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ozshark's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have read a couple of Harlan Coben novels, and enjoyed a couple of TV adaptations, but I am not overly familiar with his work. I didn't even realise that Myron Bolitar (a character who often gets referenced in Win) was a character with his own long-running series.
I enjoyed this. I particularly enjoyed the character of Win himself. He is written with just the right level of poise, arrogance and humour to suit him, without him becoming grating and unbearable. The story/mystery was less engaging for me. I found I didn't really care who was behind the theft, or whether it linked to the Hut of Horrors etc.
I will definitely give the character of Win another go though, and might check out one of Myron's stories too.
I enjoyed this. I particularly enjoyed the character of Win himself. He is written with just the right level of poise, arrogance and humour to suit him, without him becoming grating and unbearable. The story/mystery was less engaging for me. I found I didn't really care who was behind the theft, or whether it linked to the Hut of Horrors etc.
I will definitely give the character of Win another go though, and might check out one of Myron's stories too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, and Kidnapping
tara3117's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I like Harlan Coben's books quite a lot. They are nice easy reads, they keep me guessing and they have enough suspense to keep me interested.
That said, this was a doozy. The main character isn't likeable, not even a little bit. He's not supposed to be, so I guess good job for that, but I don't really want to read about a man I can't relate to. Actually, everyone in this book is terrible except maybe Win's daughter, Ema, despite the fact that she has the worst name.
Coben's cash cow, Myron, is brought up in every chapter. Win is in love with him so much that I half expect this book to end with Win coming home to find Myron naked on his sofa and the two just make out for the whole last chapter. Actually, maybe Ema doesn't have the worst name...
Lastly, Coben actually described a woman in this book as "fleshy" which I guess was supposed to be a nice word for fat? It just made me feel icky.
That said, this was a doozy. The main character isn't likeable, not even a little bit. He's not supposed to be, so I guess good job for that, but I don't really want to read about a man I can't relate to. Actually, everyone in this book is terrible except maybe Win's daughter, Ema, despite the fact that she has the worst name.
Coben's cash cow, Myron, is brought up in every chapter. Win is in love with him so much that I half expect this book to end with Win coming home to find Myron naked on his sofa and the two just make out for the whole last chapter. Actually, maybe Ema doesn't have the worst name...
Lastly, Coben actually described a woman in this book as "fleshy" which I guess was supposed to be a nice word for fat? It just made me feel icky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder