Once again Harlan Coben provides a riveting murder mystery set around his colorful cast of characters. The plot follows a similar formula to the first in the series, following our titular character, Myron Bolitar, as he unsuccessful attempts to run his sports agency without anyone getting murdered. This books builds on the successes of the first, further developing the core cast of characters and relationships, so we gain a deeper understanding of their motivations. This was, for me, a big part of continuing to read this series and it handily delivered.

The plot is once again tightly worked and the key details and twists are drip fed to the reader engagingly.

My main issue with the first in the series, was the handling of sexual assault, and unfortunately not much improves here. While i fully understand that SA and Rape are effective ways at getting the reader to hate the villain, it is lazy and overplayed. 

This is my first foray into Cohen with the series and he has some wonderful style and flavor to his writing. There are things he does when he describes a question that Myron asks that breaks up the monotony. He loves to point out to the reader sometimes that this character isn't necessarily the best at this all the time. Myron is fine. He's a bit too witty most of the time but I like him fine enough.

The situations he is in are so ridiculous though and it is interesting getting a peek into how popular culture in fiction is depicted. His references are still old to the time but in some way they make sense. He's a weird guy. His mother adds a nice flavor sometimes and Esperanza is also a nice smaller character. The relationship angle leaves something to be desired with Myron and Jessica but my favorite character is Wind.

In a mystery/thriller the guy who isn't going to pretend he is a crusader is always my favorite. Windsor knows the world he is in and moves accordingly. He isn't out here to make friends and is the magic jack of all trades that allows things to work even if he is a bit too magical at times. There are some personality quirks that could have been left out though.

The only issue I have is the story is so round about. You get a idea of what is actually happening about halfway. Most people probably have it close enough to figured out before you get to the climax. But Myron is one of the worst agents in the world thus far because he can't let things go. He has lost two clients that he needed already when he could have walked away. Everything in both of the series so far has revolved so much around him and the world and people he already knows it's a bit of a stretch. I'd like to see him face some challenges that don't involve as many people he already knows well and has access to.


It's a quick read though so you can enjoy it without too much time.