This is the first book in the If I Run Series. Casey Cox finds her friend Brent dead, tries to rescue him, and then runs away. She is believed to be guilty of his murder, but she is not. Brent was looking into Casey's dad's death which was ruled a suicide when Casey was 12. Brent's family hires Dylan, Brent's childhood friend, to find Casey who they believe is guilty of Brent's murder. In addition, Casey meets Lucy on a bus and learns her granddaughter has been missing for two years. Casey is known as the nice girl, the girl who is always helping someone, so why does everyone now believe she could be a murder.

Prayer and Christianity play a part in this book, but it is not overwhelming.

This book took me a while to get into and to figure out who everyone is, but once I got started it was a quick read and I look forward to the sequel.

The Fugitive, only better. A smart girl on the run from the crime she was framed for. A private detective kind of guy, who was hired to catch her - only this case has the foul smell. The hidden teenager in the dire need.

One of the best thrillers I have ever read in the realm od Christian mystery/thrillers. And don't let the word 'Christian' here to stop you from reading this. This is one intelligent, on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of book with the characters you can totally imagine being what they are. I have trouble to believe in smart fugitives, but I very much get Casey. This might be thanks the authoress's intelligent writing and well-thought plot. But Casey really comes alive here and all of what she does is believable, too. Maybe I like this book so much because I can relate.
I have devoured this one and can't wait to read the next one!

Casey Cox has found her best friend Brent murdered. With the family history she has-having find her father murdered, too, only to realize the police is selling it as a suicide-she turns and run. And as she is witty, she is far, far away when the body is found. With her stash of rainy day money, she can survive. But Casey has something in her-she is kind. People naturally knows it, so she makes friends easily. And this kindness props her to help, even if she can endanger herself.
Dylan Roberts is back from army, with PTSD and the knowledge of the army crime investigator. So when the Brent Pace's family asks for help to find the murderer of his friend, he is willing. This might even start his career with the police, too. But Casey just does not seem as a killer! And when the another person is killed, Dylan knows he should fight for justice.

Casey, I need the friend like you in my life. Dylan might need you, too-and you, him. Fingers crossed.

And now I am off to the second volume.

Reading If I Run is like watching an episode of Person of Interest - it's fast-paced, good-vs-evil, and things aren't always what they seem.
Blackstock writes this newest book with her signature flair, but unlike her other work, Casey's problem isn't resolved by the time the final page is turned. While her situation is ever fluid and always changing, it's never what it seems. Her case makes the story a real page-turner.
Casey's a great lead character. I love how she's independent but positive, even when life's not sending her cherries. She does the right thing even when it puts herself at great risk or when there's a path that would be much easier for her personally.
Dylan is a realistic leading man. He's been hurt by the trauma of war but is determined to deal with it and to make good rise from the ashes of his pain. I appreciate the strength and determination in his character.
I also like this story for what's not there - and while I sense that it might be coming, it doesn't make an appearance in this particular novel, and that's romance. I'm a closet romantic. I love reading about it, and when an author does it well, that book becomes amazingly memorable, but it's also difficult to find a book that's not about love. They're rare. Historical fiction, suspense, etc - they all have an element of romance these days. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood. Sometimes I just want a good crime story without the candles and kisses, and If I Run is a perfect candidate. The plot moves along with great speed and the characters exhibit deep emotion without one of them being love. I enjoy that.
Terri Blackstock's newest series is one I couldn't put down. I read the entire story in one sitting, and with this cliffhanger ending, I can't wait for the sequel. If you like suspenseful stories, If I Run should be your next read.

3.5/5

If I Run by Terri Blackstock is the first book in a Christian suspense-thriller trilogy published by Zondervan. This is a true series, meaning these books should be read in order.

When Casey Cox found her best friend Brent murdered, she left her footprints, fingerprints, and shoe prints all over the crime scene – so she is the obvious prime suspect. Rather than stick around for questioning and to clear her name, Casey is on the run. Casey has a past with the police that isn’t immediately understood at the beginning of the story, but her reasons for running become clear as the story progresses.

Dylan has recently left the military due to PTSD. He has decided to pursue a new career with the police department as an investigator. When the police department approaches him to assist with tracking down their primary suspect in a local murder investigation, Dylan agrees to the job. This is the perfect opportunity for Dylan to prove that he can manage his PTSD, which will help him land a new job as investigator within the department.

On the hunt, Casey is pretty good at evading Dylan. However, the closer he gets to her, the more Dylan begins to question whether or not she is actually the one responsible for Brent’s death.

The opening of this story is pretty suspenseful; I was invested in what Casey was up to while on the run and why she felt she had to run in the first place. I was also curious about the circumstances surrounding poor Brent’s death. I wanted to know more.

Casey’s story slowed a little bit in the middle of the book and a secondary plotline was introduced as the author sort of began to shift the focus on some other characters instead of solely on Casey’s run from the scene of the crime. During this time, Casey’s character was still interesting, but I was definitely less interested in this secondary plotline. I have a few feelings about it that I don’t really want to discuss here because I feel like they would be spoilery. Also, some of Casey’s actions – as well as some of Dylan’s actions in trying to find Casey – required suspension of my disbelief. Suspending my disbelief was not a huge deal for me because the story continued to progress.

