Left to Run

Adele Sharp #2

by Blake Pierce

A serial killer is ravaging the American expat community in Paris, his kills reminiscent of Jack the Ripper. For FBI special agent Adele Sharp, it’s a mad race against time to enter his mind and save the next victim—until she uncovers a secret darker than anyone could have imagined.

Haunted by her own mother’s murder, Adele throws herself into the case, delving into the grisly underbelly of a city she once called home.

Can Adele stop the killer before it’s too late?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2020

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Wissal H · Rating 4 out of 5]

le deuxième tome de la série Adèle Sharp Agent d'Interpol avec sa Triple Nationalité qui l' a permis de travailler avec Le FBI à US , BKI en Allemagne et DSGI en France. Elle est intelligente mais elle manque beaucoup de professionnalisme je l'ai pas trouvé aussi rigide ou professionnelle comme d'habitude avec les Héroïnes de Blake Pierce, les Autres Agents de FBI Femmes très Fortes et d'un esprit robuste. je continuerai la lecture des tomes suivants afin de donner une autre chance à Adèle de montrer plus d'elle.

Un tueur en série tuait atrocement leurs victimes trois femmes trouvées assassinées dans leurs appartements en les enlevait un rein pour chacune d'eux .. Trafic D'organes ? Ou un tueur psychopathe ?

la réalité est souvent plus amère que l'apparait .. les deux propositions sont malheureusement justes ..

Un Good On

[A.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Adele Sharp series. Not bad, I must say, the antagonist over here was a serious psycho and his ways legit creeped me out = made me love the story a bit too much.
Also, we get to see a lot of female drama between Agent Sharp and her ex-mentor. There are many rumours in the office building which I so wish are not true and honestly, I really want Adele and John to date already <3
I mean, they are the goofiest, cringiest yet the loveliest couple out there <33

Anyways, as usual, at the end of the day, Adele realises that she has been closer to her mother's murderer more than ever and seems as if she'll be spending about a month or so more at France.

The reason for me giving it a star less was because of the repetition of a lot many things from the previous book which made me skip a few pages, also the ex-mentor x agent drama at the initial points of the book irritated the living hell out of me.
But oh well, this was an enjoyable read, with lovely characters and an impeccable plot ^^


Final rating - 4/5
Recommended

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book, more or less, because I skipped certain parts and read the last part in between reading the first part. I hope you can follow ;-). Anyway, I remember vaguely reading Once Gone, with Riley Page, but it didn't leave a distinct memory. I haven't read the first Sharp book. So maybe that is why I found reading this book rather confusing at times.
There is an interesting story here, but the story is muddled by the fact that Adele is constantly talking and thinking about the past, with the murder of her mother and her problems with Riley Paige in between. Sometimes I got the feeling I was reading three books in one. Combine this with the fact that I think Adele is absolutely not fit for her job, with all her whining. I actually liked the first chapter where she tries to make an arrest with the 'help' of a very young and inexperienced agent. That was fun.
I appreciate what Blake Pierce is trying to do, but it is just not very good.

Thanks to Booksirens for this digital review copy.

[Ti.Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd in the Adele Sharp series, Left To Run is 1 star less annoying than the 1st (Left To Die). Adele continues to wonder about her mother's killer, as she's called back to Interpol. The department exec ridiculously partners her with her nemesis, in a case of multiple American expat women being slaughtered with their right kidneys removed.

Blake Pierce delivers a deeply emotional installment, though still marred by awkward writing and a few flaws. This is a solid 3.5 star book, and I'll be reading the next Adele Sharp novel.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Adele Sharp Mystery series. In this book we follow Adele on the hunt with another serial killer who is harvesting organs for unsuspecting expatriates of the US living in France. It’s still a little bit of a slow burn but this book seemed rushed to me. It just seemed that there was more attention to detail on other matters rather than more backstory on this serial killer as there was in the first one. There is still drama with Agent Paige who I find very annoying and likes to blame other people for her own mistakes and does not own up to herself.

I give this book a solid three stars. I wish there was more to it and just felt this story was not evolved as the first book. Still liked the writing and the Adele & Jon saga mixed with danger of a serial killer on loose, but just wasn’t what I think it could have been. Thank you to BookSirens for the copy of this kindle edition for my honest review.

[Ivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was certainly a thrilling read. The storyline flowed nicely and it would've been perfect if not for agent Paige. Honestly, I almost gave up reading because of all that drama. It felt like high school bickering and I didn't like it. After agent Paige was mostly out of the picture it became a completely different book, in a good way. I was certain I've figured out the plot but was still surprised at the end. All in all, it was an exciting read and I'd like to read more about agent Sharp.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did it again--I read the second in a series first--but I did go in and get the first right after reading this one. This novel really got me going--although there were scenes that were difficult to stomach. But then they were difficult for Adele Sharpe to stomach either.

This is a chilling thriller with so many twists and turns it will have your head spinning. Most of this novel takes place in France where Adele has been sent to help solve the murders and bring the culprit to justice. Just when they think they have the case solved----

I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did--this author knows how to write psychological thrillers!!

[Wonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2...Because I, at least, finished it...had a fantastic premise BUT was bogged down with interdepartmental drama...give me a break!!! And the ending was hurried and just plan silly...

[Breanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Changed the way the serial killer was killed in the first book.. who the heck does that??

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off with a bang and had plenty of variation throughout. Mostly it was an FBI/DGSI thriller, but there was also a tiny bit of romance, some rivalry and plenty of examples of what a good cop does not do. The setting begins in the US and quickly moves over to France and some previous relationships that Adele Sharp has from a previous assignment there. She is on the hunt for a killer who murders their victims and takes a kidney, while also dealing with dysfunctional colleagues and a dad who is still mourning the loss of his estranged wife.

The book was good and held me in its' grip. It was long enough for the story yet not overwhelmingly so, making it a relatively quick read. I really enjoyed it and would definitely read more of Blake Pierce's writing. Thank you to #BookSirens and #BlakePierce for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really liking this series, but I just couldn't stomach finishing this 2nd book by the halfway point because of Adele being such an idiot wimp not standing up to Agent Paige. Rather Adele grovelled & apologized over & over for the mess that *Paige* made of her own life by cheating on her marriage & covering for her lover at work in an active investigation. I kept waiting for Adele to realize she was being played by a liar & manipulator, but after pages & pages of her taking the blame, I just had to quit. I was so disgusted that this intelligent agent would be so easily played. Disappointing that I have to give up on this series.

[Jeanette · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s a no for me. Reading this is like plodding through a mud pit. Adele becomes unlikable which makes finishing the book a spectacular task. I can see the premise of the book going somewhere…but not with Adele taking lead.

[Klare · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read

[Vivianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐½ (2.5 stars)

Quick thoughts:
This second book in the Adele Sharp series had an international backdrop and a plot involving organ trafficking that could have been intense and fascinating. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to the premise — it felt rushed, underdeveloped, and the characters didn’t quite land for me.

Let’s start with the premise. I still don’t understand why Adele Sharp is the one flown across the world to solve these crimes. Yes, she has triple citizenship and is part of some international task force, but — don’t Germany and France have police forces of their own? It’s hard to suspend disbelief that this one American agent is the key to all these international cases.

Now, I usually love thrillers that involve organ trafficking. I work in transplantation myself, so it’s a subject I find deeply interesting. But here? It just didn’t work. The story felt hollow. Who were the bad guys? Who were the victims? Why did it all feel so vague and impersonal? It lacked emotional weight and detail.

The book also suffers from a major flaw: it’s too short. There’s barely any room for character development, atmosphere, or depth. Everything happens quickly, and none of it sticks. You can’t build a compelling mystery — let alone a psychological one — in under 250 pages and expect it to feel satisfying.

Also, the way Agent Paige is constantly referred to as “the older woman” or “the older agent” grated on me. How old is she supposed to be — 50? That’s not ancient. And yet, the book repeatedly defines her entirely by her age. It felt disrespectful and lazy.

Speaking of Paige — the whole subplot with her and Adele was frustrating beyond belief. Adele did her job: she reported evidence tampering to her superior. Paige was protecting a lover who was also a suspect. She got in trouble at work and with her family — and somehow, she blames Adele? She can’t speak to her or work with her like an adult, instead choosing to lash out and play the victim. Her breakdown in the stairwell was almost laughable in how emotionally manipulative it was.

And that ending... sigh. Once again, just like in the first book, everything falls apart due to one mind-numbingly stupid decision. Adele is in a safehouse. She’s being used as bait for a killer. Her backup is asleep. And she just decides to go outside alone? No trained agent would do that. No rational human would do that. The resulting action sequence was completely undercut by how absurd the setup was.

Now, to end on a more positive note: the final twist actually shocked me. I did not expect the killer’s mental health situation, or that the father had already died and tried to donate a kidney himself. That part genuinely took me by surprise, and it added some much-needed emotional depth. It doesn’t quite redeem the rest of the book, but it helped me end on a more forgiving note.

If you're looking for a lightning-fast read with some international intrigue and don’t mind a lack of realism, this may work for you. But personally, I hope future installments from Blake Pierce slow down, flesh things out, and give these characters the depth they deserve.

[Michael Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book II of Blake Pierce’s Adele Sharp mystery series taught me something as a writer: short can be sweet. Not everything has to be drawn out and overly detailed to be effective. One of the best examples is the introduction of a side character, a young woman who knew what it was like to be lost in an unfamiliar world. She decides to meet another lost young woman, only to find a horrific scene.

Later, we witness a tragedy unfold with a girl new to France, whose death ultimately leads to the capture of the serial killer. Pierce skillfully weaves the dangers of technology, strangers, and trust into the narrative. For parents, one chapter is particularly harrowing, offering an immersive look into the character that generates empathy for the victim.

The suspense is fantastic. A whistle, described as a “very pretty song,” becomes a palpable horror. When our victim realizes what’s about to happen, it’s already too late: “The slow blossom of fear now numbing her chest and causing prickles to rise on her spine.” Another fantastic aspect is the psychological delve into the character. The twist with the killer and the larger conspiracy is masterfully executed, touching on some real-life paranoia.

Adele’s relationship with her father is heartwarming, as is her relationship with Robert, who is one of my favorite characters. His innocent yet disgusted reaction to screenshots of a suspect is hilarious.

I love how Adele’s past actions come back to haunt her, but it didn’t make me feel empathy for the foil character, her partner in Paris, Page. Ugh, typing her name annoys me. The lack of self-awareness from this character is maddening. But she had some redeeming qualities, though she was no Jean.

I also love the way Adele discovers leads, very reminiscent of Dr. House. The only negative is how most characters, including the killer, are described as attractive, with the exception of Adele’s foil character. It feels a bit on the nose that Adele’s foil isn’t described as “attractive,” but that’s just my pet peeve.

Solid 3.5 rounded up to a 4 because of the gene. I think I’m getting used to this mystery thriller stuff.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

206 pages

4 stars

When I started this book, I didn’t like it. Agent Sophie Paige was a pain. She and FBI Agent Adele Sharp have a history and Paige just won’t let it go, let alone try to understand Adele’s position. Yukky person! I also didn’t like the way Adele was being snippy with her father.

However, once another agent named John enters the picture, the book gets much better.

Three expat American women have been murdered. The strange thing is that they are all missing a kidney. There was a previous organ harvesting ring operating, but it was shut down. Or, so the police thought. Now the Serbians are back and up to their old tricks.

These men have no respect at all for the people they are mutilating. They promise the victim money and often don’t pay them, or just leave them to die.

When John and Adele have a shoot out at the scene of an “operation,” they kill two of the Serbians, and manage to arrest one and the doctor performing the surgery. These men are very cold and calculating; they are evil. The doctor grudgingly tells Adele a little. Now, they are off to Germany where the doctor says the organs are going.

The action begins to move even faster. The tension in the story increases.

But wait, what about the three expat Americans? Who murdered them? The identity of the murderer is a surprise. The man has some very real problems...

This book reads fast, with plenty of action. It was a very good read. I liked Adele. She is tough, but not so tough that she isn’t still haunted by the murder of her mother . The book is well written and plotted. The transitions are nearly seamless.

I am almost embarrassed to admit that this is my first Blake Pierce novel. There are so many authors out there that I like and I am rather late getting to Mr. Pierce. That’ll be more books on my TBR pile.

[(Grace) Kentucky Bohemian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex Characters, Good Plot
Adele Sharp may not be my favorite heroine for this genre, but the author has created such a network of intricate personalities in this series that I plan on sticking with it. Agent Sharp and the people she finds herself working with are so much more than cardboard figures attempting to find a bad guy. They feel quite real and largely relatable because most of them seem to have an ugly side- a part of themselves that is so socially abhorrent that they do everything in their power to ensure no one else becomes aware of it.

