The opening quote "men die because they cannot join the beginning to the end" is not only a metaphor for the story but also a challenge to the reader. Jeff Abbott takes the reader on a kaleidoscope journey through Indonesia, Beirut and the US in a fast paced, heart stopping read. Each chapter of which there are 45 adds more to the story line which at times leaves the reader wondering just how the beginning and the end do join. For Ben and Pilgrim, the nightmare only gets worse with each and every chapter and the twist at the end is unimaginable.This is a great book if you have short periods to read like travelling but beware you can get hooked like I did and spend all night to finish the book because you just could not put it down.

Jeff Abbott - RunThis is an excellent thriller that was very difficult to put down.Ben an ordinary guy who has not yet come to terms with his wife being shot on the last day of their honeymoon, is arrested by agents from Home Security in connection with the death of Nicky Lynch.He then embarks on a journey into the underworld of the Secret Service, terrorist groups and hired assassin. This pacey novel gives an insight into modern political skulduggery, that is believable and may well happen.Harlan Coben is correct in saying that it is a "Bourne Identity for the 21st Century".Novels like this in the future will put Jeff Abbott in line with Ian Fleming.Recommended read

In 'Run', Abbott has written a real modern-day crime thriller which weaves a thoroughly gripping plot full of twists and turns throughout. The greatest feature of the story is that the author has succeeded in getting the pace absolutely perfect. Everything is explained at just the right moment, and the reader is drawn into the plot with anticipation building for every chapter. Key to this success, are a number of separate tales being told, which are intricately linked. These links and the relationships between all the characters are carefully crafted, culminating in an extremely enjoyable fast-paced and unpredictable ending.Comparisons to 'The Bourne' series are justified, as the quality of the writing is equally as good, and the themes of terrorism, sabotage and 'underground' government operations are present in both. The main difference between the two is that the central character in Run is just an ordinary person, unwittingly drawn into a corrupt trail of events, cover-ups and illegal profiteering.The whole plot is genuinely believable throughout, providing a fictional expose of the world of private security contractors working in middle-eastern conflict zones, and their conflicts of interests.I'm always keen to read the work of an author I've not read before, and Abbott certainly didn't disappoint. If any of his earlier work is of this standard, I'm looking forward to reading some of his other titles.

A wonderfully gripping thriller that I could not put down.Jeff Abbott completely draws you into the story with believable characters and intricate plots. The main character, Ben Forsberg, is still getting over the untimely death of his wife when his world is turned upside down once more. He has been linked to a murder and the evidence is stacked against him, when a covert assassin snatches him away from the agents questioning him, plunging him into a world of undercover government agencies, terrorism, private security and assassins. He has no idea what is going on or who to trust.Very quickly you find yourself sympathising with both these main characters and willing them to survive against the odds. There are many twists and turns throughout and I regularly found myself holding my breath and reading on late into the night.An incredible read that I would highly recommend.

An absolutely thrilling, extremely fast paced book that will have you on the edge of your seat. Definitely well worth reading.This book does bear similarities with the Bourne series and introduces us to a main character that you do end up caring what happens to.Everyone works under an assumed name and one is given Ben's identity deliberately so that suspicion will fall on the real Ben. The book introduces us to numerous characters but the question is who can you actually trust. It takes us through a murky, underbelly world of assassins and secret government agencies. Is your friend really your friend? Ben teams up reluctantly with Pilgrim the hitman who was given Ben's identity. Just what will they uncover and who shot Ben's wife whilst on honeymoon?I loved this book and will definitely seek out further books by Jeff Abbott and I can't recommend this book enough.