4.75 stars rounded up (would have been a solid 5 stars but deducted 1/4 for who was the hit and run driver!). This one is very much in the vein of Breathless, which sees a group of people in an extreme environment, as people get injured or killed… who is behind it all? This one is the opposite extreme to Breathless, being set primarily in the Sahara desert (barring the opening in cold and wet Yorkshire, and flashbacks to sunny Ibiza), and whereas before I found the scenery/temperature descriptions monotonous in Breathless, I didn’t find that as much with Runner 13… maybe it’s because as a runner myself, I was more interested in the ultramarathon race they ran? (Though god knows I couldn’t do that race, furthest I’ve managed is 10K! If I ever worked up to ultra distance, it wouldn’t be in the extreme hot or cold).

Overall I liked the characters and plot, which ticks along at a good pace. You suspect several of the people, and happily I did spot a few things ahead of their reveal which is always nice! My only tiny niggle was in who was revealed as the hit and run driver, and the real truth never being told… hence 1/4 star deduction - but otherwise a solid excellent read and I’d recommend it! You might even want to lace up your running shoes after…

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

What a read- I loved this.!
This is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish with a plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience. The running aspect was fascinating, i would never want to run an ultra race ever!
Highly recommended!

This book had a fantastic premise and it was wonderful to read a thriller set in a location other than specifically the domestic. The author brought us right into the heart of the (mad!) people who run ultras and I loved it for that. Plot wise I thought it sagged a little in the middle but definitely worth a read.

Runner 13 is a must-read for anyone who loves high-stakes survival stories packed with personal redemption and dark secrets, all set in the intense, unforgiving world of ultrarunning. As someone who’s fascinated by ultrarunners, I couldn’t wait to dive into this one — and it did *not* disappoint. I raced through the pages (pun absolutely intended!), torn between not wanting it to end and needing to know what happens next. This book is an absolute rollercoaster — fast-paced, gripping, and impossible to put down. Trust me, it’s a thriller you’ll want to talk about, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to everyone!

I wosh I had loved this more, it felt long in places but the storyline was really clever and I just had to know what was going to happen. Interesting for the moat part, and also a little creepy

Amy McCulloch is absolutely fantastic at writing this sort of novel. Breathless had me completely immersed in the mountain-climbing world, and this one had me fascinated by ultra running. The research that went into writing this book was so evident, and I am in awe of anyone who genuinely runs such insane distances!

The world-building was brilliant, I really felt the oppressive heat and sheer scale of the Sahara desert, and could easily picture the setting for the race. The characters were extremely vivid too, and I really enjoyed getting to know them and following their story.

I would 100% recommend this book. I really enjoy a book where I feel that I have learned something as well as just liking the story, and that was definitely the case here.

Seven years ago Adrienne withdrew from the ultra-running scene when her young sons life was threatened following a scandal she was involved in. Now she's back with an invitation she can't refuse, participating in the toughest of all challenges a 250 mile race across the Sahara desert.

I raced through it in one go. A stunning thriller set amidst the world of ultra runners. The scene setting is impeccable, the desert sands providing a backdrop as beautiful as it is deadly. Extreme conditions, faces from the past and Number 13 on her back, the desert and the sands are the least of Adri's worries.

I'm not a runner and this novel didn't make me want to be one but I loved reading about it. Totally unputdownable start to finish.

I haven't read anything by this author before and Amy McCulloch can certainly write, seems she can run too and got her inspiration for this novel whilst competing in the Marathon des Sables. Total respect.

Enjoyable thriller set in the desert at an extreme ultra marathon, this is a good pacey read with some knotty story and themes underlying it. I found the POV changes. a bit jarring sometimes and wasn't sure they were completely necessary for most of the book. But it's a great window into extreme sports and a tense and easy read.

I knew nothing about ultrarunning, and now I'm slightly in awe of the book characters, and also think they are slightly bonkers! This is a fast paced, engaging and tense narrative with plenty of suspense and an interesting premise. Very atmospheric, I loved the visceral heat of the desert setting and the details of the race. I could guess some but not all of the secret that was lurking in the background, but it's relevant to a lot of the coverage of the veil that's been drawn over some of the abuses that were hidden in the elite and also grassroots sporting world.

Runner 13 is one of those books you want to read in one sitting, it is addictive and unpredictable and opened my eyes to the world of the ultra runners, a triumph of athleticism I didn't know much about.

The feeling of authenticity to that layer of the plot is excellent, they do say write what you know and the mystery and thriller elements play really nicely into it, creating a narrative that fairly rocks along taking the reader with it. It actually made me out of breath just reading it sometimes.

Wildly entertaining, an intelligent thriller that is hugely readable. Loved it.

A very original story set in the ultra running world. A thriller full of twists and turns. Definitely worth a read, kept me gripped.

After a scandal with her trainer and her son’s accident, Adri retires from ultra-running. Seven years later, she is compelled to sign up to one of Boones’ extreme races in order to find out what really happened.

Boones is notorious for his dangerous races, mind games, and epic twists. Few finish and one runner even died. This time it’s 250 miles in the Sahara desert, each elite runner handpicked.

All of the elite runners have a secret motivation. Adri’s ex-husband and Boones’s daughter are in the mix. And somebody is chasing them.

A great thriller for fans of McCulloch’s Breathless.

A superb thriller set in the Saharan desert. I was absorbed in the fast paced tale of elite long distance runners facing peril from nature and other humans p!us long lost secrets coming to the surface. It deserves to be made into a film. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

All I can say right now is WOW. Something about Amy’s writing that has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!!

A fantastic thriller that grips you right from the start to finish with a twist bigger than the sandstorms of the Sahara.

Make sure you grab this book!

I was gripped from the blurb on the back all the way through.

I loved everything about this book. The details of the race, the mystery behind the runners and the pure brilliance that kept me hooked throughout.

I would love more like this!