Toward the end, I was glad to see that the story was beginning to turn around and pick up again. But then, BOOM, cliffhanger. So you should plan to have the second book on hand and ready to go if you are a cliffhanger-hater.

For the book to have such an open ending: I do like the direction the story seems to be moving. I was holding my breath for a little while because I had no idea what was going to happen as Dylan began closing in on Casey. I’m curious about where these characters seem to be headed as their story picks up with the second installment in the series.

I am a huge fan of Terri Blackstock and have almost all of her books. They always leave me with that what?? What just happened and I love that about a book. To me that is when you know it is good.

Casey finds her best friend Brent left wounded and for dead. When Casey tries to help him with no luck, she leaves her prints all over the crime scene. Casey has had experience with the law and knows that she will be the first one they try to pin this on, so she flees. Casey found her father hung when she was twelve and she has suspected all these years that it wasn't her father that did it to himself, but someone else. Could this be the same person that is still after her that has now killed her best friend?

Dylan is dealing with some PTSD from his time in the Army. When Dylan is let go from the local law enforcement, he decides to take on a PI case and that is to find Casey and figure out what happened with Brent. Little does Dylan know, he has already talked to Casey on the bus.

The suspense and thrill of this book will keep you on your seat and dying to know how things end. There are several twists and turns that caught me by surprise. The ending is definitely a cliffhanger! Of course, right? This is the first book in the If I Run Series. Lol

Great job Terri Blackstock. I can't wait to read the next books in this series and see where it takes us!

http://readdayandnight.blogspot.com/2018/02/if-i-run-by-terry-blackstock.html

A game of cat and mouse that I enjoyed following. The ending felt a little unresolved though

First of this is a Christian themed book - not that there is anything wrong with that but the book blurb doesn't in any way indicate this. I suspect this is to get readers who avoid all things religious to not immediately look over the book. Personally, I would have preferred to know this going in as this is a new author for me. Second, the book is written in first person, from the POV of the main character (Casey/Grace) who is on the run from the police and a PI (Dylan( who is hired to find her. I don't care for first person generally and with it being two people, it took some time to get used to who was speaking.

That being said, the story was good. It kept me interested, but it had lots of things that are pretty unrealistic (don't get me wrong, I like shattering norms, but even for me some were just unbelievable.) I wasn't riveted by suspense until the main story surrounding Casey/Grace was secondary to the mystery that Casey/Grace was determined to solve. That to me was the best part of the book. The main case ends with a cliff hanger, but the mystery that Casey/Grace stumbles upon is solved.

**Received from NetGalley for my honest review.**

Terri Blackstock is one of my all time favorite authors of suspense fiction. I have been reading her books for years. If I Run is a prime example of why she is a go-to author for me. Wow! Just wow! This book has it all. The action takes off from page one with fresh and intriguing characters taking center stage with a unique first person, present tense voice. I found myself turning the pages faster and faster as I held my breath. The exhale finally came, and I can honestly say this is a 5-star book! Highly recommended!

Casey Cox is a woman on the run. With all the evidence pointing towards her as her friend’s killer, she is desperately trying to escape what could certainly be her own death. Dirty cops are chasing her as is a former Army CID agent, Dylan Roberts, who has struggles of his own. As the truth slowly emerges, Casey leads Dylan on a twisting, turning cross-country pursuit.

The first thing that will strike a reader of If I Run is the point of view. Alternating between the two main characters, the first person/present tense puts the reader right in the middle of the action. This intensifies the suspense and ramps up the action. The characters are unique and Blackstock does a great job of introducing their backstories. Secondary characters play a vital roles as well. The reader is let in on the mystery a bit at a time, and soon finds out things are not as they seem. If I Run is the first in a 3-part series, and the ending resolves only part of the story.

My book club has chosen If I Run for its May selection. I don’t know if I can wait that long to discuss it. It is a riveting read, and I predict my book club is going to love it. It is above and beyond what we have come to expect from Terri Blackstock.

Highly recommended.

Audience: adults.

If I Run is written from a very different perspective. The timeline doesn’t even seem linear; it was almost as if I was turning in spirals trying to find my bearings. You know those games that show you a close-up view of some random picture, then gradually spans out bigger and bigger until you finally see the whole image? If I Run plays that type of mind game, and it’s thrilling.

Fans of TV shows like Alias (one of my favorites!) and CSI will devour If I Run. It has that scientific, analytical brain with the heart of a Lifetime channel movie. The main character, Casey, charms and puzzles at the same time. The best part of this book was the fact that it’s so convoluted, you can’t help but be sucked in. One crisis after another just makes it fascinating. It’s vivid without being too graphic, and strong without being too worldly. I really enjoyed this title and hope to see more about these characters!

Terri Blackstock pens a gripping novel chock-full of suspense and perils as Casey and the reader alike go on the run for their lives. Riveting storytelling and intriguing characters make If I Run an unputdownable tale. The simple and unobtrusive thread of faith woven throughout the story serves as a reminder that oftentimes the loudest message comes through the gentle whispers of living faithfully each day.

