Missing You by Harlan Coben -- Review

by Expert Book Reviews

*Note: Our review is an accompaniment to "Missing You," not the novel itself. In Harlan Coben's "Missing You," nearly 20 years after being kicked to the curb unceremoniously by an old fiance, an NYPD detective runs into that very man on a dating site, leading to a reawakening, a realization, and ultimately, the deaths of several people. This review details which readers will ultimately enjoy this novel, which is virtually everyone. The face of Jeff Raynes is staring back at Kat Donovan. She contacts him and is surprised by his response. He fails to even remember her at first, then remembers, showing only modest affection. As detailed in this review, the twists that ensue are among the reasons for the success of "Missing You." If that wasn't strange enough, a Connecticut college student asks for Kat's assistance in finding his mother, who has mysteriously gone missing. On top of that, he asked for Kat in particular. How does he even know her? Need more? Kat visits the contract killer who is rotting away in prison for murdering her father, a man who is now denying his involvement. Who can Kat trust? The twists in "Missing You" are literally stacked on top of one another, which creates a pulsating ride for Coben fans. Not that the author needs help, but this review also details an alternative outcome that might have added even more miles to this thrill ride.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook

48 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2014

About the author

Expert Book Reviews is an imprint of BookScribed, an independent digital learning company with a mission to bring the joy of reading and insightful discussion of great literature to readers everywhere. Expert Book Reviews provides reviews of today’s hottest novels.

Reviews

[Shirley Spain · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by Harlan Corben I read and couldn't put it down!

[Zeina T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Harlan Coben, after watching two of the serialised books I was expecting a lot of twists and this book doesn’t disappoint. Well written and gripping. Will keep you guessing to the very last page.

[Lucy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing You by Harlan Coben is an engaging and tension-filled page turner! Detective Kat Donovan of the NYPD is the daughter of a former cop who was murdered, and she is determined to solve the eighteen-year-old cold case and bring his murderer to justice. Having been ghosted by her fiancé, Kat is very single, and a friend creates a dating profile for her as a way to encourage her. While flipping through potential matches, Kat is shocked to see a picture of her former fiancé. Meanwhile at work, she is approached by a young man claiming that his mother is missing. Despite evidence suggesting she is on mini-vacation with a new love interest, Kat becomes convinced that there is something untoward about the situation. As she begins to investigate, it becomes clear that a serial killer is at work, and that somehow her former fiancé may also be implicated. Well-written with fabulous character development and lots of twists. Highly recommended.

[Natalie Barnes]

Kat, an NYPD detective, sees her former fiance on a dating website and when she tries to contact him, he sounds weird and not like himself. We find out that his profile is being used by a bad guy who lures people to a farmsite through the dating service, and then steals all their money before killing them. Alternate story line is Kat's former fiance disappeared 18 years ago b/c he killed Kat's father....Kat's father was a secret gay man with a lover, and when one of Kat's friends found out about it, he tried to kill Kat's friend. Kat's former fiance (who was the friend's roommate) catches Kat's father attempting murder and kills her father. He then runs from Kat.

[Rita Ayers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn't come straight here to do this review and now I can't remember it well enough to give a true impression. I checked my Audible list and it reminded me I had finished it; it must have been good enough for me to listen all the way through, but not good enough that I was telling people about it. Thus - three stars... I have to be telling people how good it was to rate a 5!

[Laura Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first page and I was hooked, couldn’t put it down, to be truthful there are only a couple of male authors that I’ve read , don’t really have a reason why , but definitely will read more of Harlan Coben !

[Simon Genoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea... Felt I was reading a romance novel half the time...
Not cohen's best!

[Colleen Hindes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DIDN’T REALLY LIKE THIS BOOK AND GAVE UP READING IT

[Janis Reggio]

I just discovered this author although I have seen Netflix with two of his stories there.

[LBeauch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the fact that it starts in a straight forward way, gets new twists and turns as you go and ends in a way you would never t have expected. Very entertaining.

[Vadim Muchnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Mistina Christner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading Harlan Coben books, the style they are written in is wonderful. So many twists and turns in this one and the ending was amazing! Great book!

[Rachel S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read a surprise ending! I strongly recommend this book.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story interesting to the end, again another surprise

[Melika · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF I TRIED 2 FUCKING TIMES NO FUCKIN MOREEEEEE

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. In the authors usual format of twists and turns all is revealed in the last few chapters! The ending I sure wouldn't have guessed on my own!

[Deri Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read.

[Jackie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Coben’s books! This one definitely kept me guessing until the end and all my guesses were wrong! 😬

[Novel Destination · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this novel is another "stand-alone" mystery thriller by Harlan Coben, there is a brief reference to Myron Bolitar's (character in a book series the author wrote previously) close ally "Winn" and Locke-Horne Investment and Securities.
This is a good detective novel with a strong female lead--Kat. It covers some very current issues such as the dangerous side to Internet dating, LGBT issues (now vs. a generation or two ago), misuse of off-shore accounts and decreased direct social contact. I found the characters' descriptions of their daily lives in New York City of interest.
The interweaving of many subplots was managed well. It was more than a story about a case of missing persons, misappropriated monies and violence. How much will a parent do to protect their child(ren)? Is the whole, painful truth more important than living with the not knowing? What would you do to live your life fully and in an honest manner? But the biggest underlying issue was one of Forgiveness. It is good to read a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat but also makes you consider the bigger picture too.

[Kathryn West · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I hadn't read any other books by the author I wouldn't have been disappointed. Kat sees the profile of her ex on a dating site 20 years after he left her, which brings back unresolved issues while unearthing the deception that is involved in online relationships. It is quite topical, the premise is good but the characters weren't as well developed as in his previous books. It is an easy read but didn't have me up late trying to finish it as I would be with a Myron Bolitar novel.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Not linked to the Myron Bolitar series. Cat is a NYC police detective. Her father was killed 18 years ago and at the same time, the love of her life left her and disappeared. Her friend Stacy sets her up with an online dating service and one of the listings she hits has a picture of her old boyfriend, but with a new name and history. Fun starts there.

[Gloria Riesgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, that is until the final chapters. It felt so rushed for me. SPOILER ALERT!!

For example, we don’t know what happened to the others that were in a the boxes. I thought for sure Aqua was going to be Kat’s half sibling. I wanted to know more about Jeff’s “self destruction” phase.

Felt cheated.

[Colin David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlan Coben has delivered a detective thriller that outlines the effect of criminals preying on dysfunctional families, through the use of online dating sites. Lots of twist and turns as it develops lots of modern themes from our 21st century hi tech world.

[Jim Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Coben continues to blow me away with his novels. This one was sensational, another one that grabs you in the first 5 pages, and you just hang on for the next 400. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. He's firmly in my top 10 fiction writers for this genre.

[Laurie Hanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I feel I’m in need of a truly good thriller, I pick up a Harlan Coben novel. Missing You does not disappoint. The fast pace kept me turning pages, the many questions kept me guessing till the end. Good stuff.

[Christine Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick & easy read. If you like crime/mystery novels, you will like this one. My only complaint was the issue with her late father. I thought it was stupid....but all in all, a good book.

[Donna Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as well as his last one.

[Margo1915 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coben doesn't disappoint!

[John Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thriller. Suspenseful to the last chapter. I can usually figure them out about halfway through these type of books but this one had some surprises for me.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlan Coben books just zip along and I always enjoy them. He is a really good story teller. Nice to mix in with more serious books as a touch of pablum.