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Myron Bolitar #5
One False Move
She's smart, beautiful, and she doesn't need a man to look after her. But sports agent Myron Bolitar has come into her life -- big time. Now Myron's next move may be his last.
Brenda Slaughter is no damsel in distress. Myron Bolitar is no bodyguard. But Myron has agreed to protect the bright, strong, beautiful basketball star. And he's about to find out if he's man enough to unravel the tragic riddle of her life.
Twenty years before, Brenda's mother deserted her. And just as Brenda is making it to the top of the women's pro basketball world, her father disappears too. A big-time New York sports agent with a foundering love life, Myron has a professional interest in Brenda. Then a personal one. But between them isn't just the difference in their backgrounds or the color of their skin. Between them is a chasm of corruption and lies, a vicious young mafioso on the make, and one secret that some people are dying to keep -- and others are killing to protect....
Brenda Slaughter is no damsel in distress. Myron Bolitar is no bodyguard. But Myron has agreed to protect the bright, strong, beautiful basketball star. And he's about to find out if he's man enough to unravel the tragic riddle of her life.
Twenty years before, Brenda's mother deserted her. And just as Brenda is making it to the top of the women's pro basketball world, her father disappears too. A big-time New York sports agent with a foundering love life, Myron has a professional interest in Brenda. Then a personal one. But between them isn't just the difference in their backgrounds or the color of their skin. Between them is a chasm of corruption and lies, a vicious young mafioso on the make, and one secret that some people are dying to keep -- and others are killing to protect....
383 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
3101 people are currently reading
9719 people want to read
About the author
Harlan Coben
249 books43.4k followersHarlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world's leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries with seventy-five million books in print worldwide.
His books have earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many have been developed into Netflix Original Drama series, including his adaptations of The Stranger, The Innocent, Gone for Good and The Woods. His most recent adaptation for Netflix, Stay Close, premiered on December 31, 2021 and stars Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, and Richard Armitage.
His books have earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many have been developed into Netflix Original Drama series, including his adaptations of The Stranger, The Innocent, Gone for Good and The Woods. His most recent adaptation for Netflix, Stay Close, premiered on December 31, 2021 and stars Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, and Richard Armitage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,520 reviews
November 3, 2017
This book is somewhat of dark turn for Coben and Myron Bolitar. For a while I was thinking I might go three stars with this because it felt so different and much rawer than I am used to (rawer sounds weird to me, but according to spell check, “more raw” is not correct!). But, towards the end of the book I started to appreciate the more vulnerable and flawed Bolitar.
I am thinking that some of the changes I saw were because this is book five in the series and maybe Coben felt it was time to re-imagine some of the characters and storylines. I can see it getting stale if it is the same book after book. Maybe my initial reaction is my own fault – I was getting too comfortable.
The previous statements do not mean that the humor is not there. Bolitar remains as sarcastic and cynical as expected with his witty comebacks and snarky inner monologue. It was nice to still see this there. Also back and as awesome is ever is Myron’s good friend Win. We could all use a friend like Win.
I still highly recommend Coben and the Bolitar series. You are always left guessing until the very end!
I am thinking that some of the changes I saw were because this is book five in the series and maybe Coben felt it was time to re-imagine some of the characters and storylines. I can see it getting stale if it is the same book after book. Maybe my initial reaction is my own fault – I was getting too comfortable.
The previous statements do not mean that the humor is not there. Bolitar remains as sarcastic and cynical as expected with his witty comebacks and snarky inner monologue. It was nice to still see this there. Also back and as awesome is ever is Myron’s good friend Win. We could all use a friend like Win.
I still highly recommend Coben and the Bolitar series. You are always left guessing until the very end!
September 8, 2015
I am steadily working my way through this series and here I am at number 5. Myron remains one of my favourite book characters but Win comes a close second! I loved the banter between them in this book and the way they operate as a team. The ending was very sad and made me want to go straight to number 6 just to find out how our hero copes:)
September 9, 2016
One False Move by Harlan Coben is a 1998 publication.
Five books into the Myron Bolitar series, and Coben’s writing really begins to hit a stride!
When Myron is hired to keep an eye on women’s basketball player, Brenda Slaughter, the last thing he ever expected was to find himself dealing with one of the most powerful families in the city, mobsters, and twenty year old secrets.
With Brenda’s freedom, and maybe even her life hanging in the balance, Myron enlists Win to help him find Brenda’s missing mother, possibly expose a cover up, and help keep Brenda safe, all while dealing with Esperanza’s demands to become a full partner, and cope with his waning relationship with Jessica.
This installment is a little bit of a game changer as the reader watches Myron’s character go through a myriad of emotions, some of them very surprising. Myron’s hilarious, self-deprecating remarks and observations kept me entertained through, what was a little bit of a slow start, but the tone changes little by little until the last quarter of the book, when things become more serious than I’ve seen them thus far.
Myron may have lost a little innocence here, and it will be interesting to see if he rebounds from this or is his character will have a new edge from here on out.
The recurring characters offer much insight and wry observations and challenge Myron in ways he may not have asked for, but is better for it in the long run.
Overall, this one is the best of the series to date, and has me stoked to hurry up and get going on the other chapters in the series so I can get caught up.
4.5
Five books into the Myron Bolitar series, and Coben’s writing really begins to hit a stride!
When Myron is hired to keep an eye on women’s basketball player, Brenda Slaughter, the last thing he ever expected was to find himself dealing with one of the most powerful families in the city, mobsters, and twenty year old secrets.
