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.
~~~
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.’
