Rating:  Summary: A FANTASTIC READ!!! Review: Until a few weeks ago, I didn't know who Harlan Coben was. Of course, I'd noticed his books in the store and seen his name recommended by other readers on the websites, but I had no desire to find out more about him, or to read any of his novels. That changed when I saw a blurb on his newest thriller, TELL NO ONE. The premise for the story sounded so good that I decided to risk a couple of sawbucks and buy a hardback by an author I knew next to nothing about. I'm happy to say that the gamble paid off big time and with huge dividends. I now have a small stack of his other books sitting on my coffee table, waiting to be read. Life doesn't get much better than this! In TELL NO ONE, the plot centers on Dr. David Beck, a man who has tried to put his life back together after the tragic death of his wife, Elizabeth, eight years before. It happened one night at their summer retreat on Lake Charmaine. After swimming in the lake with her husband, Elizabeth made her way back to the cottage and was attacked by one or more assailants. Her screams for help brought David running to her aid, but he was beaten with a baseball bat and left for dead. A few days later, her body was found alongside of the highway with the letter K branded into the side of her face. Elroy Kellerton, a serial killer (a.k.a. KillRoy), was eventually charged with her murder. Now, eight years later, David Beck sits down at his office computer and opens an e-mail that gives him a piece of information only Elizabeth could know about. Has his dead wife suddenly returned from the grave, or is someone playing a cruel hoax on him? It isn't long, however, before Beck is running for his life! It turns out that someone has been watching him for eight long years...someone who'd paid to have Elizabeth killed...someone who wanted to be absolutely sure that she was, in fact, dead. As those closest to Beck start dying and he's framed for their murders, he quickly realizes that there are few people he can trust. Now, he not only has to avoid these unknown killers, but the police as well. All of this can't stop our reluctant hero from following the only course of action opened to him-finding the woman he still loves and killing those who would harm her. TELL NO ONE grabs you by the seat of your pants in the first few pages and doesn't let go till the last, breathtaking page. "WOW!" was the only thing I could think of to say after I finished the book and laid it down on the couch beside me. Why? Because Mr. Coben had created characters you truly cared for, while at the same time, weaving an intricate story line that kept them walking a narrow tightrope of intemperate danger and kept the reader sitting on the edge of his seat in avid anticipation. Each time I thought smugly to myself that I had it all figured out, Mr. Coben surprised me with an unexpected plot twist, or a villain that kept to the shadows until he was ready to pounce. I couldn't help but smile as I realized how skilled the author was at manipulating my mind and emotions, and I mean this as a sincere compliment. It takes sheer craftsmanship to be able to do this successfully. I should also add that this novel is as much a love story as it is an action-packed thriller. There was one point in it where I felt goose bumps rising on my arms at the strength of David and Elizabeth's love for each other. I wanted them to make it out alive, but wasn't sure if it would actually happen. TELL NO ONE is definitely an "In-Your-Face" novel that will make you an instant fan of Mr. Coben. Buy it, read it, then quickly order the rest of his books, but don't forget to spread the word about this terrific writer. Harlan Coben is one of those "best-kept secrets" that need to be announced from loud speakers at the Super Bowl!
Rating:  Summary: I Couldn't Put It Down! Review: This was the first time in many years that I couldn't put a book down! This one grabs you right on page 1, and forces you to surge ahead, anxious to FIND OUT! This is a first-rate thriller .... it takes you for a ride, roller-coasts you through, then ties it all together very neatly.
Rating:  Summary: It wasn't what I thought! Review: I was very disappointed in the writing style of the author. The plot of the mystery was fairly interesting, yet the style of writing distracted me from it. I thought the writing was juvenile and phrasing of dialogue very conversational. I had read a few excellent reviews about it. I also notice the reviews from the Amazon readers- so maybe it is just my taste!
Rating:  Summary: lived up to hype Review: i truly enjoyed this book--not necessarily because it was incredibly well-written, but because it told a great story and kept me guessing until the end!!!
Rating:  Summary: Sloppy, Clique-Ridden Attempt at Suspense - Take A Pass Review: This book was highly recommended by a savvy attorney friend of mine. I took the advice and bought the book and was subsequently highly disappointed wondering if my friend was pulling some sort of prank. The plot is thin and full of holes, the characters are underdeveloped and the writing so stiff and wooden, that I was banging my head against the wall wanting this mess to be over with. I am truly puzzled over the rave reviews received on Amazon. Summer readers will be better rewarded from any fare from Dennis Lehane, Wilbur Smith, or Nelson DeMille.
Rating:  Summary: OK, THE SECOND BEST THRILLER OF THE SUMMER! Review: Harlan Coben just seems to get better and better. His new hero, David Beck, is just as cool as Myron. And curiously, David is also the name of the hero of the best thriller this summer: POWER OF ATTORNEY by DEXTER DIAS. ... Both Tell No One and Power of Attorney very highly recommended!
Rating:  Summary: surprised Review: When looking for something to read, I always head to mysteries and thrillers. I like the ones that curl my toes and shiver my bones. Because there aren't many these days that do that, I wondered where this one would lead. I worried that this would be just like so many others our there, a clone of every other one with the disappearing spouse and the husband trying to find her. I did not know Harlan Coben's books, but Tell No One intrigued me from the start. Imagine my surprise when I read it and found it to be one of the best stories in a long time. I didn't find the usual predictable ending, and I am not sure yet if I like it. What I did find was that Beck was an exciting character who responded well to his challenges. I wanted to find out if his wife was really alive. I wanted to find out why she did what she did, if it really was she who was sending those e-mails. I completely enjoyed his narration, revelations and humor. I read the book at one sitting and enjoyed being completely involved in a story. My cat loved the fact that I didn't move at all while reading, and I was happy that there was a book out there to tingle my toes as the night moved on to the morning. I thought the book was fun, intrguing and certainly one to recommend to others. I don't know Coben's other main character in his other series of books, but this one was decent, pliable and haunting. I do plan to read other books by this author, and I hope to find his name on future best selling lists.
Rating:  Summary: A breathtaking ride! Review: Okay, I confess. I love Harlan Coben. I've read every book he's written and he just gets better and better. It's a brave author who'll break from a winning seriesÑDennis LeHane did it recently, brilliantlyÑand Coben does it in Tell No one with great success.This tale of a doctor still grieving the murder of his wife eight years after the fact takes off from the blocks at a gallop and never lets up for a moment. The writing is simple and effective, with moments of sweet humor; the plot is sinuously complex and ultimately most satisfying. Harlan Coben is getting the recognition now he so richly deserves. This is a terrific book; highly recommended.
Rating:  Summary: My advice: read it twice! Review: When you find the love of your life, it's hard to let go, even after the loved one dies. David Beck, the protagonist of "Tell No One", has continued to carry a torch for his long lost wife, Elizabeth, who died eight years before. When he receives a mysterious e-mail that couldn't have come from anyone but her, Beck goes on what can only be described as a wild goose chase--only, there are people who don't want the truth to be discovered, and they'll kill to keep it buried. This book is a refreshing change from the Anne Rices, John LeCarres and James Micheners of the contemporary literary world: the narration--when in first person--is simple, conversational and easy to understand, without being "dumbed down" or compromising the plot. The characters themselves are also realistic and believable--I love Beck's sister and her partner, as well as the thug with a heart of gold, Tyrese. The ending is a crisp slap in the face. "Tell No One" demands a second reading--reading it again allows you to see all the clues that clearly point to the outcome, even if you don't see them the first time around. "Tell No One" isn't without a snag, however. The jumping from first to third person narration becomes annoying, and often breaks up the flow of the plot. Of course, this could be a tactic to further confound the reader and keep him/her off the trail; I found myself re-reading some chapters just so I could remember what was going on the last time Beck spoke. Other than that, it's a book that's difficult to put down. Die hard fans of a good mystery will not be disappointed, and the plot twists will leave you scratching your head happily. I hope there's a sequel.
Rating:  Summary: Great Summer Intrigue Review: Dr. David Beck has managed to put his life back together in the 8 years since an attack by a serial killer which claimed the life of his wife, Elizabeth. And then one day he gets a cryptic e-mail message hinting that the sender is his dead wife - with a warning to tell no one. As he attempts to find out the source of the continuing messages, Beck finds himself not only swept up in a world of power brokers with hired assasins and witnesses who know more than they're telling, but accused by the FBI of murdering Elizabeth. This is an elegantly wrought novel of high suspense which keeps you guessing and ties up all the loose ends at just the right time. This is a perfect beach take-along for the mystery aficionado.
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