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Rune #3
Hard News
Rune is an aspiring filmmaker with more ambition than political savvy, paying her dues as an assistant cameraperson for the local news. But she's got her eyes on the prize, the network's hot newsmagazine, Current Events -- and she's got the story she knows will get her there.
Poking around in the video archives, Rune spots a taped interview with Randy Boggs, who's doing hard time in Attica for a murder he claims he didn't commit. Rune can't say exactly why, but she's sure he's innocent. If she can prove it, Current Events won't merely report the news, it'll make news -- and Rune's career.
But what she could be writing is Randy Boggs's epitaph -- and her own. Rune's newly discovered witness soon turns up dead. A hit man from Miami is on Rune's trail, and Boggs is finding prison even more dangerous than before. Someone wants this story killed, and it could be the girl with the camera who ends up on the cutting room floor.
Poking around in the video archives, Rune spots a taped interview with Randy Boggs, who's doing hard time in Attica for a murder he claims he didn't commit. Rune can't say exactly why, but she's sure he's innocent. If she can prove it, Current Events won't merely report the news, it'll make news -- and Rune's career.
But what she could be writing is Randy Boggs's epitaph -- and her own. Rune's newly discovered witness soon turns up dead. A hit man from Miami is on Rune's trail, and Boggs is finding prison even more dangerous than before. Someone wants this story killed, and it could be the girl with the camera who ends up on the cutting room floor.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
225 people are currently reading
1391 people want to read
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
521 books11.8k followers#1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 23, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and have a soft spot in my heart reserved for Rune!
December 31, 2017
Non il miglior Deaver.
November 12, 2015
Cosa accade se un innocente è in prigione? Chi può dare giustizia alla voce di un disperato che implora di essere ascoltato? Forse l'unica a poter raccogliere questa supplica è una giovane e ambiziosa assistente cameraman, anche se di piccola statura. Rune è l'unica a non voltargli le spalle, quando Randy Boggs, da dietro le sbarre invia un lettera indirizzata a tutta la redazione del giornale. Nessuno la vuole aprire quella lettera che giunge dal penitenziario. Nessuno tranne Rune che, ingenuamente, ne resta troppo coinvolta.
Peccato che sia l'ultimo romanzo della "Trilogia di Rune", scritto da JEFFERY DEAVER, perché da un bel personaggio femminile, così interessante, è difficile separarsi.
La storia procede a ritmo serratissimo e si addentra nella New York dello strapotere dell'informazione per una strada ad accesso diretto. Rune è una delle ultime pedine nella scala del giornalismo televisivo, ma trova il modo di convincere il "grande capo", Piper Sutton, anchorwoman di Current Events, trasmissione di punta del network in cui la ragazza lavora, ad affidarle il caso.
È una storia che tra dubbi e segreti si addentra nelle classi del potere, dove per coprire un errore si cerca un innocente cui attribuire la colpa. Ma cercare di smascherare un inganno è una situazione troppo pericolosa, se una piccola pedina dell'ingranaggio cerca di fare il passo più lungo della gamba. Il pericolo è una minaccia che comincia ad incombere sulla testa di Rune, affinché cessi l'indagine o taccia per sempre.
Ottimo lo stile, di uno scrittore ormai consolidato nella fama e rassicurato dalle vendite, ed intricatissima la trama che ha reso quest'ultimo action thriller, con un'indagine giornalistica di Rune, migliore dei precedenti.
December 30, 2015
I still find it hard to believe that this trilogy was written by the author of the Lincoln Rhyme series, he definitely learned how to write somewhere in between. I've plodded on through three uninspiring tomes, hoping for things to get more interesting, and that Rune might become more likeable, but she continues to be irritatingly naive, selfish and stupid. Here she is working for a TV news station and because she's bored with this and wants the glory, decides that a prisoner has been wrongly accused of murder, so determines to get him released, no matter the consequences. She also gets saddled with a toddler when her flatmate skips town, and continues her lacklustre relationship with a married older Tacheman. The plot did warm up for a bit, but then it all ended stupidly, with no resolution. 3 stars is me being generous.
June 5, 2020
Hard News by Jeffery Deaver
Hard News is another story of a young reporter pushing her capabilities and experience. I say another because I have read two books this year by a different author in which a young female reporter was the lead character and Jeffery Deaver has created story which I believe to be the best of the three ‘female reporter’ books read this year.
Working in television as a camera operator out on the beat, young Rune finds a letter on her desk from death row. After convincing herself that the prisoner is innocent she finds herself creating a story of his innocence for the Network Current Events program.
Throw in a baby left on her doorstep and you have a fairly improbable scenario which nevertheless provides for an entertaining read. For me the odd part was the baby’s development over what appeared, or seemed to be only a few months at best. She went from nappies, or diapers to feeding herself, walking and talking.
However, it is basically good guys vs bad guys…and I did not pick the end or see any of the bad guys close to Rune.
For that reason and the fact that it was an enjoyable read, I gave Hard News a four star rating.
Finally, I must mention that Hard News is book three of the Rune Trilogy. As yet I have not searched for books one and two. However, I can tell you that they appear to have little, or no, impact on reading Hard News as a stand alone read.
Hard News is another story of a young reporter pushing her capabilities and experience. I say another because I have read two books this year by a different author in which a young female reporter was the lead character and Jeffery Deaver has created story which I believe to be the best of the three ‘female reporter’ books read this year.
Working in television as a camera operator out on the beat, young Rune finds a letter on her desk from death row. After convincing herself that the prisoner is innocent she finds herself creating a story of his innocence for the Network Current Events program.
Throw in a baby left on her doorstep and you have a fairly improbable scenario which nevertheless provides for an entertaining read. For me the odd part was the baby’s development over what appeared, or seemed to be only a few months at best. She went from nappies, or diapers to feeding herself, walking and talking.
However, it is basically good guys vs bad guys…and I did not pick the end or see any of the bad guys close to Rune.
For that reason and the fact that it was an enjoyable read, I gave Hard News a four star rating.
Finally, I must mention that Hard News is book three of the Rune Trilogy. As yet I have not searched for books one and two. However, I can tell you that they appear to have little, or no, impact on reading Hard News as a stand alone read.
August 18, 2016
Un libro in linea con i due precedenti della serie: un 3 leggermente abbondante...
Per tutti Randy Boggs è un assassino ed è giusto che sconti la propria pena rinchiuso in un carcere, senza appello.
Per Rune, no.
Per Rune, Randy è innocente, se lo sente nel sangue, la pelle glielo dice. E glielo dice soprattutto una lettera che le è capitata sulla scrivania.
Quale migliore occasione, allora, per imbastire un bel servizio televisivo che ne dimostri l'innocenza e gli restituisca la libertà?
Una ghiotta opportunità per la sua carriera!
Ok, è tutto pronto, il giorno della verità è arrivato, si deve andare in onda... Che soddisfazione sapere il suo nome nei titoli!
Ma qualcosa va storto. Come in ogni buona storia. Come in questa storia, l'ultima della trilogia di Rune.
Rune, tanto tenera ingenua e sprovveduta quanto determinata e caparbia; Rune inconsapevole che dietro il paravento esiste un circo mediatico mosso da bugie, tradimenti, potere e avidità in grado di distorcere e/o distruggere una o più vite.
Lo capirà, alla fine, ma a sue spese. Ma penso - sinceramente - che non abbia ancora imparato...
❣ Nota ❣
Courtney, una bimbetta di tre anni, adorabile quanto terribile. Fissata con lo zoo. Rune, nonostante tutto, le è molto affezionata... Impossibile non amarla, anche se rappresenta un pericolo ambulante, una mina vagante.
Per tutti Randy Boggs è un assassino ed è giusto che sconti la propria pena rinchiuso in un carcere, senza appello.
Per Rune, no.
Per Rune, Randy è innocente, se lo sente nel sangue, la pelle glielo dice. E glielo dice soprattutto una lettera che le è capitata sulla scrivania.
Quale migliore occasione, allora, per imbastire un bel servizio televisivo che ne dimostri l'innocenza e gli restituisca la libertà?
Una ghiotta opportunità per la sua carriera!
Ok, è tutto pronto, il giorno della verità è arrivato, si deve andare in onda... Che soddisfazione sapere il suo nome nei titoli!
Ma qualcosa va storto. Come in ogni buona storia. Come in questa storia, l'ultima della trilogia di Rune.
Rune, tanto tenera ingenua e sprovveduta quanto determinata e caparbia; Rune inconsapevole che dietro il paravento esiste un circo mediatico mosso da bugie, tradimenti, potere e avidità in grado di distorcere e/o distruggere una o più vite.
Lo capirà, alla fine, ma a sue spese. Ma penso - sinceramente - che non abbia ancora imparato...
❣ Nota ❣
Courtney, una bimbetta di tre anni, adorabile quanto terribile. Fissata con lo zoo. Rune, nonostante tutto, le è molto affezionata... Impossibile non amarla, anche se rappresenta un pericolo ambulante, una mina vagante.
September 12, 2009
I hadn't felt like reading since I got back from London last month so had not been to the library. However as I was going on a train journey I took this book which someone had given me five years ago and I had never fancied reading. Granted the story moves along well enough but the characters are implausible and the last part of the story is ridiculous. However it did motivate me to go to the library so I now have a pile of books to read!
March 23, 2017
I suppose that even the best authors have to churn out rubbish at some point. I have enjoyed most of Deaver's books but not this one. Rune must be one of the dumbest people I have ever come across in a novel. How did she ever become a camera person for a major TV network? I don't think she has enough brain cells to even be a hooker.
November 12, 2019
The weakest book of the series. Still enjoyable, but it was very predictable up until the last few chapters where a few leftfield twists were thrown in to jazz it up a bit. I get the feeling it was already decided to retire this character, and a contract was being fulfilled.
A shame not to get a decent Rune book to end the trilogy but Deaver evolved on to bigger and better things.
A shame not to get a decent Rune book to end the trilogy but Deaver evolved on to bigger and better things.
February 26, 2017
Yay! I did it again, read a book from a series that's not the first book!! Hahaha. I
February 12, 2020
Totally unbelievable, unrealistic, and just plain silly. Maybe 2 stars is too generous. Don't waste your time.
November 19, 2024
A book that never picks up enough steam, the third in Jeffery Deaver’s Rune trilogy, Hard News, is a disappointment.
This time around, Rune is out to free a prisoner she believes is wrongly accused of murder. She has to convince her network bosses to not give up on the story while also maintaining a personal situation as she suddenly becomes the caretaker of a little girl.
The single biggest issue here is the humdrum plot. Even though it’s not quite boring, it often lacks meat on the bones. A couple of wannabe twists seem more like slight turns due to their predictability. It’s also implausible to believe a network would give her enough slack to tell such a story considering her lack of experience. Rune herself, mostly affable in the first two novels, grates on the nerves much more here. An adult who is so irresponsible and makes such terrible decisions is hard to like. In fact, many of the characters are unlikeable, and that includes the three-year old who should be adorable but has some truly annoying traits (I find it hard to believe that the fire that is set would be that amusing even for a young kid).
Hard News left me with a sour taste in my mouth. A poor ending for the trilogy.
★★ out of five
This time around, Rune is out to free a prisoner she believes is wrongly accused of murder. She has to convince her network bosses to not give up on the story while also maintaining a personal situation as she suddenly becomes the caretaker of a little girl.
The single biggest issue here is the humdrum plot. Even though it’s not quite boring, it often lacks meat on the bones. A couple of wannabe twists seem more like slight turns due to their predictability. It’s also implausible to believe a network would give her enough slack to tell such a story considering her lack of experience. Rune herself, mostly affable in the first two novels, grates on the nerves much more here. An adult who is so irresponsible and makes such terrible decisions is hard to like. In fact, many of the characters are unlikeable, and that includes the three-year old who should be adorable but has some truly annoying traits (I find it hard to believe that the fire that is set would be that amusing even for a young kid).
Hard News left me with a sour taste in my mouth. A poor ending for the trilogy.
★★ out of five
November 8, 2016
Altro libro di Deave a cui mi sono approcciata.
Questa volta sono incappata nelle avventure della giovane giornalista Rune che decide di imbarcarsi nel servizio che può trasformare la sua intera carriera. Tutto comincia con il ritrovamento di una lettera indirizzata al giornale da parte di un condannato che si definisce innocente. Non si sa perché ma Rune decide di credergli e da quel momento inizia una lotta contro il tempo per trovare nuovi indizi, nuove testimonianze per salvargli la vita. Ma propio sul più bello il servizio realizzato con tanto impegno scompare, Rune licenziata è quello ancora più incredibile la sua vita inizia ad essere in pericolo. Nulla è come sembra e anche la persona più insospettabile diventa sospettabile.
