I had to read another Noelle W. Ihli book. This time, it’s Run on Red. I have to admit, part of the reason was the cover. It’s extremely intriguing. But the summary of the book also hooked me. Because it got me thinking. What would I do if someone tried to run me off the road?
By the time Laura and Olivia notice the headlights tailing them through the hills, it’s too late. What seems, at first, like a case of road rage quickly unfolds into a heart-pounding chase—and a battle for survival.
Who are the men in the truck? What do they want? And can Laura and Olivia outrun—and outsmart—them long enough to call for help, even if it means taking their chances in the hills on foot?
As their situation grows more perilous, the girls realize that the real terror has only just begun. But flight won’t save them from their pursuers. If they’re going to make it home alive, they’ll have to fight.
This book had me at the very beginning. It was instantly heart-pounding. Noelle W. Ihli does such a great job setting the scene. Two girls in a crappy Volvo on the way to a party at Coffin Creek. The descriptions were so vivid, I could put myself in the scene. The lonely road and the mountainous, dry terrain. But somewhere in Idaho, the worst happens. And Olivia and Laura are in a fight for their lives.
When the headlights appear and finally run them off the road, it’s a mad dash to get away from the two men. Again, the words jump off the page. I could not read them fast enough. But I could feel their fear and sense the danger they’re in. Yes, it was that descriptive.
They continue to fight, but when Laura gets taken, Olivia does the unthinkable and hides in the bed of the truck to at least find out where they’re going. It’s a cabin. Far away from Coffin Creek. And the cell service is nonexistent.
Olivia is found and realizes who the two thugs are. One is Tony, their friend Tish’s former fiancé. Why is he involved with this creep, Kyle? We learn that Kyle is responsible for the death of a previous student, who has been hidden in the crawlspace of that cabin.
Kyle decides to use the girls as target practice. He can’t let them go. They’ve seen their faces and know too much. But just as the girls huddle together and brace for the gunshot, Tony turned it on Kyle and killed him instead. Turns out, he’s a bad guy, but didn’t know about the girl in the crawlspace and didn’t want Kyle to shoot the girls.
Just as the girls get into the truck to head home, the police show up to arrest Tony. Olivia was able to get a short text out to Tish, who begged the police to show up at the cabin. And it’s a good thing she did.
This book was just fantastic. I’ve loved all her books so far. This was fast-paced and very intriguing. I’ll continue to read what she writes!