BOOK REVIEW: "The Run Begins" by J. Frank James

Lou Malloy is 18 years old and ready for the world, but is the world ready for him. His brother Sam has left and his sister wants to move to Florida with the family. Malloy is having none of it and on a wild moment decides to hop in a boxcar going he knows not where. The important thing is that it’s not in Kansas. He has a problem and that problem is money. He doesn’t have any until Henry Lowe, who is in the same boxcar, offers Malloy the deal of a lifetime. All he has to do is help Lowe rob a casino in Georgia. With the promise of a big payday, Malloy throws in with the scheme and seal his fate forever…. AND THE RUN BEGINS.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The prequel novella to Dead Money Run, this tells the story of how Lou wound up in prison for robbery.
There isn't a lot to say about this book, other than that it is even more well-written than DMR, and that the storyline is very clean, very relatable. Because who would not be tempted like Lou was, to rob a casino and have his money problems vanish?
I liked Lou better in DMR, but I found him to be more approachable in this prequel. I really look forward to reading more from Mr. James, especially more about Lou!
This is a great read for those who like thrillers and crime novels with less police jargon. For me, it took me back to old-time books. Mr. James is, in my opinion, right up there with Child, Baldacci, and Patterson.

5/5--short and suspenseful!

Purchase The Run Begins via Amazon!