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L E Fitzpatrick

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The Running Game (Reachers Book 1) Kindle Edition

by L.E. Fitzpatrick (Author), Jessica Minyard (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 309 ratings

Book 1 of 4: Reachers

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Rachel’s father called it the running game. Count the exits, calculate the routes, and always be ready to run. She is a Reacher, wanted by the government and the criminal underworld for her psionic powers.

Charlie and his brother John have a reputation for accomplishing the impossible. But after losing his family, Charlie is a broken mess and John is barely keeping him afloat. In desperation, they take a job from a ruthless crime lord, only to discover the girl they are hunting is a Reacher. One of their own kind.

With the help of dangerous and dubious allies, can Rachel turn the game around and save herself?

Praise:

★★★★★ - "This dystopian, paranormal thriller provides plenty of action, mystery and entertainment with deft storytelling. Wonderfully written.

★★★★★ - "Kept me captivated and wanting more. A great read."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

L E Fitzpatrick was Yorkshire born but now lives in West Wales with lots of cats and dogs. She has published a fantasy series called Dark Water and is currently working on more Reacher novels and short stories.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01GIGM1X8
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Next Chapter (June 1, 2016)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2016
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1225 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 223 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #13,665 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #177 in Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #190 in Dystopian Science Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #208 in Science Fiction Adventure

Customer Reviews:
4.2 309 ratings

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L E Fitzpatrick

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L E Fitzpatrick is a writer of dark adventure stories and thrillers. Under the watchful eye of her beloved rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, she leaps from trains and climbs down buildings, all from the front room of a tiny cottage in the middle of the Welsh countryside.

Inspired by cult film and TV, L E Fitzpatrick’s fiction is a collection of twisted worlds and realities, broken characters, and high action. She enjoys pushing the boundaries of her imagination and creating hugely entertaining stories.

She released The Rising Fire, the fourth in her paranormal thriller series, set in dystopia London under Next Chapter Publishing and is working on the next installment in the series.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

309 global ratings

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Tom Fallwell

Wonderfully written and engrossing thriller.

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2016

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In a world where the strong and affluent prey upon the weak and poor, this dystopian, paranormal thriller provides plenty of action, mystery and entertainment with deft storytelling techniques and wonderfully described details. In this dark setting, where the lines between the law and organized crime seem very thin, we are introduced to a small, gifted group known as Reachers, those who have unparalleled capabilities in the paranormal. Mind control, mind reading, and even telekinetic powers are portrayed, though those terms seem woefully insufficient to describe these powers they display. Reachers are branded as armed and dangerous by the ruling class and considered criminals and terrorists. Such consideration, perhaps, has placed them deep within those very roles, not so much by choice, but by necessity in order to survive. They are always on the run, but also fearless and determined in many ways.

The main characters are well established and the third person narrative fits the story perfectly, as we learn about the world in which they live, and the emotions that drive them. The author is skilled at presenting both the setting and characters in a manner that makes them very real and takes the reader along for the ride, involved in the story as much as the characters. The plot is solid, and the progression of the story is perfectly paced and natural, keeping the reader's interest throughout, to a satisfying conclusion. Yet, enough is revealed so that it is apparent that this book is only the beginning, and there is definitely more to come.

Is is apparent the author is well acquainted with the genre, and it shows. This is a mature theme, done well. There is a bit of colorful language, but not overdone. There is a bit of violence, but not grotesquely portrayed. There is a hint of sex, but not extensive or overshadowing to the main story. I was well engrossed in reading this book, and found it very well done.

8 people found this helpful

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Allaina Daniels

A dark tale of twisted loyalty.

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2016

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I can easily see our world turning into the dystopian version that Fitzpatrick has created. It makes entirely too much sense. This story was a bit slow to build up for me, but once the characters really got involved I couldn't put it down. The characters are well developed and the author knows how to spin a tale of human corruption and hope. The supernatural concept was interesting and intriguing and I can't make up my mind who I would want Rachel to end up with one day. Each brother has his own pull on her and their own painful truths. I am looking forward to the next book.

