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Gone for Good
As a boy, Will Klein had a hero: his older brother, Ken. Then, on a warm suburban night in the Kleins’ affluent New Jersey neighborhood, a young woman—a girl Will had once loved—was found brutally murdered in her family’s basement. The prime suspect: Ken Klein. With the evidence against him overwhelming, Ken simply vanished. And when his shattered family never heard from Ken again, they were sure he was gone for good.
Now eleven years have passed. Will has found proof that Ken is alive. And this is just the first in a series of stunning revelations as Will is forced to confront startling truths about his brother, and even himself. As a violent mystery unwinds around him, Will knows he must press his search all the way to the end. Because the most powerful surprises are yet to come.
Now eleven years have passed. Will has found proof that Ken is alive. And this is just the first in a series of stunning revelations as Will is forced to confront startling truths about his brother, and even himself. As a violent mystery unwinds around him, Will knows he must press his search all the way to the end. Because the most powerful surprises are yet to come.
385 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
3808 people are currently reading
29916 people want to read
About the author
Harlan Coben
194 books44.7k 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 4,025 reviews
January 11, 2025
GONE FOR GOOD has so many surprising twists and turns to make it another most enjoyable read by HARLAN COBEN which gets a 4.5 star rating from me!
I really like this authors writing style and his dialogue is terrific throughout this novel. Most of the chapters were nice and short with most having some type of revelation to keep you interested and wanting to keep turning those pages.
The plot was filled with lots of twists at a surprising speed that kept me totally engaged in what I was reading. I found that it was so entertaining and fast-paced that I didn't even want to guess the outcome even though I can now see that we were given a few clues. I thought that I was given enough information on each character that it was easy to follow along with them and the storyline.
Will Klein was my favourite character as I felt for him and was rooting for him. HARLAN COBEN actually made me feel that Will was talking directly to me, the reader!
This book was chosen to read by me solely on who the author was. Cover, title and synopsis did not come into play on this read.
To wrap it up it was an entertaining, enjoyable, quick and easy, fast-paced, and interesting mystery with a very satisfying ending. Would recommend!!
I really like this authors writing style and his dialogue is terrific throughout this novel. Most of the chapters were nice and short with most having some type of revelation to keep you interested and wanting to keep turning those pages.
The plot was filled with lots of twists at a surprising speed that kept me totally engaged in what I was reading. I found that it was so entertaining and fast-paced that I didn't even want to guess the outcome even though I can now see that we were given a few clues. I thought that I was given enough information on each character that it was easy to follow along with them and the storyline.
Will Klein was my favourite character as I felt for him and was rooting for him. HARLAN COBEN actually made me feel that Will was talking directly to me, the reader!
This book was chosen to read by me solely on who the author was. Cover, title and synopsis did not come into play on this read.
To wrap it up it was an entertaining, enjoyable, quick and easy, fast-paced, and interesting mystery with a very satisfying ending. Would recommend!!
December 29, 2017
When I first started reading "Gone for Good" by my favourite author Harlan Coben I had to put it down as I just couldn't get into it, however having picked it up again a few days later I fully realised that it was ME and in NO WAY the book!
My word! This addictive book was one helluva thriller, pace perfect it pulls you in and just doesn't let you go - I didn't want it to end and wished there had been more! There was layer upon layer of plot lines, fantastic breakneck speed twists and turns and an phenomenal ending that after having had you so tense had me emotionally wrecked!
I SO loved the main characters Will Klein and 'Squares' - I could see my favourite characters Win and Myron in them which made me so happy! Even a visit from Hester Crimstein - brilliant! And as for 'Ghost' - I don't think a baddie has had me so creeped out since Hannibal Lecter!
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars - Harlan just keeps on coming with fantastic books and plot lines - I don't know where he gets them from - but wow! this is definitely one of my favourite by Harlan (and I think I say that every time haha!). I highly recommend this book, if you've never read anything by Harlan before I urge you to start now you won't be disappointed - you'll be hooked and with so many books to read by him you'll have plenty to keep you reading! A HUGE 5 stars!!!!!!
My word! This addictive book was one helluva thriller, pace perfect it pulls you in and just doesn't let you go - I didn't want it to end and wished there had been more! There was layer upon layer of plot lines, fantastic breakneck speed twists and turns and an phenomenal ending that after having had you so tense had me emotionally wrecked!
I SO loved the main characters Will Klein and 'Squares' - I could see my favourite characters Win and Myron in them which made me so happy! Even a visit from Hester Crimstein - brilliant! And as for 'Ghost' - I don't think a baddie has had me so creeped out since Hannibal Lecter!
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars - Harlan just keeps on coming with fantastic books and plot lines - I don't know where he gets them from - but wow! this is definitely one of my favourite by Harlan (and I think I say that every time haha!). I highly recommend this book, if you've never read anything by Harlan before I urge you to start now you won't be disappointed - you'll be hooked and with so many books to read by him you'll have plenty to keep you reading! A HUGE 5 stars!!!!!!
May 22, 2016
HOLY FREAKIN MOLY! This book was beyond superb. I can't even find the words for it. Phenomenal! Coben holds your interest from the first to the last word. Every chapter revealed another layer that was peeled, revealing some startling discovery. Absolutely one of my favorite novels by Coben. He is by far, the best author around. Highly recommend this novel!!! Get it and read it! NOW!!!!!!! (You won't regret it)
June 6, 2009
Yes, I did it again. I am addicted. It's like crack. or the crack of an ass. I can feel the damage being done to my brain as I read page after implausible page and I wince at phrase after ham-handed phrase but still I keep going. As McDonalds is to one's arteries so is Coben to ones brain. What is the cranial equivalent of an oxygen tank and an electric wheel chair, and a long day spent drooling through the aisles at Wal-mart? That is what Coben is, what he does to me. God, I hate him. God, I hate myself.
November 27, 2024
Will Klein has proof that his older brother Ken is alive after Ken disappeared eleven years ago when he was accused of murdering a young girl (who happened to be someone Will once loved.) Secrets are slowly being revealed about Ken's life, and Will’s current girlfriend, Sheila. With many violent characters after him, Will tries to find out what really happened to his brother years ago.
This was an entertaining mystery with many interesting characters… The Ghost (a very violent guy), Squares (Will’s good friend), and many others. The book had some surprising twists and I liked how the story ended. Another good read by Harlan Coben.
This was an entertaining mystery with many interesting characters… The Ghost (a very violent guy), Squares (Will’s good friend), and many others. The book had some surprising twists and I liked how the story ended. Another good read by Harlan Coben.
November 13, 2016
"Three days before her death, my mother told me these weren't her last words, but they were pretty close that my brother was still alive."
Gone for Good is not so differrent from Tell No One. I was astounded how these books started off the same with the main character making an assumption that the death person is still alive. While Tell No One packs with action and gutwrenching scenes, Gone for Good is full of drama and heartbreaking stories. I enjoyed Gone for Good since the first few chapters, but after various characters come out of nowhere, I got the feeling that this book was hard to concentrate about who each one is or who takes a part in the crime. Can't deny that Coben is a smart writer, he hid the evidences in the evidences, and the twists were likewise profound and cruel that made me frown so many times.