With Brenda’s freedom, and maybe even her life hanging in the balance, Myron enlists Win to help him find Brenda’s missing mother, possibly expose a cover up, and help keep Brenda safe, all while dealing with Esperanza’s demands to become a full partner, and cope with his waning relationship with Jessica.
This installment is a little bit of a game changer as the reader watches Myron’s character go through a myriad of emotions, some of them very surprising. Myron’s hilarious, self-deprecating remarks and observations kept me entertained through, what was a little bit of a slow start, but the tone changes little by little until the last quarter of the book, when things become more serious than I’ve seen them thus far.
Myron may have lost a little innocence here, and it will be interesting to see if he rebounds from this or is his character will have a new edge from here on out.
The recurring characters offer much insight and wry observations and challenge Myron in ways he may not have asked for, but is better for it in the long run.
Overall, this one is the best of the series to date, and has me stoked to hurry up and get going on the other chapters in the series so I can get caught up.
4.5
January 10, 2018
Quick thoughts before I write a review after holidays. I love how Myron and Esperanza are best of friends. I love Myron’s honesty. I love Myron’s style of integrity. I love that Win always has his back; and their banter can’t be beaten. I love that Myron is considering all his options regarding Jessica. I love that I am hooked for more.
May 17, 2021
I read the first Myron Bolitar book Deal Breaker back in 2013 and although, in all honesty, I can’t recall much about it my two star review indicates it didn’t work for me. But I recently picked up a copy of Win, a new novel from Coben featuring Bolitar’s sidekick Windsor Horne Lockwood III. I loved it! And more significantly, Win’s constant references to his best friend tempted me to give this series another go. And I’m so glad I did.
In this episode Myron, a sports agent amongst a number of hats he wears, is tempted to take on the job of protecting basketball star Brenda Slaughter, in exchange for the ability to sign her to his agency. Brenda is feisty and attractive and has a complicated back story involving a mother who deserted her early in her life and an interfering father who has now gone missing himself.
I wont go into the plot in any detail but suffice to say there are plenty of twists and turns. However, the attraction for me was in the dialogue - Byron is smart and above all funny. How did I miss this first time around? It’s one of those books that eases you through comfortably to a point that you suddenly realise it’s about to finish. It’s like the bag of treats you get to the bottom of too quickly, I wanted more.
The good news is there are quite a few more books in the series and I know I’ll work my way through them all in due course. My expectation is that the stories won't have me on the edge of my seat, more likely laid back in a hammock with a smile on my face, but that’s just fine with me.
In this episode Myron, a sports agent amongst a number of hats he wears, is tempted to take on the job of protecting basketball star Brenda Slaughter, in exchange for the ability to sign her to his agency. Brenda is feisty and attractive and has a complicated back story involving a mother who deserted her early in her life and an interfering father who has now gone missing himself.
I wont go into the plot in any detail but suffice to say there are plenty of twists and turns. However, the attraction for me was in the dialogue - Byron is smart and above all funny. How did I miss this first time around? It’s one of those books that eases you through comfortably to a point that you suddenly realise it’s about to finish. It’s like the bag of treats you get to the bottom of too quickly, I wanted more.
The good news is there are quite a few more books in the series and I know I’ll work my way through them all in due course. My expectation is that the stories won't have me on the edge of my seat, more likely laid back in a hammock with a smile on my face, but that’s just fine with me.
May 31, 2023
The 5th book in the Myron Bolitar series is a bit of a departure from the usual breezy hi-jinks featuring the sports agent. Up until now the series provided one type of mystery or another that required Myron to call on his powers of deductive reasoning along with Win Horne Lockwood to provide muscle and Esperanza Diaz for a combination of witty rejoinders and solid detective work. But One False Move finds things turning a little more serious and a whole lot more emotional.
It begins with a seemingly low-key proposition for Myron - take on the sports agent work of repping women’s basketball sensation Brenda Slaughter. Myron, of course, being a sports agent and a former NBA basketballer has no problem taking on the job.
But then, there are caveats to the job. Brenda’s father Horace, once a good friend of Myron’s, has recently gone missing and it’s possible that she may also be in danger. Myron’s not a bodyguard but he does have certain skills that will help to ensure she’ll be ready to take the court on opening day.
It appears that there’s danger from many sides when it comes to keeping Brenda safe with threats coming from mobsters, a familial connection to one of the richest families in New Jersey and mixing it with the odd dangerous borderline psychopath. The danger is really ramped up in this outing and all of Myron’s quips and good humour is tested in what turns out to be quite a harrowing experience.
What starts out initially as a missing person case (Brenda’s father) becomes an even deeper mystery going back 20 years to when her mother suddenly walked out of her life. Brenda’s still harbouring great resentment towards her mother for the abandonment which has been brought to the surface by contact that suggests her mother wants to see her again.
Myron starts investigating, doing a pretty good job at following obscure clues, causing a bit of a disturbance and drawing the attention of the aforementioned rich and powerful family, mobsters and psychos. This of course draws in the need to include Win and the fun and games really starts to ramp up. Every scene that includes Win Lockwood adds a whole new dimension and you just know the entertainment factor is about to be raised.
There is a definite change in atmosphere in this book compared to the more breezy earlier books in the series with some extremely emotional moments for Myron to navigate. He’s always been prepared to push the buttons of just about anyone he meets but this is the first time that things don’t go the way he plans. He often arms himself with the moral high ground and comes out on top, but that’s not quite the way things appear to go here.
Some seismic moments in Myron’s personal life take place in the course of One False Move and it appears this entry in the series could be a bit of a turning point. It’s certainly an emotion charged story that left me curious to see which direction things are taken in the future.
It begins with a seemingly low-key proposition for Myron - take on the sports agent work of repping women’s basketball sensation Brenda Slaughter. Myron, of course, being a sports agent and a former NBA basketballer has no problem taking on the job.
But then, there are caveats to the job. Brenda’s father Horace, once a good friend of Myron’s, has recently gone missing and it’s possible that she may also be in danger. Myron’s not a bodyguard but he does have certain skills that will help to ensure she’ll be ready to take the court on opening day.
It appears that there’s danger from many sides when it comes to keeping Brenda safe with threats coming from mobsters, a familial connection to one of the richest families in New Jersey and mixing it with the odd dangerous borderline psychopath. The danger is really ramped up in this outing and all of Myron’s quips and good humour is tested in what turns out to be quite a harrowing experience.
What starts out initially as a missing person case (Brenda’s father) becomes an even deeper mystery going back 20 years to when her mother suddenly walked out of her life. Brenda’s still harbouring great resentment towards her mother for the abandonment which has been brought to the surface by contact that suggests her mother wants to see her again.
Myron starts investigating, doing a pretty good job at following obscure clues, causing a bit of a disturbance and drawing the attention of the aforementioned rich and powerful family, mobsters and psychos. This of course draws in the need to include Win and the fun and games really starts to ramp up. Every scene that includes Win Lockwood adds a whole new dimension and you just know the entertainment factor is about to be raised.
There is a definite change in atmosphere in this book compared to the more breezy earlier books in the series with some extremely emotional moments for Myron to navigate. He’s always been prepared to push the buttons of just about anyone he meets but this is the first time that things don’t go the way he plans. He often arms himself with the moral high ground and comes out on top, but that’s not quite the way things appear to go here.
Some seismic moments in Myron’s personal life take place in the course of One False Move and it appears this entry in the series could be a bit of a turning point. It’s certainly an emotion charged story that left me curious to see which direction things are taken in the future.
June 1, 2015
Before Myron Bolitar was introduced to Brenda Slaughter he said he wasn’t a bodyguard, so wouldn’t take on the job of keeping her safe. But once he saw her, he agreed without a lot of hesitation. A very intelligent young woman, Brenda was a basketball star – Myron represented sports stars in his business, MB SportsReps, so it made sense. No one needed to know of his added role with her. As Myron learned about Brenda’s tragic past, he determined there was more to her problems that it seemed – and they began twenty years previously when Brenda’s mother disappeared when she was only five years of age…
Then when Brenda’s father Horace disappeared, she was devastated – she needed help from Myron to find him. With offsider Windsor Horne Lockwood III (or Win as he was more commonly known) by his side, Myron dug deeply into the past; the trail of corruption and lies was long. It was as if Brenda’s past was fiction; she didn’t know who or what to believe any more. Would she find her father? Would she be safe if the truth came out? And what exactly was the truth?
Absolutely loved this crime/thriller by Harlan Coben! I haven’t read one in a while and I’d forgotten the sheer entertainment in this author’s work. Win is a fantastic character and the interaction between him and Myron is always great! I laughed out loud on a few occasions. I have no hesitation in recommending One False Move and all of Coben’s work highly.
Then when Brenda’s father Horace disappeared, she was devastated – she needed help from Myron to find him. With offsider Windsor Horne Lockwood III (or Win as he was more commonly known) by his side, Myron dug deeply into the past; the trail of corruption and lies was long. It was as if Brenda’s past was fiction; she didn’t know who or what to believe any more. Would she find her father? Would she be safe if the truth came out? And what exactly was the truth?
Absolutely loved this crime/thriller by Harlan Coben! I haven’t read one in a while and I’d forgotten the sheer entertainment in this author’s work. Win is a fantastic character and the interaction between him and Myron is always great! I laughed out loud on a few occasions. I have no hesitation in recommending One False Move and all of Coben’s work highly.
October 6, 2016
I did read this book as a response on several people I do follow and have befriended on the Goodreads site reading installments of this Myron Bolitar character.
So this is the one installment in this series that I found first to read in this series. And to be honest the characters had some great dialogue and some of it was quite funny and intelligent, and other stuff left me somewhat baffled which is the case if you jump into a series somewhere in the middle of that series.
The mystery was somewhat boring and seemed to be solved mostly due to some strong arm tactics which were mostly expected and once cringe worthy, but not in a positive way. The Bolitar character comes a cross as a morally righteous character while his Win pal seems to be a bit like Hawk from the Spencer series albeit skin-wise the complete opposite. So no great mystery, unless you are a rookie in this department. Bolitar is a bit of a babysit for some talented lady basketball player and he ends up looking for her missing mother and father while being sucked into the darker underworld of his hometown.
Is it a great tale, no it is not, but it is a fairly easy read with some great and funny dialogue that keeps you reading. Based upon this book I will revisit the series again when I found myself another installment.
I would gibe a 3 1/2 star but that is not possible so based upon my reading of many mysteries I would give it a 3 star rather than a higher note as this was not a very great book.
So this is the one installment in this series that I found first to read in this series. And to be honest the characters had some great dialogue and some of it was quite funny and intelligent, and other stuff left me somewhat baffled which is the case if you jump into a series somewhere in the middle of that series.
