I received an advance ebook copy of Runner 13 by Amy McCulloch from netgalley.

Easy 5 stars! This is a quick fast paced read (fast paced? Running? Get it?)

The characters, the setting, the mystery, the storyline. All perfect and sucked me right in.

As a short distance runner... think very slow 5k.... it was interesting to take a look into the world of ultra running.

Definitely recommend!

I didn't connect with this story or its characters right away. In fact, I nearly gave up on it altogether. But when things started happening during the marathon--injuries, deaths--getting through 250 mi!es in the brutal Sahara is only part the challenge.

This ended up being quite intriguing, and I'm glad I stuck with it.

Runner 13 by Amy McCullough is a thriller novel centered around an intense, multi-day, 250-mile ultramarathon through the brutal heat of the Sahara Desert.
The protagonist is Adrienne "Adri" Wendell, a former star ultramarathoner who abandoned her career years ago in the wake of a scandal and a personal tragedy involving her young son. She returns to the extreme sport not just to prove herself a winner to her son and herself, but also to find answers about mysteries from her past.
As the race progresses, Adri and her fellow runners face not only the grueling physical and mental demands of the desert, but also a growing sense that something sinister is afoot. When a fellow runner is badly injured, Adri suspects foul play. The harsh conditions of the race make it easy to explain away even a dead body, but Adri soon realizes there's a killer stalking the hot sand.
The book weaves together the high-stakes survival aspects of an extreme endurance race with a gripping mystery and themes of redemption, guilt, and the pursuit of truth. Amy McCulloch, drawing on her own experience of completing the Marathon des Sables (a real-life ultra-marathon in the Sahara), brings a strong sense of authenticity to the setting and the physicality of the race, making it a propulsive adventure thriller.

This was a really great book! Loved all the details about ultramarathrons, super interesting. Fantastic plotting and a really enjoyable book that I finished in 24 hours!

Adrienne, a disgraced ultramarathon runner, comes back into the fold for what is to be the ultimate test of human ability. Coerced into participating in a 250 mile Saharan Desert race with promises of answers about who almost killed her son 7 years ago. With a race director known for his wicked twists and turns, what is Adri really getting herself into and will anyone even be alive to cross the finish line?

Amy McCulloch does it again. A book so much like Breathless, yet entirely different and the stakes are somehow even higher than climbing a mountain. I'm consistently impressed by McCulloch's ability to write a compelling and twisty story based on something she's actually experienced. She attacks research head on and makes a story so unbelievable that you have to believe it. As a non-runner, this book really solidified my love of the couch.

I always like a thriller that actually surprises me and this story had a few moments I didn't expect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for a digital ARC of this book for my honest review.

Amy McCulloch writes thrillers about extreme elements, heightened with a murderer on the loose. Her first was Breathless, about mountain climbing, and this outing, Runner 13, concerns elite ultramarathon running. And I mean elite! A 250-mile race in the Moroccan Saharan desert… and yes, someone is chasing the main female runner to do her harm. Or at least she thinks so.
What happens when you are so fast that there is no one close to you who can help you fight your stalker?
Adrienne is a great character who had retired from racing ultramarathons, defined as a sport which “finds out the limit of human endurance.” But she is back from retirement to get information about her son’s hit and run following Adrienne accusation of sexual assault by a popular running coach. Her race invitation says “COME AND FIND ANSWERS.” So she does.
Adrienne arrives in Morocco to find not many supporters of her allegations about the coach. But then the bodies start to pile up --and not just from the fierce desert environment. Who is targeting the runners? Sabotage or paranoia? And we are off and running – so to speak!
This novel has it all. Definitely a wonderful sense of setting, including sand storms and details of local mountain environments. The characters are believable and draw you into the story where all the characters are competitors, wishing you well, unless it means they are in front of you in the race. The plot is complex, and the ending not one I guessed. The concept of running 250 miles over 4 days on the extremely hot sand was a thrill in and of itself.
McCulloch does an outstanding job of bringing her reader into the novel. She is an elite athlete, favoring hiking and mountaineering – she is the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt. Manaslu in Nepal. Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books.
Runner 13 is a fun read for anyone who likes psychological suspense novels. I will be reading McCulloch’s future books, awaiting more extreme athletic suspense and setting brilliance.
My rating 5 of 5
This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review. Runner 13 will be published on July 1, 2025.

