Rating: 
Summary: Misses the Mark
Review: 'One False Move' was my first Harlan Coben novel, and while it had its moments, overall I was disappointed. I understand that Coben is a prolific writer with a large fan base, but I found Coben, at least in this effort, far inferior to today's best writers of crime fiction: Dennis Lehane, James Lee Burke, and Lee Childs all do a better job with plot, setting, and characters. And if you prefer to add witty dialogue and one-liners to that mix, consider Robert Crais, William Lashner, or David Rosenfelt (who also does a better north Jersey).
In 'One False Move', ex-basketball star and current sports agent Myron Bolitar agrees to protect Brenda Slaughter, the bright and beautiful star of the WNBA, the women's professional basketball league. Her mother had deserted Brenda some twenty years ago, and now her father, Horace Slaughter, has vanished. Bolitar has a personal stake in this, as Horace was Myron's mentor as he was rising through the ranks of amateur basketball. This seemingly innocent assignment begins unraveling a sordid 20-year old tale of bad love, murder, deception, corruption and power.
Perhaps a reader needs a couple of installments of Myron Bolitar to appreciate him, but I couldn't figure out what Coben was trying to do with himr. While the big ex-jock persona was incongruous with the indecisive, somewhat neurotic mamas boy image, neither of these fit with the gun-toting tough guy always ready with a snappy wisecrack. We are to believe that Myron, who struggles to decide whether or not he some make is assistant a partner in his firm, and who only recently moved out of his parent's home, can stand down ruthless mobsters and power-crazed gubernatorial candidates? Believe that, and you probably can believe that, as positioned in this story, the WNBA really does matter. But while Bolitar was somewhat of an enigma, Bolitar sidekick Winston Lock-Horne manages to add an entirely new dimension to 'annoying'. (As an example, in answering his phone, the insufferable 'Win' inserts 'articulate' for 'hello). The reader is to believe that the manicured and polished Win, of old money and Ivy League society, is really a Clint Eastwood in a blue blazer and tasseled loafers. Yet the mere mention of this pretty-boy's name sends chills down the spine of even the most hardened of New Jersey's mobsters. Right.
Add to this a plot that is wholly unbelievable, cluttered with a love tangent that turns as sappy as it is unnecessary, and you have 'One False Move', fiction that while mildly entertaining leaves little to recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written & extremely funny.
Review: A recent discovery for a fan of mysteries, especially with a smart-ass hero. I loved listening to the sarcastic chatter in Myron Bolitar's head as he dealt with the action in this fun novel. Can't wait to read Corbin's other novels.
Rating:
Summary: Edgar Award Contender for 1998
Review: Absolutely stunning. Coben's books are consistently witty with characters you would love to meet in person and plots that keep you guessing. I started reading this book and did not put it down until the end. When I did finish I was floored. Breathed, "wow," then ran to the phone to call everyone I know to get this book immediately. If this book doesn't win the Edgar for 1998, there's something seriously wrong in this world.
Rating:
Summary: Myron and Win continue to amaze
Review: After reading his 4 books in paperback in one weekend, I ordered this book, received it and read it in one night's reading. It is another excellent book about Myron, Win and company. It is, even, better than his first three books with the ending not at all what I expected. This is a must for mystery fans of the Spenser type genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Tedious
Review: Harlan Coben is a funny writer. In fact, with the exception of Robert Crais' Elvis Cole, I can't recall any author who will repeatedly make me laugh out loud. I was in a Dentist's office in Jackson, Michigan, waiting for a root canal (no lie) and read about Myron Bolitar's relationship with "Big Cyndi." I laughed out loud. Mothers moved their children away from my couch. The receptionist looked sternly at me.I guess that's the problem I have. Mr. Coben seems to have the need to be all things to all people. Humorist. Philosopher. Retributionist. He reminds me of the "Lethal Weapon" directors (I think there were more than one) who wanted humor, racial sensitivity, a code of honor, love, pathos, retribution, introspection and everything else in the self-help bookshelf. When you can't make a decision as to who you are writing for and you decide to write for everyone, your audience loses track of where they are. 'Am I sad now or is this a funny part?' I like things more direct. I had the same problem with "Tell no One," Mr. Coben's most recent venture. I couldn't make up my mind what I had just heard so I would tell no one. Pick a virtue; stick with it. Pick a vice, stay with it. Myron is brave, yet cowardly. In supposed love, yet with a wandering eye. He is offended by the amorality of Win, yet always calls him to clean up his mess. Refuses to punish the evil villain, yet arranges then pushes the dominos over in a fashion that will lead the villain to far more suffering. And like another character I just can't cheer for, Robert Parker's Jesse Stone, abused by the woman he loves (could 'doormat' be tattooed on his forehead?) but stickin' around for more. That's it for me.
Rating:
Summary: "Yoo-Hoo," Yeah, You. This Is One Great Series
Review: Harlan Coben is the best mystery writer in the business. Enough said. This fifth book, as well as the other incredible novels, in the Myron Bolitar series is simply sensational. Myron Bolitar, the college basketball stud-turned fed-turned sports' agent (not to mention the latest star in the upcomming Yoo-Hoo commercial), is back again for another wild adventure. ONE FALSE MOVE is Myron's "darkest" tale to date. On the brink of starting a Women's Professional Basketball League, Brenda Slaughter, the hottest star has been getting threatening phone calls. In being called in to provide protection, Myron becomes her agent, but the adventure is just beginning. Her mother has been missing for twenty years, and her father turns up dead, only to have her as the prime suspect. Throw in the mafia Ache brothers, crooked politicians, and a new leader of Myron's biggest competition, and you have yourself one amazing novel. All of the standard characters are back, including the ever-popular psycho-yuppie Win, the sizzling Esperanza Diaz, who is slowly but surely gaining her voice in the series, the sensational girlfriend Jessica Culver, Myron's parents, "El-Al" Bolitar, and "Big Chief Mama" herself, Big Cyndi. Let's never forget to use the "Big!" As in all of Coben's books, the witty dialogue makes the novel that is already so cohesively complete with an excellent storyline and a wonderfully detailed, yet unique writing style, that much better. There are always a multitude of plot twists, and the suspense of the whodunnit mystery is apparent to the very last chapter of the book. ONE FALSE MOVE keeps you guessing throughout, making for one entertaining and exciting read. This book is a winner. Case closed!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, page-turning stuff.
Review: Harlan Coben, One False Move (Delacorte, 1998) Harlan Coben's fourth novel, and the fourth in the Myron Bolitar series, One False Move gives Coben a new client with bad surroundings. (Surprise, surprise, eh?) Brenda Slaughter is the star player in the new Women's Professional Basketball League. WPBL head Norm Zuckerman wants Bolitar to represent Slaughter, since her father, who had managed her career up till a week before, had gone missing. Slaughter's mother had done the same twenty years before. It doesn't take long for Bolitar to realize that, somehow, the two disappearances are connected, and that both disappearances are somehow connected to Myron's old nemeses the Ache brothers. Hilarity, as they say, ensues. Readers of the Bolitar novels will be used to Myron being a bit too much of a wiseguy. Once you get past that, this is a good, solid novel that comes slightly unwrapped at the end (Coben wraps up the main mystery nicely enough, but there are some pretty big loose ends). As usual, Coben keeps the pages turning with the best of them, and the book flies by. The characters are well-developed, and as long as you don't mind a main character who makes Spenser look like a prophet of doom, Coben's books should be right up your alley. Give them a try. *** ½
Rating:
Summary: Harlan Coben, write faster!
Review: Having read all of the previous books in one week, I anxiously awaited this latest book by Coben. As I read it, I found that I laughed out loud less often (still WAAAAAY more than have ever done with a book before!) but appreciated the characters more. In this latest book, Coben concentrates less on MB's pal Win, and more on his friend/co-worker Esperanza. At first I was disappointed, but as the book evolved I appreciated the exploration of Esperanza and Myron's friendship. A must-read, as with all of Coben's books. I only hope for a hockey book soon! party idea: fun to discuss actor and actress casting of the characters in books.
Rating:
Summary: Like it says on the front jacket...fast-moving, funny..
Review: His descriptions of Big Cyndi were hilarious. His narratives sharp and right now. The story line was credible. The ending was a tweak off to the left, meaning, it was right-on and not your usual pap. The malefactor was one I didn't even consider. I was surprised. I like Myron, Win and Esperanza. And don't let me forget Big Cyndi, she has now been hired on full-time and I'm looking forward to getting to know her. Should be fun :o) This was my first Harlan Coben....I'm going on to try the rest now. See ya :o)
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic novel, and I know nothing about US sports!!
Review: I had not read a Harlan Coben novel before, and when I was told it included a lot of American Basketball references, I was sceptical. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. This novel appeals to a wide audience, not just sports fans, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It showed great wit, especially in the repartees between Myron and his partner Win, and I found myself laughing out loud, (which was highly embarassing). The storyline was fast moving and thrilling, and the ending was satisfying and well done. I found myself really connecting with the main characters and feeling for them. I definitly plan to read more of Coben's books, especially the Bolitar series. I definitly recommend it, particularly if you like a bit of humour in your thrillers.
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