ARC Review: Tag You're Dead by J C Lane

Release Date: July 5, 2016
Publisher: Poison Pen Press
Format: Kindle
Pages: 328 pages
Genre: Mystery
Buy: Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

Synopsis: 

Six young people play a dangerous Game of Tag in public, chasing through the crowds, streets, and buildings of Chicago. This secret, one-of-a-kind, wildly expensive Game offers a macabre twist to the childhood version…if you get Tagged, you get Dead. Three "Its" have their reasons for buying a place in the Game. Surgically enhanced Brandy is obsessed with destroying a naturally beautiful girl. Untalented Robert covets his target's position as superstar of the basketball team. Brainiac Charles craves a battle against an intellectual equal. Given their elite social status, they reject any possible downside to the contest. Each expects the satisfaction of killing their prey, then walking away. Hand-picked innocents play as “Runners,” under threat to their loved ones should they refuse to participate: lovely, small-town Laura; celebrated athlete Tyrese; and Amanda, gamer extraordinaire. Alone, hunted by their adversary, each feels a single hope…to survive. Technological wizardry controls the Game. As soon as Runners receive the “Go” signal on smartwatches locked to their wrists, the Game rockets them through the city, from the El to Michigan Avenue to the Lincoln Park Zoo. There is no time to rest. Every thirty minutes the Runner’s location is transmitted to the It, which steadily diminishes the Runner’s chance of ever reaching Home Base alive. The Game will not end until someone is Tagged, so the Runners must choose how to play. Will they accept death? Murder their Its? Or find a way to use individual strengths to stop the Game before anyone dies?

Review: 

Twisted game of tag for the rich and bored.  Two pissed off entitled brats try to get their revenge on the people they think are holding them down.  Another is just bored and looking for a challenge. So what do the rich and morally damaged people in this book do? They turn to a twisted genius who has created a game of tag so that people like them can get their revenge or die trying.  In this game of tag either the target dies or "it" goes to prison.

Laura, Tyrese and Amanda are all picked to be runners in this deadly game that doesn't seem to have any rules for "it" but plenty for the runners.  This is a fast paced read that drives you forward needing to know what happens to these innocent people and these entitled brats. Its a fun, story with characters you can't help but hope lose and others you are routing for.  If your looking for an adrenaline filled ride this is a good choice.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.