"A breathless thriller . . . a literary meditation clutching a straight razor behind its back. Bold, beautifully written, and surprising." Marcus Sakey, author, Brilliance is there an app that reads books out loud Patriarch Run: A Novel
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. THRILLER WITH BENEFITSBy P. EhrlichA really suspenseful page-turner that also will make you think about some of the most serious problems faced by humanity. You will be introduced to two crucial issues totally absent from the political scene, even in a presidential election year -- electric grid vulnerability and, of course, Earth's vast overpopulation.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Thrillerific!!!!By TulipsBenjamin Dancer has written a thriller with depth. It not only has shoot outs and other high risk situations, but it explores the complexities of relationships the characters have with others and themselves. I felt like I was in a high speed car chase, only slowing down long enough to witness a crash on the side of the road. Though the story is fast-paced, I slowly gathered the pieces to the puzzle until my brain exploded at the end from the craziness. I recommend reading the interviews at the end to get the complete scope of the story. I was fully invested in each of the characters' stories. Obviously, each character made different choices, but they all had a strength that was admirable. After reading this book, it will make you more aware of your daily choices and how they not only affect you but humanity, too. Read this book if you want a country western version of Bourne Identity, or, read it because you want a great thriller!!!(Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author or publisher without any requirement for a review, positive or otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own.)2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Entertaining and thought provoking.By ashearerI hate these start ratings! I feel like, no matter what there is some good or even great, and some wanting in almost everything I read. So, do you focus on the good to great with 5 stars or focus on the "not quite there" with a lower rating? I guess it's a question of a tipping point in one direction of the other. In the case of Patriarch Run, I tipped in the positive direction. This novel is well written with stark, spare prose evocative of the frantic pace and the harsh but naturally beautiful environment in which it is mainly set. The story is gripping and at times, heart rending. At the same time, we are moved to ask who, if anyone, is right in their view of the world, its problems and the solution. Agree or not, it will make you think about how to solve such world wide problems as inequality, hunger, poverty and injustice. Yes, this is a thriller, perhaps even a techno-thriller but like most good fiction it asks big questions while entertaining you and making you cheer for the characters as they escape seemingly impossible situations. With lots of interesting and unexpected twists, you will not be able to put this book down. Highly recommended with a few minor caveats. There are some lapses of style, almost as if understandably, the author put the work down, picked it up again at another time and a slight change of voice ensued. There are a small number of minor typos, but unlike some self published work this book is well edited. A great read. Since many reviews here contain a synopsis, I will not recount the story here. Just know it's worth your time.