Netflix's Run Away is based on Harlan Coben's 2019 novel of the same name. Like most Coben adaptations, the show captures the spirit of the book while making changes for the screen.
If you've read the novel, here's what stayed the same and what changed. If you haven't, consider this your guide to whether you should read it after watching.
Setting Changes
Book: Set in the United States, primarily New Jersey and New York.
Show: The setting has been adapted depending on the production—Coben's Netflix shows often relocate to the UK or Europe for production reasons while maintaining the American setting in spirit.
Why it matters: The suburban American anxiety of the book—private schools, college funds, keeping up appearances—translates across settings. The core theme of "this could happen to any family" remains intact.
Character Differences
- Book: A financial advisor with a specific backstory involving his own troubled youth
- Show: Similar profession but some background details streamlined
- Book: Her spiral into addiction is told through flashbacks and Simon's memories
- Show: More visual representation of her life with Ash, giving her more agency
- Book: Mysterious and threatening from the start
- Show: Given more dimension, making his manipulation more insidious
- Show: Expanded role with more screen time devoted to her perspective
Major Plot Differences
The Viral Video: In both versions, Simon sees a video of Paige that triggers his search. The show makes this more visceral—we see the video, feel its impact.
The Investigation: The show adds procedural elements and secondary characters to visualize what Simon discovers. The book stays closer to his internal experience.
The Ending: Without spoiling specifics, the show's ending is more cinematic, while the book's is more introspective. Both reach the same emotional destination through different routes.
The Family Secrets: Both versions reveal the same core secrets, but the timing and method of revelation differ. The show spreads them across episodes for cliffhangers.
Which Is Better?
Read the book if: You want deeper access to Simon's psychology, prefer your own mental images, or want to experience the story at your own pace.
Watch the show if: You want to see the emotional performances, prefer visual storytelling, or like discussing theories with others watching simultaneously.
Do both if: You're a Coben completist. The show is faithful enough that the book won't feel redundant, and different enough that each offers unique rewards.
Coben serves as executive producer on his Netflix adaptations, ensuring the spirit remains intact even when details change.