Run Time

Run Time is a extremely intense and atmospheric psychological thriller/horror with a addictive plot that centres around the production of a independent horror film (Final Draft) the script of which was based on a book called First Draft.

This heart pounding story is narrated predominantly from the perspective of Adele Rafferty, an out of work actor (don't you dare call her a actress) who had once been a shining star in the world of Irish reality tv shows until a apparent mental breakdown had forced her to flee her home county of Ireland and relocate to LA. She now worked reception at a two story hotel at Universal but no matter how often she tried to convince herself that it wasn't true,she couldn't turn off the burning hunger and desire for that one call which would change everything, write off the traumatic event from her past and put her face and name back in the spotlight again. This is one of a number of reasons why when she actually receives a call from someone who claims to represent a film production company called Cross Cut offering her the lead female role in a psychological horror which is being filmed in West Cork, Ireland, Adele doesn't think twice about signing on the dotted line. Little does Adele realise that nothing about the production is as it appears to be and that she has unknowingly signed herself up for a terrifying, living nightmare where she will find herself facing danger and betrayal whilst fighting for her life within the dark, isolated woods of rural Ireland.

I thought that Adele was a fantastic character, I loved her witty comments and sense of humour although,I do admit that there was times throughout the story when I had doubts about her abilities to make sensible decisions. I mean, I can understand that there was a possibility that her judgement was clouded by the possible opportunity to reignite her career as an actor. And I can also imagine that the vast majority of us have goals in our lives which we want to achieve and some people are prepared to go to extreme lengths to get what they feel that they deserve out of life as demonstrated by more than one character who features in this book. But, I'm damn sure that there is absolutely no way that I would have stayed in a isolated cabin which had a rather unreliable lock on the door after I had discovered that the only other people in the vicinity was a group of men, all of whom were complete strangers to me before that day. The author had imbued each member of the film crew with their own unique personalities and character traits and I was never certain if Adele could trust any one of them as her nightmare continued to unfold.

Interspersed throughout the book was the script of the film adaptation that was allegedly being recorded by Adele and the production crew. It was the story of Kate (Adele in the film and Karen in the book that Adele was reading) and her boyfriend Joel and how their romantic weekend at isolated Cherry Cottage turned into a terrifying nightmare for poor Kate. When strange things started happening, occurrences which eerily mirrored the fictional events from a book that Kate had discovered in the cottage and started reading, Joel refused to accept anything that Kate was trying to tell him. Then Joel started behaving strangely and leaving Kate all alone in the isolated cottage where unbeknownst to Kate she was being observed by a mysterious shadowy character

I loved the isolated setting for this book, I always feel that setting a story amongst the woods and trees adds so much extra atmosphere to the story especially when some scenes are set at nighttime with the rain lashing down and lightening bolts flashing across the sky (unfortunately there was no lightening in this story) The feelings of tension and fear radiating from Adele as she ran for her life were nerve shredding and intense as unidentifiable shadows and shapes emerged within the trees, Then, just when she thought that she was safe, any sudden silence was filled with the sound of a snapping twig and approaching footsteps.

Heart pounding intense and atmospheric, this is a cleverly plotted, enthralling page turner that had me hooked in and totally captivated from the first page. It's one of those books that one you start reading it, you find yourself so drawn into the story that you find yourself reluctant to put your kindle down and growling with rage at any one who has the tenacity to interrupt you whilst you are reading. I thought that it was very clever how the author incorporated the title, plot and characters from one of her previous books into this latest addition to her catalogue of addictive thrillers. I really really loved this incredible book and if I could, I would award it far more than five stars. Very very highly recommended and definitely one of my favourite reads of this year so far.

Thank you for my copy of this book to review.

I have read all of Catherine Ryan Howard’s previous books and have loved every one of them.

This one did take me a while to grasp as it felt quite complicated to work out what was what at the beginning. But once I’d got my head around it I couldn’t put it down.

An unusual plot and very tense at times. I have already recommended this to friends.

#RunTime #NetGalley
It was like The Final Cut by S J Watson.
Final Draft, a psychological horror, being filmed at a house deep in a forest, miles from anywhere in the wintry wilds of West Cork. Former soap-star Adele Rafferty has stepped in to replace the original actress at the very last minute. She can't help but hope that this opportunity will be her big break - and she knows she was lucky to get it, after what happened the last time she was on a set.
Something isn't quite right about Final Draft. When the strange goings-on in the script start to happen on set too, Adele begins to fear that the real horror lies off the page...
Thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers for giving me an advance copy.