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Missing You
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller (2014)It's a profile, like all the others on the online dating site. But as NYPD Detective Kat Donovan focuses on the accompanying picture, she feels her whole world explode, as emotions she’s ignored for decades come crashing down on her. Staring back at her is her ex-fiancé Jeff, the man who shattered her heart—and who she hasn’t seen in 18 years.
Kat feels a spark, wondering if this might be the moment when past tragedies recede and a new world opens up to her. But when she reaches out to the man in the profile, her reawakened hope quickly darkens into suspicion and then terror as an unspeakable conspiracy comes to light, in which monsters prey upon the most vulnerable.
As the body count mounts and Kat's hope for a second chance with Jeff grows more and more elusive, she is consumed by an investigation that challenges her feelings about everyone she ever loved—her former fiancé, her mother, and even her father, whose cruel murder so long ago has never been fully explained. With lives on the line, including her own, Kat must venture deeper into the darkness than she ever has before, and discover if she has the strength to survive what she finds there.
Kat feels a spark, wondering if this might be the moment when past tragedies recede and a new world opens up to her. But when she reaches out to the man in the profile, her reawakened hope quickly darkens into suspicion and then terror as an unspeakable conspiracy comes to light, in which monsters prey upon the most vulnerable.
As the body count mounts and Kat's hope for a second chance with Jeff grows more and more elusive, she is consumed by an investigation that challenges her feelings about everyone she ever loved—her former fiancé, her mother, and even her father, whose cruel murder so long ago has never been fully explained. With lives on the line, including her own, Kat must venture deeper into the darkness than she ever has before, and discover if she has the strength to survive what she finds there.
399 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2014
About the author
Harlan Coben
160 books38.6k 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 - 30 of 4,682 reviews
January 13, 2022
Kat Donovan is the daughter of a dead cop. She is hard, fairly abrasive, but basically on the side of the angels. Her passions are work and finding out who killed her father. Her life is too busy for men, ever since losing the one man she really loved eighteen years ago.
And then, her friend puts her onto a dating site to try to find her a man … and she finds the man she lost all those years ago. But her attempts to reignite the flames of passion are rejected rather harshly. She has to move on.
However, life gets in her way. A boy comes to ask her to investigate the disappearance of his mother. Except the boy has a difficult background, and the local police point out that his mother is off on a holiday with her first boyfriend in many years.
All of which makes a pretty good story. But then the second strand, which ties things together, is a farm in rural Pennsylvania, where Titus and his companions are raising a curious crop, one that makes a fortune.
This book had me gripped. It is superbly paced, it has believable, credible characters, it is, in short, a brilliant story, told by a writer who is at the very top of his game.
And then, her friend puts her onto a dating site to try to find her a man … and she finds the man she lost all those years ago. But her attempts to reignite the flames of passion are rejected rather harshly. She has to move on.
However, life gets in her way. A boy comes to ask her to investigate the disappearance of his mother. Except the boy has a difficult background, and the local police point out that his mother is off on a holiday with her first boyfriend in many years.
All of which makes a pretty good story. But then the second strand, which ties things together, is a farm in rural Pennsylvania, where Titus and his companions are raising a curious crop, one that makes a fortune.
This book had me gripped. It is superbly paced, it has believable, credible characters, it is, in short, a brilliant story, told by a writer who is at the very top of his game.
September 9, 2017
Loving my fabulous book talk with my uber cool Goodreads friends of late. Along the way with my many updates of this read, someone I don’t know from a bar of soap asked if they should give Mr Coben a go. Of course they should! He’s undoutably a safe bet, I don’t always rate all his books 5 stars but I do enjoy them a bloody lot!
I ripped through this one in a few days, stayed up till 1am last night to finish. There’d be no use trying to go to sleep before the end of this one, it was too exciting. Those who know me even a wee bit know that this is a good sign, and there was no trace of my impatience and not being able to absorb myself into the small pockets of reading time that I’ve been struggling with over my last couple of books.
This was a straight up fab thriller, love Detective Kat Donovan, she’s my age and a just a cool chick, a bit scattered but she’s got a purpose here, and she is not going to stop till she gets her answers. Drinks too much, passionate too much, but a damn fine character to be immersed in! What the hell has happened to her ex fiancé and love of her life who she hasn’t seen for 18 years, and who really killed her father, also a cop? This history of her father was a good one; homophobia, The U.S.A in the 70’s, Police wives and mental illness to name a few of the issues I’m glad were there.
I always feel in safe hands with Mr Coben, loved the ride and will always go back for more of them. They really suit my personality. Love his stand alones and I love his Myron Bolitar series as well. Of the hundreds of books on my disheveled IKEA ‘bookshelf’ I have lots more waiting for me. How cool is that. I just realised I have a wee crush.. Swoon!!!
I ripped through this one in a few days, stayed up till 1am last night to finish. There’d be no use trying to go to sleep before the end of this one, it was too exciting. Those who know me even a wee bit know that this is a good sign, and there was no trace of my impatience and not being able to absorb myself into the small pockets of reading time that I’ve been struggling with over my last couple of books.
This was a straight up fab thriller, love Detective Kat Donovan, she’s my age and a just a cool chick, a bit scattered but she’s got a purpose here, and she is not going to stop till she gets her answers. Drinks too much, passionate too much, but a damn fine character to be immersed in! What the hell has happened to her ex fiancé and love of her life who she hasn’t seen for 18 years, and who really killed her father, also a cop? This history of her father was a good one; homophobia, The U.S.A in the 70’s, Police wives and mental illness to name a few of the issues I’m glad were there.
I always feel in safe hands with Mr Coben, loved the ride and will always go back for more of them. They really suit my personality. Love his stand alones and I love his Myron Bolitar series as well. Of the hundreds of books on my disheveled IKEA ‘bookshelf’ I have lots more waiting for me. How cool is that. I just realised I have a wee crush.. Swoon!!!
July 12, 2020
From the very start, Missing You, seemed a book I was liking instead of loving. I had its rating tagged at 1 or 2 stars, but the climax upped the final reckoning.
I'm more interested in Harlan Coben as an author to watch for. His latest efforts should be given a wide berth. I still will improvise when choosing and deciding what could be the writer's nadir.
This book's filler moments were not that bad. Else I would have ditched it. Also, it's 400 page length was conducive to a pleasant experience.
For me, Coben is better than Patterson and, say, Daniel Silva at their best and also better than my favorites of the genre at their worst. I demand a lot from my reads and I recommend this book.
I'm more interested in Harlan Coben as an author to watch for. His latest efforts should be given a wide berth. I still will improvise when choosing and deciding what could be the writer's nadir.
This book's filler moments were not that bad. Else I would have ditched it. Also, it's 400 page length was conducive to a pleasant experience.
For me, Coben is better than Patterson and, say, Daniel Silva at their best and also better than my favorites of the genre at their worst. I demand a lot from my reads and I recommend this book.
May 16, 2017
NYPD detective Kat Donovan hasn't had a meaningful relationship since the love of her life walked out on her eighteen years ago. She seems to spend a lot of time brooding, not only about her long-lost love, but also about the death of her father, a cop who was shot to death at virtually the same time. The man who confessed to killing her father is now dying in prison and Kat is hoping against hope that the man will finally explain why he pulled the trigger and who ordered the hit.
To cheer her up and to get some romance back in her life, Kat's best friend secretly enrolls her on an online dating site. (This hardly seems like something any sort of friend would do to a person, but the plot depends on it.) Rather than being angered by her "friend's" temerity, Kat logs onto the site and --lo and behold!!, miracle of miracles!!--practically the first face she sees is that of Jeff, the lover who abandoned her all those years ago. Jeff is now, conveniently, a widower who is thus available again.
