Willow's Run

Robert Bockstael

Jan 2022 · Pender Lake Press · Narrated by Robert Bockstael

About this audiobook

A woman on the run from her sadistic husband in a stolen million-dollar motor home is trapped in a small town.

This debut novel gives new meaning to the phrase ‘strong female protagonist’ and guarantees to satisfy anyone looking for action, mystery, and unforgettable characters.

Meet Alcima ‘The Willow’ Willoughby. Olympic volleyball player. Six foot six in socks.

After a crippling injury on the volleyball court causes the U.S. to lose gold at Beijing, Alcima’s life spirals into addiction and an abusive marriage. In a rare moment of clarity, she escapes.

In her husband's two-million-dollar RV.

Almost across the country and out of his grasp, Alcima is stopped for a minor traffic infraction. When she pulls off the road, the massive motorhome rolls over, setting off a chain of events that conspire to trap Alcima in a nearby small town during a week of violent rainstorms.

Holed up in an abandoned campground, hunger forces Alcima to venture out, where she meets a local librarian, Booker Thompson. Attracted by Alcima’s fearless nature and offbeat humor, Booker enlists a few of his close friends to help her hide from the dangerous man hot on her trail.

Booker leads Alcima on a harrowing journey to his secluded island, where they tumble into an intense affair. But she soon discovers an even worse fate than being found by her revenge obsessed husband. Uncovering long buried secrets about the town - and Booker - she is inexorably drawn down into a terrifying subterranean world where she comes face to face with her fears and her one, tragic physical flaw.

When she is betrayed, there is only one thing she can do.

Run.

Ratings and reviews

Delightfully suspenseful with fascinating characters! I couldn’t put this book down! Loved the strong yet vulnerable female lead, and the details about the old movie theater and its tunnels. I even loved the characters that I hated - they were so well-crafted and intriguing! The story is told from different points of view, alternating from chapter to chapter as the plot thrillingly unfolds. I relished the abundance of surprises and the humor peppered throughout.

This book was a pleasure to listen to. The narrator / author expertly crafted each distinct voice for the characters of the book , in such a way that I wasn't confused who was speaking to whom. I may add that the narrator's own natural voice is very sublime and soothing to listen to well. As an audio book it is well constructed and easy to devour. Though it is in my personal opinion best enjoyed as an audio book and without other digital or electronic distractions , like television etc , so that one may fully immerse themselves in the story and be pleasantly transported into the world the author has diligently and masterfully crafted for our enjoyment.

I really enjoyed everything about this book. Unique plot. Great characters. I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t wait for the author’s second novel!