The mystery was somewhat boring and seemed to be solved mostly due to some strong arm tactics which were mostly expected and once cringe worthy, but not in a positive way. The Bolitar character comes a cross as a morally righteous character while his Win pal seems to be a bit like Hawk from the Spencer series albeit skin-wise the complete opposite. So no great mystery, unless you are a rookie in this department. Bolitar is a bit of a babysit for some talented lady basketball player and he ends up looking for her missing mother and father while being sucked into the darker underworld of his hometown.
Is it a great tale, no it is not, but it is a fairly easy read with some great and funny dialogue that keeps you reading. Based upon this book I will revisit the series again when I found myself another installment.
I would gibe a 3 1/2 star but that is not possible so based upon my reading of many mysteries I would give it a 3 star rather than a higher note as this was not a very great book.
February 6, 2017
One False Move is in my opinion, the best Myron Bolitar entry yet!! Myron and Win just get better and funnier! Parts had me laughing out loud with their funny remarks, and other parts just had me deep in surprise and excitement!
I think the Myron Bolitar series just might be my new favorite murder/mystery series. And of course it makes all the difference that it's written by one of my all time favorite mystery writers, Mr. Harlan Coben!
I think the Myron Bolitar series just might be my new favorite murder/mystery series. And of course it makes all the difference that it's written by one of my all time favorite mystery writers, Mr. Harlan Coben!
September 4, 2021
Another great Myron Bolitar book. Harlan Coben layers mystery on top of mystery on top of mystery. Always a surprise ending.
May 26, 2020
This series didn't sound very interesting when I first came across it - I mean, really, a book about a Jewish sports agent with the cringeworthy name of Myron Bolitar, head of MB Sports (from N.J. no less)? But five books into the series, it has cemented itself into one of my top series.
This series has it all - great humor, very diversified characters, and good stories. Besides Myron, we have his best friend from college Win - Windsor Horne Lockwood III, to be exact. Win is a frail looking, very white rich financial advisor that is physically weak-looking and so is underestimated by strangers - once. He's the type that can have a gun pulled on him, act unconcerned as the trigger is pulled, then have the gun pointed at the assailant before he can fire. Win scares the baddest of the bad-asses. All of Myron's clients are required to hire Win as their financial analyst, and also must personally meet with him regularly - all for their own good so they keep the money they earn rather than getting ripped off.
Then there's his next best friend and co-worker Esperanza Diaz, a Latina former pro wrestler who was known as Little Pocahontas even though she had no Native American blood. He can't live without her friendship or her skills in the office.
And of course Big Cyndi (never just Cyndi), who's six-six, three hundred pounds and had been Esperanza’s tag team wrestling partner, known in the ring as Big Chief Mama. For years Myron had only heard her growl, never speak. But her voice could be anything she wanted. When she worked as a bouncer at Leather-N-Lust on Tenth Street, she put on an accent that made Arnold Schwarzenegger sound like a Gabor sister. Cyndi seems a bit dense, but she's often ahead of the game, very loyal (mostly to Esperanza), and works hard.
There are a lot of other more minor characters that are entertaining, making the stories always interesting, like his on again, off again girlfriend. Unlike many such books, Myron is not a ladies' man, and doesn't chase after women. He'd rather get married and have a happy family.
This book was not quite as light as the previous ones. Some people that we (and Myron) care about die. Some rotten people aren't so rotten. But worst of all, a chasm opens up between Myron and his girlfriend, making Esperanza happy (she hates the girlfriend because she hurt Myron in the past). The story was good, though, and I can't stop reading now. I'm already into the next book of the series, which continues on from this story, but don't worry, this is not a multipart story.
This series has it all - great humor, very diversified characters, and good stories. Besides Myron, we have his best friend from college Win - Windsor Horne Lockwood III, to be exact. Win is a frail looking, very white rich financial advisor that is physically weak-looking and so is underestimated by strangers - once. He's the type that can have a gun pulled on him, act unconcerned as the trigger is pulled, then have the gun pointed at the assailant before he can fire. Win scares the baddest of the bad-asses. All of Myron's clients are required to hire Win as their financial analyst, and also must personally meet with him regularly - all for their own good so they keep the money they earn rather than getting ripped off.
Then there's his next best friend and co-worker Esperanza Diaz, a Latina former pro wrestler who was known as Little Pocahontas even though she had no Native American blood. He can't live without her friendship or her skills in the office.
And of course Big Cyndi (never just Cyndi), who's six-six, three hundred pounds and had been Esperanza’s tag team wrestling partner, known in the ring as Big Chief Mama. For years Myron had only heard her growl, never speak. But her voice could be anything she wanted. When she worked as a bouncer at Leather-N-Lust on Tenth Street, she put on an accent that made Arnold Schwarzenegger sound like a Gabor sister. Cyndi seems a bit dense, but she's often ahead of the game, very loyal (mostly to Esperanza), and works hard.
There are a lot of other more minor characters that are entertaining, making the stories always interesting, like his on again, off again girlfriend. Unlike many such books, Myron is not a ladies' man, and doesn't chase after women. He'd rather get married and have a happy family.
This book was not quite as light as the previous ones. Some people that we (and Myron) care about die. Some rotten people aren't so rotten. But worst of all, a chasm opens up between Myron and his girlfriend, making Esperanza happy (she hates the girlfriend because she hurt Myron in the past). The story was good, though, and I can't stop reading now. I'm already into the next book of the series, which continues on from this story, but don't worry, this is not a multipart story.
May 15, 2023
4Stars
Another great HC novel. I’m loving this series.