Kat sends him a message, referencing their favorite song, which just happens to be "Missing You," by John Waite, and then sits on pins and needles, waiting for a response. When it comes, Jeff appears not to remember her, which crushes Kat. She sends him another message, identifying herself, and Jeff replies telling her that the past is past, and she should just leave him alone.
Something doesn't seem quite right, and so Kat begins to investigate and stumbles onto an Internet dating scam where innocent victims are going of on dates with people they met online and are never heard from again. And--horror of horrors!--Kat's old boyfriend seems to be right in the middle of the scam.
Meanwhile, Kat bursts into the prison hospital and confronts the man who confessed to killing her father, but the visit leaves her more confused than ever. Her superiors tell her to let it rest and stop torturing herself, but of course, she's not going to do that.
As the book progresses, Kat divides her attention between the two great mysteries of her life, trying to resolve at least one, if not both of them. It's going to be a very dangerous ride, and, as is usually the case in a Harlan Coben novel, the reader will be virtually whipsawed by all of the violent twists and turns that the novel takes.
It's not a bad way to spend a few hours, but there's really no reason to combine these two very disparate plot ideas into one book. As Kat veers back and forth between the two investigations, the book tends to lose momentum every time we switch from one to the other. My other concern, which is not unique to this novel, is that Coben ultimately tosses in one last plot twist that simply takes the whole thing over the top. It's clear that he enjoys doing this sort of thing, and apparently a lot of his readers enjoy it too, but for me it's a twist too far and inevitably leaves me a bit disgruntled every time I finish one these novels.
It's an okay read, but to my mind it would have been a lot better if Coben had focused on one or the other of the two main plot lines and if he had resisted the urge to throw in the final twist.
To cheer her up and to get some romance back in her life, Kat's best friend secretly enrolls her on an online dating site. (This hardly seems like something any sort of friend would do to a person, but the plot depends on it.) Rather than being angered by her "friend's" temerity, Kat logs onto the site and --lo and behold!!, miracle of miracles!!--practically the first face she sees is that of Jeff, the lover who abandoned her all those years ago. Jeff is now, conveniently, a widower who is thus available again.
Kat sends him a message, referencing their favorite song, which just happens to be "Missing You," by John Waite, and then sits on pins and needles, waiting for a response. When it comes, Jeff appears not to remember her, which crushes Kat. She sends him another message, identifying herself, and Jeff replies telling her that the past is past, and she should just leave him alone.
Something doesn't seem quite right, and so Kat begins to investigate and stumbles onto an Internet dating scam where innocent victims are going of on dates with people they met online and are never heard from again. And--horror of horrors!--Kat's old boyfriend seems to be right in the middle of the scam.
Meanwhile, Kat bursts into the prison hospital and confronts the man who confessed to killing her father, but the visit leaves her more confused than ever. Her superiors tell her to let it rest and stop torturing herself, but of course, she's not going to do that.
As the book progresses, Kat divides her attention between the two great mysteries of her life, trying to resolve at least one, if not both of them. It's going to be a very dangerous ride, and, as is usually the case in a Harlan Coben novel, the reader will be virtually whipsawed by all of the violent twists and turns that the novel takes.
It's not a bad way to spend a few hours, but there's really no reason to combine these two very disparate plot ideas into one book. As Kat veers back and forth between the two investigations, the book tends to lose momentum every time we switch from one to the other. My other concern, which is not unique to this novel, is that Coben ultimately tosses in one last plot twist that simply takes the whole thing over the top. It's clear that he enjoys doing this sort of thing, and apparently a lot of his readers enjoy it too, but for me it's a twist too far and inevitably leaves me a bit disgruntled every time I finish one these novels.
It's an okay read, but to my mind it would have been a lot better if Coben had focused on one or the other of the two main plot lines and if he had resisted the urge to throw in the final twist.
June 10, 2015
Missing You by Harlen Coben is a 2014 Dutton publication.
I am one of the most disorganized readers you will ever meet. I have such a hard time keeping up with series and easily lose track of what order the books should be read in, so when I have a chance to pick up a stand alone by an author who never fails to deliver, then I grab it, no questions asked.
Coben didn't let me down, and kept me riveted to the story from start to finish.
Kat's friend sets her up an account with a dating service and out of a sense of obligation, she logs on to the site and gets the shock of her life when a picture of Jeff, the love of her life and former fiance also has a profile on the site. After some waffling, she goes for broke, sending him a message with the link to “their song” - Missing You by John Waite. But, the response she gets doesn't make sense.
Enter an eighteen year old kid who is convinced something has happened to his mother after she goes on vacation with a guy she met online and Kat begins to notice something kind of fishy about this dating service.
Also, on Kat's mind is the impending death of the mobster who killed her father. Desperate to learn the truth about her dad's death she tries a last ditch effort to get him to open up to her before he dies. This shocking confession leads Kat back eighteen years as everything she thought she knew was a now in question.
There is a lot going on in this one. Kat's search for the truth about her father, the dating service, missing women, and Kat's puzzlement over what she learns about Jeff who has been out of her life for many years now.
There are some really twisted up bad guys in this one, some kick butt action from some very brave people, lots of Coben's signature twist and turns, and a love story that is sure to break your heart.
Other than the abrupt ending after dumping some major information on me, the only other complaint I had was that now I have the infernal song in my head!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9e15...
I am one of the most disorganized readers you will ever meet. I have such a hard time keeping up with series and easily lose track of what order the books should be read in, so when I have a chance to pick up a stand alone by an author who never fails to deliver, then I grab it, no questions asked.
Coben didn't let me down, and kept me riveted to the story from start to finish.
Kat's friend sets her up an account with a dating service and out of a sense of obligation, she logs on to the site and gets the shock of her life when a picture of Jeff, the love of her life and former fiance also has a profile on the site. After some waffling, she goes for broke, sending him a message with the link to “their song” - Missing You by John Waite. But, the response she gets doesn't make sense.
Enter an eighteen year old kid who is convinced something has happened to his mother after she goes on vacation with a guy she met online and Kat begins to notice something kind of fishy about this dating service.
Also, on Kat's mind is the impending death of the mobster who killed her father. Desperate to learn the truth about her dad's death she tries a last ditch effort to get him to open up to her before he dies. This shocking confession leads Kat back eighteen years as everything she thought she knew was a now in question.
There is a lot going on in this one. Kat's search for the truth about her father, the dating service, missing women, and Kat's puzzlement over what she learns about Jeff who has been out of her life for many years now.
There are some really twisted up bad guys in this one, some kick butt action from some very brave people, lots of Coben's signature twist and turns, and a love story that is sure to break your heart.
Other than the abrupt ending after dumping some major information on me, the only other complaint I had was that now I have the infernal song in my head!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9e15...
March 19, 2014
**SPOILER ALERT!!!** - I am the hugest fan of Harlen Coben. When I was approved for this title through Netgalley, I knew that I was in for a treat. Sure that suggests that I'm biased, but on the contrary. When Coben let's me down I let it be known!!! He can afford one bad review or two. Loyal fans like myself won't be shied away from a 2-star rating. Enough about me and my little disclaimer...
Missing You is the latest thriller by Harlen Coben. He really cranks these things out. I feel as I just read one a year or two ago. Anyway, I'm cool with that. Coben seems to the master at presenting readers with the idea that we never quite know who stole our hearts. Whether it be an old flame, a wife of 20 years, or even a family member, he suggests that someone is always hiding something. This novel is no different. Only this time the connections are more broad and cautionary to all you Match.com people out there.
Kat Donovan, a respected NYPD detective, is encouraged by a friend to seek companionship on an online dating site in an effort to bring some haneky-pankey into her mundane love life by a friend. After a few moments of grappling with her self she decides that maybe she should take a shot at love. She logs on to the dating site "Justmytype.com" and comes across the photo of an ex-boyfriend. The same ex who dumped her 18 years earlier. The same ex who she considers the love of her life.
After reaching out to him in the hopes of him maybe feeling the same for her, she is instantly shot-down she he tells her to keep the past in the past. Feeling dejected and confused, she continues to live her life until a teenage boy asks her to investigate the disappearance of his mother. His mother has used the same dating site and is supposedly on a romantic retreat with the love of her life. Her son isn't convinced after a string of odd texts, withdrawals from her bank, and just plain old skepticism. Kat reluctantly agrees to help him. This investigation leads her on a path that suggests her ex lover is maybe hiding something more sinister.
I'll end my summary there because it's more fun if the plot is revealed as the pages fly past. What is instantly gripping about Missing You is how gripping it is. The killer approaches his prey in a way that hasn't been done to this extent in any other book. I'm seriously happy I'm not one of those Match.com people cause if this is how it ends please count me out!!!
Coben's characters don't really matter to me because they are just pawns to me who move along one freaky instance to another. I don't read his books looking for the next, most in depth character who compares to Hamlet, or Scrooge, or even Heathcliff... So all you book snobs don't take away his points for that reason. His novels are meant to be fast-paced, engaging, thrilling, and suspenseful.
I will give him credit where credit is due for providing a huge glaring fact I could not ignore. If Kat's great love (Jeff) was in fact that, there is no reason why she wouldn't have Googled him, Facebook stalked, or searched for a blog featuring his article. FYI, he's supposedly a journalist. Seriously, after 18 years, and feeling like I lost the true love of my life, I'm searching for him. Yes You!!! You know who you are. The kid in the 4th grade who gave me your ring-pop and promised me love forever as well as a free snack swap at least one lunch a week. It is you I'm searching for on Facebook every night.
Besides my small qualms with this novel, I still love Harlen Coben's fiction. He's genuinely my favorite thriller writer because he never takes his foot off the gas once and introduces me to a killer so malicious, it shouldn't be possible that he exists. But he does... maybe. Long story short: Read Missing You or else you'll be missing out!
Copy provided by Penguin Group via Netgalley
Missing You is the latest thriller by Harlen Coben. He really cranks these things out. I feel as I just read one a year or two ago. Anyway, I'm cool with that. Coben seems to the master at presenting readers with the idea that we never quite know who stole our hearts. Whether it be an old flame, a wife of 20 years, or even a family member, he suggests that someone is always hiding something. This novel is no different. Only this time the connections are more broad and cautionary to all you Match.com people out there.
Kat Donovan, a respected NYPD detective, is encouraged by a friend to seek companionship on an online dating site in an effort to bring some haneky-pankey into her mundane love life by a friend. After a few moments of grappling with her self she decides that maybe she should take a shot at love. She logs on to the dating site "Justmytype.com" and comes across the photo of an ex-boyfriend. The same ex who dumped her 18 years earlier. The same ex who she considers the love of her life.
After reaching out to him in the hopes of him maybe feeling the same for her, she is instantly shot-down she he tells her to keep the past in the past. Feeling dejected and confused, she continues to live her life until a teenage boy asks her to investigate the disappearance of his mother. His mother has used the same dating site and is supposedly on a romantic retreat with the love of her life. Her son isn't convinced after a string of odd texts, withdrawals from her bank, and just plain old skepticism. Kat reluctantly agrees to help him. This investigation leads her on a path that suggests her ex lover is maybe hiding something more sinister.
I'll end my summary there because it's more fun if the plot is revealed as the pages fly past. What is instantly gripping about Missing You is how gripping it is. The killer approaches his prey in a way that hasn't been done to this extent in any other book. I'm seriously happy I'm not one of those Match.com people cause if this is how it ends please count me out!!!
Coben's characters don't really matter to me because they are just pawns to me who move along one freaky instance to another. I don't read his books looking for the next, most in depth character who compares to Hamlet, or Scrooge, or even Heathcliff... So all you book snobs don't take away his points for that reason. His novels are meant to be fast-paced, engaging, thrilling, and suspenseful.
I will give him credit where credit is due for providing a huge glaring fact I could not ignore. If Kat's great love (Jeff) was in fact that, there is no reason why she wouldn't have Googled him, Facebook stalked, or searched for a blog featuring his article. FYI, he's supposedly a journalist. Seriously, after 18 years, and feeling like I lost the true love of my life, I'm searching for him. Yes You!!! You know who you are. The kid in the 4th grade who gave me your ring-pop and promised me love forever as well as a free snack swap at least one lunch a week. It is you I'm searching for on Facebook every night.
Besides my small qualms with this novel, I still love Harlen Coben's fiction. He's genuinely my favorite thriller writer because he never takes his foot off the gas once and introduces me to a killer so malicious, it shouldn't be possible that he exists. But he does... maybe. Long story short: Read Missing You or else you'll be missing out!
Copy provided by Penguin Group via Netgalley
August 31, 2016
Originally posted at The Book Nympho
You can always count on several plots that will eventually converge in a Harlan Coben story. The trick is to try to unravel them and find the connections before they're revealed. This book is no different in that respect but there were some new angles.
This is the first of his stories I've read where a woman is the main character. It's even better that Kat Donovan is an NYPD detective who is haunted by her father's murder 18 years ago and the subsequent breakup with her fiancé Jeff Raynes. When a friend signs her up on an online dating site and she finds her lost love, it seemed serendipitous. It was anything but.
There's another storyline involving a woman whose son believes she's missing and asks a skeptical Kat to investigate. It was a chilling aspect of the book and I stayed up all night to finish, riveted by a pretty exciting climax. The ending was fantastic and the requisite twists (another Coben staple) were pretty remarkable.
I've yet to be disappointed by a Harlan Coben novel. Though I was prepared for a satisfying reading experience I wasn't expecting it to be quite this good. This was very enjoyable as I wait patiently for that next Myron Bolitar series installment (hint, hint).
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
September 10, 2017
I am so amazed at this book. I need to think it through. Don't even know where to begin, what to include and where to end.
First off, I laughed at the silly pickup lines in O' Malley's Pub in New York City.
I smiled at Stacey & Kat's judgmental view on the sleazeball characters trying to pick them up. Horizontal mamba was a collective aim of all the pathetic opportunists. Those fellas so meticulously manscaped to look un-manscaped, making Ass Waffles of themselves.
But as this detective drama unfolds, I realized that this book was about loneliness and how it was handled by everyone. It was just so damn sad sad sad.
Loneliness could drive you to bars, to cellars filled with computer monitors, to secret rendezvous and love affairs, to the bottle, and/or to dating websites. Websites such as "Justmytype.com".
Stacey was a private detective with her own successful firm. Katy Donovan, the NYPD detective. Through their work they roamed the streets where every home was a family facade filled with people who believed in hard work, perseverance and education, but deep down knew that life was really about the fickle and the random, controlled by luck, timing and fate. Some people learnt from experience that happiness is fragile, which should be treasured every moment, and that the rest of life is, in a sense, just background noise.
Kat had eighteen years of sorrow behind her. The day her police officer dad was murdered, was also the beginning of the end for Jeff and her. Eighteen years she tried to find her father's killer, despite the fact that a convicted killer confessed to her father's murder. Being obsessed with her quest to find the real killer, she lost the love of her life, Jeff, who walked away.
But then Stacey thought of doing Kat a favor by enrolling her on the "Justmytype.com" website. The avalanche of events hitting her would reveal the truth and force her to reconsider her assumptions about people and her own way of turning her back on the obvious to protect herself all these years.
This is not only an action-packed, fast-moving murder mystery thriller. This novel is about love, relationships, loneliness, friendship and trust. This book has soul and substance.
Gripping and suspenseful; deeply touching and humane, it has a literary core that will attached itself to your soul and leave you breathless on the last page.
In the end it defines FORGIVENESS.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
First off, I laughed at the silly pickup lines in O' Malley's Pub in New York City.
Sunglasses honed in on Kat and began to make his move. He didn’t so much walk toward her as glide on his own slime.After all, nothing lowered a man's IQ like a curvaceous woman
Stacy suppressed a giggle. “This is going to be good.”
