VVMBookBlog

I just finished reading Runner by Carl Deuker. People usually like books by Carl Deuker because sports of some kind are a big part of the story. We have several other books by him, including Night Hoops, Heart of a Champion, and On the Devil’s Court. The sport featured in Runner is, of course, running! However, in this book running forms the background of the story and is the means for all of the action–and danger–to occur.

Chance, 17-years-old, lives with his dad on a small sailboat in a Seattle marina. Chance’s dad is a Vietnam vet who is also an alcoholic, making it difficult for him to keep a good job. Seeing that they need more money just to live day-to-day, Chance takes a job earning him $250 a week picking up mysterious packages in a designated spot while he’s out on his daily runs. Contents of the packages is unknown to Chance, but it soon becomes very clear that he’s working with some very dangerous people.

The bright spot in Chance’s day is Melissa who is from a very wealthy family, and whose father knew Chance’s father from high school. Chance has to eventually decide whether he needs to stop seeing Melissa to keep her out of danger. What’s he going to do and how is he going to get out of the mess he’s made with his life?
Very exciting, very suspenseful, very short chapters, lots of action, great story!