Judith D Collins

Sep 258 min read

Run

By: Matthew Becker

Series: Run #1

Narrator: Derek Austin

Aethon Audio

ISBN: 9781964505114

Publisher: Aethon Books

Publication Date: 09/24/2024

Format: Other

My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)

SEP 2024 MUST-READ BOOKS

SEP FEATURED #AuthorElevatorSeries

Sept 26th

What do you do when the past catches up to you?

From debut author Matthew Becker, RUN is a psychological thriller full of twists and turns, questioning if you ever outrun your past. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Alex Finlay, and Isabella Maldonado.

'I LOVE YOU. I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT.'

When Congressional staffer Ben Walsh receives this cryptic text from his wife he initially doesn't think much of it.

But while waiting to hear from her again, Ben discovers that the text came an hour before a shooting that occured along her daily running route. Veronica won't pick up her phone, and when she doesn't return home, he knows she is somehow involved.

If she isn't one of the victims, then where is she, and what did she know?

While Ben searches for his wife, he stumbles upon another violent death, with clear connections to the shooting. The police name Veronica as their main suspect, and when more evidence suggesting his wife's involvement appears, even Ben has to reconsider what he knows about her.

Unbeknownst to Ben, a killer from Veronica's past stalks his family, with his own reasons for wanting to find her. What Ben does know is his best chance at saving Veronica, and keeping her out of prison, is finding her and the truth before the police-or this killer-do. But what if the truth is even more deadly than he could imagine?

RUN is a psychological thriller full of twists and turns that questions if you ever outrun your past. From the mind of debut author Matthew Becker, find the truth behind a string of murders in a novel perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Alex Finlay, and Isabella Maldonado.

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About the Author

Matthew Becker is a mathematician, and formerly worked as part of the national Covid-19 response. He has a doctorate in applied mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is published in the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology.

Matthew currently lives with his wife, a U.S. diplomat, and their two children in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. An avid thriller reader, he loves stories with dense, twisted plots and emotional gravitas. WEBSITE

Connect with the Author

WEBSITE INSTAGRAM X/TWITTER FACEBOOK

Exceptional Authors. Standout Books. Elevator Talk.

INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.

#AuthorElevatorSeries

"Behind the Book & The Author"

With debut author Matthew Becker

Welcome to the third September 2024 #AuthorElevatorSeries! A special guest author, Matthew Becker, joins us for the first time, with his exciting debut novel, RUN. Join us as Matthew shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the novel and up-close and personal fun moments from this talented new author!

Welcome, Matthew!

Behind the Book

Q. Give us your best ELEVATOR PITCH for your debut novel, RUN?

MB: What do you do when your wife disappears in the wake of a mass shooting, but isn’t one of the victims?

Q. INSPIRATION: The spark that ignited the novel. Where were you when the idea came to you?

MB: About five years ago, I was doing a solo drive from Boston to Washington, DC, and I had just finished re-reading Harlan Coben’s entire collection (side note: I *love* re-reading mysteries and thrillers and do it constantly). I thought ‘why not try to come up with my own plot’ and spent a few hours thinking about what compels me the most. By the time I got home, I had the bare bones idea of a shooting where our protagonist’s spouse is involved, but we don’t yet know how.

Q. SERIES: Please tell us if there will be more books in a series.

MB: This is book one of a 3 book series. Each will have a standalone plot, but all three together will make a complete story. If you read book #2 without reading #1 you’ll be given enough background to follow the story, but you’ll miss out on the character development. The best (not so) contemporary comparison in my mind is Linwood Barclay’s Promise Falls trilogy.

Q. ADAPTATION: For fun, do you have any cast of stars in mind for any of your leading roles for movie or TV series?

MB: I have always imagined Melissa Barrera as my character Veronica Walsh.

Q. UPCOMING: Can you share what you are currently working on or what is next in ten words or less (or more)?

MB: Book #2 is in the final editing stages, and I am hard at work on book #3. These books are slated to come out in pretty quick succession, so stay tuned!

Thank you, Matthew! Continue reading below for more up close and personal with the author.

Behind the Author

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WHERE YOU RESIDE?

I’m the spouse of a diplomat, so my favorite thing is that there’s always a new adventure, a new home, a new country just around the corner. When this comes out we’ll have just left Uzbekistan, and be preparing for our next move to Nicaragua.

YOUR SECRET TALENT?

I was a D1 college soccer player, and —completely unrelated— I have all the capitals of the world memorized.

THE MOST EXCITING THING OR (MOST CHALLENGING) PART OF BEING A DEBUT AUTHOR?

Getting feedback from people who aren’t obligated to tell you your story is great!

YOUR FAVORITE LIFE LESSON QUOTE?

“One must imagine Sisyphus happy”—Albert Camus

IF YOU WERE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR ALONE WITH ONE CELEBRITY, AUTHOR, OR CHARACTER— WHO WOULD IT BE? (Male or Female)

Jurgen Klopp. I’d tell him I understood why he had to quit managing Liverpool but that my life is significantly less joyful because of his decision.

FAVORITE TV SERIES? (Or Movie/Video) binge-watch, series, etc.?

There is so much good TV out there, but it’s still The Wire and it’s not particularly close. Just the most incredible TV series ever created.

MOST MEMORABLE PLACE YOU HAVE TRAVELED?