Hoping to discourage him, Kat gave the guy flat eyes and a disdainful frown. Sunglasses was not deterred. He bebopped over, moving to some sound track that was playing only in his own head.
“Hey, babe,” Sunglasses said. “Is your name Wi-Fi?”
Kat waited.
“Because I’m feeling a connection.”
I smiled at Stacey & Kat's judgmental view on the sleazeball characters trying to pick them up. Horizontal mamba was a collective aim of all the pathetic opportunists. Those fellas so meticulously manscaped to look un-manscaped, making Ass Waffles of themselves.
But as this detective drama unfolds, I realized that this book was about loneliness and how it was handled by everyone. It was just so damn sad sad sad.
Loneliness could drive you to bars, to cellars filled with computer monitors, to secret rendezvous and love affairs, to the bottle, and/or to dating websites. Websites such as "Justmytype.com".
Stacey was a private detective with her own successful firm. Katy Donovan, the NYPD detective. Through their work they roamed the streets where every home was a family facade filled with people who believed in hard work, perseverance and education, but deep down knew that life was really about the fickle and the random, controlled by luck, timing and fate. Some people learnt from experience that happiness is fragile, which should be treasured every moment, and that the rest of life is, in a sense, just background noise.
Kat had eighteen years of sorrow behind her. The day her police officer dad was murdered, was also the beginning of the end for Jeff and her. Eighteen years she tried to find her father's killer, despite the fact that a convicted killer confessed to her father's murder. Being obsessed with her quest to find the real killer, she lost the love of her life, Jeff, who walked away.
But then Stacey thought of doing Kat a favor by enrolling her on the "Justmytype.com" website. The avalanche of events hitting her would reveal the truth and force her to reconsider her assumptions about people and her own way of turning her back on the obvious to protect herself all these years.
This is not only an action-packed, fast-moving murder mystery thriller. This novel is about love, relationships, loneliness, friendship and trust. This book has soul and substance.
Gripping and suspenseful; deeply touching and humane, it has a literary core that will attached itself to your soul and leave you breathless on the last page.
In the end it defines FORGIVENESS.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
September 28, 2015
3.5* The first few chapters were exceedingly slow with pointless silly dialogue. Although it was tempting to abandon, the plot finally started to develop and surprisingly it became hard to put down. Harlan Coben knows how to keep the reader on edge, and soon the pages were flying by. The main character, NYPD Detective Kat Donovan innocently checks out an online dating site,‘YouAreJustMyType.com’ looking for romance. However, romance isn’t in the cards on this website as Kat is suddenly drawn in to find a missing person who has disappeared after several dates with one of the male members. Donovan has other matters to deal with as she continues to search for answers with regard to her father’s murder. Overall the book was enjoyable once you were past those first annoying chapters.
May 14, 2015
I'm taking a 'life's too short' approach to books these days and on this basis I've decided it's way too short to continue with this one.
I've preached about the value I put on audiobooks before but there is a downside to this format. If the reader is good it can add value to the telling of the story but if they are bad it can ruin it completely. Now, I'm not saying Kerry Shale is a bad reader but here he uses some terrible, condescending voices to portray a number of the male characters. It's just so off-putting I can't continue.
As for the story, I'm afraid it just feels very routine and unexciting. The characters are one dimensional and overall it's just dull, dull, dull.
Ah well, the good news is it will free me up to pick up something better.
I've preached about the value I put on audiobooks before but there is a downside to this format. If the reader is good it can add value to the telling of the story but if they are bad it can ruin it completely. Now, I'm not saying Kerry Shale is a bad reader but here he uses some terrible, condescending voices to portray a number of the male characters. It's just so off-putting I can't continue.
As for the story, I'm afraid it just feels very routine and unexciting. The characters are one dimensional and overall it's just dull, dull, dull.
Ah well, the good news is it will free me up to pick up something better.
April 22, 2014
Two and a half stars. Clearly not Coben's best. In fact--the book was not a cohesive whole. I've read pretty much everything Coben's written, and liked most of it, but this outing was an incoherent pastiche.
Let's see. You've got Kat and her father's murder and her cop buddies, all with issues. You've got the boyfriend who dumped her, mysteriously re-appeared. You've got the online dating issue. You've got nasty criminals in different flavors, committing nasty crimes in rather bizarre ways. You've got biracial, bisexual manic-depressives. You've got the wisecracking sidekick, and the little sly references to other Coben characters.
But the pieces don't precisely fit together into a believable story.
And worse, you get Coben's smart-ass verbal tone--the one that works so well for Myron Bolitar--coming out of the mouths of other characters. And finally, you get long stretches of characters running around in the woods or drinking expensive booze, etc etc, that feel like (no nice way to say this) padding. A disappointment, all around.
Let's see. You've got Kat and her father's murder and her cop buddies, all with issues. You've got the boyfriend who dumped her, mysteriously re-appeared. You've got the online dating issue. You've got nasty criminals in different flavors, committing nasty crimes in rather bizarre ways. You've got biracial, bisexual manic-depressives. You've got the wisecracking sidekick, and the little sly references to other Coben characters.
But the pieces don't precisely fit together into a believable story.
And worse, you get Coben's smart-ass verbal tone--the one that works so well for Myron Bolitar--coming out of the mouths of other characters. And finally, you get long stretches of characters running around in the woods or drinking expensive booze, etc etc, that feel like (no nice way to say this) padding. A disappointment, all around.
March 22, 2014
Wow, I thought this book was one of the best I have read so far this year. I think it was so perfect for my taste because it built an amazing back story, (actually two), that kept building and really helped me to connect with the characters. Then, just when the two mysteries were on the verge of making me crazy, the rollercoaster started down on its lightening speed descent. Hold on to your hat and whatever else you brought along with you because it has an extremely exciting, explosive ending with a very short cooling down period.
Kat is a NYPD Detective and has been trying to figure out why and who killed her father, (also a NYPD cop), eighteen years ago. When the person who confessed to his killing dies, the information he provided starts to become chock full of holes, which in turn sends Kat into overdrive with more questions than ever.
At the time of her father's death Kat's personal life basically went down the tubes. She has devoted herself to her work and searching for the truth behind what really happened all those years ago, this of course does not leave much time for relationships or dating. When her best friend signs her up on a computer dating service she is astounded to find an old love interest on the site as well. When curiosity gets the Kat, she sends a message out to him only to be shut down cold. Kat is confused but decides to let sleeping dogs lie, however, her best friend is not and starts her own little investigation.
Shortly after the the big brush off a young college student comes in out of the blue asking for her help to find his mother who he thinks is missing. She is perplexed as to why he would come to her for help when the crime, if any, is not in her district and she has never laid eyes on this young man before. Well, this is where the plot thickens, trusted people become deceptive and people she has never counted on for commeradery start coming out of the wood work to help her.
January LaVoy is a wonderful narrator, her voices and timing were spot on and certainly helped build the story. I highly recommend this suspense-thriller.
Kat is a NYPD Detective and has been trying to figure out why and who killed her father, (also a NYPD cop), eighteen years ago. When the person who confessed to his killing dies, the information he provided starts to become chock full of holes, which in turn sends Kat into overdrive with more questions than ever.
At the time of her father's death Kat's personal life basically went down the tubes. She has devoted herself to her work and searching for the truth behind what really happened all those years ago, this of course does not leave much time for relationships or dating. When her best friend signs her up on a computer dating service she is astounded to find an old love interest on the site as well. When curiosity gets the Kat, she sends a message out to him only to be shut down cold. Kat is confused but decides to let sleeping dogs lie, however, her best friend is not and starts her own little investigation.