A group of elites are invited to participate in the ultimate ultra-endurance footrace. How far will you go and how much are you willing to push yourself to get what you want? I’m obsessed with running and I’ve always been so intrigued by the Berkeley that this book had me sucked in pretty much before I even started reading.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been able to run consistently and since I’m finally not pregnant/postpartum I can start to dip my toes back into running. This book made me want to run SO BAD lol I loved every minute of it. Runner 13 combined my love of running and thrillers which I never really thought could be a thing. Whether you love running or thrillers you should pick this one up!

“Runner 13” by Amy McCulloch is a tense, and gripping thriller that will leave you breathless! The story revolves around a fiercely determined woman who was once a rising star in the world of ultramarathons. She gave it up years ago when her young son was hit by a car while she was racing and unable to come to his aid. At the same time she leveled a career ending accusation to the world’s most celebrated coach that ended her career in disgrace and mystery.
She became an instant pariah, but now after 7 years she has been invited to run the race of all races, 250 miles in the Sahara Desert. She participates in the race even though it organizer is know to be a sadistic and elusive. As the race begins the Sahara becomes a fantastic character itself, a living breathing threat and our heroines journey to peel back the layers of betrayal, trauma and ambition are riveting and explosive.
I was breathless reading the whole time and finished the book in one sitting. A unique story about reclaiming one’s power and the strength to survive. I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fast paced, adventure and a definate thriller! This kept me on my toes and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

Runner 13 was Adrienne. She was a runner with great potential but she gave it all up to keep her child safe. While she was running her last race, she was out of reach, without a phone and her son was hit by a reckless driver. Many people, including Adrienne, believed it was because she had made accusations about a top running coach. Accusations that were believed to be lies. She was sure that her son had been hit on purpose, because of the lie. She quit running races for 7-8 years. She decided that she had to come back when she was offered a place in a 250 mile desert sand race, a race that was invite only. Dangerous conditions, lack of training, a brutal race--I enjoyed this book immensely. I took 1 star away from what would have been 5 stars because I don't think a runner, no matter what incentive there is, would take on a race like this without the proper training. But what do I know--I can't even jog around the block. Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the digital complementary ARC.This review is in my own words and it is my own opinion.

Immersive and heart pounding and unlike any other thrillers I’ve read, just good writing. Thank you to the author, the publisher and netgalley for my advanced copy — out this July!!

🏃‍♀️ Race to the Edge: Sand, Secrets, and Survival in "Runner 13" ⏳
1. Tricks, Trails, and Tribulations: The Sahara as the Ultimate Proving Ground 🌵
In "Runner 13" by Amy McCulloch, readers are thrust into the blistering heat of the Sahara Desert, where a 250-mile ultramarathon turns into a race for truth, survival, and redemption. The sands hold not just challenges but secrets that could cost everything.
2. Adrienne’s Comeback: A Runner with More Than Glory on the Line 🌟
Adrienne Wendell, once a rising star in ultrarunning, returns to the sport to conquer personal demons that left her sidelined. McCulloch expertly portrays a complex protagonist whose journey is as much about inner healing as it is about the extreme physical feat before her.
3. Psychological and Physical Grinding: Where True Endurance Lies 🏃‍♂️
The stakes of this thriller aren't just physical. McCulloch intertwines psychological suspense with impressive authenticity, capturing the harsh realities and mental fortitude required in ultrarunning. Each step in the shifting desert sands reveals more than just miles on a map.
4. A Race Director Dripping with Mystery: Who is Boones? 🎭
At the helm of the race is the enigmatic Boones, whose legendary reputation and mysterious nature add another layer of intrigue. His shadowy presence and the ever-changing racecourse keep the tension palpable and the readers guessing at every turn.
5. Twists to Take Your Breath Away: Not Just the Altitude’s Doing! 🔍
Just when you think you've deciphered the narrative's clues, McCulloch pulls the rug out from under you with heart-stopping twists that redefine the thriller landscape. The surprises are well-crafted and keep the suspense alive throughout the relentless desert race.
Final Thoughts 🔦
"Runner 13" is a unique adrenaline rush that pushes boundaries, blurring lines between thriller and sports fiction. With a setting that feels as alive as any character and a plot packed with surprise after surprise, Amy McCulloch delivers a gripping narrative that keeps you engaged to the last sandy mile. 🎽
Standing alongside legends like "Murder on Everest," this novel also brings the trailblazing spirit of women into the spotlight. If you crave a high-octane tale of perseverance, secrets, and sandy escapades, lace up for this electrifying read! 🏜️

