Mandersue Heller has done it again!

I love to dip my toes into the crime genre from time to time, and I know that I can always count on Mandersue Heller to give me an amazing story. This was read in one night and absolutely devoured.

Heller writes such incredible characters. You will love them and you will hate them, but that’s what makes them feel so real. I loved learning about Lexi’s life and everything that she’s had to go through. It was heartbreaking at times, but an overall edgy, gritty read.

I recommend this to anybody who enjoys a bit of crime, as these books are easy to read and super gripping!

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for the e-ARC! I am super grateful.

Absolutely love mandasue Heller books and this one didn't disappoint . If you haven't read mandasue Heller before you don't no what your missing this book and all her books are brilliant .

What an amazing book, I have read every book by Mandasue and I have loved every single one, Running Scared was definitely worth the wait, I was so hooked from the beginning, such an addictive read, you will not be disappointed by this one.

It seems like a long time since I have read Mandasue Heller, but so worth the wait! This book is just as fabulous as I had hoped it would be and greedily devoured on a sunny Saturday. Brilliant characters and of course a fair sprinkling of bad eggs, and a great storyline.

Running Scared by Mandasue Heller

Once again Mandasue has come up with an excellent , gritty , brilliant read for her fans . If you've never read any of her books , believe me , you have missed put.
Running Scared is set in Manchester. We meet Lexi and Nicole friends from the local council estate . However Nicole 's dad has moved his family to a much posher area due to his less than legal dealings.
Then Lexi escapes the area but returns years later , and meets up with some of her old friends.
The plot is fast and edgy with many twists to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Mandasue Heller , may you reign long as one of the best in the genre.

I have to say Mandasue Heller writes a Brilliant book that grips you from start to finish and doesn't let go.There are characters that you will love and some that will grate on your nerves but the Author pulls them all together and gives us this Fabulous story of Lexi and those around her.If possible i would of given more than 5* EXCELLENT book and thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review this arc.

Set in Manchester. When Alexis "Lexi" James falls out with her best mate Nicole over bad boy "Ryan King", it's just the beginning of a chain of events that go from bad to worse to deadly. Returning home one night to her high-rise flat, she's faces by a terrifying scene that changes her life forever. Years later, Lexi is back in Manchester. A chance meeting with Nicole and Ryan ends in disaster and she vows never to see them again. When her new man receives a call in the middle of the night and leaves in a hurry, she's horrified when he returns with someone she thought she'd never see again. It soon becomes obvious that Lexi doesn't know her lover as well as she thought.

What a fantastic read this book was. I was gripped from the first page. I did not like any of Nicole's family, especially her brother Adam. My heart went out to Lexi, she didn't deserve what life had threw at her. Some of the twists I never saw coming, they were so unexpected. I love Mandasue's writing style, she never disappoints. There's a mixed bunch of characters, some likeable and a couple you'll despise. I could not put this book down. I could not read it fast enough. But I loved it.

I love this authors books and as normal a very addictive read. Lexi does not have much in life her mum Beth is the only one working. Lexi s stepdad Tony is idle and spends his life in the pubs and he is starting to look at Lexi so she trys not to be around him she has a best friend Nicole who is Danny Harvey gangster Rachel Harvey hates Lexi never wants her daughter with her. Lexi has always looked out for young Jamie whos mum is a druggie and has always looked up to her. then one night everything changes Lexi is taking in to care. and later on Lexi has to come back to Manchester. she makes friends she meets a man and then thinks escalate. you wont be disappointed i so recommend this book and all the authors books

One of my fav authors of all time so it really was with excitement I started this book and within a couple of pages it was 100% certain Mandasue Heller was back, and back with a bang
The story is based in Manchester and involves Lexi and her terrible start in life and what happens to her in her future, interestingly she goes to Hebden Bridge for years but the pull ( good and bad ) of Manchester is too strong and wanting a ‘quiet life’ she returns without fuss….only to become embroiled in all manner of shattering events and with people she had thought she had seen the back of years ago
Some real nasty characters, Adam is evil, 100% vile ( but written so well ) and Nicole the perfect ‘love to hate’ ‘best friend’ the story starts as it means to go on and is full of real life, no holds barred stories and situations
I loved it, it is great to have the author’s story telling to read again and as expected it was just brilliant

10/10
5 Stars

This book has been well worth waiting for from this unique author, a captivating read one of a kind.
On the Kingston Estate, Manchester Alexis, 'Lexi' James and her best mate Nicole Harvey who now lives on the posh Riverside estate after her family goes up in the world, but Bad boy Ryan King comes in between them they both have the hots for him and Lexi doesn't stand a chance against her pretty mate Nicole.
Nicole's brother Adam plans a house party while the parents are away, but it turns into a nightmare for poor Lexi and it's a night she will never forget, it will be another ten years before she comes back to Manchester all grown up and she's running scared with trouble ahead from the Harvey family.
This story is all about who do you trust, the story line will have you gripped, you never know what's around the corner chapter after chapter, I just could not put it down and found myself reading on and on. The characters bring it all to life, full of ups and downs and tears.
The author style of writing is like I said one of a kind and she never disappoints me with her work, everyone I read has left me content I just wish they would come faster.
Many thanks to the author, the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read an early copy, that I now will recommend to all readers it's fabulous. worth all the stars and more.

The pages almost turn themselves and when I was finished I couldn’t stop thinking about the story’s incredible twists, turns, and surprises. This intriguing and thought-provoking thriller is a profound exploration of how far some are willing to go.

I am a huge fan of Mandasue Heller and I really was looking forward to reading her latest novel

As always this did not disappoint, I was hooked from the first chapter.

Lexi and Nicole best friends, Lexi council estate kid and Nicole former council estate now living the high life thanks to her Dads doddy dealings.

After years away Lexi is back and looking for a fresh start is headed straight back to her past and people she would rather forget.

The storyline was great and kept me engrossed and I was left totally stunned at some of the shock twists.

Wow Adam don't you just hate him!

Amazing read and gripping I didn't want to put this one down.

Lexi and Nicole are best mates, growing up together on the same council estate. That is until Nicole’s dad starts to bring in some big money and the family move house, to what they feel is a more salubrious area. They believe they have moved up in the world, leaving their previous life behind. Although Lexi and Nicole remain friends, cracks start to appear in their friendship, which becomes apparent when Nicole and her brother throw a party whilst their parents are on holiday, leaving Lexi in a vulnerable and terrifying situation. Returning home to her council flat one night Lexi makes a terrible discovery which changed her life overnight.

Going back to the area some years later, Lexi is hesitant to revisit where she once grew up. By chance she meets her old best mate Nicole and once boyfriend, now husband, Ryan. Lexi then meets a handsome stranger, and they are soon in a relationship. It isn’t long before Lexi realises that her charming man isn’t telling her the whole truth and is hiding many secrets. As the secrets are slowly revealed, Lexi finds herself in great danger as her past isn’t going to remain hidden.

I totally adore Mandasue Heller’s books and she is up there in my top-five crime writers. A couple of times during this book I felt that an element of the plot had been very obviously dropped in, just to make the overall plot tie up. However, this didn’t detract from my total enjoyment of the book, and I still thoroughly revelled in it.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC

Omg Mandasue what can I say grittypage turner couldn't sleep as needed to finish it

This author is so brilliant love her books and they just can't get any better