blue by P N Johnson.
But as crime boss Ken Lean is sentenced, ace reporter Tess Anderson instead finds herself in the headlines: her husband is exposed as having an affair with a top government minister, and Tess herself faces death threats from the Lean crime family.
With her life collapsing around her, Tess runs to her friend’s villa on the Greek island of Paxos, but soon finds she’s been tracked down by killers and spies. Her only hope of escape is a mysterious, glamorous, and somehow familiar American yachtsman.
Can Tess stay alive long enough to see her pursuers behind bars?
Who can she trust as her enemies close in?
And what is the secret that her husband and his lover are so keen to ensure remains buried?
The latest novel from P N Johnson, the author of Killer in the Crowd, Run to the Blue is a fast-moving action thriller set in the world of television news in London, and in the beautiful Greek islands.
Brilliant read. Love Tess and Jason and Jane. 5*.

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An intriguing read set on a beautiful Greek Island. Great book! An interesting and pacey plot that keeps you turning the pages.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book by P N Johnson (the first one I have read by this author) and can't wait to read another! Reporter Tess Anderson puts a top gangster in prison by reporting the story of him killing old people in a care home to gain their money. After finding out that her husband is having an affair, she takes a trip to escape the gangster Ken Lean's brother who threatens to kill her, going to stay in her friend Jane's villa in Paxos. The novel keeps the reader engrossed and guessing to the final pages.

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Great book! This book was a bit different but good different! It was almost cheesy at times but it was so good I didn't mind at all! It also had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, romance, a great who done it and some great high speed chase! I really enjoyed reading this book!! I highly recommend reading this one as its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

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Tess Anderson, a London-based reporter, has just exposed Ken Lean for who he really is, a fraudster and a murderer. She is in the courtroom, waiting for the judge’s verdict, the final piece of information for the story of her career. But while Ken is being sentenced, her husband’s affair with a government official comes to light and just like that, instead of reporting the breaking news, she is the breaking news. But she can’t afford to process her husband’s betrayal; she is being stalked and her life is being threatened.

She has decided to seek refuge in Paxos, Greece, but danger follows. Constantly running to save her life, Tess finds herself in the yacht of a mysterious man, in the middle of the blue waters surrounding the Greek islands.

Run to the Blue is an action-packed, chaotic, fast-paced thriller, and well… a cruise of some sort (pun intended).

A few thoughts I had while reading this book:

• If I listed all the plot holes in this book, the list would be longer than the book.

• Why am I seeing “eff” in an adult thriller?

• Most conversations are just exposition dump, huh.

• How can journalists be this irrational?

• Oy vey, so many repetitions.

• Oooh, a romantic sub plot.

• Isn’t this just a whirlwind of plot twists.

• The setting of the book is making me want to go on vacation to an island.

• How did I just follow one character for the entirety of the book but not really get to know her?

The book was alright. I was really intrigued by the blurb, but there was just no depth or complexity to the plot or characters.

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A fast-paced mystery with plenty of action and colorful characters.

Thank you to P N Johnson, NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book.

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