Elizabeth Bump, Running

Running

Elizabeth Bump

Treble Heart, January 2005, $7.75

ISBN: 1931742693

Michelle Anderson just graduated from college and accepted a position at Carlisle Bookkeeping in Chicago. Before she starts, Michelle receives an odd phone call warning her to mind her business. At the office, no one leaves their cubicle to say hello, nor is she introduced to anyone except her immediate supervisor Mr. Jacobs. Adding to her shock is that no one seems to leave their cubicle for lunch.

She receives a note from a woman two cubicles in front of her, who offers to meet her after work at a nearby coffees hop. There Sandy Torrey introduces herself, but warns Michelle to make no friends at the office, as one woman, Joanne Marley vanished after opening her mouth. They agree to meet again in a few days, but not to the point of anyone becoming suspicious of their behavior.

While shopping for brooms, Michelle meets Randy, who she sees again at a church class. They begin to see one another, while Michelle receives strange papers involving the missing Joanne that she takes to the Chicago Police Departments Sergeant Lansky. However, someone knows Michelle talked to the police, and that person plans to take care of the nosy busybody.

This suspense thriller feels like a Twilight Zone tale, as the audience wonder if Carlisle Bookkeeping employs the Stepford Wives in a sweat shop environment. As Michelle falls in love with Randy, she becomes the target of someone trusting she will have the courage to expose her firm, and in turn an individual who will do anything, including kill to keep secrets buried. Though why there is not a mass quitting due to the working conditions is never explained. Elizabeth Bump keeps her audience guessing as the suspense grows in this exhilarating one sitting read.