After finding herself framed for the murder of her best friend, a young woman goes on the run to elude police and to solve the case herself. A new police officer who has transferred to the town from the city, suspects that the case is not as it appears on paper. So he too, begins to search for clues while trying to stay on the police chief's graces. After starting over successfully in a new town, the young woman discovers a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young teen. She feels compelled to do her own investigating even though it may reveal her location to the police. This book draws you in from the beginning and keeps you hooked right to the end. This is the 1st of a 3 part series.

Quick read from one of my favorite Christian authors. Casey is on the run and fighting for her life. Murder, corruption, and kidnapping all come together as Casey decides who she can trust and who she needs to keep running from. First of a series.

If I Run (If I Run Series)
by Terri Blackstock
What a great series! The first book opens with Casey finding her boyfriend Brent, dead. He had called her and told her he found more information about her father's death. However, by the time she arrives, he has been killed. She knows that she can’t call the police and her DNA is all over his house. There is no choice but to run. I loved the whole mystery, bits, and pieces of the backstory come out as the story unfolds. Great twists and turns in this wonderful suspenseful mystery. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Casey Cox is coming close to finding her fathers killer when she finds her good friend murdered. And she is afraid the same person who murdered her father has struck again. If I Run is fast pace thriller from author Terri Blackstock. Casey has no choice but to run after she finds her friends, because her DNA is all over everything, and she knows she will be at hit for the murder. PI Dylan Roberts was hired to find Casey but it all just doesn’t make sense to him. There is no way evidence proves that Casey murdered her friend.

At times this seemed like a wild goose chase because Casey was always a step ahead of anyone trying to catch up with her. She was hiding out goodtime. And not like most of Terri Blackstock’s books, this one ended living me hanging. I hope there will be a book two to follow because it doesn’t set well with me the way it ended!

Casey Cox is running for her life . . . and she didn’t do it.

But those who did aren’t about to take the fall.

Casey has had to deal with more tragedy than one person should have to endure. First, she finds her father hanging by the neck in the dining room. Then her best friend Brian, who was investigating the “alleged suicide” on her behalf, is brutally murdered. And Casey’s DNA is all over the crime scene.

Dylan Roberts, a recently discharged Army CID investigator diagnosed with PTSD, is also interested in Brian’s death. They practically grew up together. The police force is limited in what it can investigate, due to budgetary concerns. And Brian’s family wants answers. With nothing but time on his hands, and a longing for justice in his heart, Brian takes up the investigation on the family’s behalf.

What initially began as a cross-country manhunt slowly evolves into a full-blown investigation, and for each answer that Dylan finds, more questions emerge. And by the time the questions are all answered, the definition of “justice” has taken on a surprising aspect.

Just when you think you’ve got Terri Blackstock “pegged,” she’ll pull the rug right out from underneath ya!

The writing style and format of IF I RUN is unlike anything I’ve come across . . .but it works! As the story “weaves” its way back and forth between the two main characters, you will find yourself “woven in” as well. And putting the book down after you’ve started reading?

Good luck with that.

5 stars for a riveting tale from Terri Blackstock

Casey Cox is on the run. She knows she will be accused of murder and doesn’t want to end up dead either. She didn’t kill her friend but who will believe her covered in blood and with a bloody knife. She decides it is time to leave town and those she loves behind. She can’t trust the cops as they might be involved in the murder. Or is she just paranoid?
Dylan Roberts who suffers from PTSD is hired to find Casey and bring her back. He needs to learn about her in order to figure out why she would murder her friend. Casey doesn’t fit the profile of a murder but could she have snapped. Things are not as they seem and Dylan starts to figure out something just don’t make sense. Will Casey be able to stay on the run? Will Dylan be able to track her down and discover what really happened?
This is a Christian Fiction book. Book 1 to a series it is well written and I enjoyed reading it. A suspenseful story and will draw you in.

I received this book in advance from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this book. it was more suspenseful thanni thought it would be. you find out pretty early on what the motive of murderer is, and have a pretty good idea of what will happen, but the author does a really good job keeping you interested and wanting to.read.more. I need to read book #2 asap.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I'm already looking forward to the next one in the series.

Every moment of this book was suspenseful. There was always the fear of Casey getting caught and arrested for a murder she didn't commit, or worse. Then there was the suspense of whether or not Dylan would find her, would turn her into the police, or would believe what she was trying to tell him.

There is a side plot in the book that was also full of suspense--a kidnapping from a family that has befriended Casey (not knowing she is on the run or why).

This book ends without any real resolution, but I felt it was a good stopping point, leaving readers ready to start the next book in the series.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

I really liked this book, although I didn't know it wasn't a stand alone read. I am not fond of books that are cliff hangers, so fair warning this is book ends with a cliffhanger and you have to purchase book two "If I'm found" to continue the story.
That being said, I liked the story and the main two characters Casey and Dylan. The story was original, full of suspense and kept my attention throughout. I just had to purchase the second book because I really want to find out what will happen!
**A special thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan Publishing for an advanced copy in return for my honest review**