The Ghost stood. "I didn't come back for revenge or even justice,"
Will Klein is my favorite character, it was fun to hear what he knows. His thought is not messy, and his sympathy for other people gives this book a family vibe at the same time. Ken Klein is also an interesting one, even he doesn't take many parts in this book, it still intrigued me when Will thinks of his brother and wholeheartedly hope that he's still alive.
But why 3 stars ?
As I said, this book is very much alike Tell No One but lacks of action scenes. Although that's not the problem for me, the problem is the characters are too much and they made me confused. Some characters just pop up and disappear, I am so curious that it would be better if Coben limited his characters as few as possible. And the ending was just so-so, not mind-blowing like Tell No One.
By the way, it's a great read for me. I have many of his books on my shelves right now.
https://goo.gl/XyvWNf
June 17, 2016
ঘোল খেয়েছেন কখনো? যদি না খেয়ে থাকেন, তাহলে এই বইটা পড়তে পারেন। পয়সা উশুল হবে বলে দিচ্ছি। লেখক একের পর এক নক আউট পাঞ্চ দিতে থাকবেন আর মাথা ঘোরাতে থাকবে।
থৃলার জনরায় বর্তমান সময়ের সবচেয়ে সেরা লেখকদের একজন হারলান কোবেন। বইয়ের প্রথম শব্দটা থেকে একদম শেষ শব্দটা পর্যন্ত মনোযোগ ধরে রাখতে বাধ্য করবে। লেয়ারের পর লেয়ার আর টুইস্ট এর কথা নাহয় বাদই দিলাম। সেই সাথে আছে দুর্দান্ত ক্যারেক্টার বিল্ডিং।
এই বইয়ের নায়কের নাম উইল। এগার বছর আগে তার সাবেক প্রেমিকা খুন হয়ে যায় নিজের বাসার বেজমেন্টে। আর সন্দেহভাজন আসামী করা হয় উইলের ভাই কেইনকে। উধাও হয়ে যায় কেইন। সবাই ধরে নেয় সেও মৃত। কিন্তু প্রকৃত সত্যটা রয়ে যায় অমীমাংসিত। এগার বছর পর উইলের মা মৃত্যু শয্যায় বলে যান যে বেচে আছে কেইন। আর এরপরেই ঘটতে থাকে একের পর এক ঘটনা। জড়িয়ে পরে উইল। এরপর থেকেই। উত্তেজনার শুরু। উত্তরের খোজে একদম আকড়ে ধরেছিলাম বইটা(মানে ঐ কিন্ডল আর কি)।।
যে কোন ঘাগু পাঠককে ঘোল খাওয়াতে সক্ষম এই বইটা। একটানা পড়ে যেতে বাধ্য। ফেভারিট লিস্টে ঢুকে গেল। :)
থৃলার জনরায় বর্তমান সময়ের সবচেয়ে সেরা লেখকদের একজন হারলান কোবেন। বইয়ের প্রথম শব্দটা থেকে একদম শেষ শব্দটা পর্যন্ত মনোযোগ ধরে রাখতে বাধ্য করবে। লেয়ারের পর লেয়ার আর টুইস্ট এর কথা নাহয় বাদই দিলাম। সেই সাথে আছে দুর্দান্ত ক্যারেক্টার বিল্ডিং।
এই বইয়ের নায়কের নাম উইল। এগার বছর আগে তার সাবেক প্রেমিকা খুন হয়ে যায় নিজের বাসার বেজমেন্টে। আর সন্দেহভাজন আসামী করা হয় উইলের ভাই কেইনকে। উধাও হয়ে যায় কেইন। সবাই ধরে নেয় সেও মৃত। কিন্তু প্রকৃত সত্যটা রয়ে যায় অমীমাংসিত। এগার বছর পর উইলের মা মৃত্যু শয্যায় বলে যান যে বেচে আছে কেইন। আর এরপরেই ঘটতে থাকে একের পর এক ঘটনা। জড়িয়ে পরে উইল। এরপর থেকেই। উত্তেজনার শুরু। উত্তরের খোজে একদম আকড়ে ধরেছিলাম বইটা(মানে ঐ কিন্ডল আর কি)।।
যে কোন ঘাগু পাঠককে ঘোল খাওয়াতে সক্ষম এই বইটা। একটানা পড়ে যেতে বাধ্য। ফেভারিট লিস্টে ঢুকে গেল। :)
March 19, 2017
FROM THE BLURB
As a boy, Will Klein had a hero: his older brother, Ken. Then, on a warm suburban night in the Kleins’ affluent New Jersey neighborhood, a young woman—a girl Will had once loved—was found brutally murdered in her family’s basement. The prime suspect: Ken Klein. With the evidence against him overwhelming, Ken simply vanished. And when his shattered family never heard from Ken again, they were sure he was gone for good.
Now eleven years have passed. Will has found proof that Ken is alive. And this is just the first in a series of stunning revelations as Will is forced to confront startling truths about his brother—and himself. As a violent mystery unwinds around him, Will knows that he must press his search all the way to the end. Because the most powerful surprises are yet to come.
As the author says, ...the thing about clichés is that they're dead on. I can so live with that. Some of them made good sense in this book.
I loveeeeeeed this murder mystery, suspense thriller. Messing around with the sleuthing readers, the author knew where to pull the punches to get us disorientated and lost on the wrong tracks of facts. Surprise after surprise! Oh myyyyyy, it was brilliant.
Trivial things delighted me, such as the normalcy of their lives. They engaged in ordinary things, eating salads, cheese omelettes, home or french fries, and enjoy venti iced lattés or frappuccinos. It was necessary to escape the stark reality of murder, betrayal, revenge and destroyed lives.
Ken Klein had been the fiery tennis player, John Asselta the psycho wrestler, McGuane the wow-'em charmer and student council president. Three friends, natives and products from the Livingston suburb, New Jersey. Popular, intelligent, ambitious.
Whatever could go wrong in these three friends' lives, when the well-watered lawns, split-level constructed homes, Little Leagues, soccer moms, piano lessons, Four Squares courts, and parent-teacher conferences, acted as some sort of wolfsbane to supposedly ward of evil?
Evil was suppose to manifest in jails, where a melting pot of people were captured: a potpourri of inhumanity that inhabits this mini-United Nations. Ten different languages could be heard at the same time. There were shades of skin color that could inspire the people at Crayola. There were baseball caps and turbans and toupees and even a fez.
Into this Crayola of colorful cultures, characters such as Yogi Squares the Yoga guru could be found. And Sheila, Nora, Katy, Wanda, Agents Fisher and Joey Pistillo. A place like Covenant house could exist where young teenagers were safely rescued from the streets.
All of them had their stories to tell. A twist of fate brought them all together in the hunt for truth and reconciliation. Some lost. Some won. Nobody walked away unscathed.
As a boy, Will Klein had a hero: his older brother, Ken. Then, on a warm suburban night in the Kleins’ affluent New Jersey neighborhood, a young woman—a girl Will had once loved—was found brutally murdered in her family’s basement. The prime suspect: Ken Klein. With the evidence against him overwhelming, Ken simply vanished. And when his shattered family never heard from Ken again, they were sure he was gone for good.
Now eleven years have passed. Will has found proof that Ken is alive. And this is just the first in a series of stunning revelations as Will is forced to confront startling truths about his brother—and himself. As a violent mystery unwinds around him, Will knows that he must press his search all the way to the end. Because the most powerful surprises are yet to come.
As the author says, ...the thing about clichés is that they're dead on. I can so live with that. Some of them made good sense in this book.
I loveeeeeeed this murder mystery, suspense thriller. Messing around with the sleuthing readers, the author knew where to pull the punches to get us disorientated and lost on the wrong tracks of facts. Surprise after surprise! Oh myyyyyy, it was brilliant.
Trivial things delighted me, such as the normalcy of their lives. They engaged in ordinary things, eating salads, cheese omelettes, home or french fries, and enjoy venti iced lattés or frappuccinos. It was necessary to escape the stark reality of murder, betrayal, revenge and destroyed lives.
Ken Klein had been the fiery tennis player, John Asselta the psycho wrestler, McGuane the wow-'em charmer and student council president. Three friends, natives and products from the Livingston suburb, New Jersey. Popular, intelligent, ambitious.
Whatever could go wrong in these three friends' lives, when the well-watered lawns, split-level constructed homes, Little Leagues, soccer moms, piano lessons, Four Squares courts, and parent-teacher conferences, acted as some sort of wolfsbane to supposedly ward of evil?
Evil was suppose to manifest in jails, where a melting pot of people were captured: a potpourri of inhumanity that inhabits this mini-United Nations. Ten different languages could be heard at the same time. There were shades of skin color that could inspire the people at Crayola. There were baseball caps and turbans and toupees and even a fez.
Into this Crayola of colorful cultures, characters such as Yogi Squares the Yoga guru could be found. And Sheila, Nora, Katy, Wanda, Agents Fisher and Joey Pistillo. A place like Covenant house could exist where young teenagers were safely rescued from the streets.
All of them had their stories to tell. A twist of fate brought them all together in the hunt for truth and reconciliation. Some lost. Some won. Nobody walked away unscathed.
"The ugliest of truths, in the end, was still better than the prettiest of lies."A fantastic read! It was as much an emotional fairground parade as it was a Bruce Springsteen concert of mayhem and revolt. Even the reader got caught up in the fast moving rhythms of a mesmerized trance. The suspense was that good. The ending amazing.
January 31, 2024
Really enjoying Coben lately. I feel like my reviews will be repetitive if I go too much in depth. That is, I love his writing, I love his stories and am always caught up in the mystery, suspense and thrills. He is a reliable author for me to enjoy.
The book description is on GR so I won't go further and risk spoilers other than to say the big stand out for Gone for Good cf his other books is the ending. About 3 lots (or maybe more) of proper jaw dropping moments. Pushing on goosebumps level, with all the feels. The epilogue also hit hard.
Would recommend this and all his books I've read but with a warning that this was (and others) published nearly two decades ago, so if you don't deal well with not more PC writing then may be worth skipping some of his older works.
The book description is on GR so I won't go further and risk spoilers other than to say the big stand out for Gone for Good cf his other books is the ending. About 3 lots (or maybe more) of proper jaw dropping moments. Pushing on goosebumps level, with all the feels. The epilogue also hit hard.
Would recommend this and all his books I've read but with a warning that this was (and others) published nearly two decades ago, so if you don't deal well with not more PC writing then may be worth skipping some of his older works.
July 16, 2021
I’m a big fan of Harlan Coben, but this book is really dark with very little of the trademark Coben humor.
When Will Klein was a teenager, his older brother supposedly murdered his girlfriend and then vanished. It’s now 11 years later, his mother recently deceased and Will has proof that Ken is still alive. But that’s not all, his girlfriend has also disappeared and the FBI is looking for her. This story is action packed. There are lots of moving parts and quite a few twists I didn’t see coming. In fact, at one point, I thought it was going to be sort of anti-climactic, but then Coben ratcheted it up several notches so that I was very satisfied with the ending.
As always, Coben has created some really memorable characters, especially Squares and the Ghost.
This wasn’t my favorite Coben work, because of the darkness. Also, several times it did veer into territory that was beyond unbelievable.
Jonathan Marosz was the narrator and I was pleased with his performance.
When Will Klein was a teenager, his older brother supposedly murdered his girlfriend and then vanished. It’s now 11 years later, his mother recently deceased and Will has proof that Ken is still alive. But that’s not all, his girlfriend has also disappeared and the FBI is looking for her. This story is action packed. There are lots of moving parts and quite a few twists I didn’t see coming. In fact, at one point, I thought it was going to be sort of anti-climactic, but then Coben ratcheted it up several notches so that I was very satisfied with the ending.
As always, Coben has created some really memorable characters, especially Squares and the Ghost.
This wasn’t my favorite Coben work, because of the darkness. Also, several times it did veer into territory that was beyond unbelievable.
Jonathan Marosz was the narrator and I was pleased with his performance.
May 9, 2015
A fun read. A bit naive in places when it came to motivation for some of the gruesome killings and especially for the Ghost's part in the whole thing. That was very weak. There was a nice twist at the end, in fact there were several nice twists at the end and the book finished on a high. I had no real attachment to any of the characters except maybe a little for Squares. Too many of the characters were not who or what they were supposed to be which made it difficult to really know them. So basically an entertaining and fairly quick read without much to remember it by.
April 20, 2025
„Господари на нощта“ се оказа много силен и интересен трилър! Харлан Коубън е създал доста напрегнат криминален сюжет, изпълнен с вълнуващи обрати...
„... Е, слушам. Какво ли толкова имаш да кажеш, че да е едновременно актуално и интересно?“
„... Е, слушам. Какво ли толкова имаш да кажеш, че да е едновременно актуално и интересно?“
January 1, 2021
I like Harlan Coben and always enjoy a chance to get to one of his books. I tend to enjoy the Bolitar books more, but the stand-alones have some gems as well. Unfortunately, Gone for Good did not click for me as one of the stronger stand-alone offerings.
I think the issue for me is that Coben went into his twist and turn box of tricks and went crazy. I appreciate a good twist or turn in a book, sometimes even a few, but I was very quickly having a hard time keeping up with the characters, revelations about their backgrounds, and the constantly changing plot points. Maybe I was not in the right mindset for this book at the moment, but I just could not stay focused.
I kid you not - for the climax there were at least five mind-blowingly large plot twists. I think this book may even make M. Night Shyamalan uncomfortable.
But, to be fair, as much as I love suspense/mysteries, this seems to be a common issue with me and books like this. Since it is not the first time it has happened, maybe books like this need their own category: Super Duper Twisty Thriller Mysteries. If they did, I would probably avoid this genre and stick with the run of the mill twisty thriller mysteries!
I think the issue for me is that Coben went into his twist and turn box of tricks and went crazy. I appreciate a good twist or turn in a book, sometimes even a few, but I was very quickly having a hard time keeping up with the characters, revelations about their backgrounds, and the constantly changing plot points. Maybe I was not in the right mindset for this book at the moment, but I just could not stay focused.
I kid you not - for the climax there were at least five mind-blowingly large plot twists. I think this book may even make M. Night Shyamalan uncomfortable.
But, to be fair, as much as I love suspense/mysteries, this seems to be a common issue with me and books like this. Since it is not the first time it has happened, maybe books like this need their own category: Super Duper Twisty Thriller Mysteries. If they did, I would probably avoid this genre and stick with the run of the mill twisty thriller mysteries!
March 31, 2021
This was another brilliant offering from my favourite author. There is never one page that does not keep you captivated; I even did some read aloud chapters, the writing so smooth it flows seamlessly and holds the attention of someone not even reading the book!
Every protag in HC’s stories seem to possess an inordinate amount of wit, it is a natural fit for him, and I think is part of his success. Even in deep and dire situations they keep going with their life and deathness with always a smattering of funny. It’s what I really love about each book.
Will is trying to clear his brother’s name. Ken has been accused of killing Will’s first love and has been on the run as a highly publicised fugitive for many years. Will has a sidekick (very reminiscent of Myron’s Win, for those readers familiar with the Bolitar series https://www.goodreads.com/series/5410...). So, this is a lovely to read about, fun, witty but serious kinship between two good men.
‘Squares’ is this mate, who also has a very interesting back story, helps Will he is a great and resourceful friend, one of those guys with a murky and complicated past with that definite edge of bad guy turned good.
When Will's current love of his life, whom he adored, is also murdered, it is time to find answers and get to the bottom of this once and for all. Will was good to read about, he wasn't the standard fare action guy, he admitted he was not strong, was scared to fight and wasn't what it took to be a cool dude.
The writing here is quite farcical but this is great, I love fiction for that exact thing. It’s meant to be fun, imaginative. The mere fact that I always ponder ‘how did they come up with this idea’ is what I love about reading. I know I couldn’t come up with these ideas!
I love the settings of HC’s novels, and I am always looking up the various locales, and this one had parts of New York, which is my favourite part of the world, and would love to get there one day. It is evident the author knows his stuff and he speaks of the locations with familiarity, I am left with the image of being there, and this fascinates me.
This was an awesome read. I am reading a lot of HC as it had been some time between offerings. The ending socked a good punch and every page in between was full of witty, action packed, sad, serious, and fun banter. The whole gamut. This guy is so good. I know, broken record when it comes to this author, absolutely!
Every protag in HC’s stories seem to possess an inordinate amount of wit, it is a natural fit for him, and I think is part of his success. Even in deep and dire situations they keep going with their life and deathness with always a smattering of funny. It’s what I really love about each book.
Will is trying to clear his brother’s name. Ken has been accused of killing Will’s first love and has been on the run as a highly publicised fugitive for many years. Will has a sidekick (very reminiscent of Myron’s Win, for those readers familiar with the Bolitar series https://www.goodreads.com/series/5410...). So, this is a lovely to read about, fun, witty but serious kinship between two good men.
‘Squares’ is this mate, who also has a very interesting back story, helps Will he is a great and resourceful friend, one of those guys with a murky and complicated past with that definite edge of bad guy turned good.
When Will's current love of his life, whom he adored, is also murdered, it is time to find answers and get to the bottom of this once and for all. Will was good to read about, he wasn't the standard fare action guy, he admitted he was not strong, was scared to fight and wasn't what it took to be a cool dude.
The writing here is quite farcical but this is great, I love fiction for that exact thing. It’s meant to be fun, imaginative. The mere fact that I always ponder ‘how did they come up with this idea’ is what I love about reading. I know I couldn’t come up with these ideas!
I love the settings of HC’s novels, and I am always looking up the various locales, and this one had parts of New York, which is my favourite part of the world, and would love to get there one day. It is evident the author knows his stuff and he speaks of the locations with familiarity, I am left with the image of being there, and this fascinates me.
This was an awesome read. I am reading a lot of HC as it had been some time between offerings. The ending socked a good punch and every page in between was full of witty, action packed, sad, serious, and fun banter. The whole gamut. This guy is so good. I know, broken record when it comes to this author, absolutely!
August 15, 2019
Will Klein's character is marvelous. This story had more twists and turns than words can convey, maybe a few too many, which is why I'm giving it four stars rather than five. To write a synopsis of this book would be damned near impossible because of allllllllllll that's going on.
The basic premise is that as a young man, Will is close to his girlfriend and his older brother, up until the point where his girlfriend breaks up with him. A year later, she is found strangled to death, and his older brother named as the murderer. His older brother, Ken, flees, and is thought to be dead, until one day a mysterious picture is discovered amongst his mother's things shortly after her death. The picture is of Ken!
We follow Will through the dangerous underworld of New York City, searching for answers. Did his brother die? Did he murder his ex-girlfriend, Julie? All this and more slowly unravels.
I had never read Harlan Coben before this book, but I'll be sure to go back and find a few of his other gems to read. I was impressed.
The basic premise is that as a young man, Will is close to his girlfriend and his older brother, up until the point where his girlfriend breaks up with him. A year later, she is found strangled to death, and his older brother named as the murderer. His older brother, Ken, flees, and is thought to be dead, until one day a mysterious picture is discovered amongst his mother's things shortly after her death. The picture is of Ken!
We follow Will through the dangerous underworld of New York City, searching for answers. Did his brother die? Did he murder his ex-girlfriend, Julie? All this and more slowly unravels.
I had never read Harlan Coben before this book, but I'll be sure to go back and find a few of his other gems to read. I was impressed.
August 4, 2011
This was my first experience with Harlan Coben and I don't think I'm clamoring to read another. I didn't hate this. It was good enough entertainment for a couple of days. But I can't recommend it.
Characters are one-dimensional. But they almost have to be. Revealing too much of each character wouldn't allow Harlan Coben to change what all the characters are and what they stand for and what they'r emotivated by in the last twenty pages. Seriously, this was one of those novels where a new revelation happens every two pages for the entire span of the last forty pages. No, I'm not a good guy. I'm the bad guy! So am I! So is she! I was just joshing. I'm a good guy! I've been hiding my motivation all along so that I can pull this gun out and shoot the real bad guy!
With that said, Coben's plot has a break-neck pace. I appreciated that. It made the whole affair finish up that much faster.
Characters are one-dimensional. But they almost have to be. Revealing too much of each character wouldn't allow Harlan Coben to change what all the characters are and what they stand for and what they'r emotivated by in the last twenty pages. Seriously, this was one of those novels where a new revelation happens every two pages for the entire span of the last forty pages. No, I'm not a good guy. I'm the bad guy! So am I! So is she! I was just joshing. I'm a good guy! I've been hiding my motivation all along so that I can pull this gun out and shoot the real bad guy!
With that said, Coben's plot has a break-neck pace. I appreciated that. It made the whole affair finish up that much faster.
March 29, 2022
বইয়ের শুরুটাই হয়েছে অবিশ্বাস্য চমকপ্রদ একটা সত্য দিয়ে। যা উইল জানতে পারে তার মৃত্যুপথযাত্রী মায়ের কাছ থেকে। উইল জানতে পারে তার প্রাক্তন প্রেমিকার খুনের অভিযোগে নিরুদ্দেশ থাকা বড় ভাই কেইন বেঁচে আছে। অথচ ১১ বছর ধরে তার ভাইকে মৃত ভেবেই ধুকতে ধুকতে দিশেহারা হয়ে টিকে ছিল তাদের পরিবার।
সেই ১১ বছর আগে খুনের সন্দেভাজন আসামী কেইন পালিয়ে যায়। তাও এমন একজন খুন হয় যে ছিল তারই ছোট ভাইয়ের প্রাক্তন প্রেমিকা; জুলি। সকল প্রমাণও ছিল কেইনের বিরুদ্ধে। পালটে যায় হাসিখুশি পরিবারটার সব সদস্যের জীবন। দুটো পরিবারে নেমে আসে এক গভীর টানাপোড়েন।
কেইন এখনো বেঁচে আছে, এই একটা তথ্যই টেনে নিয়ে যায় পুরোটা গল্প। এতো বড় প্লট, এতো বিস্তৃত চরিত্রের মাঝে কেইনের বেঁচে থাকাটাই ছিল সব রহস্যের কেন্দ্রবিন্দু।
ঘটনার সাথে জুড়ে যায় আরো কিছু নৃশংস চরিত্র। জড়িয়ে পড়ে এফবিআই এর মতো সংস্থা। সবার লক্ষ্য শুধুই কেইন। কিন্তু কেন কেইনের প্রতি সকলের এতো ঝোঁক?
ম্যাকগুয়ান আর অ্যাসল্ট, ভয়ঙ্কর দুজন অপরাধী। কেন নজর রাখছে উইলের ওপর?
কয়েকদিনের মাথায় হারিয়ে গেল উইলের গার্লফ্রেন্ড শিলা। কাকতালীয় ঘটনা নাকি সেও জড়িত?
এদিকে উইল নেমে পড়ে অনুসন্ধানে। সে খুঁজে পায় আরো অনেক শ্বাসরুদ্ধকর তথ্য। যা পাঠককে ভাবিয়ে তুলবে নিশ্চিত।
কিন্তু সবকিছু শেষে যখন পরিণতির পথে এগিয়ে গেলো গল্পটা, সব হিসেব-নিকেশ যেন থমকে গেল। বদলে গেল গল্পের মোড়। বিশ্বাসের অপর পিঠ জুড়ে লিখা হয়ে গেলো অবিশ্বাসের কাব্য। জট পেকে গেল উইলের বিশ্বাস আর থিওরিতে।
কিন্তু, কী ঘটেছিল কেইন আর জুলির জীবনে? কেন পালিয়ে গিয়েছিল সবাইকে ছেড়ে? কেইন নির্দোষ এমনটা জানা সত্ত্বেও এফবিআই কেন লেগে ছিল উইল পরিবার��র পেছনে? সব রহস্যের সমাধান লুকিয়ে আছে গন ফর গুড এর ৩৫২টা পাতার মাঝে। জীবনের চরম নাটকীয়তার সাক্ষ্য হতে চাইলে পড়ে দেখতে পারেন হারলান কোবেনের গন ফর গুড।
পাঠপ্রতিক্রিয়াঃ
গন ফর গুড বইতে যেন সবকিছুকে ছাপিয়ে গেছেন তিনি। ওহ! কি নেই এতে! থ্রিলার প্রেমীদের জন্য সবচেয়ে উপাদেয় যে খাদ্য, টুইস্ট,তাতে একদম ভরপুর এই বই।
একদিকে তিনি দেখিয়েছেন পারিবারিক বন্ধন, বন্ধুত্ব, বিশ্বাস আর ভালোবাসা। অপরপক্ষে টেনে এনেছেন ঘৃণা, আতঙ্ক, শোষণ আর অবশ্যই অবিশ্বাস্য বিশ্বাসঘাতকতা।
সালমান হক ভাইয়ের অনুবাদ নিয়ে নতুন করে কিচ্ছু বলার নাই। দুর্দান্ত। পুরোপুরি উপভোগ্য একটা বই।
টপ থ্রিলারগুলোর যদি তালিকা করা যায়, আমার মনে হয় গন ফর গুড অল টাইম বেস্টের তালিকায় উপরের দিকেই থাকবে। অসাধারণ, দারুন একটা উপন্যাস। একবার পড়তে বসলে মহাসাগরের ঢেউয়ের মতো কোথা থেকে কোথায় নিয়ে যাবে, কল্পনাও করতে পারবেন না। টুইস্ট মাস্টার উপাধিটা অবশ্যই এই কারনেই পেয়েছেন তিনি।
সেই ১১ বছর আগে খুনের সন্দেভাজন আসামী কেইন পালিয়ে যায়। তাও এমন একজন খুন হয় যে ছিল তারই ছোট ভাইয়ের প্রাক্তন প্রেমিকা; জুলি। সকল প্রমাণও ছিল কেইনের বিরুদ্ধে। পালটে যায় হাসিখুশি পরিবারটার সব সদস্যের জীবন। দুটো পরিবারে নেমে আসে এক গভীর টানাপোড়েন।
কেইন এখনো বেঁচে আছে, এই একটা তথ্যই টেনে নিয়ে যায় পুরোটা গল্প। এতো বড় প্লট, এতো বিস্তৃত চরিত্রের মাঝে কেইনের বেঁচে থাকাটাই ছিল সব রহস্যের কেন্দ্রবিন্দু।
ঘটনার সাথে জুড়ে যায় আরো কিছু নৃশংস চরিত্র। জড়িয়ে পড়ে এফবিআই এর মতো সংস্থা। সবার লক্ষ্য শুধুই কেইন। কিন্তু কেন কেইনের প্রতি সকলের এতো ঝোঁক?
ম্যাকগুয়ান আর অ্যাসল্ট, ভয়ঙ্কর দুজন অপরাধী। কেন নজর রাখছে উইলের ওপর?
কয়েকদিনের মাথায় হারিয়ে গেল উইলের গার্লফ্রেন্ড শিলা। কাকতালীয় ঘটনা নাকি সেও জড়িত?