Brenda Slaughter, a women’s basketball hopeful has caught Myrons eye. Brendas mother has disappeared years ago and her father is now missing.
But why?
Myron sets out to find out why and comes in contact with the worst of Livingston, NJ.
Some how I ended up reading this series backwards lol. Still really good
Another great HC novel. I’m loving this series.
Brenda Slaughter, a women’s basketball hopeful has caught Myrons eye. Brendas mother has disappeared years ago and her father is now missing.
But why?
Myron sets out to find out why and comes in contact with the worst of Livingston, NJ.
Some how I ended up reading this series backwards lol. Still really good
September 27, 2023
I have started reading HC books for its humour rather than for the thriller quotient. It feels like Coben is not serious about the missing/ murdered people and it shows in his writing. I realize this was the case in his other books as well, but i had enjoyed them thoroughly and they were really suspenseful. The ending was very lame. You can't just spring a killer out of the blue, without leaving any clues.
A general note on the MB series- I am disturbed by the way Win breaks laws, injuring or killing (even if he has justification of their misdeeds) and the way Myron tacitly approves, and they never get caught. I hope Harlan Coben doesn't have many impressionable young readers, who might think that if you are handsome and rich, and some justification (in your head), you can get away with murder.
There were some LOL moments when Myron and Win went to meet the Bradford brothers ("The name is not unfamiliar'- you gotta love them when they speak politicianese.). Some phrases, incidents were repeated in other books of this series. The encounter with the TruPro goons was repeated almost verbatim from the previous book. Another instance was when he hears a funny name he wants to joke about that, but thinks better of it, talking about glass house and stones etc.
The scene where Big Cyndi comes rushing to thank Myron was hilarious. I wish Big Cyndi is given more coverage and helps Myron in his investigation (proving that she is not dumb). Cyndi and Esprenza definitely deserve more coverage than the annoying Jessica. Jessica is like an irritant in the eye, every time she pops up and doesn't add any value to the whole plot. For once, Myron should listen to Esprenza's opinion when she says Jessica is a **tch.
A general note on the MB series- I am disturbed by the way Win breaks laws, injuring or killing (even if he has justification of their misdeeds) and the way Myron tacitly approves, and they never get caught. I hope Harlan Coben doesn't have many impressionable young readers, who might think that if you are handsome and rich, and some justification (in your head), you can get away with murder.
There were some LOL moments when Myron and Win went to meet the Bradford brothers ("The name is not unfamiliar'- you gotta love them when they speak politicianese.). Some phrases, incidents were repeated in other books of this series. The encounter with the TruPro goons was repeated almost verbatim from the previous book. Another instance was when he hears a funny name he wants to joke about that, but thinks better of it, talking about glass house and stones etc.
The scene where Big Cyndi comes rushing to thank Myron was hilarious. I wish Big Cyndi is given more coverage and helps Myron in his investigation (proving that she is not dumb). Cyndi and Esprenza definitely deserve more coverage than the annoying Jessica. Jessica is like an irritant in the eye, every time she pops up and doesn't add any value to the whole plot. For once, Myron should listen to Esprenza's opinion when she says Jessica is a **tch.
May 24, 2022
I got introduced to Harlan as a writer after watching one of his films on Netflix & immediately fell in adoration with the suspense nail-biter. So when I noticed his book, One False Move, on the stand at one of the bookstores, I made no hesitation in purchasing it (I didn't even glance at the summary before buying).
I'm so happy to keep this in my collection. I'm confident I'm gonna reread it in the future with as much zeal as I read it for the first time now.
Though it's the fifth book in the series, I could read it as a standalone. I adored the camaraderie of the partners, Myron & Win & their repartee held the story cheerful amidst all the puzzles & chaos circling close to them. The end was not to my taste, but the twist had me gaping; I hadn't anticipated that.
If you don't want to read his books, you can check out the flicks open on Netflix. They provide as compelling an adventure as the novels.
I'm so happy to keep this in my collection. I'm confident I'm gonna reread it in the future with as much zeal as I read it for the first time now.
Though it's the fifth book in the series, I could read it as a standalone. I adored the camaraderie of the partners, Myron & Win & their repartee held the story cheerful amidst all the puzzles & chaos circling close to them. The end was not to my taste, but the twist had me gaping; I hadn't anticipated that.
If you don't want to read his books, you can check out the flicks open on Netflix. They provide as compelling an adventure as the novels.
June 3, 2020
Damn it, I still like the characters and the story was fast paced. But, how many times can clients be murdered or be murderers. How does this motherfucker make any money? Seriously! Aside from that annoying tidbit this book emotionally jumped the shark for me. Who "loves" someone they barely know and haven't slept with? I hate it in movies or tv when 2 days in people claim love. Come on! It's unbelievable and annoying!
May 11, 2025
Another excellent addition to the series! This one just broke my heart as well as Bolitar's. And leaves me wondering where he goes from here... Highly recommend the audiobooks. They draw you in & make you feel like you're there.
May 15, 2022
An early Byron and Win book in the series. Great funny dialogue between the characters. In this outing Myron is protecting Brenda Slaughter the daughter of Horace who he used to be coached by him. They drifted apart.
Aunt Mabel the sister of Horace is an interesting character along with the Bradford brothers. When Horace disappears it leads to Myron trying to find Anita Slaughter, Brenda’s mother. She disappeared 20 years ago. A rival mafia run sports agency also wants to sign up Brenda a star basketball player.
Lots of red herrings and also clues. Still a good twist at the end.
Aunt Mabel the sister of Horace is an interesting character along with the Bradford brothers. When Horace disappears it leads to Myron trying to find Anita Slaughter, Brenda’s mother. She disappeared 20 years ago. A rival mafia run sports agency also wants to sign up Brenda a star basketball player.
Lots of red herrings and also clues. Still a good twist at the end.
January 26, 2015
Look, even a disappointing Harlan Coben novel is still a damn good read. "One False Movie," for the most part, is an excellent thriller that you can't put down. Yes, once you've read a number of Coben thrillers (as I have), you begin to see through his verbiage, and technique, and perhaps grow tired of it. However, the fact remains, for me at least, that Coben has a way with story that remains both compelling and fun through each and every novel.
The set-up is terrific, what with former NCAA basketball star-turned Federal agent-turned sports agent Myon Bolitar commissioned to protect the life of women's basketball star/doctor-in-training Brenda Slaughter. Myron Bolitar is a great character, what with him being a man's man with a catch. No superhero, Bolitar is the strange combination of smart-ass cynic, vulnerable, sensitive humanist...and at times, damsel in distress. Unlike every other hero, Myron Bolitar needs help, and can definitely not fight the bad guys all on his own. His partner in crime Win, is both literally and figuratively Bolitar's alter-ego...the cold, lethal weapon, millionaire-playboy. Their interplay alone is what makes all of the Myron Bolitar novels worth reading.
That all said, "One False Move" was a letdown in the end, with "in the end" being the key words here. After going through pages and pages of fun twists and turns involving missing persons, mobsters, corrupt political candidates, corrupt and non-corrupt police officers, and of course dead bodies, the trail ends with a wimper. Bolitar finally discovers who the REAL villain is in the story, then lets her go, so that another person can murder her in the most painful, violent way possible...as least we are told. However, the reader never gets to experience any of this. Instead, we just get Bolitar confronting evil Aunt Mabel, letting her know he knows she murdered the entire Slaughter family (Horrace, Anita, and Brenda) for money, and then walking away. Worse, Bolitar tells only one person about it, Arthur Bradford, who then takes care of the murder himself (or by his hired assassin). Yuck. What kind of ending is that? Harlan Coben doesn't even give the reader clues that leads Bolitar to conclude that Aunt Mabel was the murderer all alone. Instead, he skips over these scenes, allowing Bolitar to only mention it after the fact. Very disappointing, especially considering how good the rest of the book was. What SHOULD have happened? Very simple. Myron Bolitar kills Aunt Mabel, perhaps even tortures her to death. THEN he calls Arthur Bradford to help him clean up and cover up the crime. All of this, would be consistent with both his character, and as a man who confronts the murderer of people that he loved. Plus, this would only add to the beauty of Myron Bolitar being both a flawed and hypocritical, character, which counterbalance his noble and heroic personality.
Did I enjoy "One False Move" just the same? Sure. Yet it could have been so much better with a more satisfying finale.
The set-up is terrific, what with former NCAA basketball star-turned Federal agent-turned sports agent Myon Bolitar commissioned to protect the life of women's basketball star/doctor-in-training Brenda Slaughter. Myron Bolitar is a great character, what with him being a man's man with a catch. No superhero, Bolitar is the strange combination of smart-ass cynic, vulnerable, sensitive humanist...and at times, damsel in distress. Unlike every other hero, Myron Bolitar needs help, and can definitely not fight the bad guys all on his own. His partner in crime Win, is both literally and figuratively Bolitar's alter-ego...the cold, lethal weapon, millionaire-playboy. Their interplay alone is what makes all of the Myron Bolitar novels worth reading.
That all said, "One False Move" was a letdown in the end, with "in the end" being the key words here. After going through pages and pages of fun twists and turns involving missing persons, mobsters, corrupt political candidates, corrupt and non-corrupt police officers, and of course dead bodies, the trail ends with a wimper. Bolitar finally discovers who the REAL villain is in the story, then lets her go, so that another person can murder her in the most painful, violent way possible...as least we are told. However, the reader never gets to experience any of this. Instead, we just get Bolitar confronting evil Aunt Mabel, letting her know he knows she murdered the entire Slaughter family (Horrace, Anita, and Brenda) for money, and then walking away. Worse, Bolitar tells only one person about it, Arthur Bradford, who then takes care of the murder himself (or by his hired assassin). Yuck. What kind of ending is that? Harlan Coben doesn't even give the reader clues that leads Bolitar to conclude that Aunt Mabel was the murderer all alone. Instead, he skips over these scenes, allowing Bolitar to only mention it after the fact. Very disappointing, especially considering how good the rest of the book was. What SHOULD have happened? Very simple. Myron Bolitar kills Aunt Mabel, perhaps even tortures her to death. THEN he calls Arthur Bradford to help him clean up and cover up the crime. All of this, would be consistent with both his character, and as a man who confronts the murderer of people that he loved. Plus, this would only add to the beauty of Myron Bolitar being both a flawed and hypocritical, character, which counterbalance his noble and heroic personality.
Did I enjoy "One False Move" just the same? Sure. Yet it could have been so much better with a more satisfying finale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2022
Not a difficult read with a “manageable number of characters” to keep track of as you read - the book is good.
A beware as you read - some rude & foul language of everyday life starts the story but it disappears fast.
It does not start as “smooth” as I like....but then plot & book turn out to be “good”.
Myron Bolitar is a Sports Agent, X-NBA & detective. Hired by Brenda Slaughter (daughter) - a woman’s professional basketball player & medical school student with scholarships.
Anita Slaughter (mom) has been missing for 20 years since Brenda was 5.
Now Brenda receives mafia threats & then Horace Slaughter (her dad) is missing.
It appears Horace (dad) was told Anita (mom) is still alive. Why was he missing beginning a new search for Anita?
The “murderer” is unaware that Arthur Bradford (politician) was also looking for Anita.
Anita was his lost love, he is Brenda's father (not Horace).
Myron finds the “murderer” is a relative out to get Life Insurance Benefits (dollar amounts).
A beware as you read - some rude & foul language of everyday life starts the story but it disappears fast.
It does not start as “smooth” as I like....but then plot & book turn out to be “good”.
Myron Bolitar is a Sports Agent, X-NBA & detective. Hired by Brenda Slaughter (daughter) - a woman’s professional basketball player & medical school student with scholarships.
Anita Slaughter (mom) has been missing for 20 years since Brenda was 5.
Now Brenda receives mafia threats & then Horace Slaughter (her dad) is missing.
It appears Horace (dad) was told Anita (mom) is still alive. Why was he missing beginning a new search for Anita?
The “murderer” is unaware that Arthur Bradford (politician) was also looking for Anita.
Anita was his lost love, he is Brenda's father (not Horace).
Myron finds the “murderer” is a relative out to get Life Insurance Benefits (dollar amounts).
September 14, 2015
If you're considering One False Move as your first Harlan Coben novel then don't bother. I would suggest Tell No One as a good choice. If you're considering One False Move as your first Harlan Coben novel featuring Myron Bolitar then don't bother as it's the fifth in the series.
The rest of you must already have read several books in the Myron Bolitar series. What do you want to know? It's Harlan Coben. It's Myron Bolitar. Imagine how you would expect it to be and that's exactly how it is.
Myron smartasses his way through the tale with a little help from the ever menacing Win and, mainly by coincidence, some sort of conclusion is reached. As always, Mr Coben uses Myron as a soapbox once or twice but I guess he can do as he likes. All good stuff.
The rest of you must already have read several books in the Myron Bolitar series. What do you want to know? It's Harlan Coben. It's Myron Bolitar. Imagine how you would expect it to be and that's exactly how it is.
Myron smartasses his way through the tale with a little help from the ever menacing Win and, mainly by coincidence, some sort of conclusion is reached. As always, Mr Coben uses Myron as a soapbox once or twice but I guess he can do as he likes. All good stuff.
February 14, 2017
Another FANTASTIC read by Harlan Coben in the Myron Bolitar series.... If you never read this series- pick up book 1 and keep on reading !
June 30, 2019
I liked this better than the last. Myron's internal monologue was better. He still cracked wise often, but not as much as last time, so it wasn't annoying. The mystery was quite twisty & mean. I certainly didn't see the reveal coming. There was also a lot going on in Myron's personal life that was interesting. As usual, Win played a great part. He's a bit over the top, but it's part of his charm.
There are a few strings hanging out there that need to be cut at some point. I have 2 more of these books & I'm looking forward to one confrontation that's been coming for a long time. I'll read another soon. Very well narrated.
There are a few strings hanging out there that need to be cut at some point. I have 2 more of these books & I'm looking forward to one confrontation that's been coming for a long time. I'll read another soon. Very well narrated.
May 8, 2013
8/10
A solid entry into the Harlan Coben/Myron Bolitar series, without ever truly excelling.
I’ve read quite a lot of Harlan Coben’s work now but the last standalone novel I read, “Hold Tight”, just tipped the scales for me and went into the realms of stupidity and a sense of deja vu to some of his other works. I was less than impressed with that book and decided I needed to leave the author alone for some time.
That was a couple of years ago and I felt it was time to read another of his entertaining Myron Bolitar series as this was a step back into comfortable shoes as I knew the characters already and liked the style.
The characters of Myron and Win are entertaining enough to take a long winded crime story and make it entertaining. There was nothing new in the plot that made me curious but the style in which it was delivered made it a fun read. I enjoyed the internal monologue Myron ran throughout to provide a humorous critique on things he was doing/seeing. A similar style to that I recently enjoyed with Jim Butcher and “Storm Front” but more Sports Agent than Wizard for Hire.
A good read and entertaining for the short time it took to read, it won’t leave you blown away but at the same time it won’t disappoint. I hope there are a few more gems in this series yet to come.
If you like this try: “The Bone Collector” by Jeffery Deaver
A solid entry into the Harlan Coben/Myron Bolitar series, without ever truly excelling.
I’ve read quite a lot of Harlan Coben’s work now but the last standalone novel I read, “Hold Tight”, just tipped the scales for me and went into the realms of stupidity and a sense of deja vu to some of his other works. I was less than impressed with that book and decided I needed to leave the author alone for some time.
That was a couple of years ago and I felt it was time to read another of his entertaining Myron Bolitar series as this was a step back into comfortable shoes as I knew the characters already and liked the style.
The characters of Myron and Win are entertaining enough to take a long winded crime story and make it entertaining. There was nothing new in the plot that made me curious but the style in which it was delivered made it a fun read. I enjoyed the internal monologue Myron ran throughout to provide a humorous critique on things he was doing/seeing. A similar style to that I recently enjoyed with Jim Butcher and “Storm Front” but more Sports Agent than Wizard for Hire.
A good read and entertaining for the short time it took to read, it won’t leave you blown away but at the same time it won’t disappoint. I hope there are a few more gems in this series yet to come.
