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45th out of 500 books
—
191 voters
The Fool's Run (Kidd & LuEllen #1)
John Sandford, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Prey novels gives suspense an ingenious twist as he takes readers into the mind games of two irresistible con artists plotting the perfect sting…
Kidd is a computer whiz, artist, and professional criminal. LuEllen is his lover, and his favorite partner in crime. Their playing field in on the cutting edge of hig...more
Kidd is a computer whiz, artist, and professional criminal. LuEllen is his lover, and his favorite partner in crime. Their playing field in on the cutting edge of hig...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
December 1st 1996
by Berkley
(first published 1989)
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First written by John Camp, John Sandford’s real name. It features Kidd and LuEllen as the two protagonists. Kidd is an artist, a software designer and a computer hacker. His specialty is getting into corporate computer systems and looking around. LuEllen likes to get into homes and look around. She's a high end burglar.
The story holds up pretty well considering it was written in 1989. The technology is dated as one would imagine. If you can get past the references to IBM AT, PS2 and Kaypro com...more
The story holds up pretty well considering it was written in 1989. The technology is dated as one would imagine. If you can get past the references to IBM AT, PS2 and Kaypro com...more
Sanford introduces new characters with this book. The unlikely team of Kidd, a freelancing computer expert with a passion for painting, and LuEllen, a successful full-time residential burglar. As with all of Sanford's starring characters, they are extremely interesting, multi-dimensional, believable...
In this case, Kidd has been contacted by huge corporation to hack into the computer system of their main competitor and wreak as much havoc as possible. The two corporations are vying for a major g...more
In this case, Kidd has been contacted by huge corporation to hack into the computer system of their main competitor and wreak as much havoc as possible. The two corporations are vying for a major g...more
This is the first book in the Kidd and LuEllen series by John Sandford, and about the first book of any sort from John Sandford. Kidd is an artist and computer hacker and LuEllen is a burglar and here they are working together for the first time. Kidd has been hired by one aircraft company to wage a computer attack on another aircraft company over a military contract. As the attack is completed, Kidd's team is attacked and one of his associates murdered leaving Kidd to sort out who his friends a...more
I enjoyed seeing where the background of this duo started. I had read other stories in the series and so liked this first one.
Using computers every day and learning some programming a long time ago (30+ years) made this story even more interesting. I learned some things and there were some things that made me think.
The suspense/violence wasn't so interesting but did fill in the story. Killing off the one member of the "gang" allowed the duo to go forward in more stories but was just a way of all...more
Using computers every day and learning some programming a long time ago (30+ years) made this story even more interesting. I learned some things and there were some things that made me think.
The suspense/violence wasn't so interesting but did fill in the story. Killing off the one member of the "gang" allowed the duo to go forward in more stories but was just a way of all...more
First book of the protagonists' series, Kidd and LuEllen were con-artists. Kidd, a painter and an artist, specializing in computer hacking expertise while LuEllen, on the other hand, specializes in breaking inside homes which makes her a professional burglar, making them the perfect partners in crime. I've read reviews about Sandford's books and I am delightful of the insights because most of them were positively spoken. He did quite the job really, making the book feel like it just came out fro...more
"The Fool's Run" was first published in 1989 before the internet and everyone had a cell phone. The main character is an artist and computer hacker named Kidd who lives in St. Paul and whose character is slightly interwoven in Sanford's Lucas Davenport 'Prey' series.
I just re-read Fool's Run and as always, Sandford provides a solid, entertaining suspense novel. I also noticed that Sandford's writing has gotten even better. He is a terrific and entertaining writer and never fails to deliver.
I just re-read Fool's Run and as always, Sandford provides a solid, entertaining suspense novel. I also noticed that Sandford's writing has gotten even better. He is a terrific and entertaining writer and never fails to deliver.
Fast-paced, fun, and full of suspense.
You have to suspend belief somewhat as it is easy for the reader to guess what is going to happen to the characters in the book early on - but in a way this adds to the suspense of the book as you keep wanting the characters to wake up and catch on to what seems obvious to the reader.
This book has a bit of a nostalgic touch to it, as many of the compter terms and equipment talked about in the book are out of date.
You have to suspend belief somewhat as it is easy for the reader to guess what is going to happen to the characters in the book early on - but in a way this adds to the suspense of the book as you keep wanting the characters to wake up and catch on to what seems obvious to the reader.
This book has a bit of a nostalgic touch to it, as many of the compter terms and equipment talked about in the book are out of date.
I decided at some point to read all of John Sandford's mysteries, however, I wasn't smart enough to start at the beginning and have just read his books as I found them. I have now read 20 of his thirty some novels and find myself reading many of his early books now. I have enjoyed them more than the recent efforts. He originally published this book under his real name John Camp, but has republished all his books under his pseudonym. John Camp was a Pulitzer Prize winning author and must have had...more
Not a bad story, it was worth the read. I do see why the "Prey" books won out over the "Kidd" ones. Kidd and Luellen are a good set of protagonists, but they just don't quite seem to have that little something extra that Davenport and his cast of chronies has.