এদিকে উইল নেমে পড়ে অনুসন্ধানে। সে খুঁজে পায় আরো অনেক শ্বাসরুদ্ধকর তথ্য। যা পাঠককে ভাবিয়ে তুলবে নিশ্চিত।
কিন্তু সবকিছু শেষে যখন পরিণতির পথে এগিয়ে গেলো গল্পটা, সব হিসেব-নিকেশ যেন থমকে গেল। বদলে গেল গল্পের মোড়। বিশ্বাসের অপর পিঠ জুড়ে লিখা হয়ে গেলো অবিশ্বাসের কাব্য। জট পেকে গেল উইলের বিশ্বাস আর থিওরিতে।
কিন্তু, কী ঘটেছিল কেইন আর জুলির জীবনে? কেন পালিয়ে গিয়েছিল সবাইকে ছেড়ে? কেইন নির্দোষ এমনটা জানা সত্ত্বেও এফবিআই কেন লেগে ছিল উইল পরিবার��র পেছনে? সব রহস্যের সমাধান লুকিয়ে আছে গন ফর গুড এর ৩৫২টা পাতার মাঝে। জীবনের চরম নাটকীয়তার সাক্ষ্য হতে চাইলে পড়ে দেখতে পারেন হারলান কোবেনের গন ফর গুড।
পাঠপ্রতিক্রিয়াঃ
গন ফর গুড বইতে যেন সবকিছুকে ছাপিয়ে গেছেন তিনি। ওহ! কি নেই এতে! থ্রিলার প্রেমীদের জন্য সবচেয়ে উপাদেয় যে খাদ্য, টুইস্ট,তাতে একদম ভরপুর এই বই।
একদিকে তিনি দেখিয়েছেন পারিবারিক বন্ধন, বন্ধুত্ব, বিশ্বাস আর ভালোবাসা। অপরপক্ষে টেনে এনেছেন ঘৃণা, আতঙ্ক, শোষণ আর অবশ্যই অবিশ্বাস্য বিশ্বাসঘাতকতা।
সালমান হক ভাইয়ের অনুবাদ নিয়ে নতুন করে কিচ্ছু বলার নাই। দুর্দান্ত। পুরোপুরি উপভোগ্য একটা বই।
টপ থ্রিলারগুলোর যদি তালিকা করা যায়, আমার মনে হয় গন ফর গুড অল টাইম বেস্টের তালিকায় উপরের দিকেই থাকবে। অসাধারণ, দারুন একটা উপন্যাস। একবার পড়তে বসলে মহাসাগরের ঢেউয়ের মতো কোথা থেকে কোথায় নিয়ে যাবে, কল্পনাও করতে পারবেন না। টুইস্ট মাস্টার উপাধিটা অবশ্যই এই কারনেই পেয়েছেন তিনি।
August 17, 2021
Εξαιρετικά καταπληκτικό, ο Κόμπεν εξ αρχής κρατάει το πιστόλι και δεν κουράζεται να ρίχνει κατά ρυπάς σε παρελθόν και παρόν. Μια οδύσσεια έντεκα χρόνων, με ένταση που τεντώνει τα νεύρα, με δράση επιθετική, απρόσκοπτη, ανατρεπτική.
Δεν είναι βιβλίο με βαθιά νοήματα και ενδόμυχες αυτοεκπληρούμενες επιδιώξεις για την ανθρωπότητα. Δεν είναι δύσκολο ούτε κουραστικό. Χαρακτηρίζεται, με βαθιές ανάσες, ως βιβλίο ψυχολογικής υπερέντασης και πνευματικής υπεραιμίας.
Διαβάζεται ασκαρδαμυκτί, δεν υπάρχει άλλος τρόπος διότι η γοητεία του σε σαγηνεύει, σε ρουφάει, σε ταυτίζει με βιωματικά περιστατικά και πραγματικές, βάρβαρα ρεαλιστικές καταστάσεις, σχέσεις, φιλίες, έρωτες, οικογενειακούς δεσμούς, δραματουργία και συναίσθημα σε βαθμό κακουργήματος.
Ο Κόμπεν βάζει στο στόχαστρο την ίδια τη ζωή ως έννοια, ως ιδέα, ως απαραίτητη προυπόθεση για να τον ακολουθήσεις σε μακρινά ταξίδια. Να τον παρακολουθήσεις όταν αρχίζει να γκαζώνει στους δρόμους του πεπρωμένου και να πατάει φρένο μόνο για να μην σκοτώσει τους νεκρούς, τους ζωντανούς τους αποφεύγει ή τους παίρνει μαζί του στο ταξίδι για να έχει αυτόπτες μάρτυρες και εγκληματίες εκ προθέσεως ή εξ αμέλειας.
Ρίχνει τα μεγάλα φώτα μέσα στη νύχτα και ακινητοποιεί θύματα και θύτες, ποντάρει στους επιθανάτιους ρόγχους που αποκαλύπτουν τα σιωπηλά προαναγγελθέντα μυστικά, στο ανώφελο, στο τελειωτικό που ξαφνικά μεταμορφώνεται σε φρικιαστική αλήθεια, βαθιά ριζωμένη, σκοτεινά ξεχασμένη, εφιαλτικά ειπωμένη απο όλους αυτούς που είδαν, άκουσαν, ένιωσαν, βίωσαν τα εξαφανισμένα «γιατί» και τις δραματικές συνήθειες της προσωπικής απώλειας και της μοναχικής παγωνιάς, σε τόσο μεγάλο βαθμό που καταφέρνει να κάνει τον αναγνώστη να νιώσει αυτόν τον πόνο πίσω απο την ψυχή, αυτή την άβυσσο που καταδύεται το είναι σου ολόκληρο χωρίς σταματημό γλιστρώντας στις τσουλήθρες της απόγνωσης και της παραφροσύνης, όταν αντιληφθείς πως η απώλεια βλάπτει ανεπανόρθωτα την υγεία.
Σε στραγγαλίζει με μικρά διαλείμματα αναπνοών για να νομίζεις πως ζεις και να πονάς ακόμη περισσότερο.
Στον προσωπικό χαμό αγαπημένων ατόμων, στην έλλειψη της θέλησης για ζωή, που επιφέρει το βαρύ πένθος, ένας θάνατος λυτρωτής θα’ταν ο,τι πιο σωτήριο. Μα ο στραγγαλιστής της θλίψης σου χαρίζει πάντα τη ζωή για να σου υπενθυμίζει πως πρέπει να βασανίζεσαι, να λιώνεις να πονάς, να αναρωτιέσαι, να ψάχνεις τα πάντα και το τίποτα, να αφήνεσαι σε ένα μακαριστό σκοτάδι ζητώντας παρηγοριά και απαντοχή. Μα μόνο ο χρόνος θα καταφέρει να σε μάθει να ζεις με τα χαμένα σου κομμάτια, μα τις τραγικές αναμνήσεις, με τις καινούργιες μνήμες στρωμμένες πάνω στις ταφόπλακες σου απλώς και μόνο για να ξεχωρίζεις απο όσους χάθηκαν και οι αισθήσεις σου θα θυμούνται και θα ανακαλούν πάντα.
Ο Κόμπεν είναι ο κόμης του απροσδόκητου, οι τελευταίες σελίδες ανατρέπουν και εξηγούν όλα τα μυστικά και ψέμματα των έντεκα χρόνων ζωής, εξαφάνισης, θανάτου, τιμωρίας, εκδίκησης, αποκοτιάς και εμμονικής φρίκης προερχόμενης απο τις ενδοοικογενειακές σχέσεις και τα παιδικά κατάλοιπα.
Σχεδόν 500 σελίδες ατόφια αδρεναλίνη, καθαρό συναίσθημα, γνήσιο ενδιαφέρον, αδιάλειπτη αναγνωστική λαγνεία.
«Αυτός είναι ζωντανός».
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς και σεμνούς ασπασμούς.
Δεν είναι βιβλίο με βαθιά νοήματα και ενδόμυχες αυτοεκπληρούμενες επιδιώξεις για την ανθρωπότητα. Δεν είναι δύσκολο ούτε κουραστικό. Χαρακτηρίζεται, με βαθιές ανάσες, ως βιβλίο ψυχολογικής υπερέντασης και πνευματικής υπεραιμίας.
Διαβάζεται ασκαρδαμυκτί, δεν υπάρχει άλλος τρόπος διότι η γοητεία του σε σαγηνεύει, σε ρουφάει, σε ταυτίζει με βιωματικά περιστατικά και πραγματικές, βάρβαρα ρεαλιστικές καταστάσεις, σχέσεις, φιλίες, έρωτες, οικογενειακούς δεσμούς, δραματουργία και συναίσθημα σε βαθμό κακουργήματος.
Ο Κόμπεν βάζει στο στόχαστρο την ίδια τη ζωή ως έννοια, ως ιδέα, ως απαραίτητη προυπόθεση για να τον ακολουθήσεις σε μακρινά ταξίδια. Να τον παρακολουθήσεις όταν αρχίζει να γκαζώνει στους δρόμους του πεπρωμένου και να πατάει φρένο μόνο για να μην σκοτώσει τους νεκρούς, τους ζωντανούς τους αποφεύγει ή τους παίρνει μαζί του στο ταξίδι για να έχει αυτόπτες μάρτυρες και εγκληματίες εκ προθέσεως ή εξ αμέλειας.
Ρίχνει τα μεγάλα φώτα μέσα στη νύχτα και ακινητοποιεί θύματα και θύτες, ποντάρει στους επιθανάτιους ρόγχους που αποκαλύπτουν τα σιωπηλά προαναγγελθέντα μυστικά, στο ανώφελο, στο τελειωτικό που ξαφνικά μεταμορφώνεται σε φρικιαστική αλήθεια, βαθιά ριζωμένη, σκοτεινά ξεχασμένη, εφιαλτικά ειπωμένη απο όλους αυτούς που είδαν, άκουσαν, ένιωσαν, βίωσαν τα εξαφανισμένα «γιατί» και τις δραματικές συνήθειες της προσωπικής απώλειας και της μοναχικής παγωνιάς, σε τόσο μεγάλο βαθμό που καταφέρνει να κάνει τον αναγνώστη να νιώσει αυτόν τον πόνο πίσω απο την ψυχή, αυτή την άβυσσο που καταδύεται το είναι σου ολόκληρο χωρίς σταματημό γλιστρώντας στις τσουλήθρες της απόγνωσης και της παραφροσύνης, όταν αντιληφθείς πως η απώλεια βλάπτει ανεπανόρθωτα την υγεία.
Σε στραγγαλίζει με μικρά διαλείμματα αναπνοών για να νομίζεις πως ζεις και να πονάς ακόμη περισσότερο.
Στον προσωπικό χαμό αγαπημένων ατόμων, στην έλλειψη της θέλησης για ζωή, που επιφέρει το βαρύ πένθος, ένας θάνατος λυτρωτής θα’ταν ο,τι πιο σωτήριο. Μα ο στραγγαλιστής της θλίψης σου χαρίζει πάντα τη ζωή για να σου υπενθυμίζει πως πρέπει να βασανίζεσαι, να λιώνεις να πονάς, να αναρωτιέσαι, να ψάχνεις τα πάντα και το τίποτα, να αφήνεσαι σε ένα μακαριστό σκοτάδι ζητώντας παρηγοριά και απαντοχή. Μα μόνο ο χρόνος θα καταφέρει να σε μάθει να ζεις με τα χαμένα σου κομμάτια, μα τις τραγικές αναμνήσεις, με τις καινούργιες μνήμες στρωμμένες πάνω στις ταφόπλακες σου απλώς και μόνο για να ξεχωρίζεις απο όσους χάθηκαν και οι αισθήσεις σου θα θυμούνται και θα ανακαλούν πάντα.
Ο Κόμπεν είναι ο κόμης του απροσδόκητου, οι τελευταίες σελίδες ανατρέπουν και εξηγούν όλα τα μυστικά και ψέμματα των έντεκα χρόνων ζωής, εξαφάνισης, θανάτου, τιμωρίας, εκδίκησης, αποκοτιάς και εμμονικής φρίκης προερχόμενης απο τις ενδοοικογενειακές σχέσεις και τα παιδικά κατάλοιπα.
Σχεδόν 500 σελίδες ατόφια αδρεναλίνη, καθαρό συναίσθημα, γνήσιο ενδιαφέρον, αδιάλειπτη αναγνωστική λαγνεία.
«Αυτός είναι ζωντανός».
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς και σεμνούς ασπασμούς.
February 9, 2018
Salacious suspense. This reads like a tawdry daytime soap opera, but with a higher body count.
So, this happened. It wasn't bad, but the new character every chapter and ever-increasing slide into moral turpitude in this Disturbia Hell came across heavy-handed and spectacle driven. There was a decoupage mentality to the reveal of the storyline by pasting on a new "shocking" aka wildly stereotypical development.
Subtle it is not.
There were some great underlying themes like face value, redemption, and sacrifice, but they got lost under the excess of plot and characters. The only thing which sat there sedately was the setting which is only funny because I have family and friends scattered all over New Jersey so Fair Lawn--yep, Livingston-yep. Where's Livingston? Near Nutley. Where's Nutley? Near Livingston. And that everyone's inside everyone else's back pocket is an excellent reason why I would rather rip out toenails than move back East, again.
If you're looking for a popcorn thriller suspense, then you could do far worse than this.
So, this happened. It wasn't bad, but the new character every chapter and ever-increasing slide into moral turpitude in this Disturbia Hell came across heavy-handed and spectacle driven. There was a decoupage mentality to the reveal of the storyline by pasting on a new "shocking" aka wildly stereotypical development.
Subtle it is not.
There were some great underlying themes like face value, redemption, and sacrifice, but they got lost under the excess of plot and characters. The only thing which sat there sedately was the setting which is only funny because I have family and friends scattered all over New Jersey so Fair Lawn--yep, Livingston-yep. Where's Livingston? Near Nutley. Where's Nutley? Near Livingston. And that everyone's inside everyone else's back pocket is an excellent reason why I would rather rip out toenails than move back East, again.
If you're looking for a popcorn thriller suspense, then you could do far worse than this.
February 13, 2008
Coben is the King of the Plot Twist. Gone for Good is first of Harlan Coben's many novels that I have read and this one drew me is so much that I read it all in one day. Each chapter ends with a cliff hanger and that makes you want to keep reading. He also does a fantastic job of character development. If you enjoy a good mystery that will keep up on the edge and always guessing...I suggest Gone For Good.
October 1, 2018
There is no getting away from it Harlan Coben knows how to enthral his readers.
This was heading for a 5/5 star review until, that is, I got to the end. The end was a real let down and for that reason it got 4/5 stars. But the other 90% was a nail bitter.
Will Klein is a quiet, unassuming young man but a young man who has seen more than his fair share of trouble. People that are special to him keep dying. His first true love in murdered and the bother he idolises is accused for her death. The brother disappears before the police can arrest him and a dark cloud descends over the family, now known as the family of a murderer. The family cling to the belief that the brother was set up.
Eleven years on and Will’s second love has just walked out on him. It’s not long before Will gets news that his now girlfriend is also dead. This is just too much to be a coincidence.
Will decides that if he is to discover what is going on he will have to go back eleven years to get the answers he needs. The brother he so idolised turns out not to be the brother Will thought he was.
Harlan Coben is the master of the dead end sub plots. Nobody is who you think they are. The pace is full on and there are enough vile characters to make you want vengeance most foul.
That said the end is a let down.
Recommended for adrenaline junkies.
This was heading for a 5/5 star review until, that is, I got to the end. The end was a real let down and for that reason it got 4/5 stars. But the other 90% was a nail bitter.
Will Klein is a quiet, unassuming young man but a young man who has seen more than his fair share of trouble. People that are special to him keep dying. His first true love in murdered and the bother he idolises is accused for her death. The brother disappears before the police can arrest him and a dark cloud descends over the family, now known as the family of a murderer. The family cling to the belief that the brother was set up.
Eleven years on and Will’s second love has just walked out on him. It’s not long before Will gets news that his now girlfriend is also dead. This is just too much to be a coincidence.
Will decides that if he is to discover what is going on he will have to go back eleven years to get the answers he needs. The brother he so idolised turns out not to be the brother Will thought he was.
Harlan Coben is the master of the dead end sub plots. Nobody is who you think they are. The pace is full on and there are enough vile characters to make you want vengeance most foul.
That said the end is a let down.
Recommended for adrenaline junkies.
June 26, 2025
В старанието си да напише наистина запомнящ се и напрегнат криминален трилър, авторът е попресолил манджата. Просто от един момент нататък нещата прекалено много се овъртолиха и поредицата от съвпадения и обрати стана доста невъзможна.
Става да се прочете, но не очаквайте прекалено много.
Моята оценка - 2,5*.
P.S. Тази книга е писана преди автора да продаде името си като търговска марка и да почнат да излизат всякакви боклуци под нея!
Става да се прочете, но не очаквайте прекалено много.
Моята оценка - 2,5*.
P.S. Тази книга е писана преди автора да продаде името си като търговска марка и да почнат да излизат всякакви боклуци под нея!
January 13, 2012
WOW! That's the first thing I said to my self after finishing this book. Twist after Twist after Twist. Really a good book.
January 11, 2026
Standout - I really enjoyed this one and was kept guessing until the very end.
While I do think Coben's books start to feel like a formula the more you read, I don't hate that.
Four stars.
While I do think Coben's books start to feel like a formula the more you read, I don't hate that.
Four stars.
May 24, 2022
I called it! The last 20% had enough twists and turns to make the reader vomit from motion sickness. As wild as the conclusion was, the rest of the book was just ok. Will Klein is your typical semi likable middle of the road type of guy. Nothing about him really stands out. He somehow goes from helping runaway children to playing detective with his bestie, Squares. Squares is the embodiment of deus ex machina. I was never worried about Will because of him. The only character that stands out is the Ghost. Don't ask me why, but I pictured Ron Perlman the whole time lol.
I think Harlan Coben wrote this book for two reasons (besides profit). He wanted to make a point that good and evil are not so cut and dry. He made everyone seem as grey as possible. You can't point your finger and say 'That's the bad guy!" Well maybe in one case you can. He also wanted to show off how many plot twists he could possibly throw in while still making the story make sense. Like a magician with too many props up his sleeve, he let loose the barrage of parlor tricks to make the reader rethink what they thought time and time again. Nothing and nobody was safe. At the end I was thinking 'Well that's Jersey for ya!'
I think Harlan Coben wrote this book for two reasons (besides profit). He wanted to make a point that good and evil are not so cut and dry. He made everyone seem as grey as possible. You can't point your finger and say 'That's the bad guy!" Well maybe in one case you can. He also wanted to show off how many plot twists he could possibly throw in while still making the story make sense. Like a magician with too many props up his sleeve, he let loose the barrage of parlor tricks to make the reader rethink what they thought time and time again. Nothing and nobody was safe. At the end I was thinking 'Well that's Jersey for ya!'
October 30, 2023
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Jonathan Morasz
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Jonathan Morasz
August 7, 2010
Yet another loved-one-presumed-dead-but-look-may-still-be-alive-and-in-hiding story from Harlan Coben. I'm about 25% through, and may ditch it. It's just not grabbing me. Also not buying into the constant over-the-top emo from the main character. Could be I'm over Harlan Coben's writing style and plotlines, since neither one ever changes. Same story, different book.
UPDATE: I'm out. Made it halfway through, but it just wasn't worth reading any further.
UPDATE: I'm out. Made it halfway through, but it just wasn't worth reading any further.
July 26, 2023
“You want people lined up, Will. You want the good guys on one side, the bad on the other. It doesn’t work that way, does it?
It is never that simple. Love, for example, leads to hate. I think that was what started it all. Primitive love.”
আমার পড়া কোবেন এর অন্যতম সেরা কাজ "গন ফর গুড"। টুইস্ট বোম্বিং হবে কোবেন এর বইতে, এইটা চিরায়ত সত্য হয়ে গেছে। কাহিনী নিয়ে কমপ্লেইন থাকবে না অবশ্যই। তবে আমার কাছে সবচেয়ে দারুন লেগেছে চরিত্রের গঠন।
আর সালমান ভাই এর অনুবাদ নিয়ে নতুন করে কিছু বলার নেই। এক কথায় - সেরা!
ধন্যবাদ চিরকুট কে এত দারুন প্রডাকশন এর জন্য।
It is never that simple. Love, for example, leads to hate. I think that was what started it all. Primitive love.”
আমার পড়া কোবেন এর অন্যতম সেরা কাজ "গন ফর গুড"। টুইস্ট বোম্বিং হবে কোবেন এর বইতে, এইটা চিরায়ত সত্য হয়ে গেছে। কাহিনী নিয়ে কমপ্লেইন থাকবে না অবশ্যই। তবে আমার কাছে সবচেয়ে দারুন লেগেছে চরিত্রের গঠন।
আর সালমান ভাই এর অনুবাদ নিয়ে নতুন করে কিছু বলার নেই। এক কথায় - সেরা!
ধন্যবাদ চিরকুট কে এত দারুন প্রডাকশন এর জন্য।
July 14, 2019
4.5 actually. I had forgotten what a great story Coben puts together. Along with great characters, superb plotting and writing; and unputdownable. So many twists and turns. But never was I, in retrospect, lead down a blind alley.
January 2, 2016
My first favorite read of 2016! Holy cow, I had hunches, I solved some clues, I even thought out the chain of events. NEVER in a million years would I have seen the ending coming. Brilliant, clever, and an emphatically cunning crime mystery!!! Bravo Harlan Coben!! A must-read for my fellow readers. I couldn't put the book down it was so white-knuckle gripping!
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