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Mickey Bolitar #1-3
Trylogia: Schronienie / Kilka sekund do smierci / Odnaleziony
SHELTER:
Mickey Bolitar’s year can’t get much worse. After witnessing his father’s death and sending his mom to rehab, he’s forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey’s train wreck of a life is finally improving — until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley’s trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn’t who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey’s father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury — and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.
SECONDS AWAY: When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey Bolitar and his loyal new friends — sharp-witted Ema and the adorkably charming Spoon — find themselves at the center of a murder mystery involving their friend Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey have to continue his quest to uncover the truth about the Abeona Shelter and the Butcher of Lodz, he needs to figure out what happened to Rachel — no matter what it takes. Mickey has always been ready to sacrifice everything to help the people he loves. But how can he protect them when he’s not even sure who — or what — he’s protecting them from?
FOUND: It’s been eight months since Mickey Bolitar witnessed the shocking, tragic death of his father. Eight months of lies, dark secrets, and unanswered questions. While he desperately wants answers, Mickey’s sophomore year of high school brings on a whole new set of troubles. Spoon is in the hospital, Rachel won’t tell him where he stands, his basketball teammates hate him…and then there’s Ema’s surprise announcement: She has an online boyfriend, and he’s vanished. As he’s searching for Ema’s missing boyfriend (who may not even exist!), Mickey also gets roped into helping his nemesis, Troy Taylor, with a big problem. All the while, Mickey and his friends are pulled deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Abeona Shelter, risking their lives to find the answers—until the shocking climax, where Mickey finally comes face-to-face with the truth about his father.
SECONDS AWAY: When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey Bolitar and his loyal new friends — sharp-witted Ema and the adorkably charming Spoon — find themselves at the center of a murder mystery involving their friend Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey have to continue his quest to uncover the truth about the Abeona Shelter and the Butcher of Lodz, he needs to figure out what happened to Rachel — no matter what it takes. Mickey has always been ready to sacrifice everything to help the people he loves. But how can he protect them when he’s not even sure who — or what — he’s protecting them from?
FOUND: It’s been eight months since Mickey Bolitar witnessed the shocking, tragic death of his father. Eight months of lies, dark secrets, and unanswered questions. While he desperately wants answers, Mickey’s sophomore year of high school brings on a whole new set of troubles. Spoon is in the hospital, Rachel won’t tell him where he stands, his basketball teammates hate him…and then there’s Ema’s surprise announcement: She has an online boyfriend, and he’s vanished. As he’s searching for Ema’s missing boyfriend (who may not even exist!), Mickey also gets roped into helping his nemesis, Troy Taylor, with a big problem. All the while, Mickey and his friends are pulled deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Abeona Shelter, risking their lives to find the answers—until the shocking climax, where Mickey finally comes face-to-face with the truth about his father.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
12 people are currently reading
1178 people want to read
About the author
Harlan Coben
207 books44.6k 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 11, 2016
I just finished the third Mickey Bolitar book and thought it was time to write a Goodreads review of them!
This is exceptional teen fiction, the kind that's completely enjoyable to read at any age. In fact, it seems that the older I get the more I like teen fiction, both because the quality of offerings is improving and because I can enjoy the plots without all of the language, sex, and violence so frequently featured in adult books of the same genera.
Mickey Bolitar has similar adventures to his uncle Myron (and I've read and enjoyed every one of his books). He also has entertaining, well-developed sidekicks in friends Spoon and Ema—Spoon alone is worth reading these books for. Coben's dry sense of humor shines within this great framework.
If you like the Mystery-with-Some-Action genera, please give these a try. Forget the teen thing and just enjoy them. There's nothing like stopping to laugh out loud at a great turn of phrase despite how badly you want to keep reading to find out what happens!
This is exceptional teen fiction, the kind that's completely enjoyable to read at any age. In fact, it seems that the older I get the more I like teen fiction, both because the quality of offerings is improving and because I can enjoy the plots without all of the language, sex, and violence so frequently featured in adult books of the same genera.
Mickey Bolitar has similar adventures to his uncle Myron (and I've read and enjoyed every one of his books). He also has entertaining, well-developed sidekicks in friends Spoon and Ema—Spoon alone is worth reading these books for. Coben's dry sense of humor shines within this great framework.
If you like the Mystery-with-Some-Action genera, please give these a try. Forget the teen thing and just enjoy them. There's nothing like stopping to laugh out loud at a great turn of phrase despite how badly you want to keep reading to find out what happens!
January 27, 2017
In this book Mickey Bolitar’s father passes away and sends his mother into a deep depression, leaving her to go to therapy. Mickey just started at a new school and is struggling to make friends and how to fit in, until he meets “Spoon” and “Ema”. Mickey soon runs into “Bat Lady” and he suddenly becomes interested in her mysterious life.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat thinking about what is gonna happen next. The book is constantly keeping you thinking.