I think a big difference for me is just the fact that while Davenport makes his own rules and goes over the deep end sometimes, it's always for a just cause, while Kidd & Luellen are just in it to make money for themselves. I thought...more
I think a big difference for me is just the fact that while Davenport makes his own rules and goes over the deep end sometimes, it's always for a just cause, while Kidd & Luellen are just in it to make money for themselves. I thought...more
This is the first Kidd story I've read and while I enjoyed the story I wasn't "wowed" by it. Could have been because of the subject - the introduction to the computer world and hacking, but I think I mostly found it anti-climatic. Not a bad story, well written but not a "sitting on the edge of my seat" like I do with most other Sanford books.
Although he is better known for his mysteries, Sandford has also written an adventure series. Kidd, the main character, is a loner computer hacker who lives off the grid and his hired to perform, or prevent, corporate espionage. This is the first in the series.
A fun little corporate espionage romp. Having grown up in the digital age of this novel, I loved the reminder of what it used to be like in the technology world - and I understood it! Phone lines!
May be utterly boring for younger folks...
May be utterly boring for younger folks...
This is the first of the Kidd Mysteries. I can't wait for the next one Kidd is hired to do a job and of course there is a double-cross and boy is it good. Kidd is helped by his gal-pal and together they're too cool and you want to see them safe.
I don't know if I could have been more surprised. I have literally loved almost every John Sandford novel I have ever read. I was really looking forward to this first chapter in the Kidd saga. What I got however, seemed like it was written by a completely different author. Maybe it can be chalked up to it being an early novel of his or the "cutting edge" technology of the time is so outdated now, I don't know. The Prey series has always impressed me but this might put me off the rest of the Kidd...more
Not as strong as the other Kidd or Davenport novels. This appeared second in the Kidd series (after The Empress File) but the story is supposed to take place first. Introduces LuEllen, Kidd's super sidekick.
So very different than the Prey series. I love the writing, Camp at his best, however the computer subject matter isn't my favourite. I prefer dead body thrillers more. But well written and intriguing nonetheless.
Very Good; Continuing characters: Kidd and LuEllen (first in series); a computer hacker and thief work to take down a company at the request of a competitor and try to live to enjoy the reward
This my first Sanford read outside his Davenport series; also a mystery but more complex as it involves computer hackers, artists, corporate big-wigs and a ruthless burglar. I enjoyed the book.
Was a good book but just not as good as the Prey series. All the Hugh tech stuff didn't so much do it for me but it was still a great read. Still recommend it. Sanford is a great writer.
Jul 03, 2008
Connie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
folks who like mysteries or a bit of intrigue. There's no real gore or gruesome details.
This book is full intrigue and keeps you guessing. Who are the bad guys and who can you trust? I read it while traveling and couldn't devote my whole attention to it so I think I missed a few things. For instance, I can't figure out who the thief is in the prologue or how the prologue relates to the rest of the story. The theif refers to himself as Danny, but I don't remember any other Danny characters in the rest of the book. Like I said, I was distracted.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit and tho...more
I enjoyed this book quite a bit and tho...more
Even though this was a good book, it was the worst Sanford one I have read. Maybe because computers and action isnt very common. Still unpredictable and an all around good read.
Entertaining and well-written but unfortunately much of the "surprise twist" is no real surprise if you've read the cover describing what the book is about
Loved these characters - the story made me a bit paranoid though. I think Sandford should be as well known for this series as for his other work.
May 10, 2012
Cassandra
added it
A great read. Suspenseful, but with characters that are very human. Laughed a few times, once until I was near tears. Keeps you on your toes until the end.
Interesting if you like crime fiction books dealing with the internet as it was in the 1990s. Good author
started reading Sadford last year, but having a hard time keeping track. Their are so many.
It's hard to enjoy a book about a technology crook that was written in 1996! Dial up modem? What?
I really enjoyed this book. There were some surprises, and it was an enjoyable read.
This story takes place in ancient history (computer history, that is). Amazing how far we've come.
Very good. More similar to Flowers than Davenport. The circa 1989 technology played a role, but the dated-ness did not detract from the story. Although I got a giggle when he would answer the phone and hear the 2400-baud modem and have to plug the receiver into his modem.
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John Sandford was born John Camp on February 23, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended the public schools in Cedar Rapids, graduating from Washington High School in 1962. He then spent four years at the University of Iowa, graduating with a bachelor's degree in American Studies in 1966. In 1966, he married Susan Lee Jones of Cedar Rapids, a fellow student at the University of Iowa. He was in th...more
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