I have loved most all of Harlen Coben’s books and Promise Me is no different. For the first time in a long time, the snippets from critics that are listed on the book to entice you actually ring true! Entertainmant Weekly writes that it is “Truly surprising” (yup!) and Forbes magazine writes “An addictive page-turner” (yup again!). I feel strongly about both of these statements. Promise Me is a real page turner and it’s a book you won’t want to put down.
THE AUTHOR
Promise Me was written by Harlan Coben. Coben is quite the prolific author. I’ve written about many of his books, always glowingly, and am always content with his storylines and stylized writing. This book stars his fabulous fictional character, Myron Bolitar. Bolitar books are somewhat mindless but very enjoyable. His books that are not about Bolitar are even better. His books include The Final Detail, Tell No One, and Gone for Good.
Promise Me was published in paperback in April, 2007.
THE PLOT
Myron Bolitar is a single, forty something ex-pro athlete. He has turned his basketball career (it was short-lived) into a lucrative and successful agenting career. He represents athletes, actors, and authors. But he truly loves figuring out the mysterious things that happen in his life.
In this go round, Myron has his childhood friend’s daughter make a promise that she will call Myron if she is ever in a situation that she doesn’t feel comfortable in (like getting into a car with a drunk driver). Of course, this case scenario happens and Myron picks Aimee (the 18 year old) up and drops her at her requested location. That night, she disappears and it only looks back for Myron (40+, single, loves dating pretty girls).
As information turns up about Aimee and her high school life, Myron enlists the help of his college friend, Win, and his business associates. They investigate Aimee’s disappearance with a healthy amount of killing and torture. Everyone Aimee has in her life becomes suspect, including friends and friends’ parents! Aimee’s disappearance resembles another teen’s disappearance so a link is established. Once Myron realizes that solving the first disappearance will help him find Aimee, he really gets moving. All this occurs in his hometown and it makes it both convenient and awkward at the same time. It also makes him suspect so he has to not only prove that he himself did not kidnap or harm Aimee but also find the ones who did!
Myron interviews Aimee’s ex-boyfriend, his parents, the school’s principal, teachers, and friends. He finally figures out the catalyst for Aimee’s disappearance (can you tell I’m trying REALLY hard not to give away ANYTHING!) and the tone of the crime takes on a different sound. Cryptic, right?
All the action takes place over a two day period. Finally, Aimee contacts her friends via IM on the computer and leaves a mysterious code that her best friend translates: trouble. This sends Myron into the final tailspin and he leaves no stone unturned. He questions and re-questions everyone.
MY THOUGHTS
I truly love Harlan Coben books. The action usually starts in the first few pages and does NOT let you go until the very end. Promise Me doesn’t reveal the true finale until, as usual, page 475. And it blindsides you. In Promise Me, you can’t believe whodunit until Myron spells it out and you absolutely buy Coben’s plausibility.
Promise Me is a real page turner. I find I say this about a lot of Harlan Coben’s books so you shouldn’t be surprised! You can basically pick up any book by Coben and be satisfied. Promise Me is no different.
On a final note, I strongly suggest Coben as an author worth picking up but if you like how Myron sounds as a character, I suggest starting with his first Bolitar novel, I believe it is Deal Breaker, so that you may follow along with Myron’s growth over the years.
The Barnes & Noble Review After six long years, fans of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar saga ( Darkest Fear, The Final Detail, et al.) can finally rejoic...More at Barnes & Noble.com
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