Book Review

Harlan Coben, another best selling, crime writing American author who has become one of my firm favourites. A former series starring the imposing creation by the name of Myron Bolitar was enjoyable but I find his stand-alone books much more so. The Woods was a particular favourite and this one, The Innocent, has joined a rank position.

The main character, Matt Hunter, once served a four year prison sentence after a fight ended with his opponent cracking his skull but he manages to live a respectable life with a good job and a lovely wife. But things start to go wrong when he receives a photo on his camera phone that is destined to change his life. Everything he has worked for is threatened and he suddenly cannot trust anyone, least of all his loved ones. 

The Innocent is loaded with tension which demands that the reader keeps reading. The scene shifting is fluent, the characters utterly believable, and the thickening plot only unravelled at the very end.

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Daily Express quoted Harlan Coben as being ‘One of the most sheerly entertaining and accomplished writers in the genre.’

The Daily Telegraph says ‘Harlan Coben has made his intention clear: he wants to fool his readers. And he makes a good job of doing so in The Innocent. The enjoyable intricate plot takes several turns before we are fooled for the last time and the villains and motive are revealed. A book to read in one gulp!’

The Times says ’Coben’s electrifying New Jersey based thriller plays games with notions of innocence and guilt. Adding to the enjoyment of this slickly crafted tale is the sharpness of the dialogue and the satisfying realism of the descriptive writing.’