The plot of this story is very engaging, but kind of difficult to follow if you don’t know all the characters names. When you start reading, it gets hard to stop, just because of all of the action going on constantly. The plot is not always predictable, but is sometimes. Throughout the story the conflict builds and builds making the suspense more suspenseful, especially with “Bat Lady”
I can relate to this book a lot, my aunt lost her husband when my cousin and I were both quite young, and she ended up going into a depression and having to go to therapy. My cousin ended up living with us for a little bit, as he was too little to take care of himself, in the story Mickey’s mother goes through a similar “process” as my aunt did. Also I switched schools in elementary as well so I know kind of where Mickey is struggling to find friends. While reading this book I often found myself caring about Mickey, because of my past it allows me to be able to connect to people that have been through similar things that i have been through.
Overall i thought this book was really engaging and very relatable on my part. People will enjoy this book if you are into a mystery kind of book.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat thinking about what is gonna happen next. The book is constantly keeping you thinking.
The plot of this story is very engaging, but kind of difficult to follow if you don’t know all the characters names. When you start reading, it gets hard to stop, just because of all of the action going on constantly. The plot is not always predictable, but is sometimes. Throughout the story the conflict builds and builds making the suspense more suspenseful, especially with “Bat Lady”
I can relate to this book a lot, my aunt lost her husband when my cousin and I were both quite young, and she ended up going into a depression and having to go to therapy. My cousin ended up living with us for a little bit, as he was too little to take care of himself, in the story Mickey’s mother goes through a similar “process” as my aunt did. Also I switched schools in elementary as well so I know kind of where Mickey is struggling to find friends. While reading this book I often found myself caring about Mickey, because of my past it allows me to be able to connect to people that have been through similar things that i have been through.
Overall i thought this book was really engaging and very relatable on my part. People will enjoy this book if you are into a mystery kind of book.
October 23, 2022
(4.5 stars) I feel like because these are the first three books I've read from Harlan Coben, I didn't have any expectations going into this trilogy but ohh I was so captivated
From the first book I was already loving the main trio. The plot was so well done!! There were mysteries upon mysteries and I just kept asking questions, but while one mystery resolved there were always more! The ending of the last book was amazing in my opinion, it was very emotional and I rlly loved it
While I was listening to the audiobook for Found the bat lady x refrigerator scene was on and I was genuinely laughing so hard I thought I'll piss my pants. The narrator was amazing
From the first book I was already loving the main trio. The plot was so well done!! There were mysteries upon mysteries and I just kept asking questions, but while one mystery resolved there were always more! The ending of the last book was amazing in my opinion, it was very emotional and I rlly loved it
While I was listening to the audiobook for Found the bat lady x refrigerator scene was on and I was genuinely laughing so hard I thought I'll piss my pants. The narrator was amazing
August 14, 2021
I read this YA trilogy one book right after the other. I wanted to try the Mickey Bolitar series because I've read and enjoyed Coben's Myron Bolitar (Mickey's uncle) series.
I'm doing one review for the entire trilogy because, to me, the trilogy is just one story in a longish book. Shelter (book 1) really engaged me -- I read it in one day, which is unusual for me these days. Mickey was introduced in the last Myron book I read (Live Wire), and Shelter starts immediately after that book (there's actually a bit of overlap at the beginning) and left me wanting more, so I immediately started Seconds Away (book 2), which I also read in a day. It did drag a bit (unlike the first book) because there's a certain amount of retelling of the background from book 1 (probably as a refresher for those who had to wait some time for each book to be published or for those who didn't start with the first book, which is a bad idea). I had to jump right in to Found (book 3) just to see how things would -- hopefully -- wrap up. And they wrapped up pretty satisfactorily.
One criticism I have of the storyline is the Abeona Shelter. I just have to suspend disbelief to even remotely buy it most things about it.
There are more storylines that could be followed for additional books in the series. The entire trilogy takes place over a very short period of time (maybe a couple of months) and there are several other things going on with the characters that have yet to be resolved. I'd read more :-) I'm also going to read the next Myron Bolitar book (Home) -- I think Mickey is in it.
I'm doing one review for the entire trilogy because, to me, the trilogy is just one story in a longish book. Shelter (book 1) really engaged me -- I read it in one day, which is unusual for me these days. Mickey was introduced in the last Myron book I read (Live Wire), and Shelter starts immediately after that book (there's actually a bit of overlap at the beginning) and left me wanting more, so I immediately started Seconds Away (book 2), which I also read in a day. It did drag a bit (unlike the first book) because there's a certain amount of retelling of the background from book 1 (probably as a refresher for those who had to wait some time for each book to be published or for those who didn't start with the first book, which is a bad idea). I had to jump right in to Found (book 3) just to see how things would -- hopefully -- wrap up. And they wrapped up pretty satisfactorily.
One criticism I have of the storyline is the Abeona Shelter. I just have to suspend disbelief to even remotely buy it most things about it.
There are more storylines that could be followed for additional books in the series. The entire trilogy takes place over a very short period of time (maybe a couple of months) and there are several other things going on with the characters that have yet to be resolved. I'd read more :-) I'm also going to read the next Myron Bolitar book (Home) -- I think Mickey is in it.
April 2, 2023
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Category: Young-Adult Mystery Thriller
Overall: Suspenseful, exciting, action-packed
Pros: For fans of Myron Bolitar, these are a must read. Mickey is like a teenage version of Myron with his same clever, quick-witted sense of humor. It’s a spinoff from the Myron Bolitar series for young adults, but you don’t have to have read that series to pick this one up. It’s got that notorious Harlan Coben action-packed, suspenseful nature with never-ending twists and turns. The difference in this series is that it explores themes about identity and coming of age that younger readers will relate to as the characters are realistic teens. I read the first three books within a few days as they’re fast-paced and enthralling. So far, my favorite book in the series has been the third one, Found. I’m excited to read the next one!
Cons: It is definitely more of a young adult series, but still enjoyable!
Category: Young-Adult Mystery Thriller
Overall: Suspenseful, exciting, action-packed
Pros: For fans of Myron Bolitar, these are a must read. Mickey is like a teenage version of Myron with his same clever, quick-witted sense of humor. It’s a spinoff from the Myron Bolitar series for young adults, but you don’t have to have read that series to pick this one up. It’s got that notorious Harlan Coben action-packed, suspenseful nature with never-ending twists and turns. The difference in this series is that it explores themes about identity and coming of age that younger readers will relate to as the characters are realistic teens. I read the first three books within a few days as they’re fast-paced and enthralling. So far, my favorite book in the series has been the third one, Found. I’m excited to read the next one!
Cons: It is definitely more of a young adult series, but still enjoyable!
May 27, 2023
This series was my first introduction to Harlan Coben books. I was younger and the younger character was so fitting. As a kid I always wanted to be a spy and the main character felt like a role model to me. Great read and it really transported me into that world.
June 30, 2024
Excellent series. I read it quite a few years ago. Mystery, suspense. A group of teenagers find in each others friendship the help they need to uncover clues and solve the mysteries that surround the main plot. I believe this book contains historical mention of holocaust events.
August 28, 2018
Really enjoyed this! Wish he'd write another.
January 15, 2019
BETTER THAN THE FIRST ONE
Read
January 8, 2020really good book and the squeals were also really good
January 28, 2020
Really great series I recommend it to everyone.
January 2, 2023
Great series!
February 15, 2024
dobra młodzieżówka
November 12, 2024
Great series.
September 15, 2025
Read all three would love to read more about Micky,Ema and Spoons. But since that doesn’t seem to be forthcoming I am moving on to the Myron books.
January 5, 2026
J'ai relu ce livre que j'avais adoré adolescente, c'est toujours le cas, le suspens jusqu'au bout !
February 21, 2022
Enjoyed the reading, ate them up in three days… A good escapist novels for people under 16. The second novel was quite bad, the third made up for it, a fun little ride with no intelectual struggles in the way.
October 31, 2018
I read all 3 of these books by Harlan Coben I'm a huge fan of his and I liked part 1-3 by him and I can't wait until part 4 comes out. I hope it'll be out very soon because I'm itching for more. And want to know where his father at. etc
Updated: Don't come commenting on my post, because I know there's no part 4 . . . He already said if we wanted more of Mickey we can read HOME!
Updated: Don't come commenting on my post, because I know there's no part 4 . . . He already said if we wanted more of Mickey we can read HOME!
July 12, 2016
While not deep literature, Coben's books always entertain! I completed this series a while ago so cannot add specific comments regarding the stories but I read each and every novel of Coben's. I love his style and, living in New Jersey, enjoy his car chases up and down Route 46 or hideaways in the Livingston or Paramus Malls.
September 19, 2016
My first Mickey Bolitar book, good but not as good as a Myron Bolitar. However Mickey is young and his team is developing and shows much promise, with Myron's help & maybe Win he will mature to a real addition to Myron's endeavors. Mickey will eventually be doing his own adventures no doubt with back up by his Uncle Myron.
March 14, 2018
It was really, really good. After I finished, I just sat there in shock. I mean wow. Did not see that coming. I read this entire series in only three days because It was so suspenseful and I literally could not put it down. There were some things I would change about it, but overall, it was really good.
August 21, 2016
My first of the Mickey Bolitar series. AImed at young adults I still found Shelter an enjoyable read. Characters were likeable and believable...well maybe stretched a little.and I don't re,ever one Istanbul of rough language .
March 17, 2016
All 3 books was good I can't wait for part 4 to come out
June 30, 2016
Never doubted I'd love it.
Read
July 2, 2016Even though I am an adult, I will read anything by Mr. Coben! I loved the Shelter series and I hope that there is more to come!
Read
May 28, 2018This was a very suspenseful book. I hope someday he will be able to lead a normal life.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews