Book Review: Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

  Fool Me Once and Run Away were two novels that I could not put down. I became an instant fan of Harlan Coben's writing style, and his ability to tell stories that delivered shocking finales. I decided to seek out more of his novels, and I am happy that I did. Once again I close another Coben novel extremely satisfied. 

  Don't Let Go is released by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. In this Harlan Coben thriller we are introduced to Detective Napolean Dumas. For the past fifteen years he has sought answers to the sudden disappearance of his high school sweetheart, Maura Wells. At the same time his brother, Leo, and Leo's girlfriend were found dead. Many years of questions have circulated Dumas' life and there was always a feeling that something was not quite right. Then a police officer is found dead and the car his suspected killer drove has fingerprints on it... that of Maura Wells. Napolean knew the police officer; they went to high school together. Why after all these years has Muara returned? And why would her prints be in the killer's vehicle? 

  As Nap begins to peace together clues from not only the present, but fifteen years ago, he realizes that something far more sinister may be at work. He uncovers information about a secret club that his brother was a member of in high school. This club believed that an abandoned missile test site in the area was being used for nefarious government activities. But as he begins to search for the members of this elusive club, they begin to end up dead. One by one an assassin is killing his classmates. Did they stumble upon something that has endangered their lives? 

  Don't Let Go was a fast and interesting read that caught my attention and held onto it for the novel's entirety. Coben used local legends from his own youth to fuel the intrigue and excitement. Napolean Dumas was a character with many flaws, which gave the depth of his character a sharp edge. He was not above handling thing vigilante-style, giving him an edge over his adversaries for most of the book. Coben gave us a great tapestry of characters that felt as if they could have been anyone that you would have met in your life. One character, Ellie, was the smalltown champion of the novel. She aided battered and endangered women, using her wealth to make her community better. I love positive characters like her. The mystery surrounding his high school Conspiracy Club was interesting and managed to stump me several times. And the finale was one that shocked me and saddened me, as I found out who had been behind the murders.

  I read Don't Let Go in part with the narration of actor, Steven Weber (IZombie, Wings). I loved his work on Run Away and he did not disappoint with this novel. Weber is a versatile voice actor that had an enormous impact on the narrative. There was one scene with Napolean that had me thinking that Weber was going through exactly what the character was going through. His dramatic delivery was one of the best I have heard on an audio book. Wonderful work.

  Don't Let Go started at four stars and stayed at four stars for me. The story was exciting, the characters were  interesting, and the mystery gave me an ending that left me agape. I am definitely on board to read as many Harlan Coben novels as possible. He is one thriller writer that knows how to shock and surprise.   

  Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading this week.

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