Runner 13, Amy McCulloch
Runner 13, Amy McCulloch
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Runner 13
A Thriller

Author: Amy McCulloch

Narrator: Jill Winternit, Sarah Durham

Unabridged: 10 hr 57 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/01/2025


Synopsis

An exhilarating thriller set against a 250-mile foot race in the Sahara Desert, where more than one ultramarathoner will be running for their lives

Seven years ago, Adri left the running world after a major scandal. She leveled an explosive, and as it turns out career-ending, accusation at one of the world’s most celebrated coaches—and then he died suddenly. Now, after years away from the limelight, she’s ready to race again. Adri is hungry for a challenge, and she’s picked one of the toughest events imaginable: a 250-mile trek through the Sahara Desert organized by a mysterious and famously sadistic race director. It will be a true test of her will and her stamina, proof that after all these years, she can still do it. But she’s also there to get closure on the mysteries that cloud her past. Was her family targeted by one of her coach’s defenders? Was his death due to natural causes?

Adri is determined to finish the race and to find the answers to these long-buried questions. But clarity is hard to come by out in the Sahara’s extreme conditions. And as a number of runners start dropping out, some from the heat and others under more mysterious circumstances, it becomes clear that there’s someone out there in the desert trying to stop anyone from winning—by any means necessary.

About The Author

AMY McCULLOCH is the author of Breathless and Midnight, as well as eight novels for children and young adults, including the internationally bestselling YA novel The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow. She is the youngest Canadian woman to climb Manaslu in Nepal, the world's eighth-highest mountain. She has also summited the highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua, completed the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert, and visited all seven continents. She lives outside London.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Canadian Jen on July 15, 2025

An Ultimate Challenge: A 250 mile run in the hot Moroccan desert. Only a select few runners can join- but only upon invitation. This trek also has a few twists to raise the stakes. We follow Adrienne, the elite runner, on this ultimate quest to return to running but also find out who attempted to kil......more

Goodreads review by Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) on July 19, 2025

EEEK!!! BANGER ALERT! BANGER ALERT! Adrenaline-fueled, propulsive, and beyond realistic, Runner 13 was a white-knuckle ride from beginning to end. With two compelling, likable narrators and an exotic locale that came alive on the page, I fell in love with this book in no time at all. Already on my l......more

Goodreads review by John on July 01, 2025

If The Hunger Games and Into Thin Air had a love child and set it loose in the Sahara, you'd get something like Runner 13. I picked the book up expecting a twisty thriller and got that plus an ultra-marathon through hell. And, I loved it. Amy McCulloch knows the terrain—both physical and psychologica......more

Goodreads review by Frank on July 22, 2025

5 Stars for this phenomenal reading experience! Amy McCulloch completely impressed me with her debut, Breathless, a few years back. Her follow-up, though, left me puzzled and a bit let down, so I approached Runner 13 with cautious expectations. I’m thrilled to report that it not only delivered – it......more

Goodreads review by Tammy on July 04, 2025

4.25 stars. This bingeable thriller/whodunnit takes place during a highly competitive race of endurance in the Sahara desert. It kept me on the edge of my seat and second guessing myself to the very end. The audio was fantastic. Really enjoyed this. 🎧 Pub. 7/1/25......more


Quotes

One of Rakuten Kobo 's Best in Mystery for 2025

“The most tense, gripping and breathless novel I’ve read in a very long time. With more terrifying twists and turns than a mountain ultramarathon, I already predict it’ll be the thriller of the year.”
—Tim Lebbon, New York Times bestselling author of The Silence

"Amy McCulloch does it again! Runner 13 is an absolute scorcher of a thriller that examines the lengths we are willing to push ourselves for what's right. Each chapter left me out of breath and desperate to learn what would happen next. Reading this book was a race to the very last page. All in all, Runner 13 proves that no one does an adventure thriller quite like Amy McCulloch.
—Sarah Ochs, author of The Resort

"McCulloch's firsthand experience of ultra running shines through every page. I felt like I was there! A fast-paced adventure thriller that will get your pulse racing. Not to be missed."
Lucy Clarke, author of The Hike

"Brilliantly atmospheric and with relentless pace, Runner 13 is one of the most propulsive adventure thrillers I’ve read. It will leave you gasping for breath. I loved it!"
Liv Matthews, author of To Love a Liar

"Utterly breathtaking—absolutely loved it. Amy's best yet."
Catherine Cooper, author of The Island