Helpful Score: 3
Coben is too hard on himself...this book is great. It is a total edge of your seat thriller. It starts a bit muddled with alot going on and it takes 100 pages or so to really get into. Also this is not a book you can read in 10 min. periods, especailly at first, you need to devote some serious reading time in the beginning for it to make sense, but stick with it because it is great!
Helpful Score: 3
If I had never read Harlan Coben before, I would think this was a great book. And it is good. It just that, as I read it, I could see a lot of things he'd have done differently today because he's matured so much as a writer. So whether you're a fan of Coben's or not, go ahead and read it.
Helpful Score: 3
Grade C+
Play Dead is Harlan Coben's first published novel. It has been rereleased this year. There is a letter from the author warning readers that if this is your first experience to reading one of his books he suggests that they stop reading, go and get another of his books and then come back to this one. I had to laugh because this book is my first by Mr. Coben and I couldn't read a different one because this was December's book club choice. So, I went into reading this book with an open mind.
I can completely see how Harlan Coben has been able to keep readers spellbound and why he has such a following. The story he weaves is one that makes readers try to figure out what the hell is going on. He gives the reader just enough information to keep them hanging on to find out what next little secret he is going to reveal.
Now having said all that, I can see why he was apologizing to his fans and telling new readers not to start with this book. It is painfully obvious to me that this is an inexperienced author. The story is rich with its twists and turns, but it is executed poorly. The book was 500+ pages and could have been told in 300 and I would have been satisfied. Often times the clues where all too stingily delivered to have them pounded into the ground over and over by different character view points.
I found Play Dead to be an entertaining read. But I thought the two main characters were slightly superficial and the book a little too long. Other than that, I felt that Harlan Coben has great potential and wouldn't be averse to trying something else by him.
Play Dead is Harlan Coben's first published novel. It has been rereleased this year. There is a letter from the author warning readers that if this is your first experience to reading one of his books he suggests that they stop reading, go and get another of his books and then come back to this one. I had to laugh because this book is my first by Mr. Coben and I couldn't read a different one because this was December's book club choice. So, I went into reading this book with an open mind.
I can completely see how Harlan Coben has been able to keep readers spellbound and why he has such a following. The story he weaves is one that makes readers try to figure out what the hell is going on. He gives the reader just enough information to keep them hanging on to find out what next little secret he is going to reveal.
Now having said all that, I can see why he was apologizing to his fans and telling new readers not to start with this book. It is painfully obvious to me that this is an inexperienced author. The story is rich with its twists and turns, but it is executed poorly. The book was 500+ pages and could have been told in 300 and I would have been satisfied. Often times the clues where all too stingily delivered to have them pounded into the ground over and over by different character view points.
I found Play Dead to be an entertaining read. But I thought the two main characters were slightly superficial and the book a little too long. Other than that, I felt that Harlan Coben has great potential and wouldn't be averse to trying something else by him.
Helpful Score: 2
Another great Harlan Coben! If you have never read Harlan Coben, what are you waiting for? He is a master of the plot twist. Other books I know who "it" is by at least half-way throught, his I know, then find out I was wrong, then wrong again. Terrific writer!!!!!
Helpful Score: 2
Right off the bat, this book pissed me off. Page six has a rape joke. Husband David is too worn out by prior sex with his new wife Laura that he must rest. She doesn't want to rest. She wants another go round. I was flabbergasted to read his joking response that he would cry rape, and she (also jokingly) told him to go ahead and do so.
Disrespectful to those who have actually survived such an odious event, not to mention a PTSD trigger.
Shame on you, Mr. Coben, for resorting to that. Never again.
Disrespectful to those who have actually survived such an odious event, not to mention a PTSD trigger.
Shame on you, Mr. Coben, for resorting to that. Never again.
Helpful Score: 1
FANTASTIC !!! It really surprised me to see this was his very first book! I had read all his others and they re-released this first one so of course me being a huge Harlan Coben fan I just had to get a copy! I honestly was so into this book once I started it that I hated to put it down! Great plot and storyline kept moving along. Did not find anything in this book that I could complain about. GREAT BOOK ! If you've never read any of Coben's books pick this one up....I doubt you would be sorry and think you will be hooked!!!
Helpful Score: 1
This book was great, it kept my attention!
I read this while on vacation in Mexico. The story never failed to have a new surprise every few chapters, especially toward the end when everything started coming together and the "mysteries" were explained.
Very suspenseful and in my opinion, well-written (despite Coben's "apology" in the front of the book. It was his first book and he didn't feel that it was a good book for someone reading Coben for the first time. I wholeheartedly disagree!)
