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Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Tuesday - First Chapter - First Paragraph - Home



Each Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea shares the first part of a book that she is reading or thinking about reading.  This week I'm sharing:  Home by Harlan Coben.  I've enjoyed many books by this author, who writes gripping standalone thrillers, as well as the Myron Bolitar series and the Mickey Bolitar series for young adults.  I always loved Myron Bolitar, sports agent and ex-pro basketball player and it's been 5 years since we had a new Myron book.  Home is that book.  Oh, and don't forget Myron's friend and quasi-bodyguard/enforcer/very scary dude - Win.  I have a crush on Win.  I'm considering including this book in our mystery book group's schedule for the second half of 2017. See what you think:



     The boy who has been missing for ten years steps into the light.
     I am not one for hysterics or even feeling much of what might be labeled astonishment.  I have seen much in my forty-plus years.  I have nearly been killed--and I have killed.  I have seen depravity that most would find difficult, if not downright inconceivable, to comprehend--and some would argue that I have administered the same.  I have learned over the years to control my emotions and, more important, my reactions during stressful, volatile situations.  I may strike quickly and violently, but I do nothing without a certain level of deliberation and purpose.  
     These qualities, if you will, have saved me and those who matter to me time and time again.
     Yet I confess that when I first saw the boy--well, he was a teenager now, wasn't he?--I could feel my pulse race.  A thrumming sound echoed in my ears.  Without conscious thought, my hands formed two fists.
     Ten years--and now fifty yards, no more, separated me from the missing boy.


Blurb:

A decade ago, kidnappers grabbed two boys from wealthy families and demanded ransom, then went silent. No trace of the boys ever surfaced. For ten years their families have been left with nothing but painful memories and a quiet desperation for the day that has finally, miraculously arrived: Myron Bolitar and his friend Win believe they have located one of the boys, now a teenager. Where has he been for ten years, and what does he know about the day, more than half a life ago, when he was taken? And most critically: What can he tell Myron and Win about the fate of his missing friend?

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I always enjoy books by Harlan Coben.  He wrote 7 Myron and Win books and then decided to try something different - a standalone.  Since that time, his books have skyrocketed to fame.  I have missed Myron and Win though.  So happy to have another chance to catch up with favorite characters in this 11th book in the series.  It's why I love mystery series, you know - the characters and their lives - and the puzzles.  I think I've made my decision - Home will be on our mystery group schedule for July.  Have your read any books by this author?

36 comments:

  1. I've only read one book by Coben - The Woods, a standalone - which I really enjoyed. And I've been meaning to read more of his.

    The description of Home sounds as though it has a similar plot to The Woods, which is about the murder of two teenagers at a Summer Camp twenty years earlier – two other teenagers disappeared and were presumed dead. Paul Copeland, now a County Prosecutor, is asked to identify a dead body, who turns out to be one of the missing teenagers.

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    1. I've read several of Coben's books, but don't think I've read THE WOODS. I'll have to check out the synopsis.

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  2. Like Margaret, I've read just one HC book and it's The Woods, which I thought was excellent. I too have been meaning to read more but am not sure where to start.

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    1. Well, if you don't want to start another series, the rest of his books are standalones. Our mystery group did MISSING YOU a while back and it went over well.

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  3. I was ready to dismiss this one, since it's been years since I've read anything by Coben, but when I read your review and see that the book is a return to Myron & Win, I almost squealed with joy!!! I love that series and can't wait to give this one a read! Whoohoo!

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    1. I was very happy about the return of Myron and Win also. Not sure if this will be their swan song or not.

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  4. I feel like this author is hot and cold. I've loved some of his books but had a few that seemed so weak. I hope this is a good one.

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    1. I understand what you mean, Diane. He's definitely a thrill a minute type of guy, but maybe not a lot of depth at times. I hope this one is good too - especially if this might be the last of this series.

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    2. I've only read one by Coben, and I was not impressed. A lot of fans told me it was not one of his best books, but I never got around to following up on their recommendations.

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    3. Happily, we all have a bunch more to read if one author doesn't work for us, right? LOL

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  5. I haven't read this author in a long while, but I do have this book, sitting just five feet away on my coffee table/trunk. Hope to start it soon. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. You may read it before I do! I'll probably wait a bit because our group won't be discussing it until July.

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  6. I've enjoyed a few of his stand-alones. Hope this one is a good read for you.

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    1. I think it will be, mainly because I'm so happy to see these characters back again.

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  7. I haven't read any of Coben's books but it sounds like I should give it a go. Thanks for sharing, Kay. Here's the link to my intro and teaser from Barbara Wood's book, The Magdalene Scrolls: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1vT

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    1. This author writes a good thriller in his standalone books. And I love this series.

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  8. I've read a few of Coben's books, but not for quite a few years. I like the way this starts with just enough of my curiosity aroused. Yes, I'd like to keep going.

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    1. Yes, I'm happy with beginning too. Our mystery group discussed another of Coben's books a while back and were pretty pleased with it.

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  9. I like this author and would keep reading. Enjoy!

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  10. I hate to admit that I have never read anything by this author although a close friend keeps telling me I should. Love the premise to this one, and that opener which definitely has me wanting to know more.

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    1. His standalone books are fast reading thrillers. The series is also suspenseful, but is a series, so there are other benefits.

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  11. I've read lots of his standalones and thoroughly enjoyed them, but I've never been able to get into the Myron Bolivar books - something about the character just doesn't gel for me. I think the reason I like the standalones is that they're usually about ordinary people who just get caught up in some scary situation...

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    1. I agree completely about the standalones. And that's a good way to describe them - ordinary people who are placed in crazy situations.

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  12. What a great intro...would definitely keep reading - I already feel gripped!

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  13. I love a good Harlan Coben book and haven't read him in a long time. I still have The Stranger' House in my Audible file to listen to, but haven't yet. I hope you enjoy this one, because the intro is great.

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  14. One of my favorite authors as well. Enjoyed this book.

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  15. Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors too. I definitely plan to read HOME.

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  16. I've read several of his standalone books and those I've found quite readable but haven't explored this series yet. Sounds like I need to check it out!

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  17. I have a crush on Myron AND Win :) Loved this book for that reason. I hade been afraid that he quit them :(

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Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!