These are flawed people doing a tough job. At times they can't even count on each other, making the job even harder. One thing I do like about Adele is her strength. She's not timid, although some she works with may see her that way, because she doesn't immediately go for the jugular when one of her co-workers verbally attacks her.

This particular story line deals with a killer who is targeting young American women who have come to live in Paris. Ex-pats can be an easy target, especially when they're new to the country. They have no support system and find themselves in a society much different than their own. This is something Agent Sharp understands on a deep level. These young ex-pats become easy pickings for the devious killer, who seems to have an affinity for kidneys.

This series is well written, well executed, and fiendishly complicated. I'm looking forward to more.

[Keshav Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read in book 2 of Adele Sharp series from Blake Pierce. In this book, a serial killer is on a rampage in Paris killing young expat Americans and harvesting their organs. By Adele's tri-nation citizenship, she is assigned the case to work alongside her counterparts in France. Adele is haunted by her past, wherein her mother is brutally murdered, and her stand-off with Riley Page. While Adele makes a wholehearted effort to clear the misapprehensions between Riley and herself, it seemed to have outstretched a bit too far. Once Riley is off the case,  the storyline develops into an exciting thriller. Together with Jon, their investigation leads to a racket of an organ smuggling cartel, that they manage to bust in Germany. Soon, they realize that the killings in Paris are not connected to this racket, and this where the climax begins to unfold. She has to analyze the killer's viewpoint before he strikes again. She takes an unprecedented and bold step to bring the killer out into the open. With the help of her mentor and her French Interpol colleague, their ploy works and the killer walks right into their trap with some unexpected twists. Although I would rate the first book of the series to be more engaging, this too is a recommended read for thriller enthusiasts. Looking forward to book 3 in the series.

[Vincent Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A forced DNF. (Damn YouTube.)

FBI Special Agent Adelle Sharp is back in Left to Run, a captivating and intriguing read/listen. A serial killer is ravaging the American ex-pat community in Paris, his kills reminiscent of Jack the Ripper. A one-of-a-kind creation (an international detective), Adele Sharp balances professional and personal life as she races against time to enter the killer's mind and save the next victim—until she uncovers a secret darker than anyone could have imagined.

The story is as intriguing as the first one (if you ignore the tropes and subliminal cliches), and though I did not finish listening (the book was pulled down from YouTube), I already loved it where I stopped (the fifth hour). So far, haunted by her own mother’s murder, Adele throws herself into the case, delving into the grisly underbelly of a city she once called home, facing the usual office politics and relationships --- good thing is she is focused on the prize.

It's worth your time.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A serial killer is ravaging the American expat community in Paris, his kills reminiscent of Jack the Ripper. For FBI special agent Adele Sharp, it’s a mad race against time to enter his mind and save the next victim—until she uncovers a secret darker than anyone could have imagined.
Haunted by her own mother’s murder, Adele throws herself into the case, delving into the grisly underbelly of a city she once called home.
Can Adele stop the killer before it’s too late?

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Roxx Tarantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adele has accepted the offer to join Interpol.  A position that brings her back to Paris, closer to the father she hadn't seen in years, and gives her impetus to get back on the trail of her mother's killer.

There's a serial killer making his methodical way through the Parisian expat community.  Pierce is masterful, his narrative perfectly suited to this convoluted thriller genre.  This is an unputdownable book that will have you obsessively turning pages till you've hurled to the end.  An end that brings with it a couple of rather unexpected twists.  An excellent continuation of the Adele Sharp series, it leaves one waiting with baited breath for book three.  Highly recommend!

[Many thanks to Booksirens and the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.  I was not required to write a review.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot going on in this book, so it's hard to put it down once you get into it. Setting up the story in the first couple of chapters is a bit difficult. What will be important later? Will it be the disgruntled partner who lost out on a promotion and blames Adele? Will it be the former partner with whom there seems to be a bit of unresolved romantic interest? Certainly, the guy whose father needs a kidney will play into the plot, but how do the other pieces fit together?

Even at the end of the book, there is quite a bit that is uncertain. But the crime is solved and the rest of it added the interest that kept me up and reading well past bedtime.

