★★★☆☆
My husband introduced me to James Patterson and his Alex Cross series early in our marriage. Back in the day, I enjoyed Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, and many more of his crime thriller series.
However, I lost interest in Patterson when he began co-writing what seemed like dozens of books a year. It seemed like he was delegating the actual writing of his novels. But, I couldn’t pass up a book co-written by Dolly Parton, who, for obvious reasons, is one of my favorite famous people.
I read Run Rose Run solely because of my love for the smart, savvy, Country music queen and philanthropist. I was thrilled that from the first pages, I could immediately detect Dolly’s influences in the book. From its southern phrases, a rags-to-riches, singer-songwriter heroine, and Country music lyrics embedded throughout the plot, Parton certainly stuck to writing about what she knows – and does – well.
The short chapters kept the pace moving along nicely. I enjoyed Ruthanna Ryder’s character, who seemed very Dolly-like in her demeanor, as well as the many references to country music stars of the past and present.
A light romance and secrets added interest and intrigue to the story of AnnieLee Keyes, a rising star on the run.
My only criticism of this book is that it was a 90% build-up that fizzled quickly in the last twenty pages. I would have liked a better balance between the build-up and the wrap-up.