If you like this try: “The Bone Collector” by Jeffery Deaver
August 13, 2018
I've yet to finish a book by this author that I didn't enjoy. They're full of satire and witty comebacks, real-life drama, and have a very strong structure. Myron Bolitar spends more time solving mysterious activities than being a sports agent. He's suppose to be wooing clients but he's sleuthing around like he's Sherlock Holmes. This story changes a lot for me; Myron Billion is one easy going guy with a friend that's ruthless and rich and another best friend that used to be a pro-wrestler. Somehow the dynamics and backgrounds work well together. This story involves a female basketball star and her missing father.
Just as the other books in ther series that I've read so far, the author throws these curve balls throughout the book and the person you least expect is the real killer. Whichever route the author takes is proportioned to the story at hand. What I mean is that it provides background and other information to piece the story together. It's never boring and long-winded nor does the author make the story into the same or similar plot. It's like the CSI book version with this author.
I would rate it 3.5 but it's really a 4 in my opinion. Book club groups, 18 & above would enjoy this series.
Just as the other books in ther series that I've read so far, the author throws these curve balls throughout the book and the person you least expect is the real killer. Whichever route the author takes is proportioned to the story at hand. What I mean is that it provides background and other information to piece the story together. It's never boring and long-winded nor does the author make the story into the same or similar plot. It's like the CSI book version with this author.
I would rate it 3.5 but it's really a 4 in my opinion. Book club groups, 18 & above would enjoy this series.
March 29, 2020
Myron Bolitar book 5: The sporting theme for this case is professional women's basketball, as Myron agrees to protect one of the sport's star's who's riddle of a life is unwound in this tale. We also get to see more of the suburb where Myron grew up. In addition is Jessica drifting away? The darkest and best(?)one so far! Maybe not a slam dunk, but certainly a nice read. 7 out of 12.
April 2, 2020
Small plot hole that didn't make sense to me but still a fun fast pace read.
October 4, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much.
This was a good little mystery that took me almost to the end to figure out, however, I had no idea who the killer was at all, I thought that was a wonderful plot twist.
I wasn't happy with the ending, I really wanted Myron to get a chance with Brenda, I was sad that didn't get to happen.
As always, I adore the psychotic Win so damn much.
This was a good little mystery that took me almost to the end to figure out, however, I had no idea who the killer was at all, I thought that was a wonderful plot twist.
I wasn't happy with the ending, I really wanted Myron to get a chance with Brenda, I was sad that didn't get to happen.
As always, I adore the psychotic Win so damn much.
April 23, 2022
Przeczytałam tom 5 i 10, może by tak sięgnąć w końcu po pierwszy??
Uwielbiam tych bohaterów, więc czemu nie.
Uwielbiam tych bohaterów, więc czemu nie.
June 25, 2023
Un bon Coben bien ficelé, avec son duo de chocs-toujours beaucoup de chocs- Myron et Win. Comme d'habitude, on ne compte pas le nombre de morts, toujours très violentes, ni de coups distribués sans économie. Distrayant, avec toujours cet humour simpliste de 2e ou 3e degré. A lire pour se relaxer avant d'entreprendre une lecture plus intellectuelle, soit quasi n'importe quel autre auteur.
September 24, 2017
3.5 stars- Harlan Coben with Myron has myriads of mirth, quips of humor and far more than usual excelling banter for the genre. He's great at it. And in this one that quality dominants the book, but at the same time with the references to current nuance and tv, media etc. it is also quite dated. Because I read it out of order and this is in an early Myron state of life, I find both he and Win not as layered. They get much more so later in the series. It's a point of insight (that later character definition /history) that I appreciate to such a degree that the earlier plots or other aspects don't embed me as much as they could. If I had read them in order and/ or closer to their times of publication? Then I might have given this a full 4.
But, saying that- this plot was also intensely sad. Much more than the usual Myron. And for that alone I don't think it meshed with me to a 4 star. Especially in the ending, which was totally a 180 from what these Coben and even the entire genre usually incur. Sad and tragic.
The thugs are thugish. Win is still undiluted lethal weapon, yet to have a singular heart rending emotive response to the female, I don't believe.
And the plot itself is filled with politico corruptions and two faced "everybodies". And because of that last fact I had no idea of the real nasty perp here. Not a clue until just pages from the end.
But I'm glad I went back to read some of the Myron's I missed long ago. At least I learned they aren't always 90 or 100% goal attained?
Coben entertains with his period minutia too. That hasn't changed, just the knowledge of who knows what he is quipping about (in the present demographics) has changed.
I'll probably get around to the 1 or 2 others I missed eventually.
But, saying that- this plot was also intensely sad. Much more than the usual Myron. And for that alone I don't think it meshed with me to a 4 star. Especially in the ending, which was totally a 180 from what these Coben and even the entire genre usually incur. Sad and tragic.
The thugs are thugish. Win is still undiluted lethal weapon, yet to have a singular heart rending emotive response to the female, I don't believe.
And the plot itself is filled with politico corruptions and two faced "everybodies". And because of that last fact I had no idea of the real nasty perp here. Not a clue until just pages from the end.
But I'm glad I went back to read some of the Myron's I missed long ago. At least I learned they aren't always 90 or 100% goal attained?
Coben entertains with his period minutia too. That hasn't changed, just the knowledge of who knows what he is quipping about (in the present demographics) has changed.
I'll probably get around to the 1 or 2 others I missed eventually.
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