4 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Dark, dark, dark!

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2023

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This is a the starkest, broken part of England just outside of London. It is infested with criminals, broken people trying to make a living, and stay alive. The head of the mob hires Charlie, a crippled and broken Reacher, and Charlie’s brother John to do find a woman and bring her to him. During the initial search, Charlie discovers that Rachel is a powerful Reacher, something he could have been, and he realizes he must save her, not hand her over to Pinky. The problem is that he and John desperately need the money from the job to help find Charlie’s missing daughter. They hook up with Roxy, another drunken criminal who seems to fall readily in their plans if though they feel he cannot be trusted. To add to the danger and confusion, another half-mad criminal shows up who also wants the Reacher. She can tell them who killed Pinky’s brother Frank by going into the minds of people around them. Charlie and John plot to get the money without delivering Rachel, even though she is with them. Will Charlie discover his lost talents? Will Rachel really reveal Franky’s killer? Why is Roxy willing to help them when he wants one of them gone? This is a dark, savage novel about the best and worst that exist in people.

One person found this helpful

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Rona D. Simmons

First in a Promising Series!

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015

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The Running Game is an engaging and captivating tale. I did not expect to like it, but found myself caught up in the story. It moves quickly and I had to tear myself away. The author draws the reader in slowly, step by step, leaving the possibilities for the plot wide open -- will this be a paranormal story, a spy thriller, a suspense story, an apocalyptic tale? Characters are well crafted with believable traits and behaviors, a nice tour de force. LE Fitzpatrick has crafted a taut story of suspense, the first in the "Reacher" series. Beware, the story could be addictive and you'll be signing up for the next installment.

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Junkie

Hard to finish. Loses steam as one progresses into the novel.

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2022

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Hard to finish. Loses steam as one progresses into the novel. Have yet to finish it. May do so within the next week, but don't think I'll read further into the series.

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Top reviews from other countries

Miss K Marsden

Running Game

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2017

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The Smith brothers always deliver, but when their current job turns out to be a Reacher, the tables are about to turn.

I received a free copy in return for an honest review.
This series has been on my reading list ever since I read The Lost Shepherd short story in the Awethology collection, and I wish I'd picked this up earlier!

This was awesome, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a new series so much.
There's a perfect blend of genres, with the story being set in a dystopian future, where society has crumbled and blames Reachers (those with powers). Now, the outskirts of London - an area called S'aven is run by gangsters and dirty cops, giving the story a solid Crime flare.

The story keeps you guessing throughout, as the hidden agendas of all the characters come together and make a constantly shifting threat. There are some decent surprises, and revelations I didn't see coming.
There is also a subtle, dry humour, woven into the narrative. This story doesn't take itself too seriously, and I absolutely loved it.

The characters are... good.
I think my favourite was Roxy - he reminded me of Captain Jack - you never quite know which side he's on, even at the very end. He manages to piss everyone off, and there's no one he hasn't double-crossed; but you still believe he could be a good guy.
I also really liked Rachel. The guys might think they are there to protect her, but she's perfectly capable of looking after herself when the need arises. And when it doesn't, she just quietly plugs along with life.
Charlie and John are OK. I like them, and they feel well-rounded, but it feels like Fitzpatrick has purposefully held information back on them. I'm looking forward to how they turn out in the rest of the series, especially as Charlie is hinted at being as powerful as Rachel; and John has that awesome silent-ninja thing going.

There is also no romance, which I found to be a bonus - it's always refreshing when a good crime/paranormal/dystopian doesn't dissolve into fluffy feelings. There's some groundwork done, so if Fitzpatrick decided to build on it in future books, it would all be natural and good.