My favorite place will likely always be Rome, but a recent trip to the Kyzylkum Desert in Karakalpakstan, the semi-autonomous region of Western Uzbekistan was an unbelievable experience. I’ve never felt more isolated from the rest of the world.

NAME A BOOK TITLE ON YOUR BOOKSHELF OR NIGHTSTAND THAT WOULD SURPRISE YOUR READERS?

Iron Flame.

DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE WRITING?

I have a writing playlist of all my favorite Blackmore’s Night songs.

WHAT ARE YOU LOVING RIGHT NOW?

Tadej Pogacar’s historic 2024 pro cycling season.

YOUR FAVORITE SANDWICH?

Virginia ham + pepper jack cheese with house dressing from The Cheese Shop in Williamsburg, VA.

A FAVORITE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE?

Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia is the local fave. Old Town Alexandria will always be our home base even though we’re more often than not aboard. A special shoutout also to Blacksburg Books (Blacksburg, VA) and Literati Bookstore (Ann Arbor, MI).

ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE AN INSPIRING AUTHOR?

Write the book you want to read. If anyone else wants to read it, that’s a bonus. The most important thing is that it must be something you’re excited about. Don’t change it to be what you think the market is looking for.

WISH STATE OR COUNTRY? (Where you would love to live)

I love the big rivers of the world, so among many options: Brazil near the Amazon or in Southern Africa by the Zambezi.

COULD YOU RECOMMEND ANY BOOKS THAT YOU HAVE READ RECENTLY AND LOVED?

All three of Stacy Willingham’s books are absolute must-reads and I have probably annoyed many friends talking about her. Sarah Pekkanen is always incredible, Mary Kubica’s She’s Not Sorry was tremendous (and has my favorite cover!), and my favorite recent debut is Marlee Bush’s When She Was Me.

WHAT IS YOUR WRITING PROCESS LIKE?

PLOTTER
PANTSER
BOTH

100% a plotter. I will have a detailed outline with every chapter planned out before I begin to write. Things things can change as I go, but I will not start writing without a 20-page outline first. Writers who are pantsers, especially in the mystery/thriller genre, astound me.

FAVORITE AUTHOR?

Harlan Coben. The gold standard of thriller writers.

AT WHAT AGE DID YOU CONSIDER BECOMING A WRITER?

Most interviews I hear or read have authors saying that they always knew they wanted to be a writer, complete with some proof from when they were two years old. I was very much not that. I spent my entire childhood thinking I was going to be a professional soccer player (I got to hold on to that dream a bit longer than most). I only considered writing in my late 20s, just as an extension of my love of reading.

DID YOU ENJOY READING AS A CHILD?

I’ve always loved to read. My grandfather used to have a competition for all his (21, eventually!) grandkids: read 50 books between Memorial Day and Labor Day and you’d get $20. The only one of us who consistently beat me was my little sister!

SUNSHINE OR RAIN?

A hot take of mine is that sunny days are boring, and rainy days are inherently more interesting.

Thank you, Matthew, for spending time with us today!

Praise

“A fast-paced, well-crafted thriller about a man whose wife disappears, plunging him into a dark world filled with mysteries and threats. Matthew Becker’s debut is a winner!”

—Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"RUN is an adrenaline-infused race to an explosive finish! Becker cleverly wields his mathematical and political expertise to create a story that is both wicked smart and exceptionally fun."

—Marlee Bush, Author of WHEN SHE WAS ME

"This rocket-fast debut thriller is packed with secret identities, questionable allegiances, and international intrigue. The intricate plot and cleverly crafted clues will keep you guessing who and what you can trust until the final page."

—K.T. Nguyen, Author of YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID

"With his debut thriller RUN, Matthew Becker delivers a gripping blend of political intrigue, international crime, and personal terror... Don't start this one too late, or you're guaranteed to be reading all night!"

—Sarah Warburton, Author of YOU CAN NEVER TELL

"This D.C. crime thriller with off-the-charts emotional intelligence is a must-read."

—BestThrillers

“Ben is a worthy hero to drape this wonderfully constructed story around. This is a terrific debut.”

—Robin Agnew, Co-owner of Aunt Agatha’s Mystery Bookstore

#Run

My Review

From a talented new voice in fiction comes Matthew Becker with his debut, RUN, a high-adrenaline suspense psychological and political thriller. With twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages into the morning, a woman's mysterious past becomes connected to a string of murders.

Can you run from your past?

About...

Congressional staffer Ben Walsh receives a cryptic text from his wife, Veronica —' I LOVE YOU. I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT.'

When he doesn't hear from her again, he recalls the text came in about an hour before a shooting that occurred along her daily running route. When she does not return, he is worried she is involved. Is she a victim?

How is Veronica connected? Does he know his wife and her past? Now, the police are naming her as the main suspect. Who is stalking his family? He must find his wife. But what if the truth is even more deadly than he could imagine?

My thoughts...

RUN is a razor-sharp, complex, high-powered thriller with a highly relatable hero that will keep you guessing. A dazzling debut!

Ben, the protagonist of 'RUN,' is a character you can't help but root for. His journey through the twists and turns of this intriguing debut thriller is both relatable and compelling. Fans of the genre will devour every page.

Becker's expertise shines through in RUN, a fast-paced, complex thriller that is as well-written as it is razor-sharp. The book is a suspenseful masterclass, with a gripping mix of political and international intrigue that will keep you guessing until the end.

New fans will be eagerly anticipating the next installment. Be sure to check out the author's extensive background.