Tue 17 Nov 2020
A Mystery Review by Ray O’Leary: HARLAN COBEN – Darkest Fear.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[5] Comments
HARLAN COBEN – Darkest Fear. Myron Bolitar #7. Delacorte, hardcover, 2000. Dell, paperback, 2001.
Myron Bolitar – one-time All-American basketball player who became a Sports Agent after his knee was wrecked during a game – is asked by an ex-girl friend, Emily, estranged wife of his arch rival Greg Downing (who went on to a long pro career) to help her critically ill son Jeremy. Myron’s career-ending injury was apparently (this is the first book I’ve read in the series, so I’m coming in mid-stream) arranged by Greg out of jealousy. Emily even went so far as to sleep with Myron the night before her wedding.
Jeremy suffers from Fanconi anemia, a disease that will prove fatal unless he receives a bone marrow transplant. The National Registry of donors has found a match, but the possible donor has apparently disappeared. Emily wants Myron to find him. Myron is reluctant until Emily supplies the kicker: Jeremy is actually his son. When Myron begins his search, with the help of the various regular characters in the series, he soon discovers that the missing donor just might be the man suspected of being a notorious serial killer.
This one was pretty good even if it read like Jerry Maguire, Private Eye. The characters were interesting, the search suspenseful and there were enough twists and turns to satisfy the most fastidious pretzel lover.
November 17th, 2020 at 9:48 pm
I have, alas, not read any of Coben’s books, most of which I believe are non-series thrillers.
I have been meaning to read one of the Bolitar novels, but even though Ray, you seem to have fared OK with this one, somewhere in the middle of the series, I think starting closer to the beginning would work better for me.
November 17th, 2020 at 10:00 pm
For some reason I haven’t read Coben either. No reason, I just haven’t connected with the right one the right way.
November 18th, 2020 at 10:33 pm
I’d have thought a review of a Coben book would have gathered more replies. The people who do must not read this blog.
November 19th, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Had a chance a couple of times to hear him talk, a real likable guy with a bunch of positive energy. Have only read a book or two of his, he transitioned from the Bolitar books that started as pbo’s and then into hardcover after three or four books. I think he does mostly “domestic” type of mystery/thriller books, and seems to have settled well as a regular on the best seller lists.
November 19th, 2020 at 5:55 pm
Coben’s been writing both series books and standalone thrillers ever since he started writing. If me count is right, there have been 11 Myron Bolitar books, the most recent one coming out 4 years ago, three YA books with Mickey Bolitar, Myron’s nephew, and 19 standalones. Quite a few of the latter have been adapted for TV or the movies.
He’s doing very well.