Book Review - Long Lost by Harlan Coben
Category Book Review Harlan Coben Long Lost
I absolutely love the Myron Bolitar character in Harlan Coben's novels. Wise-cracking, able to take care of himself, surrounded by an eclectic but useful cast... When Long Lost was released, I immediately added it to my library hold list, and it finally came in. While I enjoyed the read, it didn't quite measure up to prior episodes in the Bolitar story. I think it was due to the plot being rather opaque for long periods of time, and I had trouble getting to the point where I actually cared about what happened.
The base plot is that a former lover of his calls him after a decade of no contact and asks him to come to Paris to see her. She won't tell him the reason, and it's complicated by the fact that Myron is involved with someone else now. But his sense of protection towards her wins out, and he flies over to see what's going on. Turns out her ex-husband had something to tell her that would change her future, but he was murdered before they could meet. Now the French police want her and Myron on suspicion of murder, and they have to go on the run to remain free until the truth sorts itself out. The driving force behind the secret seems to involve a daughter she thought dead from a traffic accident, and terrorists who somehow don't want any part of that secret uncovered...
Part of the fun of a Bolitar novel is all of the side characters, such as Esperanza. But she plays a pretty minor role in this story. Really, Win is the only sidekick that plays a significant role. I also thought his love interest at home didn't do much for the story either. Personally, I'd have to read the last Bolitar novel to see if that was included as part of the ending. But it's been long enough, and I frankly don't remember. Finally, in terms of the plot once he got to Paris, I found myself more confused than riveted. I felt as if the whole daughter issue just continued to be drawn out, and after awhile I found I didn't much care...
Was Long Lost worth reading? Yes, even with all the things I just listed above. I'm still a Bolitar fan, and I love his way with conversation. Was it the best one I've read? No. I just hope that the next one is soon, and that I can get lost in that installment...
I absolutely love the Myron Bolitar character in Harlan Coben's novels. Wise-cracking, able to take care of himself, surrounded by an eclectic but useful cast... When Long Lost was released, I immediately added it to my library hold list, and it finally came in. While I enjoyed the read, it didn't quite measure up to prior episodes in the Bolitar story. I think it was due to the plot being rather opaque for long periods of time, and I had trouble getting to the point where I actually cared about what happened.
The base plot is that a former lover of his calls him after a decade of no contact and asks him to come to Paris to see her. She won't tell him the reason, and it's complicated by the fact that Myron is involved with someone else now. But his sense of protection towards her wins out, and he flies over to see what's going on. Turns out her ex-husband had something to tell her that would change her future, but he was murdered before they could meet. Now the French police want her and Myron on suspicion of murder, and they have to go on the run to remain free until the truth sorts itself out. The driving force behind the secret seems to involve a daughter she thought dead from a traffic accident, and terrorists who somehow don't want any part of that secret uncovered...
Part of the fun of a Bolitar novel is all of the side characters, such as Esperanza. But she plays a pretty minor role in this story. Really, Win is the only sidekick that plays a significant role. I also thought his love interest at home didn't do much for the story either. Personally, I'd have to read the last Bolitar novel to see if that was included as part of the ending. But it's been long enough, and I frankly don't remember. Finally, in terms of the plot once he got to Paris, I found myself more confused than riveted. I felt as if the whole daughter issue just continued to be drawn out, and after awhile I found I didn't much care...
Was Long Lost worth reading? Yes, even with all the things I just listed above. I'm still a Bolitar fan, and I love his way with conversation. Was it the best one I've read? No. I just hope that the next one is soon, and that I can get lost in that installment...
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