What a wild ride. Another edge of your seat book.
Very well paced, it grips you from the start. I liked how individual characters had different parts of the overall mystery, and it all came together with a very satisfying ending.
Harlan Coben's standalone novels generally follow the same formula: someone from the protagonist's past disappeared and s/he can't let it go, the person who disappeared is spotted and is in trouble or potentially a criminal, a conspiracy unravels as the protagonist searches for the truth. Don't Let Go is no exception.
It took me about two thirds of the way through this book to really become engaged; probably because it follows Coben's formula for a successful novel so closely. However, as the action picked up and the truth was revealed I got sucked in and stayed up past my bedtime to finish the book.
There is something to be said about knowing what to expect, which is why Coben remains one of my pre-order authors.
It took me about two thirds of the way through this book to really become engaged; probably because it follows Coben's formula for a successful novel so closely. However, as the action picked up and the truth was revealed I got sucked in and stayed up past my bedtime to finish the book.
There is something to be said about knowing what to expect, which is why Coben remains one of my pre-order authors.
I've come late to the Harlan Coben party, so I have quite a few books to choose from. After reading only one book-- and now this one-- I've grown to enjoy Coben's writing style and his sense of humor. In Don't Let Go, he's crafted an engrossing storyline about how recent murders tie into the death of his beloved brother Leo, a brother he still talks to each and every day. In fact, this story is told to Leo, and if you think that makes Nap rather strange, so be it.
Between the story and the character of Nap, there was no way I was going to stop reading this book. Nap is fascinating, a man who's always felt as though he needs to play a part:
"I'm friendly like that. Mr. Nice Neighbor. See, I am the rarest of creatures in suburban towns-- a straight, single, childless male is about as common out here as a cigarette in a health club-- and so I work hard to come across as normal, boring, reliable."
Nap is anything but boring, but in his utter determination to find out what really happened to his brother, he is the epitome of reliability. When all the pieces of the story begin coming together, the momentum picks up like a runaway freight train. I was all set to sing the praises of Don't Let Go to everyone who'd listen... until the villain was revealed. The villain is the type of character I've been seeing frequently in my reading as well as in movies and on television, so when I learned whodunnit, I groaned out loud in disappointment. So... my opinion dropped from Excellent to Very Good. But it goes without saying (although I'll say it anyway)-- your mileage may certainly vary.
Between the story and the character of Nap, there was no way I was going to stop reading this book. Nap is fascinating, a man who's always felt as though he needs to play a part:
"I'm friendly like that. Mr. Nice Neighbor. See, I am the rarest of creatures in suburban towns-- a straight, single, childless male is about as common out here as a cigarette in a health club-- and so I work hard to come across as normal, boring, reliable."
Nap is anything but boring, but in his utter determination to find out what really happened to his brother, he is the epitome of reliability. When all the pieces of the story begin coming together, the momentum picks up like a runaway freight train. I was all set to sing the praises of Don't Let Go to everyone who'd listen... until the villain was revealed. The villain is the type of character I've been seeing frequently in my reading as well as in movies and on television, so when I learned whodunnit, I groaned out loud in disappointment. So... my opinion dropped from Excellent to Very Good. But it goes without saying (although I'll say it anyway)-- your mileage may certainly vary.
Harlan Coben's books are such fun reads, and Don't Let Go is no different. Okay, this is only the second one I have read, and both so far have been enjoyable. Clearly, he is an author I should have discovered much earlier in my reading. A familiar location, developed characters, and a fast-paced mystery that keeps me guess make me a Harlan Coben fan.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/12/dont-let-go.html
Reviewed for NetGalley & Penguin First to Read.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/12/dont-let-go.html
Reviewed for NetGalley & Penguin First to Read.
Not my favorite of Harlan Coben. Although it keeps you reading, the story was a little flat and far fetched.
Book Description:
Suburban New Jersey Detective Napoleon âNapâ Dumas hasn't been the same since senior year of high school, when his twin brother Leo and Leo's girlfriend Diana were found dead on the railroad tracksâand Maura, the girl Nap considered the love of his life, broke up with him and disappeared without explanation. For fifteen years, Nap has been searching, both for Maura and for the real reason behind his brother's death. And now, it looks as though he may finally find what he's been looking for.
When Maura's fingerprints turn up in the rental car of a suspected murderer, Nap embarks on a quest for answers that only leads to more questionsâabout the woman he loved, about the childhood friends he thought he knew, about the abandoned military base near where he grew up, and mostly about Leo and Dianaâwhose deaths are darker and far more sinister than Nap ever dared imagine.
My Review:
Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors. I simply loved his Myron Bolitar series and was glad for the Myron guest appearance in this story. I found this book to be a thrilling page turner with lots of twists and turns. The characters are well-drawn and I especially loved Nap, the investigator. I found the book to be well-written and the plot was very exciting and believable. I didn't guess the killer until the surprise ending when it was revealed. I look forward to Harlan's next book and I would highly recommend this novel to those who love mystery thrillers.
Suburban New Jersey Detective Napoleon âNapâ Dumas hasn't been the same since senior year of high school, when his twin brother Leo and Leo's girlfriend Diana were found dead on the railroad tracksâand Maura, the girl Nap considered the love of his life, broke up with him and disappeared without explanation. For fifteen years, Nap has been searching, both for Maura and for the real reason behind his brother's death. And now, it looks as though he may finally find what he's been looking for.
When Maura's fingerprints turn up in the rental car of a suspected murderer, Nap embarks on a quest for answers that only leads to more questionsâabout the woman he loved, about the childhood friends he thought he knew, about the abandoned military base near where he grew up, and mostly about Leo and Dianaâwhose deaths are darker and far more sinister than Nap ever dared imagine.
My Review:
Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors. I simply loved his Myron Bolitar series and was glad for the Myron guest appearance in this story. I found this book to be a thrilling page turner with lots of twists and turns. The characters are well-drawn and I especially loved Nap, the investigator. I found the book to be well-written and the plot was very exciting and believable. I didn't guess the killer until the surprise ending when it was revealed. I look forward to Harlan's next book and I would highly recommend this novel to those who love mystery thrillers.