I have never read a thriller/suspense/whatever this is about ultras and now I’m angry that there aren’t more. This book was great! There were a few scenes in the desert where it wasn’t clear what was going on - it felt like some descriptions were missing so I had a hard time picturing what was happening - and events in the flashbacks that should have transpired over months seemed to all happen within the same week, but otherwise I really enjoyed reading this. Also, I loved the respect and admiration the characters had for the female runners. Despite superstars like Courtney Dauwalter, the ultra community (the running community in general, really) still has some deep misogyny throughout it, so it was nice to read this book where the female runners were acknowledged as some of the best, without any “…for a girl” bullshit. The abuse plot line was very well done, and I appreciated the realistic responses everyone had to it, as well as the way it concluded.

I love how Amy McCulloch ties her personal adventures into her thrillers! I always know that the adventure aspect is going to be as true as possible to the real experience. It really adds to the suspenseful nature of the thriller too, by having these already risky situations and then being amplified by a killer!
I especially enjoyed the information gleaned at the end, no stone left unturned!

Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC copy

The first 70% of this book is so intense and keeps you hooked. The last 30% felt a little rushed. The concept of these super intense ultra marathons felt very “Running Man” but in a modern and fun twist. The best part is the twist - I had NO idea it was going to go that way!

I’ve read everything by this author and I love the genre - thrillers in the athletic realm. Murder while climbing Everest, murder while exploring Antarctica and now while running an ultramarathon. Something about being alone, testing the strength of your endurance and mental game and then throwing in a good dose of someone chasing you. I also love the women characters as they are in the midst of doing things that women don’t usually do or haven’t done before.
I hate spoilers, so I’ll just say that if running a 250 mile race, with little support in the Saraha Desert, while figuring out if someone is after you, then this might be the book for you.

Initially, I was uncertain about how much I would enjoy a suspense novel set during an ultramarathon; however, I found it to be quite captivating and intense. The experience not only entertained me but also provided valuable insights into the sport, which I found fascinating. The protagonist, Adrienne, had ceased running following her son's involvement in a hit-and-run accident. Years later, she embarks on a 250-mile ultramarathon in search of answers regarding her son's tragedy. Throughout her journey, both she and her fellow runners encounter various dangers. I rate this book a solid 4 stars.

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC of "Runner 13." This review reflects my honest opinion.

The setting -- an ultra marathon in the desert -- was quite promising. But the plot suffered from something that a lot of mysteries suffer from: just way too many coincidences and unnecessary drama.



Review copy provided by publisher.

I actually liked the atmosphere of this one more than the mystery, though the mystery wasn’t bad at all! I am not a runner whatsoever and I hate the heat. But somehow, descriptions of ultramarathon running and its effects on the body and mind and descriptions of the intense heat of the Sahara drew me into this novel in a way I didn’t expect. I actually became more interested in who, if anyone, would actually overcome the mental, physical, and environmental obstacles to finish this race more than I wanted answers to the whodunit.

Four out of five stars….I had to knock off one star because at first, I thought I could see the answer to the whodunit coming. And then it came, and it was not quite what I expected, and it didn’t QUITE seem like it made sense. And then….nope, fake out, it turned out to be exactly who I thought it was the first time. And I was somehow disappointed by that, even though it made perfect sense and I’d thought it from the halfway point of the story anyway!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book. It’s worth a read, especially if you enjoy humans fighting themselves as well as their surroundings to achieve the seemingly impossible!

Ultra marathon in extreme conditions with diabolical twists is the setting for this who's who in running and in murder. The Sahara Desert setting is already harsh but those runners expect nothing less when the sponsor is well known for his races. A handsome doctor, a disgruntled daughter a seven year old mysterious hit and run are just a few wrenches thrown in. The ending was a surprise among all the other red herrings. I love books that are mysteries and sports oriented, especially with a moral to the story. Quite entertaining!

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley