NEW 2024 HARLAN COBEN NOVEL REVIEW: THINK TWICE
Harlan Coben is one of the most popular authors in the world today and his books are always a ‘must read’. In recent years the success of his twisty, unpredictable novels has been enhanced by a well produced succession of Netflix mini-series based on his books, which have ramped up interest and cemented his international standing as a leading storyteller.
His latest book, Think Twice, (Century, 14 May 2024), is another feast of surprises and action that will keep you keenly reading to the end.
Think Twice returns readers to the world of his popular hero, sports agent and occasional detective Myron Bolitar, for the first time since 2016’s Home, and provides the sort of attention grabbing premise that we have come to expect from Coben:
How can a man who’s already dead be wanted for murder?
This is the question sports agent Myron Bolitar asks himself when two FBI agents visit him in New York. The man they are looking for is Myron’s former client and rival, Greg Downing. Greg’s DNA has been found at the scene of a high profile double-murder, and he is now the FBI’s main suspect. But Greg died three years previously, Myron says. He went to his funeral and gave the eulogy. The FBI are disbelieving, and Myron knows he has to find some answers – and quickly. Could Greg Downing still be alive? The more Myron and his close friend Win Lockwood dig into what really happened, the more dangerous their world becomes.
This is a typically fast paced thriller from Coben. The action moves quickly from New York to Las Vegas to Montana and back to New York, as Myron and Win try to find out if Downing is still alive, and in the process they become the target for a bitter Vegas mobster who believes that Downing framed him for murder.
There are the customary twists, but also woven into the story are interesting reflections on family, aging, parentage and the effects of fathers on their sons. It is interesting to see an older Bolitar, now in his late forties, reflecting on his life, while Win also shows signs of ageing, but without effecting his violent tendencies. Fans of the series will also welcome back Esperanza, Big Cyndi, El-Al and Bolitar’s parents, who play a crucial role in the story, and other favourites. Then there is the usual sharp, amusing banter between Bolitar and Win, which tetters dangerously close to being over the top at times, but adds some good humour at just the right moments. It is an enjoyable reunion, although with a touch of poignancy on occasion.
The story is a good one, and heads in directions that you would not expect. There is enough action to keep you interested, and the story is well supported by a host of interesting minor characters and immersive descriptions of the various locales. Towards the end I thought that I had it all worked out, but Coben threw in some good twists that I was not expecting, and the finale was a knock-out.
Think Twice is probably not the best thing that Coben has done, I tend to prefer his standalone suburban mysteries, but it is still a damn good read, and that ending is a ripper!
Think Twice is due out in Australia and the USA on 14 May 2024, but does not seem to be released in the UK until 24 May 2024. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book for review.
I also recently went back and pulled out the short review of Home I did back in 2016: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-harlan-coben-book-for-2024-think-twice-and-looking-back-at-home-and-fool-me-once-on-netflix/