Run Rose Run is co-written by superstar Dolly Parton and bestselling thriller writer James Patterson. The book was published in 2022 and was a global number one bestseller.
Run Rose Run is also set to become a hit movie produced by Reese Witherspoon and starring Dolly Parton. Alongside the book, there is also an album of 12 original Dolly Parton songs made for the novel.
I don’t read a huge amount of thrillers but I love Dolly (who doesn’t?!) so I wanted to give this book a try.
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Plot
A new singer songwriter named AnnieLee Keyes has arrived in Nashville. AnnieLee possesses exceptional beauty, talent, and ambition. However, AnnieLee is haunted by a dangerous past from which she is desperately trying to escape.
During an open-mic night at the Cat’s Paw Saloon, her performance of original songs captivates Ethan Blake, a backup musician for renowned country superstar Ruthanna Ryder.
Although Ruthanna has retired due to personal reasons, her passion for music remains strong, leading her to continue writing songs that she never intends to release. When Ruthanna hears AnnieLee’s mesmerising voice, she feels compelled to assist the talented newcomer.
Ruthanna’s involvement, however, brings AnnieLee’s hidden secret into the spotlight. Now, AnnieLee’s dreams of stardom may be cut short, and she may face grave danger or even lose her life before her true identity can be revealed to the world.
Run Rose Run Book Review
There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed and those were likely influenced and inspired by Dolly Parton. I enjoyed learning about the country music scene and the battle to be seen and heard in such a saturated market.
I could also feel Dolly’s influence in the dialogue especially in the character of Ruthanna, whom I absolutely loved. Her wit and kindness and her unwillingness to accept any nonsense was just pure Dolly.
The short chapters were also another positive, as it meant I absolutely flew through the book. I was interested enough in the story that I would keep thinking “just one more chapter”.
However, I found the ‘thriller’ aspect of the book a bit lacklustre. Most of it seemed unlikely, bordering on implausible, and the ending felt really rushed.
I found it frustrating how AnnieLee wouldn’t just tell the truth to the people who obviously cared about her. This secrecy was used a plot device to keep the reader in the dark to build up the suspense until we reached the big reveal. When the secret was revealed, it just all felt a bit anticlimactic.
I think I would have preferred the book if it was more about the country music scene and the battle to be successful, without random men appearing to beat AnnieLee up. She could still have a complex past to contend with and the romance element would still work.
I did really enjoy some aspects of the book but ultimately, I found it a little disappointing.
What to read next
If you enjoy the music element of Run Rose Run I would definitely recommend Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. If you’re more of a fan of the thriller aspect as the main character flees danger, you may also enjoy American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.