Very suspenseful and in my opinion, well-written (despite Coben's "apology" in the front of the book. It was his first book and he didn't feel that it was a good book for someone reading Coben for the first time. I wholeheartedly disagree!)
I really liked it.I'm a hard sell on endings but I liked this one and even though Harlan Coben is one of my favorite writers I don't think he writes a good ending most of the time however this time I did like it. I like the story very much also, I have to say he has wrote a few better ones but all in all it was good. I think you'll enjoy it. It keeps you guessing and you'll really be surprised at who the killer is!
FANTASTIC !!! It really surprised me to see this was his very first book! I had read all his others and they re-released this first one so of course me being a huge Harlan Coben fan I just had to get a copy! I honestly was so into this book once I started it that I hated to put it down! Great plot and storyline kept moving along. Did not find anything in this book that I could complain about. GREAT BOOK ! If you've never read any of Coben's books pick this one up....I doubt you would be sorry and think you will be hooked!!!
The first of Harlan Coben's books.
This is one of Harlan Coben's early novels. You can see the roots of some of his later themes developing but the story is overly convoluted and many of the situations and character behaviors improbable, impractical, or confusing. Coben has always been one of my favorite authors and it is interesting to see where he started but he certainly greatly improved with his later works. Scott Brick's excessively dramatic narration for this book further emphasizes any shortcomings rather than helping to overcome them. It's not up to Coben's later excellence but it's still an interesting read and overall, enjoyable.
Intense and hooks you from the first page to the very last.
Lots of twists and turns. A good story.
This was Coben's first novel written, though published after some others. All I can say is that if he gets better than this, the later mystery/thrillers are going to cause heart attacks!
From back cover:
Theirs was a marriage made in tabloid heaven, but no sooner had supermodel Laura Ayers and Celtics star David Baskin said "I do" than tragedy struck. While honeymooning on Australia's Great Barrier Reed, David went out for a swim-and never returned.
Now widowed and grieving, Laura's search for the truth will draw her into a web of lies and deception that stretches back thirty years--while on the court at the Boston Garden, a rookie phenom makes his spectacular debut...
From back cover:
Theirs was a marriage made in tabloid heaven, but no sooner had supermodel Laura Ayers and Celtics star David Baskin said "I do" than tragedy struck. While honeymooning on Australia's Great Barrier Reed, David went out for a swim-and never returned.
Now widowed and grieving, Laura's search for the truth will draw her into a web of lies and deception that stretches back thirty years--while on the court at the Boston Garden, a rookie phenom makes his spectacular debut...
LOVED this book. I really enjoyed reading this one. I thought I had it figured out early, but, boy, was I wrong! Would definately recommend to others to read. Keeps your interest. Great read!
Holy Sheep Dip Batman!
This one is awesome, a keep turning the page cause you have to find out what the heck is going on.
Twists, turns and what the heck! all over this story.
Great read.
This one is awesome, a keep turning the page cause you have to find out what the heck is going on.
Twists, turns and what the heck! all over this story.
Great read.
Harlan Coben has grown so much as a writer. While this is a great book, it can be very confusing and the plot a little far-fetched. I also grew tired of the line "they didn't know that would be the last time...". The story could probably have been told in half the pages. It was still a good read and the "killer" was a bit of a surprise for me.
Good read
Unique twist! Good Read! Do not want to say more without giving away the story line.
Both my husband and I very much enjoyed this book. One of those "hard to put down" ones with many twists and turns. We certainly recommend it.
Wow what a ride. So the book starts with the author presenting the main plot (Laura and David). A mystery ensues and we are 'off and running'. Then, for the next 3/4 of the book, he weaves in a whole bunch of 'side' mysteries, with shadow figures plotting this, and known characters plotting that. It's a bit overwhelming with too many details to keep track of. Then, finally, the last quarter of the book starts tying the mystery together with twist after twist seemingly contrived just to make all the prior mystery and suspense make sense. It felt very rushed and contrived. This was Coben's first book; he improves so much in his subsequent work that he's almost unrecognizable as the author of this one.
Oh my goodness, I didn't want this book to end. It is 15 C.D.'s long but seemed so short. I love all of Harlan Coben's books but this one was exceptional. Fantastic!
Excellent.. To date, my fav Coben book. Fast paced, great characters & twisting ending.. really enjoyed..
Like the New York Daily News said, it kept me riveted in suspense and eager anticipation! I thought I had it all figured out and then changed my mind toward the end and it still surprised me! Great book!
good one...typical of a Coben book with lots of twists & turns. I recommend it
