The Runaway

by Martina Cole
The Runaway cover
Good Books rating 4.3
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 9317
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780755350728
  • Publisher: Headline
  • Published: 2005-06-10
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Runaway by Martina Cole is a gripping thriller that delves into the lives of Cathy Connor and Eamonn Docherty, two individuals desperate to escape their troubled pasts. Set against the backdrop of London's East End and the dangerous underworld of New York, the story explores themes of corruption, violence, and the relentless pursuit of survival. Adapted for television with an all-star cast, this novel promises an intense and unputdownable experience. /n/n Cole's signature style brings a raw and authentic portrayal of life on the fringes, making The Runaway a compelling read for fans of crime fiction. The novel's adaptation for TV has garnered significant attention, but the book offers a deeper and more intricate exploration of the characters and their journeys.

Reviews
Good Housekeeping Book Room · 2025-12-23
fantastic 4.50

This is considered the best book by Martina Cole, with a thick and engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked.

The reviewer has just finished reading this book and considers it the best one by Martina Cole. They describe it as a really thick book, implying a substantial and engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked. The reviewer's enthusiasm suggests a high level of satisfaction with the book, indicating that it is a standout read in the author's body of work. The positive feedback highlights the book's ability to captivate readers and provide a satisfying reading experience.

Quick quotes

    I have just finished The Runaway by Martina Cole. I think it's her best one.

    Really thick book a great read.

    The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some saying it's Martina Cole at her best while others find it unsatisfying.

Goodreads · 2025-12-23
excellent 4.40

This is one of the best Martina Cole stories, with a gripping storyline that keeps readers engaged from the first chapter. The emotional depth and character development are particularly praised.

This book is often highlighted as one of Martina Cole's finest works. Readers are drawn in by the gripping storyline that starts strong and maintains momentum throughout. The emotional depth and character development are particularly praised, making it a standout read. The reviewer wishes they owned this book, indicating a high level of satisfaction and a desire to revisit it.

Quick quotes

    The Runaway is the best Martina Cole story I have read thus far, and one of those library books that I now wish I owned.

    A fantastic and exciting read with a gripping storyline that grips readers from the first chapter.

    Customers find this book to be a fantastic and exciting read with a gripping storyline that grips readers from the first chapter, featuring believable characters.

The Guardian · 2011-04-03
great 4.00

The book is praised for its menacing depiction of power dynamics and its ability to immerse readers in a dark and gripping narrative.

The reviewer highlights the book's menacing depiction of one man exerting sadistic power over another, which is particularly impressive. This aspect of the story is noted for its ability to immerse readers in a dark and gripping narrative. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the character dynamics and the overall impact of the story. The book is seen as a standout work that effectively captures the reader's attention and maintains it throughout.

Quick quotes

    It was a genuinely menacing depiction of one man exerting sadistic power over another, which was all the more impressive when you consider that ...

    Overall, despite my fears that wasn't the right sort of production to be placed as a Sky 1 flagship show, The Runaway is excellent- driven by ...

    The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some saying it's Martina Cole at her best while others find it unsatisfying.

Appears in Lists