I can stretch this to four stars...
but just barely. Coben is a long-time favorite, but this book falls short of his prior two thrillers and even the Myron Bolitar series. It does hold your interest to the end, because of the plot's twists and turns.

I think Marc Seidman, Coben's hero, is the main problem. Although he's given to some sarcastic humor (ala Myron Bolitar),
he's not very well-defined and its hard to see what his old friends (former girlfriend turned FBI agent and his attorney)
see in him to keep them so loyal. His job, as a reconstructive plastic surgeon who, with his partner, travels the world to aid
those in need, is a great touch. His wife, Monica, is killed at the start of the book, in a robbery that wounds Seidman severely, and winds up with his small daughter missing. His quest for his daughter rings true to his feelings about her, but is not enough to save the book.

That he'd be married to Monica seems implausible. The cadre of villains here include an unbelievable duo of a woman who is a former child star turned mercenary, and her hulking partner, who is also her lover. Coben spends a lot of time interspersing chapters from their point of view, and they are not realistic.

Like other reviewers, I'm a fan of bit-part character Verne (think Chris Cooper) a redneck gunowner with an Eastern European bride, who gets drawn into the action simply because he's drawn to Seidman's plight.

I think Coben may have rushed this book to publication, and I hope he'll slow down and create a more plausible story with a better hero in the next round. (Or, he could bring Myron and Win back!)

3 1/2 stars!

Dr. Marc Seidman, Coben's lead character, is a good guy with just enough hint of darkness to make him interesting. And the characters surrounding him all seem to be hiding some deep dark secret, though discerning which do and what they are is part of what makes this novel a great read. And I also like Coben's eye for detail and description-it is at the same time vivid yet well researched and accurate. One can actually painlessly learn something from a Harlan Coben book.

This was the best money Ive spent in a long time, and now Im off to order the rest of Coben's book. Read it, you won't regret it. Yeah Harlan!!

I will be reading Just One Look very soon.
Love this book!!!!!!!

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