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Book Review of On the Run

On the Run
On the Run
Author: Iris Johansen
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
GeniusJen avatar reviewed on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3


Over the last few years, when I've seen an Iris Johansen book I've automatically assumed it would be an Eve Duncan thriller. I was wrong about ON THE RUN, but I'm still glad I picked it up. A quick read full of passion and suspense, this book is written in the typical Iris Johansen style and is still a really good read.

Nine years ago, Grace Archer worked for the CIA under the direction of Jake Kilmer. Their job was to infiltrate the compound of Marvot, an evil kingpin who ruled El Tariq, Morocco with an iron hand. Disappoint the man once, and he might give you another chance. Do it a second time, and you'll end up dead. Jake's job was to recover something from Marvot that he prized more than anything--the Pair. Known collectively as a single unit, the Pair consisted of two white Arabian horses, a stallion and a mare, with blue eyes and destructive personalities. Their mission failed nine years ago, and Grace left the CIA--alone and pregnant.

Now she's found a home for herself and her daughter, Frankie, on a horse farm in Tallanville, Alabama. Frankie is devoted to horses, but she's also a child prodigy when it comes to playing the piano and composing. Grace, who hates to be compared to horse whisperer even though she does have a remarkable affinity with horses, is content with her new life. Until the forces she's feared for nine years, Marvot's men, come to town and tear her world apart.

Suddenly, Kilmer is there, whisking Grace and Frankie away to a farm far from Alabama, and Grace finds that the old passion is still as strong as ever. As Kilmer tries to keep his former lover and his daughter safe, he plans retribution upon Marvot--which is brought to a halt when Frankie is kidnapped and blackmailed into going back to El Tariq to work, once again, with the Pair.

ON THE RUN is a fast-paced read with lots of suspense. I agree that some cliches are used in this story, but that doesn't make it any less of an entertaining read. Iris Johansen's writing style reminds me a lot of that of James Patterson. Although Johansen's chapters are novel-length compared to Patterson's two or three-pagers, the action hurries along at a fast clip.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, you'll like ON THE RUN.