An engaging mystery with enough psychological thrill to take it an extra step. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Left To Run # Blake Pierce. This is the first novel I have read by this author but I plan to go back and read the 1st one. I enjoyed this book but felt it lacked depth at both the beginning and end leaving a lot of questions left unanswered. I feel like some of the scenarios could have been more fully developed. That being said I enjoyed the interplay between Adele, the main character, and her various international counterparts. The main story is about Adele and her various partners combining forces to try to solve why American women, new to France, are being killed and their kidneys removed. As the story unfolds, Adele tracks down a crime ring dealing in organ smuggling and discovers why the women's kidneys have been removed. Overall I give it 4/5 stars.

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, thrilling, exhilarating, Adele Sharp Mystery

Another Adele Sharp Mystery and I believe I am a fan. When the story opens Adele is back in San Francisco assigned a new partner. He's a newbie Agent Masse. Adele and the Agent have tracked down a killer and are going to try and arrest him. They arrest him give statements and get paperwork done and she goes home 🏘️ to her small apartment. She had to get another apartment because she could not afford the other one since Angus broke up with her. I liked that we finally find out why the French agent Sophia Paige dislikes her. She is called to France because young women are being murdered and they all happen to be expats. Can't wait to read the next book. That's two on one night.

[Leire Mauleon · Rating 2 out of 5]

No me ha aportado nada diferente al primero. Profundizamos un poco más en la vida de los personajes y sus pasados (siempre traumáticos, por supuesto, y rodeados de secretos) aunque no nos resuelve ninguna de las incógnitas, más allá del caso particular que están investigando. La relación entre la pareja investigadora principal, Adele y John, no me convence y el personaje de Paige me ha resultado insufrible. Robert parece que está puesto para cubrir el cupo de mentor, aunque está desaprovechado y no aporta casi nada.
Sigue más o menos la misma estructura del libro anterior de pistas falsas, final que no lo es y motivaciones personales. No me ha sorprendido el final, aunque tampoco esperaba que lo hiciera. Por decir algo bueno, se lee rápidamente.

[Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young American woman living in Paris has been killed and one of her kidneys taken. FBI Adele Sharp is still suffering the after effects of her mothers brutal murder when she was a child, a specially as the murderer was never traced. She is sent to Paris to find the girls killer.

This is a fast paced, very well written follow up to Left To Die, the first in this series. The characters are very believable, well rounded and the story is well plotted. There are enough twists and turns to keep you reading to the end. I read this in a day as I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading the next in this series.

I received an ARC for free in return for an honest review.

[Shilo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is it so difficult to write a book with platonic work partners. Adele and John have no chemistry, they just make me cringe and it's kind of ruining the whole series for me.

I'm not the biggest fan of Adele, but Agent Paige really needs to get a grip. She is the one who had an affair and stole evidence, so why is she blaming Adele for it? She's lucky she even still has a job.

I can barely even remember the mystery because those two things bothered me so much. That's not really a good sign in a book about FBI agents.

I got this book and the third in a two for one sale, so I have to read the next one. Hopefully it gets better.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is different from the previous ones I read by Blake Pierce and I found it most enjoyable. It´s packed with action, the language is fluid and implies movement, changes. A series of killings in Paris leads to the uncovering of a whole network of crimes in Europe related to the commerce of harvested organs for transplant. Doesn´t matter how awful is the subject most unfortunately it´s the truth and it actually happens in many parts of the world. This is a fast paced book and you want to finish it to learn the end. Really enjoyable !!!

[Ashley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily . Once again we get to see Adele Sharp in action. This is the second book in a wonderful series. Adele is after another killer in Paris who targets Americans who are transplants. She has to partner with the one pertain who hates her the most in the world. But in true sharp fashion she makes it through this and comes out for the better. This book kept you on edge waiting to see who the killer was and the ending will leave you just as shocked as the beginning did.

[Debra Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

After accepting an offer to join Interpol, FBI Agent Adele Sharp finds herself back in Paris, back to where her estranged father is and the place of her mothers murder.
A serial killer, similar to Jack The Ripper, is murdering American ex pats. It’s a race against time to find the killer before he kills again. This thriller is a real page turner, an exciting storyline with twists that you didn’t see coming. This is book two In the series, I’d highly recommend this series.
I was given this arc to write an honest review