The only thing I was disappointed about, was "Charlie's grand plan".
Throughout the book, he has been heralded as the-man-with-the-plan. The genius. The worshipper of intricate details. The reason the Smith brothers always pull off jobs.
The grand plan near the end wasn't exactly Ocean's Eleven. It wasn't any more complex than "grab-and-go".
I mean, don't get me wrong, what happened afterwards, when they had to improvise was pretty awesome. I just couldn't help but be a little disappointed in what Charlie came up with. I hope he gets a bit more creative in the following books.

So, highly recommend, and I'm already reading the sequel, Border Lines!

Sunseeker

Good story

Reviewed in Canada on March 5, 2016

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As much as things change, some things stay the same. The story is set in the future, but man's nature remains the same. Who can be trusted? How can Rachel stay safe? Will her new companions help her?
Exciting and filled with suspense, this story keeps one's attention.

Keys225

Four Stars

Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2016

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Well written. Lots of action.

Kazz Moss

A Big Adventure of a Book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2016

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A glimpse into the future where society has broken down and things are run more by the gangsters than the cops. A great adventure as Rachel the reacher is being hunted down by the Smith Brother, paid for by Pinky Morris. Only when the guys find out she is a reacher, they don't want to hand her over. Several stories linked together in the book, with the Smith Brothers being the main characters along with Rachel.

Pinky Morris runs his empire and he wants to know who killed his brother, so much so he would offer to pay anybody anything to find this out. That's not to say he would pay up when they deliver.

Then there is Roxy, just whose side is he on? When you figure it out, you might be wrong, but then again, maybe you were right in the first place. Lots of betrayal and mistrust as people come and go and mainly all out for what they can get.

A good read with lots of adventure, suspense and twists along the way.

Mich - Avid Reader

Superb! Five stars 😀 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2017

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From the very first sentence, this incredible book hit me like a slap in the face. It has powerful imagery, political satire (at times) and other punchy messages that made me think about the type of world we live in today.

Right from the start, I instantly felt connected to, and could relate to, Rachel. I could sympathise with her - as a doctor, working in a high pressured environment where she is clearly overworked and underpaid. The fact that she has a threadbare coat tells you that she does not earn enough money to buy herself an expensive one. These are the people saving lives and they themselves cannot buy decent clothes to keep them warm in adverse weather. This spoke volumes in the novel.

The complex post-apocalyptic world that Fitzpatrick cleverly creates is both fascinating and harrowing. The banks have collapsed, masses of people are homeless and rapes and muggings are common place. The action in the book happens so fast sometimes and you cannot blink in case you miss something significant. On other occasions, there is tension and suspense that keeps you hanging on and guessing for a while.

Adding to the suspense is Rachel's true identity, and John and Charlie, brothers and Reachers, who have a death warrant over Rachel's head. Although they didn't know what their boss wanted her for, they were prepared to sell her down the river for money. Because in the world they find themselves in, money is everything. It is more important than morally and integrity...

Fitzpatrick paints the intriguingly horrific picture of a post-apocolyptic Britain that is not too far away from our own world, sadly. In recent months, L.E.'s realm and our realm have seen terribly realistic parallels that have amalgamated fact with fiction.

The wide gap between rich and poor has become more apparent in recent weeks. We are seeing a tale of two cities today; where the media shows the elite rich enjoying wealth, power and luxuries and (some) being indifferent and desensitised to the plight and suffering of the poor. In the days gone by, we are seeing certain poorer citizens being driven into homelesses and destitution, through no fault of their own, just as in Fitzpatrick's frightening world.

Reading this book, I gasped many times, because this story is so real and well written, and I can almost see planet earth headed this way if we don't pump the breaks, reflect on ourselves as human beings and make positive and alturistic changes before irrevocable damage is done to our wider society.

I hope L.E. Fitzpatrick realises that this book is a total gem and I cannot recommend it enough to other readers. Very well done. You are a terrific writer. Can't wait to read Book 2 in the series.