Libro adatto a chi ama il genere crime/giallo e anche a chi vuole conoscere nuovi autori non troppo impegnativi.
Questa volta sono incappata nelle avventure della giovane giornalista Rune che decide di imbarcarsi nel servizio che può trasformare la sua intera carriera. Tutto comincia con il ritrovamento di una lettera indirizzata al giornale da parte di un condannato che si definisce innocente. Non si sa perché ma Rune decide di credergli e da quel momento inizia una lotta contro il tempo per trovare nuovi indizi, nuove testimonianze per salvargli la vita. Ma propio sul più bello il servizio realizzato con tanto impegno scompare, Rune licenziata è quello ancora più incredibile la sua vita inizia ad essere in pericolo. Nulla è come sembra e anche la persona più insospettabile diventa sospettabile.
Libro adatto a chi ama il genere crime/giallo e anche a chi vuole conoscere nuovi autori non troppo impegnativi.
January 24, 2020
Different Beat to Deaver 's Usual Work!
Hard News introduces us to Rune, punky, independent, and charmingly insecure cameraman in a New York News company, who happens across an intriguing letter from a convict claiming innocence. Unusually, for Deaver the plot has gaps, and at times events are poorly executed, as if rushed. Rune herself is fun, and I'd like to read more of her adventures, but by his very high standards, this is not as good as I expect from Jeffrey Deaver, it's a decent diversion, hence 3 stars.
Hard News introduces us to Rune, punky, independent, and charmingly insecure cameraman in a New York News company, who happens across an intriguing letter from a convict claiming innocence. Unusually, for Deaver the plot has gaps, and at times events are poorly executed, as if rushed. Rune herself is fun, and I'd like to read more of her adventures, but by his very high standards, this is not as good as I expect from Jeffrey Deaver, it's a decent diversion, hence 3 stars.
September 5, 2022
Sadly this edition has so many typos and errors in it - whatever happened to proof readers?
Very predictable plot, very poor american language which makes it unenjoyable for us English people to read and understand. I even looked up a few words in a Dictionary/Wikipedia - they just don't exist so either more typos or the author invented them! I still don't know what he meant to say!
The only consolation for me was I read it whilst off sick which meant I got through it quickly! It wasn't at all thrilling just plodding.
Very predictable plot, very poor american language which makes it unenjoyable for us English people to read and understand. I even looked up a few words in a Dictionary/Wikipedia - they just don't exist so either more typos or the author invented them! I still don't know what he meant to say!
The only consolation for me was I read it whilst off sick which meant I got through it quickly! It wasn't at all thrilling just plodding.
February 13, 2019
A reasonably uninspiring end to the Rune trilogy. The first two thirds of the book play out as murder mystery but with a much slower pace than other Deaver books. The final third picks up and contains some twists, some more obvious than others.
I'm not surprised the Rune character has not been brought back since 1990, she was a whimsical, naïve, adult-child and that best left in the past. worth reading but probably for Deaver completionists only.
I'm not surprised the Rune character has not been brought back since 1990, she was a whimsical, naïve, adult-child and that best left in the past. worth reading but probably for Deaver completionists only.
April 4, 2020
An enjoyable, entertaining read with some interesting twists. Set in the news industry, our heroine Rune takes up the case of a convicted murderer who pleads innocence. She finds new evidence that proves his innocence and results in his release. The murderer, Randy Boggs, is portrayed as a loser who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But he is not quite what he seems.
Well-paced, easy reading. Perfect to get you through a lock down.
Well-paced, easy reading. Perfect to get you through a lock down.
June 17, 2020
I've read a number of Jeffery Deaver's books. He has a talent for creating memorable characters as evidenced by the Bone Collector, but Hard News has been my favourite, so far. I don't do summary reviews of books. I rate them on a scale of did I enjoy reading them? Was the book well-written? Were the characters memorable? This book is very enjoyable and well-written. Rune is a character you won't soon forget.
December 5, 2020
This was my first book read by Jeffery Deaver. It's a mixed bag for me. The story's not bad, I like books that revolve around a newsroom. Rune is a strong lead character. She's got some grit and a whole lot of naivete. There were also a couple of okay twists. The novel was written like it was being made for TV, I would have liked a little more violence and harsher with its characters. I'll read more from Deaver as he's quick page turner. I just won't expect to be blown away.
