Running Scared

Rating:
Summary: A WELL PACED READING OF THIS MYSTERY
Review: Elizabeth Lowell fans know what to expect and they're not disappointed - it's an entertaining mix of suspense and romance in which good triumphs over every sort of evil machination and the gal gets a guy or vice versa. There's something comforting in knowing what you're in for when you open a book or listen to an audio version, and folks stand in line for Lowell.

Experienced Broadway actress Maria Tucci gives a well paced reading, using the low registers of her voice for emphasis. She's a vet and it shows in this vocal performance.

Set in Las Vegas and Arizona "Running Scared" is a tale of gold, graft, and gumption. Risa Sheridan, is knowledgeable in the field of antiquities, more precisely gold. When casino owner Shane Tannahill is offered what he believes to be an ancient Celtic gold piece he can't wait to own it - perfect for showing off at an upcoming gallery event.

However, Risa's not so sure about this gift from the Druids. She's even less sure as the body count mounts. Someone's out to destroy Shane and perhaps take out Risa with him.

Lowell offers a mix of murder, thievery, and rivalry - everything to make a listener's heart beat faster.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: One more author going mainstream
Review: "Running scared" is another manifestation of a trend I seem to see more and more : an author going "mainstream" and loosing the "thing" that made me fall in love with their writing.
Ms. Lowell wrote some of my all time favorite romances. But in "Running Scared" we are getting to know even the unsavory secondary characters (and believe me, they do have no redeeming qualities) better than the leading couple. Scenes between the hero and heroine are scarce and the nature of their attraction remains a mystery. This book neither works as a romance nor as a suspense story. I was not overly enchanted with the first book of the "Rarities" series and with this new entry I can only hope that it soon comes to an end. I hate to be forced to give up on another author I once loved.

Rating:
Summary: Just OK - More Anne Maxwell than Elizabeth Lowell
Review: Being a long time fan of Ms. Lowell's I have been slightly disappointed with the Rarities series. While the ultimate plot of this book is okay, I feel that classic Lowell characterization is lacking. Ms. Lowell is generally very good at drawing readers into a story but, once drawn in, there is nothing to hold your attention to this story. I greatly missed her usual in-depth approach to writing about characters. I felt that in this story she was merely telling a story. Using the characters as simple vessels instead of attempting to bring them to life. For example, I would have liked to learn more about what made Shane and Risa unique as individuals. That more indepth characterization combined with the over all plot would have made a much better novel.

Rating:
Summary: Yawn....
Review: Cookie cutter suspense story with little development of the main characters and their superficial relationship. Little romance or clever dialogue. Secondary characters get most of the attention--a rough, violent, crude bunch. I found it difficult to care about any of them.

Rating:
Summary: slow in the beginning but exciting and captivating
Review: Courtesy of A Romance Review

Running Scared starts off a little slow in the beginning with an introduction of the main characters, Risa Sheridan and Shane Tannahill. Elizabeth Lowell also provides some background information on Druid Gold, which is said to have a certain power and energy. The story doesn't pick up until over 150 pages with the death of Virgil O'Conner.

However, the story blends gold artifacts, casinos, money laundering together with suspense and romance. With the joining of April Joy into the plot, the story becomes more exciting and captivating.

If you have read Moving Target, the first in Ms Lowell's Rarities series, you must not miss Running Scared and check out the bodyguard of Risa, Ian Lapstrake, who gains all reader's attention, as well as April Joy, in the last part of the story. Happy reading!

Rating:
Summary: A Big Disappointment From Elizabeth Lowell
Review: Elizabeth Lowell has written some of my favorite books, including her gem series, i.e., "Amber Beach," "Jade Island," "Pearl Cove." After "Moving Target," the first of the Rarities Unlimited series, I had hoped to continue reading more of Ms. Lowell's exciting, original plots filled with interesting information about gemology, ancient lore, authenticating antique jewelry, etc.. I was also hoping to read more about the fabulous characters that staff Rarities. So, I actually went out and paid full price for a copy of "Running Scared" and dug in for a rainy spring day read.

