Tell No One
by Harlan Coben
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Book Reviews of Tell No One
Book Review: Several twists too many
Summary: 3 Stars
I listened to this as an audio book on a long round-trip car journey, which probably emphasized its flaws. It has a gripping first section--the entire carload was collectively holding its breath during the scenes where Beck follows the mysterious Internet clues. But I became increasingly dissatisfied with the story as it went along. The police and FBI agents behaved in ways which were very hard to believe; obstacles which were presented as serious challenges were suddenly overcome with the wave of a hand; and the final series of twists broke the back of the story for me. I could not believe that the first chapter and the last could be reconciled, except as a specimen of authorial trickery--I saw no reason why the narrator had withheld certain information from the reader except to create artificial suspense. I was left with a bad taste in my mouth.
There were also a few scenes of violence and murder which I could have done without. Several minor characters are developed at length only to be brutally killed. As soon as it became apparent that each was certain to die, I would have preferred for the narrative to cut away. Apparently the point was to make the bad guys seem monstrously bad, but that point was made far more times than necessary, and to a degree approaching caricature (especially in the case of the Asian villain).
This might work better in novel, rather than audiobook, format; it will read more quickly and that may emphasize its strengths (excellent suspense, some deft characterizations) rather than its weaknesses (serious plausibility problems, pointless violence).
Book Review: Tell No One
Summary: 4 Stars
Tell No One by Harold Coben is a thrilling novel that I had trouble putting down. Coben seems to have a way of drawing you in, sometimes for hours at a time without even realizing it. Tell No One is directed at anyone over the age of 17 with strong references to drugs, sex, murder and other adult matters. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the way Coben used situations to develop his characters. It worked very well because he didn't just describe them, he used their actions to describe themselves. The plot was also especially strong. I found myself trying repeatedly to figure out just how it was going to end, and without fail I was wrong each time. Tell No One is a great book because it keeps you guessing and you are always on the edge of your toes while reading it. The many twists and suspenseful cliffhangers made it extremely hard to put down.
Coben's writing style really affected my feelings personally towards the characters in the book and I found myself rooting for Dr. Beck the whole time. I felt like I connected with Beck throughout the entire book, just from the way Coben described him and the feelings and emotions he had. I felt strong remorse towards those who went against Dr. Beck, which I saw as a good sign because I was relating to what was happening in the book.
I thought this book was wonderful and I give it my strongest of recommendations. Coben's combination of suspense and his eerie way of twisting the plot just when you think you know what's going to happen make this a thriller everyone should read.
Book Review: Myron fans, beware!
Summary: 1 Stars
If you enjoyed Coben's Myron Bolitar novels and are expecting great things from this novel, don't read it! I love the Myron series and I have never been more disappointed in a book as I was in this one.One of the things that I enjoyed so much about the Myron books was the witty dialogue and likeable characters (like Win and Esperanza). In this book, Coben tried to be too serious so the dialogue was very sappy and unoriginal (the same goes for the characters). The readers are also treated to the main character's constant running social commentary on the lower class and how some criminals are just misunderstood. "Don't judge a book by its cover" stuff.
Another problem that made me uninterested in all the characters was the fact that the good guys are ridiculously good (the main character, his wife, and his sister ALL work for the poor), the bad guys are ridiculously evil (the evil billionaire and his unbelieveably sadistic hitman), and, in classic Harlan Coben style, the cops investigating are all dumb, bull-headed creeps who, if they were any worse, would be wearing swastikas on their arms. Oh yeah, and I forgot the "look at me, I'm so politically correct" lesbian couple, the typical boisterous defense attorney, and the drug dealer with the heart of gold.
If you're a Harlan Coben fan, stick to his Myron Bolitar novels. This is like a Myron book without any witty dialogue, likeable characters, or interesting plot developments. Coben's best work is clearly behind him unless he resurrects Myron, I don't think it's going to get better.
Book Review: best book ever
Summary: 5 Stars
The death of Dr. David Beck's wife has haunted him for the past eight years. Now a secret person sends him some email relating only to things Dr. Beck and his wife would know. He can't figure who this is and the sender urges him to "tell no one." Beck goes through the book in fear of his life. People he knows and loves start acting very strange and he can't figure out why. His friends tell him to let go of the past and to get closure on the loss of his wife. He just can't seem to do that. The messages send Beck into near insanity while he searches for the mystery person in the emails.
Harlan Coben does an excellent job of keeping you reading. I think one of the reasons this book was so good was the fact that it was so believable. The reason it was so believable was because the characters were all human and none of the humans did anything that stretched the truth very far. Coben did a great job making you feel how Dr. Beck felt throughout the book. For example when Beck is faced with life threatening encounters I could feel the fear that he felt. Also this book takes place in New York which makes it more believable. As Dr. Beck searches for the mystery person behing the emails he winds up in the places like central park, the Bronx and Queens.
This book was probably the best I've ever read. I think that has to do with the fact that I just simply couldn't put the book down. I've never been so engaged with a book before, and for this I give this book a perfect rating. This book is for every one. So read it.
Book Review: The Greedy Jew...
Summary: 3 Stars
'The Greedy Jew' was about the only stereotype missing from this book. On several occasions I threatened to put the book down but the story itself was just good enough to keep me going in spite of characters that amount to little more than caricatures. Coben's view of people hinges on bigotry. It's amazing how many stereotypes filled this one book. From the 6' tall, gorgeous, blond, supermodel that draws adoring gazes from all the poverty stricken minorities at the free clinic on the poor side of town to the requisite black street thug named 'Tyrese'. LOL! Unbelievable! More amazing is the balding, ambulance chasing attorney who tells Tyrese to stop with all the posturing because he is no more menacing than Mary Poppins (oh, brother) even though Tyrese just killed a man in cold blood just an hour earlier. Okaaay! Of course the stereotypes wouldn't be complete without the overbearing gay who threatens to knee the District Attorney in the groin. What a farce! Even with these short comings I still give the book 3 stars solely because it was a good story with unique plot twists. This book has been made into a movie by producers who, thank God, were not saddled by Coben's narrow view of society so they eliminated the unnecessary stereotypes. The movie, now on DVD gets 5 stars.
Hopefully, Coben will eventually learn that all gays are not overbearing, all doctors and lawyers not self righteous, all blacks are not street criminals and you don't have to be a 6' blond to be stunningly attractive. What year is this again??