September 15, 2023
I'd read most of the Lincoln Rhyme books, but got disgusted with some of Deaver's cutsey writer's trick and decided not to read any more. This series seemed more fun, with a new type of protagonist, so I plunged in. By this third episode, I've redecided not to read any more Deaver. Yeah, sure, plot twists can be fun, but when we see them coming, even though maybe not the exact result they will take, and then the author heaps on a series of increasingly unlikely twists, it't time to move on.
August 21, 2024
This book was pretty good. I enjoyed the twists and the plot line kept me hooked. I read this while on holiday next to the pool and it is a good book to read away the hours.
What made it only 3 stars was the fact that l did not find many (if any) of the characters very likeable to the point where l didn’t have any emotional attachment to them and their fates.
However it was a good mystery book just that the characters weren’t to my liking.
What made it only 3 stars was the fact that l did not find many (if any) of the characters very likeable to the point where l didn’t have any emotional attachment to them and their fates.
However it was a good mystery book just that the characters weren’t to my liking.
December 27, 2025
Haven't read Jeffrey Deaver in quite a while, except recently (12-19-25) decided to read "The Never Game", which I really enjoyed. So I picked up another book "Hard News" by Mr. Deaver. This one was really good. I had always liked his Lincoln Rhyme novels and now have gotten to read other ones. I just found out this one was in a series and this was #3. So I will try to find #"s 1 &2 in the series!!!
August 16, 2019
This was a quick, easy read. It was fast-paced and there were some good twists, but the characters were flat and many aspects of the plot were so unbelievable that they bordered on absurd. I'm willing to overlook some minor stretches to make a story come together, but several events in this story were laughably preposterous.
October 15, 2019
Un romanzo scoppiettante: nelle ultime pagine si susseguono diversi colpi di scena. Tanti personaggi, qualcuno un po' improbabile, che danno vita a una trama interessante ambientata nel mondo della televisione. Qui Rune, pur giovanissima, diventa un po' più matura e intrigante. Speriamo che Deaver scriva il quarto capitolo delle sue avventure.
April 2, 2020
Great Read. Loved all 3
I got the first book in the trilogy and had to read them all. Loved Rune. I have not read Jeffrey Weaver before but I will now. The plots kept me Reading and I never knew where they were going to end up. I recommend these books. I kept Reading until I finished all of them.
I got the first book in the trilogy and had to read them all. Loved Rune. I have not read Jeffrey Weaver before but I will now. The plots kept me Reading and I never knew where they were going to end up. I recommend these books. I kept Reading until I finished all of them.
January 29, 2022
Okay read.... story moved around and was a little tricky keeping up with it.... some laugh out loud sections which were good. Story of a camera girl that works for a news center... she runs across a letter from a prisoner in jail claiming his innocence... she believes it and goes about researching to set him free...
February 23, 2025
It's been over 2 years since I read the first Rune book. I appear to be reading them in reverse, but that's what happens sometimes. Overall this was an interesting read. Had twists and turns up until the last few pages. I've read about everything else this author has written and really enjoyed them. Now it's off to read the first book in the trilogy.
September 28, 2025
Very Twisted in this 3rd book of the series
I got lost about which character did what, to who and when. I think Rune matured bit in this one. Ending suggested her former boss, Piper, might become a friend eventually. At the end, Rune still had plenty of fire left in her, to decide to do a complete story about Network News! Bravo Rune, Bravo.
I got lost about which character did what, to who and when. I think Rune matured bit in this one. Ending suggested her former boss, Piper, might become a friend eventually. At the end, Rune still had plenty of fire left in her, to decide to do a complete story about Network News! Bravo Rune, Bravo.
January 10, 2019
Last of the Rune Trilogy. I think each one got technically better. This one showed quite a bit of maturation, even though she still has a long way to go. Nice and engaging plot. But, also glad these are over. They weren't my most favorite. :|
January 7, 2020
This is the last book of the Rune trilogy. It's an early Jeffery Deaver book, so it doesn't read like his later books. It's still a good murder mystery, with a few twists along the way. It kept me interested all the way through the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews