Death Run

Author: Jack Higgins with Justin Richards

With the huge success of the Alex Rider spy series, it's no wonder
other authors have jumped onto the baby-Bond bandwagon with their own thrilling tails of espionage and murder.

Some have been more successful than others but thankfully Jack Higgins hasn't become a casualty of the genre with his action-packed sequel to Sure Fire.

Death Run sees the return of agent John Chance and his teen twins, Jade  and Rich, who seem to have inherited their dad's taste for danger. A Mafia banker wants to defect and give evidence against his clients, most notably the Tiger - one of the world's richest and most elusive criminals. However, the Tiger has other plans for the banker and will stop at nothing to prevent his account details getting into the government's hands.

The Chance family come into the firing line when the banker is placed into hiding at the same private school as the twins, and is soon discovered by the Tiger's men. When the banker and Rich are kidnapped in a massive shoot-out at the school, Jade and her father set out on a mission to get them back. But will they reach Rich in time?

Higgins is no stranger to action-thrillers, and his experience certainly shows in a well executed plot, full of more twists and turns than a bowl of spaghetti. The action takes place across a number of exciting locations, from the watery depths of Venice to medieval castles in the Highlands, keeping the adventure interesting and moving forward at a rapid pace.

We particularly like how the action is rooted in reality (well, as real as these types of situations can be). Jade and Rich aren't superheroes; they're normal kids who have limitations and have to rely on their wits and bravery to win through the day.
 
Our only real criticism of Death Run is the character development; John, Jade and Rich seem relatively interchangeable as people, and you only occasionally get a glimpse of the character's individuality. Rich is the most developed and engaging of the characters, and is no doubt Higgins' "favourite child".

This isn't to say Jade is a poorly written character. She is...dare we say it, "spunky" (not like that, you perves), and can hold her own in any fight. In fact, it is often Jade that drives
the action forward, although it does make us seriously question John's parenting skills that he continuously allows his kids to get into these life-threatening situations. Better hope Ardman doesn't call social services on his ass!

Death Run is a fun thrill-ride, with kick-ass action and twists galore. They're no Alex Rider, but the Chance family can hold their own.

3/5