What a disappointment!! This is most definitely not up to par for an Elizabeth Lowell novel. My first thought, after about 50 pages, was that perhaps Ms. Lowell was pressured to meet a strict deadline...or that she had promised too much with this series, and the well went dry. The background research is there, as always. Her detail on Druid gold, the antiquities market and authentication, is meticulous. However, her characters are cardboard. There is little life in them. Risa Sheridan and Shane Tannahill are like collages of former characters, pieced together without much rhyme or reason - a bad paste job! Her secondary characters from Rarities are not nearly as interesting as they were in "Moving Target." She did not develop them any further in this sequel. The villains are flat, comic book characters. The hackneyed, formulaic plot barely held my interest, and I held in there longer than I should have.

I am tempted to give Elizabeth Lowell a free pass on this...as she has given me so much reading pleasure in the past. But then I remember that I paid good money for that past pleasure, and so I wind up feeling cheated with "Running Scared."

Rating:
Summary: Just Not That Absorbing
Review: Elizabeth Lowell's books seem uneven to me. I loved the Donovan books, the mediaeval trilogy, and the western historical novels. I think Tell Me No Lies is the best thing she's ever written. The Rarities series has just not compared to those in my opinion. The characters are sketchy and not appealing. I'm annoyed by the gratuitous references to the Donovans (and to the mediaeval trilogy in Moving Target).

I loved the well developed characters in many of her other books. In contrast, the characters in this book can be summed up in stereotypical phrases -- she overcame a troubled childhood, he's rich and needs love. Sex seems to be the entire relationship between the hero and heroine -- there's no emotional connection.

I also missed the large volume of background information that many of her books have. I learned a lot about jade, amber, pearls, chinese bronzes, mining tourmaline, etc. in other books she's written. I only learned a little about Celtic gold and Vegas casinos in Running Scared.

Also, the magical aspects of the treasure don't make sense. It's evil for some people and no problem for others. Touching it terrifies one character, sends another into a murderous rampage, and only causes a tingle for two others. It also seems like a waste to link the treasure with Merlin and then go nowhere with the connection.

I'm glad I borrowed it from the library instead of buying it in hardcover.

Rating:
Summary: Disagrees with Negative Reviews
Review: I almost decided not to purchase Running Scared after having read the previous reviews. However, I bought it at a discount and thought what the heck -- am glad I did. I read and collect approximately 60 series, most of them mysteries. I consider Lowell's Rarities/Donovan series to be romance/suspense and would not expect the entire book to be based on one couple's relationship. If you want strictly romance, stick to her other books (which I don't read). I like how Running Scared raced back and forth between all of the characters. I didn't care for either Shane or Risa in the previous book -- they seemed sleazy and cold. However, you learn more about them and their backgrounds in Running Scared and how they each fought their way up from a bad childhood to get where they are today. They both fight the feelings they have for each other (it's not just sex) until Risa's life is threatened which finally brings them together. From then on, although their relationship isn't always smooth, they know they belong together. I only have about 3 more chapters to finish this book and I guess I am in the minority, but it's my favorite of the Rarities Series.

Rating:
Summary: Believable characters & plot
Review: I already own all of Elizabeth Lowell's books. This book gave you the background of Celtic and Druid gold artifacts without bogging you down with too much detail. The characters, especially Risa and Shane are down to earth while fighting their attraction to each other. It might be a good idea to read Moving Target to get the background on some of the other characters in the book. It's this book that lays the groundwork for Risa, Shane and Rarities Unlimited who they deal with. All the secondary characters (and they almost seem like primary characters) lend a thrilling story that you won't want to put down. I read the book until 1:30 AM and finished it the next day. The only thing I would have liked better was if there was more interplay between Risa and Shane. These are two volatile characters and the sexual tension between them could have been more intense. Even so, you won't be disappointed with this book.

Rating:
Summary: Believable characters & plot
Review: I already own all of Elizabeth Lowell's books. This book gave you the background of Celtic and Druid gold artifacts without bogging you down with too much detail. The characters, especially Risa and Shane are down to earth while fighting their attraction to each other. It might be a good idea to read Moving Target to get the background on some of the other characters in the book. It's this book that lays the groundwork for Risa, Shane and Rarities Unlimited who they deal with. All the secondary characters (and they almost seem like primary characters) lend a thrilling story that you won't want to put down. I read the book until 1:30 AM and finished it the next day. The only thing I would have liked better was if there was more interplay between Risa and Shane. These are two volatile characters and the sexual tension between them could have been more intense. Even so, you won't be disappointed with this book.