Girl on the Run is cozy mystery author Daryl Wood Gerber’s first book in the suspense genre, and she gets off to a very good start. Chessa Paxton’s dream come true fairy tale life turns into a nightmare when she wakes up beside the body of her dead husband and is immediately the prime suspect. She doesn’t understand what is happening and goes on the run to try and find out who did this and prove herself innocent. It’s a fast-paced thrill ride through beautiful Lake Tahoe, and Gerber brings her skill from her cozy mysteries for developing characters you just can’t help falling in love with to this story. Exciting read. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing a copy for my honest review. ( )

Agatha award winner and bestselling author, Daryl Wood Gerber, writes a smashing thriller/murder mystery that is pure adrenaline. It is so good I wished I could just read it without delays. The characters are top notch, and the setting is Lake Tahoe. Combine all that with the best storyline, and you have a novel you refuse to put down unless you absolutely have to. There are so many different situations that Chessa gets into, you wonder how she is ever going to pull them off. She must have been born with a four leaf clover. I loved this book so much, I just may open it to page one and start all over again. It is THAT good!

NetGalley gave me an e-ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review. ( )

actually 3.5/5 stars = good read
received from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review

This was not what I expected from just reading the blurb. Not being familiar with this author and not knowing that she also writes cozies, I was thinking this would be a taut, intense thriller with the perk of having a fairytale component to it (the main characters attended a fairytale masquerade ball for charity at the beginning when the killings started). This was actually a lightweight, but not humorous, suspense. Albeit a fun read, it didn't keep me frantically turning the pages, and I wasn't so happy with the cliched plot wrap-up.

It jarred me-- a serious crime fiction reader-- in the second or so chapter with its less than realistic portrayal of law enforcement & legal issues (sheriffs following on the EMTs' heels, entering Chessa's home without permission, searching her house right then & there when she is in shock and suffering memory issues without a warrant, throwing accusations at her at the crime scene, calling her "guilty as sin", without reading her Miranda rights??) That's when I realized this was closer to a cozy than a realistic suspense thriller. Nothing wrong with that; it's my mistake between error in choosing and then expecting a different outcome.

If you suspend belief and go into it knowing it's more like a serious version of a cozy mystery, at least in my opinion, you will have fun. A nice summertime by-the-pool read.

(this review is my honest opinion only-- and depicts my reading pleasure only-- you may have a totally different experience). ( )

Girl on the Run by Daryl Wood Gerber is a new suspense novel (her first). Chessa Paxton wakes up with the body of her dead husband in the room. There is blood everywhere and police officers. The last thing that Chessa remembers is attending The Happily Ever After Ball at the Boardwalk Casino in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Chessa is the assistant in charge of special events at the Boardwalk Casino and she organized this event. Chessa is attending with her husband, Zach Szabo. She remembers asking for water and then nothing. What happened to during those lost hours? Detective Tallchief (a blowhard running for mayor) believes Chessa is guilty of the crime. Detective Marcus Newman is not so sure. But then Chessa (who is confused, dazed, and still a little out of it) takes off out the bathroom window. She has no plan other than to run. Chessa does not want to be framed for a crime like her father. Chessa sets out to prove her innocence and find the real killer. Things really heat up when they find eleven other bodies in meadow who were also at the ball along with Chessa’s missing shoe.

Girl on the Run is a very good debut suspense novel (the author normally writes cozy mysteries). I figured out what the twist at the end would be, but I do not think many people will see it coming (it is really good). For the most part, Girl on the Run had a fast pace (which I liked). I enjoyed the investigation as Marcus and Chessa went about solving the murders (I love getting the clues and putting them together). I especially relished the Jason Bourne reference. I give Girl on the Run 4 out of 5 stars (which means I liked it). I look forward to Daryl Wood Gerber’s next book.

I received a complimentary copy of Girl on the Run from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. ( )

Edge of your seat suspense in Girl On The Run by Daryl Wood Gerber

Chessa has everything a job she loves, a loving husband a dream home or so she thinks. Her world turns upside down when she comes to and finds her husband dead by her and no memory of what has happened. Things go from bad to worse when party goers from the Fairytale Ball she planned are found in a meadow massacred. Chessa finds herself the #1 suspect in the murders and all she can think to do is run. She escapes and goes on the run because she has to try and remember and figure out what has happened and to prove she is innocent? Can Chessa remember what really happened before she becomes another victim? Can she find the truth all the while trying to avoid being captured by the police until she figures this all out and oh by the way is anybody or is anything she thought she knew just all been lies?

All I can say is WOW. This is an action packed riveting thriller. It keeps you guessing right along with Chessa and the police. I like that it is a fast moving plot but one that is not hard to keep pace with. It is an edge of your seat page turner that draws you in and one that you won't want to put down. It has an unique spin on the murders one that has many possibilities for who done it which makes for a good read. Daryl Wood Gerber has a hit with her first suspense, one you will want to make sure you buy.

Preorder your copy today at

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Run-Daryl-Wood-Gerber-ebook/dp/B01C7T0FFG/ref=sr_1_1?...

I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest opinion and review

UNTIL NEXT TIME

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING! ( )