Reporter Wendy Tynes catches a man soliciting a teenager for sex. He claims he was set up…and she begins to believe him. Coben’s strength lies in having his entire plot figured out before he starts writing. When the reveals come they ‘make sense’ in the story’s overall context. But this time they seemed to reach in terms of believability. That factor, coupled with a worrisome over-abundance of snark, results in a sub-par—though still enjoyable—effort.    

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Coben’s longtime protagonist Myron Bolitar and friends are back. A lover from Bolitar’s past calls with a desperate plea for help that quickly involves him in an international conspiracy and a decade-long cover--up. Coben is very familiar with these characters, and has written a clever plot that sharply advances the story without being too obvious. The book’s a bit heavy on snarky comments and inner-monologue sarcasm, but it’s a small distraction from a solid work.  

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Hold Tight won’t go down as his finest effort, but Coben does makes good use of the secondary cast. Unlike too many other authors, nearly every character he introduces has a part to play in the story, and -- as it turns out -- some of them are more connected to what's going on than even they realize at first. And at the end of the day, a solid Coben book is better than most else.

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Sometimes a person can forget about the past and move on. But when the past contains the kind of moments that Coben deals with in The Woods, it becomes obvious that it’s not so easy to leave behind. Coben has delivered one of his best works, remaining a master of dialogue and dramatic pacing. He even includes some powerful plot twists, including one at the end that makes you rethink the entire book. An excellent effort.  

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Myron Bolitar, lead character in seven previous Coben novels, returns with his usual supporting cast to investigate the disappearance of a family friend – a friend that swore Bolitar to secrecy. Believing that his silence may have endangered this girl, Bolitar does all he can to solve this mystery. Coben delivers another suspenseful thriller, and it’s nice to see him finally return to the familiar characters that helped shape and hone his writing for so many years. 

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Layer upon layer is peeled away as Matt Hunter finds himself thrown into a world of shady videotapes, secret lives, strange phone calls, and even organized crime. Hunter is a former convict, but was he wrongly jailed? As Hunter is forced to go on the run from the law, he seeks to uncover the mystery his life has become. In typical Coben fashion, the plot moves at breakneck speed and contains more than one genuine surprise.

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Once again, Coben does not disappoint. His mastery of conveying emotion through words carries this story, and it's clear that this was a deliberately crafted tale, concerning one photograph and its devastating consequences on a family. The easy flow and conversational tone of the book prevent boredom and maintain interest. Some of the buildup was resolved a bit too fast, and the ending felt rushed, but the story was solid, and this book is strongly recommended.

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Another tense, fast-paced page turner has been delivered by Coben. Equal parts mystery, action, and suspense novel combine to form a gripping read – and the plot twists are not easily guessed. Coben does an excellent job of using humor and candid observations to keep the subject matter (murder, kidnapping, etc.) from weighing too heavily on the reader. As is becoming the case with each new Coben novel, this is a strong book and an excellent read.

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A brutal murder followed by a missing brother – who happens to be the suspect – sends Will Klein into detective mode, trying to find his brother and clear his name at the same time. Another disappearance of someone close to Will raises even more questions. Coben brings his expected blend of tight dialogue, snappy pacing, and clever twists. He makes it seem so easy that it’s possible to read his books without realizing how talented he is.  

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The murder of his wife eight years ago has left Dr. David Beck in emotional ruin. But when an anonymous e-mail suggests that things might not be what they seem, Beck is drawn into a web of deceit, leaving him unsure of who to trust. This novel stands as one of Coben’s best, and a slightly rushed epilogue is the only downside worth mentioning. An engrossing mystery, serving as proof that Coben is among the elite.

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When his business partner and close friend is arrested for murder, Myron Bolitar refuses to believe that she is guilty. As he begins to investigate the crime, he soon finds a long-hidden secret begin to come to light – one that could end his career, or his life. Coben writes a well-conceived story with his usual cast of characters, but still relies a bit too heavily on sarcastic asides that often disrupt the flow of the plot. 

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Agent Myron Bolitar is back. (The word “agent” cleverly referring to both his job as a sports agent and his history with the FBI.) When a professional basketball player goes missing, Bolitar is asked to find him. Suspense mounts as the mystery deepens. As with the other Bolitar novels (currently being reprinted in hardback), they are somewhat dated and Coben clearly hadn’t hit his stride as an author. An enjoyable read, but far from Coben’s best.

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While the story isn't breaking any new ground, this hardcover reissue of an earlier paperback work is a good showcase of Coben's talent – albeit in a raw fashion. Coben is clearly a much better writer now, but that is to be expected with anyone who continues to practice their craft and hone their skill. This book isn't anywhere close to his best, but it does show the potential for his success and remains an entertaining read.

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Following Coben’s success in recent years, some of his earlier books are being reissued in hardcover, starting with this one, the first novel to feature Myron Bolitar, a character who would become a Coben staple. Bolitar is a former pro athlete and FBI agent who now works as a sports agent, but often plays the role of amateur detective as well. Deal Breaker isn’t a fantastic book, but it’s a good introduction to some longstanding characters.

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