Run, Rose, Run

The 2022 novel Run, Rose, Run is the product of a collaboration between award-winning thriller writer James Patterson and country music superstar Dolly Parton. The New York Times bestseller, which features details from Parton’s long career in country music, follows a promising country music star who is on the run from her past. In conjunction with the book, Parton released an album with the same title, and New York Times writer Alexandra Alter reported how Little Brown publishing house boasted about the project’s “commercial prospects” (Alter, Alexandra. “Dolly Parton and James Patterson Are Working 9 to 5 on a New Novel.” The New York Times, August 11, 2021). Reviews were generally positive; while some reviewers found the plot unbelievably sensational, they unanimously enjoyed the details about the country music scene. Zoe Hodges at Maverick wrote that she found the plot captivating and appreciated how Patterson’s gift for suspense and Parton’s penchant for storytelling combine to compellingly portray the characters and the story (Hodges, Zoe. “Book review: ‘Run, Rose, Run’ by Dolly Parton and James Patterson.” Maverick, March 1, 2022). As of this guide’s writing, Reese Witherspoon is set to adapt the novel into a screenplay.