Continuing Character; Loosely Connected

Long Lost
Harlan Coben
Dutton Adult (2009)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible

Myron Bolitar is a continuing character created by Harlan Coben. While many books written before Long Lost have starred Detective Bolitar, they do not seem to be more than loosely connected so that, this book, for instance, can be a stand-alone as well as part of the series depicting this long-suffering detective.

Long Lost is at once a family tragedy and a murder mystery that leads to a previously unsuspected terrorist plot with global implications. Author Harlan Coben skillfully tells the intricate tale in an addicting, page turning manner that will hook you from page one and not let you go until you have regretfully finished this stunning tale.

While this is the first novel of Coben's that I have read, it will not be the last. The suspense that builds from the beginning throughout this novel and the  professionally edited writing bring the reader to appreciate the intensity of the carefully dramatized story. The flawed and very human characters bring the story to life right in front of the reader.  That's the mark of an excellent writer, and Mr. Coben fits the bill nicely.

Recommended for readers of mysteries from 17 to 117...

This review has been simultaneously published on Dragon Views and LibraryThing.