Shortly after the the big brush off a young college student comes in out of the blue asking for her help to find his mother who he thinks is missing. She is perplexed as to why he would come to her for help when the crime, if any, is not in her district and she has never laid eyes on this young man before. Well, this is where the plot thickens, trusted people become deceptive and people she has never counted on for commeradery start coming out of the wood work to help her.
January LaVoy is a wonderful narrator, her voices and timing were spot on and certainly helped build the story. I highly recommend this suspense-thriller.
November 14, 2021
When NYPD Detective Kat Donovan learns that Monte Leburne - the hitman convicted of killing her cop father 18 years ago - is dying, she visits him in prison. It's her last chance to get indisputable evidence about who ordered the hit. While in a drug-induced twilight state Leburne denies killing the policeman. He says he admitted to the crime because he was already on the hook for two other murders, so when he was asked to take the rap, he agreed.
This startling information sets Kat off on a quest to discover the truth about her beloved dad's death.
Kat has other issues as well. The love of her life, Jeff Raynes, called off their engagement soon after her father's death and Kat never got over it. In an attempt to kickstart Kat's love life her best friend Stacy signs Kat up for a dating website.
When Kat peruses the site she sees the picture/profile of a man she thinks is Jeff, now apparently a widower with a child. But when Kat contacts Jeff she gets a discouraging response, hurting her all over again.
While Kat continues to look into her dad's murder - which antagonizes her superiors and the cops who originally investigated the crime - nineteen-year-old Brandon Phelps asks for her help. He claims his mother is missing after leaving for a romantic getaway with a man from a dating website. The cops are skeptical about Jeff's claims, however, because he's gotten text messages from his mom.
The reader (though not the cops) soon learns that Brandon's mother is indeed missing. She's being held by a group of murderous criminals who abduct wealthy people to force money out of them.
Unfortunately for the bad guys one mob member made a serious error, which eventually puts Kat on the criminals' trail.
The book alternates between accounts of Kat's investigations and descriptions of the gang's activities, which are seriously stomach churning.
Though mystery/thrillers often have story lines that are a little outlandish I think parts of this book strain credulity too much.
Interesting characters in the story include Kat's bosses - who try to discourage her inquiries into her dad's death; Kat's yoga teacher - who was a brilliant student before his nervous breakdown; Kat's friend Stacy - who's gorgeous and adept at warding off unwanted advances; Kat's mom - an alcoholic with two loyal, but quirky, friends; Titus - the cold-blooded leader of the abduction gang; Bo - a Labrador who likes to chase balls; and others.
Kat is a talented, capable detective who eventually resolves both cases. The book is a suspenseful page turner that has major twists, leads to a dramatic climax, and comes to a satisfactory conclusion.
One thing that irked me about the story is the adolescent behavior of too many male characters that come on to Kat and Stacy with childish, offensive pickup lines. I could hardly believe Harlen Coben penned these parts because they sound like they were written by a fifteen-year-old boy who thinks he's clever. And there's quite a bit of this stuff! (Some of Coben's best characters in other books, like Myron Bolitar and Win Lockwood, would never talk like this.)
Overall, I'd rate this as a pretty good book that would appeal to a lot of mystery fans.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
September 11, 2018
Harlan Coben is the go to man for seat of your pants excitement.
Talk about “can’t put this down” that’s an understatement.
Brendan’s mother has gone of for a holiday with a guy she met online. Brendan is convinced that she is in danger but the police tell him she’s a grown woman and he should not worry her.
At the same time Kat Donovan, a 40 years old, single, NYPD detective sees a picture of her boyfriend from 18 years ago on a online dating site. Kat would like to catch up but when she sends a text message to him the response is from someone who is not her ex. There is something going on here.
Brendan, a genius with computers, tracks Kat down and unloads all his worries on Kat concerning his mother.
Kat and Brendan decide to look a little closer at the dating site. What they uncover is a whole lot more than just dating scam.
This rolls along at a rate of knots and packs in more tension than is good for someone my age.
The ending was a jaw dropper but came with a large dose of the BS factor.
Highly recommended for adrenalin junkies.
Talk about “can’t put this down” that’s an understatement.
Brendan’s mother has gone of for a holiday with a guy she met online. Brendan is convinced that she is in danger but the police tell him she’s a grown woman and he should not worry her.
At the same time Kat Donovan, a 40 years old, single, NYPD detective sees a picture of her boyfriend from 18 years ago on a online dating site. Kat would like to catch up but when she sends a text message to him the response is from someone who is not her ex. There is something going on here.
Brendan, a genius with computers, tracks Kat down and unloads all his worries on Kat concerning his mother.
Kat and Brendan decide to look a little closer at the dating site. What they uncover is a whole lot more than just dating scam.
This rolls along at a rate of knots and packs in more tension than is good for someone my age.
The ending was a jaw dropper but came with a large dose of the BS factor.
Highly recommended for adrenalin junkies.
April 22, 2014
I must be one sentimental bastard. While I’d like to say, “I ain’t missing you at all.” I’d be hard-pressed to do it with a straight face. Eighteen years? No problem. But, on the other hand, life’s too short to let that much time pass. Seize the moment. That’s what I always say. Or maybe it was Sigmund or Freud or Siskel or Ebert.
MISSING YOU did have its sentimental moments. But it also contained a rather prominent criminal element, since this novel falls smack dab in the suspense/thriller category. With detectives and captains and bad dudes galore, and at least one bloodbath soaked its way through the printed pages, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better roller-coaster ride. I even managed to get a little soppy on at least one occasion, but shhhh (holds a finger up to my lips), you can’t tell anyone. And when blood made its metallic appearance, I had one of my woo-hoo moments. Probably one of just many reasons why I’d say I’m not necessarily a normal member of society.
That’s also why I probably need to find a slightly more populated state for my twilight years. I’d have to say I’m a bit creeped out to live in isolation, so I’m scratching Wyoming and the Dakotas and Montana off my wish list for the sake of my own sanity. The quiet and the possibility of being a mile or so from my nearest neighbor just doesn’t necessarily give me the same warm feeling that an axe to the jugular does. No, wait, a hug around the neck would probably be more appropriate here.
The plot kept me on the edge of my seat, as the pages flipped with effortless ease, and I ground my teeth to relieve just a bit of the tension. Kat and Dana and Brandon proved a dynamic trio that I could get behind, or in front of, as we headed off into battle, even if I ended up in a rather precarious position. The ending came a bit too soon (although not at the wrong time), but I wanted to continue to dangle on the edge of the plateau staring down at the river below.
Was I satisfied? Yes, Stagger, I believe I’d say I was.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
MISSING YOU did have its sentimental moments. But it also contained a rather prominent criminal element, since this novel falls smack dab in the suspense/thriller category. With detectives and captains and bad dudes galore, and at least one bloodbath soaked its way through the printed pages, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better roller-coaster ride. I even managed to get a little soppy on at least one occasion, but shhhh (holds a finger up to my lips), you can’t tell anyone. And when blood made its metallic appearance, I had one of my woo-hoo moments. Probably one of just many reasons why I’d say I’m not necessarily a normal member of society.
That’s also why I probably need to find a slightly more populated state for my twilight years. I’d have to say I’m a bit creeped out to live in isolation, so I’m scratching Wyoming and the Dakotas and Montana off my wish list for the sake of my own sanity. The quiet and the possibility of being a mile or so from my nearest neighbor just doesn’t necessarily give me the same warm feeling that an axe to the jugular does. No, wait, a hug around the neck would probably be more appropriate here.
The plot kept me on the edge of my seat, as the pages flipped with effortless ease, and I ground my teeth to relieve just a bit of the tension. Kat and Dana and Brandon proved a dynamic trio that I could get behind, or in front of, as we headed off into battle, even if I ended up in a rather precarious position. The ending came a bit too soon (although not at the wrong time), but I wanted to continue to dangle on the edge of the plateau staring down at the river below.
Was I satisfied? Yes, Stagger, I believe I’d say I was.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
July 7, 2014
I have a weakness for Harlan Coben thrillers. Every time I pick up a Coben novel, I get gripped by the story and race through the book, ignoring everything around me.
"Missing You" was no different. It follows Kat Donovan, an NYPD detective, who is investigating the case of a missing woman, but she's also secretly trying to figure out who murdered her father almost 20 years ago. (Yes, yes, the proliferation of crime TV shows means it's become a cop trope that an officer is haunted by a parent's homicide, but just roll with it.)
Anyway, Kat is working multiple leads, one of which involves her ex-boyfriend, Jeff, who might be mixed up in something illegal.
The plot sprints along, and I gobbled up half the book in one sitting. Three-fourths of the way through I texted my Coben-reading buddy and asked WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?? But I should have known that everything comes together in the end. Wowser.
Sorry this review is so light on details, but to give more would take all the fun out of it. If this is your first Coben, you're in for a wild ride.
Favorite Quote:
"We all have our demons. But men? They have them much worse. The world tells them that they are the leaders and great and macho and have to be big and brave and make a lot of money and lead these glamorous lives. But they don't, do they? Look at the men in this neighborhood. They all worked too many hours. They came home to noisy, demanding homes. Something was always broken they needed to fix. They were always behind on the house payments. Women, we get it. Life is about a certain kind of drudgery. We are taught not to hope or want too much. Men? They never get that."
"Missing You" was no different. It follows Kat Donovan, an NYPD detective, who is investigating the case of a missing woman, but she's also secretly trying to figure out who murdered her father almost 20 years ago. (Yes, yes, the proliferation of crime TV shows means it's become a cop trope that an officer is haunted by a parent's homicide, but just roll with it.)
Anyway, Kat is working multiple leads, one of which involves her ex-boyfriend, Jeff, who might be mixed up in something illegal.
The plot sprints along, and I gobbled up half the book in one sitting. Three-fourths of the way through I texted my Coben-reading buddy and asked WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?? But I should have known that everything comes together in the end. Wowser.
Sorry this review is so light on details, but to give more would take all the fun out of it. If this is your first Coben, you're in for a wild ride.
Favorite Quote:
"We all have our demons. But men? They have them much worse. The world tells them that they are the leaders and great and macho and have to be big and brave and make a lot of money and lead these glamorous lives. But they don't, do they? Look at the men in this neighborhood. They all worked too many hours. They came home to noisy, demanding homes. Something was always broken they needed to fix. They were always behind on the house payments. Women, we get it. Life is about a certain kind of drudgery. We are taught not to hope or want too much. Men? They never get that."
May 17, 2015
4.5 Stars. Zipped right thru this latest tome by Harlan Coben that is full of mystery, suspense, murder and surprises. Super fast-paced with interesting characters (gotta love Aqua), and even a very brief tie-in to Win and Lock-Horne Investments (from the Myron Bolitar series). Loved it! Highly recommend!
July 10, 2017
Ante todo tengo que decir que más que una novela negra me ha parecido de suspense romántico. De todas maneras, me ha decepcionado un poco; quizá porque me ha parecido que le faltaba algo, o porque no me he llegado a creer ese amor...
February 19, 2014
Missing You
Detective Kat Donovan is persuaded to put her profile on an online-dating site. As she clicks through possible matches, she sees a familiar face. The name is not that of the man she first fell in love with, but the face convinces Kat that is the same man. From this very coincidental event, the entire plot will develop, involving missing men and women and an adaptable villain who has moved from a low-level early career to something more profitable and deadly.
What I liked: the actual mystery was suspenseful.
What I didn't like: The romance. How sweet that Kat's first look into online dating comes up with her first love's picture, and the fact that she has never loved again, and that he dumped her and disappeared, and that she still loves him eighteen years later. Neither the back-story or the current story involving the romance appealed at all. The other secondary plot line about Kat's father also left me cold.
I was expecting a mystery or thriller with this novel, and it was there, but only after suffering through two tedious secondary story lines. This was my first Harlan Coben novel, but it didn't leave me wanting more.
NetGalley/Penguin Group
Mystery. March 18, 2014. Print version: 400 pages.
Detective Kat Donovan is persuaded to put her profile on an online-dating site. As she clicks through possible matches, she sees a familiar face. The name is not that of the man she first fell in love with, but the face convinces Kat that is the same man. From this very coincidental event, the entire plot will develop, involving missing men and women and an adaptable villain who has moved from a low-level early career to something more profitable and deadly.
What I liked: the actual mystery was suspenseful.
What I didn't like: The romance. How sweet that Kat's first look into online dating comes up with her first love's picture, and the fact that she has never loved again, and that he dumped her and disappeared, and that she still loves him eighteen years later. Neither the back-story or the current story involving the romance appealed at all. The other secondary plot line about Kat's father also left me cold.
I was expecting a mystery or thriller with this novel, and it was there, but only after suffering through two tedious secondary story lines. This was my first Harlan Coben novel, but it didn't leave me wanting more.
NetGalley/Penguin Group
Mystery. March 18, 2014. Print version: 400 pages.
September 3, 2016
OKAY!!!!!!!! LISTEN UP!!!!! YOU!!!!! YEA!!!! YOU!!!!! What are your plans for March 18, 2014? Well...whatever they are, forget them...ditch them....change them....You need to be first in line to buy this newest thriller from Harlan Coben.....no, seriously...I'm not kidding! This was a fantastic read!!!! I think it might be my favourite Coben yet, and I've been a mad fan for years!
Here we have a story about Kat....a NYPD detective. After a close friend signs up the single Kat for an online dating service, she stumbles across an old flame. This one simple act, combined with the imminent death of her father's convicted killer sets Kat off to question events in her past that have always remained a mystery...to ask questions that might be best left unasked....to seek answers she might not be able to live with.....along this road of discovery she also stumbles upon a questionable missing persons case....and from there all hell breaks loose....
And that is all I am going to spill.....
This novel has lots of puzzle pieces for you to figure out. Although you are able to fit the pieces together, piece by piece, you're still unsure of what the overall picture is....you're also missing that one very important puzzle piece.....even when it's all solved, you still won't see everything until the last possible minute....that's right....you need to read this one to the end.....and just listen up....it's worth your time and your trouble.....this is a heart racing read...the further you read, the more your heart is going to race....near the end, you're certain to be fighting yourself to slow down and actually read the pages and not just race ahead to see what happens....
This is a solid 5 star read for me....It might not be the best book I read in 2014, but I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being the most suspenseful and exciting read of the year!
Have you marked your calendar yet? Don't forget! March 18, 2014.....it's going to be a very good day....
ARC provided by NetGallery for an honest review
Here we have a story about Kat....a NYPD detective. After a close friend signs up the single Kat for an online dating service, she stumbles across an old flame. This one simple act, combined with the imminent death of her father's convicted killer sets Kat off to question events in her past that have always remained a mystery...to ask questions that might be best left unasked....to seek answers she might not be able to live with.....along this road of discovery she also stumbles upon a questionable missing persons case....and from there all hell breaks loose....
And that is all I am going to spill.....
This novel has lots of puzzle pieces for you to figure out. Although you are able to fit the pieces together, piece by piece, you're still unsure of what the overall picture is....you're also missing that one very important puzzle piece.....even when it's all solved, you still won't see everything until the last possible minute....that's right....you need to read this one to the end.....and just listen up....it's worth your time and your trouble.....this is a heart racing read...the further you read, the more your heart is going to race....near the end, you're certain to be fighting yourself to slow down and actually read the pages and not just race ahead to see what happens....
This is a solid 5 star read for me....It might not be the best book I read in 2014, but I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being the most suspenseful and exciting read of the year!
Have you marked your calendar yet? Don't forget! March 18, 2014.....it's going to be a very good day....
ARC provided by NetGallery for an honest review
Read
October 27, 2016I am a recent convert to audiobooks. And I've discovered that what makes a good written book doesn't necessarily work as an audiobook. Audiobooks need to be fast paced enough to keep your attention without bogging you down in detail. Harlan Coben succeeds with fun plot lines, wonderful turns of phrase and interesting characters. This one involves two initially disparate storylines. In fact, I found myself scratching my head trying to figure out how they were going to come together.
Cat is a very interesting heroine. A 40 year old never married cop, she is still trying to decipher her father's murder 18 years after the fact. A friend signs her up for a matchmaking site and she runs across her former fiancé.
I have to admit parts of the book didn't ring true. I found it hard to imagine a NY detective would have so much time on her hands at work. And then little things, like demanding to see her captain as he goes into a meeting with her immediate boss. Really, would anyone with an eye to job preservation even think of doing that? The ending beggars belief, but overall the book is an entertaining story that will keep your attention.
The narrator does a wonderful job with distinct voices for each character.
February 12, 2017
I can't believe I had never read a Harlan Coben novel before, where have I been?!
This is definitely one of the best thriller books I have read in a long time.
This is definitely one of the best thriller books I have read in a long time.
July 14, 2023
Story 4 stars**
Audio 4.5 stars**
Narrator January LaVoy
Audio 4.5 stars**
Narrator January LaVoy
June 10, 2024
Almost a 4 star read. This is a really solid thriller it isn't super fast-paced like I was expecting but it managed to keep my interest throughout the majority of this book. I would say at around 70-80% I just waned it to get to the full reveal.
I think some of the twists and turns were quite good and others fell a little flat. The very last one I thought was disappointing and because it was so close to the end the reveal didn't have time to settle or be fully investigated. It felt like the last twist was just dumped in there for no real reason. Without this reveal I think the ending would have been better.
Some of the action scenes in the book were ok but nothing too special. I do like the way Harlan Coben writes I just haven't found that book by him that I love....YET.
I think some of the twists and turns were quite good and others fell a little flat. The very last one I thought was disappointing and because it was so close to the end the reveal didn't have time to settle or be fully investigated. It felt like the last twist was just dumped in there for no real reason. Without this reveal I think the ending would have been better.
Some of the action scenes in the book were ok but nothing too special. I do like the way Harlan Coben writes I just haven't found that book by him that I love....YET.
September 3, 2015
I need to say that I'm not a huge fan of Coben, but I enjoyed reading this book very much.
I couldn’t put it down until I finished the entire book. (Read in Portuguese)
May 20, 2016
oh my gosh. so intense!!!! few twists in this book and totally did not see the end happening. totally would recommend if you love a good crime and thriller
April 5, 2014
I am usually a fan of Harlan Coben's books, both the Bolitar series and the books outside that series. There were far too many plots in this book involving far too many characters; all felt unfinished and all characters felt undeveloped. Each story/plot was quite interesting on its own, and I would have enjoyed a fuller exploration of each one. Each character was intriguing, and in would have greatly enjoyed the back story of each character. What was Titus like as a child, as a teenager? What was Brandon like before his father died? What was the Phelps family like when it was intact? Frankly, I felt like there was more development of the Gerard character, who ultimately was a rather minor figure. I don't know how I would describe this book to someone: The story of a calculating serial killer? The story of a woman's search for her lost love? Or her search for the truth about her father's murder? Corruption in the NYPD? If all these stories are going to be woven into one book, enough space/pages should be allocated to fleshing it out. I can't speak for every Harlan Coben fan, but I enjoy his writing style and wouldn't be dissuaded from reading a much longer book that was properly developed. This, unfortunately, felt unfinished and unsatisfying - which left me, at the end, frustrated.
December 31, 2014
I started my 'Harlan habit' when my mom lobbed a copy my via mail and recommended it with a wan 'it's not awful. Try it out.' Since then I've been plucking copies of his books from used book sales and sort of shamefacedly stashing them in the corner of my closet. It's a guilty pleasure. My grandmother read shitty romance novels, randomly taking them up when she was, what 70 in much the same way. My tasteless crass aunt from jersey would offer them to her once she finished reading. I GET IT. Sometimes you just... read books and it doesn't have to be profound.
I've noticed a lot of the rapturous reviews are from people who got advance copies via Netgalley; perhaps positive reviews ensure future books? It just seems suspicious. My mom gave me a copy so I GOT NO SKIN IN THIS GAME. Honest opinion here without fear of getting my 'freebie' copies revoked.
I'm also landlocked so this is my virtual 'beach reading' go to author. Coben has a few characters he rotates. He's adept at creating freaky villains; he's a lot like Carl Hiaasen in that way. My mom sent this book to me with a warning this time "You might not be nuts about it; it seems like he lost the plot somewhere along the way.." Of course I HAD to read this book as soon as I got it. If anyone loves a hot mess? It's me.
Kat Donovan was an NYPD cop grappling with lost love (broken engagement, she was dumped what, 18 years ago. Yeah, that's healthy) and the shooting of her cop father. She's faced with a mystery of tracking down her lost fiance (who resurfaces but all is not as it seems) while trying to find out who really shot her father. Also heavily featured and connected to this morass is the criminal mastermind Titus who preys on unsuspecting men and women seeking love online.
Imagine if an Afterschool special from the 80s and a Lifetime movie had a bastard child. Got it? That's this book. I am agog that people are creaming themselves over this book, just stunned. Then again, shows like ALF (80s) lasted like, 10 seasons? And American Idol, X Factor and the Voice (who can keep track, did I miss any) are all runaway hits. My point in this rant? There is no accounting for taste. I like Harlan somehow and feel almost bad about slagging off his book here. Like I'm talking behind someones back. But Harlan phoned this one in. He's a smart guy; it felt like he defaulted to cheese mode for this book. I have absolutely no idea what happened here. Again, reading these reviews I feel like I am screaming into the wind saying 'This was awful!'. Before I go further, anyone reading this review please don't forsake Coben entirely. His best work is the earlier stuff (I know, so much like the hipster breathing 'I only like their earlier songs, MAAAAN. In my opinion the best books feature Myron Bolitor and his crew; very well created characters and laugh out loud moments, truly masterful stuff there. Again, he's a talented writer. But this book smelled of 'crank it out, make the money'. It's almost the opposite of what happens in Hollywood. When an actor becomes successful he/she gets more creative control. When a writer becomes a hit (as Coben is, prolific and popular) it's like the publishers over process the end product until it's bland and unpalatable.
I noticed several glaring typos which was surprising for such a popular best selling writer. This might sound petty but if someone pays $24 for a hardcover (ok, my mom did) it better be properly edited. It's like when you meet a hot guy and he starts talking and has bad grammar. Totally gross. I laughed reading "..she waited with BAITED breath.." Um, bated, but hey. ENGLISH. I don't know who or ...what is editing over there but Harlan? HIRE ME. I caught about 5 more btw. Sloppy.
The shmaltz factor here was strong. I rolled my eyes often reading lines like " Relief coarsed through my veins..." and god, I just don't have time to share more of the the soppy, cliched sentences here. Twilight -esque fan fiction pablum. Kat kept reminiscing about 'tender kisses' and romantic magical moments with old boy, the fiance that ditched her 18 years ago. After a few pages it doesn't need to be repeated. You know that friend who used to call you to analyze ever text/email/sigh of her boyfriend? MEET KAT.
The whole Kat/Jeff lost love thing was overplayed. Did I ever care about them or if they ever got together? No. Like I care about a Margot Kidder comeback. Which brings me to "This could make an amazing been a Lifetime movie'. Except you'd need to add a drinking game with shots every time Kat thought 'God I loved him.'
Sentences were often jarringly simple and juvenile. My favorite example of this? " Kat's bottle of Jack tasted like FISH ASS after the cognac and maccallans 25.." I mean, who was driving the bus here? Did Harlan have a ghost writer? One of the Kardashians? Where was Harlan when this was being written? In the lobby getting snacks? So many lines/ thoughts via Kat that were just lame. Yuk yuk! Fish ass! So corny. Kat was maybe single at 40 because her maturity stunted in the 6th grade? Brainstorming here.
As the story careened to a finale we are left with this precious little bon mot : "Happiness is fragile. Appreciate every moment and do everything you can to protect it. The rest of life is background noise." Group shot gathered around a sunset barbeque. And SCENE. Warm fuzzy vagueness like the above is like a crippled 'It's a Wonderful Life." And that quote above made me feel like I walked into a bathroom at da club overhearing people waxing Jack Handey between rails. ALL THE MYSTERIES, THEY ARE SOLVED NOW #LULZ # IKR #SMDH
OH, HARLAN. HOW COULD YOU!
I've noticed a lot of the rapturous reviews are from people who got advance copies via Netgalley; perhaps positive reviews ensure future books? It just seems suspicious. My mom gave me a copy so I GOT NO SKIN IN THIS GAME. Honest opinion here without fear of getting my 'freebie' copies revoked.
I'm also landlocked so this is my virtual 'beach reading' go to author. Coben has a few characters he rotates. He's adept at creating freaky villains; he's a lot like Carl Hiaasen in that way. My mom sent this book to me with a warning this time "You might not be nuts about it; it seems like he lost the plot somewhere along the way.." Of course I HAD to read this book as soon as I got it. If anyone loves a hot mess? It's me.
Kat Donovan was an NYPD cop grappling with lost love (broken engagement, she was dumped what, 18 years ago. Yeah, that's healthy) and the shooting of her cop father. She's faced with a mystery of tracking down her lost fiance (who resurfaces but all is not as it seems) while trying to find out who really shot her father. Also heavily featured and connected to this morass is the criminal mastermind Titus who preys on unsuspecting men and women seeking love online.
Imagine if an Afterschool special from the 80s and a Lifetime movie had a bastard child. Got it? That's this book. I am agog that people are creaming themselves over this book, just stunned. Then again, shows like ALF (80s) lasted like, 10 seasons? And American Idol, X Factor and the Voice (who can keep track, did I miss any) are all runaway hits. My point in this rant? There is no accounting for taste. I like Harlan somehow and feel almost bad about slagging off his book here. Like I'm talking behind someones back. But Harlan phoned this one in. He's a smart guy; it felt like he defaulted to cheese mode for this book. I have absolutely no idea what happened here. Again, reading these reviews I feel like I am screaming into the wind saying 'This was awful!'. Before I go further, anyone reading this review please don't forsake Coben entirely. His best work is the earlier stuff (I know, so much like the hipster breathing 'I only like their earlier songs, MAAAAN. In my opinion the best books feature Myron Bolitor and his crew; very well created characters and laugh out loud moments, truly masterful stuff there. Again, he's a talented writer. But this book smelled of 'crank it out, make the money'. It's almost the opposite of what happens in Hollywood. When an actor becomes successful he/she gets more creative control. When a writer becomes a hit (as Coben is, prolific and popular) it's like the publishers over process the end product until it's bland and unpalatable.
I noticed several glaring typos which was surprising for such a popular best selling writer. This might sound petty but if someone pays $24 for a hardcover (ok, my mom did) it better be properly edited. It's like when you meet a hot guy and he starts talking and has bad grammar. Totally gross. I laughed reading "..she waited with BAITED breath.." Um, bated, but hey. ENGLISH. I don't know who or ...what is editing over there but Harlan? HIRE ME. I caught about 5 more btw. Sloppy.
The shmaltz factor here was strong. I rolled my eyes often reading lines like " Relief coarsed through my veins..." and god, I just don't have time to share more of the the soppy, cliched sentences here. Twilight -esque fan fiction pablum. Kat kept reminiscing about 'tender kisses' and romantic magical moments with old boy, the fiance that ditched her 18 years ago. After a few pages it doesn't need to be repeated. You know that friend who used to call you to analyze ever text/email/sigh of her boyfriend? MEET KAT.
The whole Kat/Jeff lost love thing was overplayed. Did I ever care about them or if they ever got together? No. Like I care about a Margot Kidder comeback. Which brings me to "This could make an amazing been a Lifetime movie'. Except you'd need to add a drinking game with shots every time Kat thought 'God I loved him.'
Sentences were often jarringly simple and juvenile. My favorite example of this? " Kat's bottle of Jack tasted like FISH ASS after the cognac and maccallans 25.." I mean, who was driving the bus here? Did Harlan have a ghost writer? One of the Kardashians? Where was Harlan when this was being written? In the lobby getting snacks? So many lines/ thoughts via Kat that were just lame. Yuk yuk! Fish ass! So corny. Kat was maybe single at 40 because her maturity stunted in the 6th grade? Brainstorming here.
As the story careened to a finale we are left with this precious little bon mot : "Happiness is fragile. Appreciate every moment and do everything you can to protect it. The rest of life is background noise." Group shot gathered around a sunset barbeque. And SCENE. Warm fuzzy vagueness like the above is like a crippled 'It's a Wonderful Life." And that quote above made me feel like I walked into a bathroom at da club overhearing people waxing Jack Handey between rails. ALL THE MYSTERIES, THEY ARE SOLVED NOW #LULZ # IKR #SMDH
OH, HARLAN. HOW COULD YOU!
February 23, 2014
My Thoughts
NYPD Detective Kat Donovan has a lot going on in this story. She is still haunted by the murder of her father that happened many years ago. A friend gives her a membership to an online dating site, where she finds hew ex-fiance. A young boy comes to her because his Mom has gone missing. How could all of this possibly tie together?
I always get excited when I first open a Harlan Coben book . I know I’m going to be in for an exciting ride and this book did not disappoint me. There was a new twist around every corner. The clues are given to us slowly. It made me think about putting together a puzzle for the first time. Piece by piece, the picture of all that is going on in Kat’s life fall into place, but it takes that last piece for everything to become clear.
Mr. Coben always gives us believable characters and story-lines. This one really spoke to the potential dangers of online dating sites and how the internet has become the new focus for committing crimes. The suspnse went right down to the wire, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Many thanks to Penguin Group - Dutton, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: March 18, 2014
NYPD Detective Kat Donovan has a lot going on in this story. She is still haunted by the murder of her father that happened many years ago. A friend gives her a membership to an online dating site, where she finds hew ex-fiance. A young boy comes to her because his Mom has gone missing. How could all of this possibly tie together?
I always get excited when I first open a Harlan Coben book . I know I’m going to be in for an exciting ride and this book did not disappoint me. There was a new twist around every corner. The clues are given to us slowly. It made me think about putting together a puzzle for the first time. Piece by piece, the picture of all that is going on in Kat’s life fall into place, but it takes that last piece for everything to become clear.
Mr. Coben always gives us believable characters and story-lines. This one really spoke to the potential dangers of online dating sites and how the internet has become the new focus for committing crimes. The suspnse went right down to the wire, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Many thanks to Penguin Group - Dutton, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: March 18, 2014
March 5, 2014
This book started off very poorly for me. The first chapter made me want to not even read the rest of the book. The main character, Kat Donovan, is suppossed to be this tough as nails NYPD detective who comes from a family of cops. She is reduced to a weak, pathetic, lovelorn, "damaged" female right away. I just kind of felt that the author did not do a very good job of writing a convincing female lead. This is the first book I've read by Harlan Coben so I don't know if he has written strong female characters in the past. Anyways it left me with a bad taste in my mouth for quite a few chapters after. Fortunately, the story was intriguing and succeeded in drawing me in anyways. It is well thought out, keeps you guessing, and definately makes you want to turn the page to see what happens next. Literary masterpiece, no. But it is a decent story with a good ending that is quick and easy to read. So despite some character flaws and lack of descriptive dialogue, I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
***I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads***
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