No Second Chance

Rating:
Summary: Great Use of Symbolism
Review: Symbolism is defined as giving symbolic meaning or significance to an object or event. In many novels, authors implement the use of symbolism, helping to make their literature more complex and vivid. Harlan Coben's No Second Chance contains many symbols in which unfold a deeper meaning of Dr. Seidman's struggle to find his kidnapped daughter.
Symbolism brings complexity to Coben's novel. No Second Chance is an exciting novel to read-filled with heart-stopping action and edge of your seat suspense. Strong diction and in-debt analysis are not found in this novel, however. Harlan Coben wrote No Second Chance in a way in which most readers will have no problem reading. This thrilling novel is written in mostly dialogue, yet Coben still includes opportunities for symbolism. These symbols mostly reveal the feelings of Dr. Seidman in his struggle to find his kidnapped daughter. Probably the most influential symbol is Dr. Seidman's cell phone.
In the beginning chapters of No Second Chance, Dr. Seidman has been shot and comes to find out that his wife is dead and his new-born baby daughter Tara has been kidnapped. During the first ransom demand of the novel, Seidman is given an untraceable cell phone to receive a phone call with demands on how to find his daughter. When the kidnappers find out that Seidman has involved the police, after he was specifically ordered not to, the kidnappers disappear, giving him "no second chance" at finding his daughter. For eighteen months following the kidnapping and ruined ransom exchange, Seidman held on to the cell phone in which the kidnappers had given him. Even though the kidnappers stated that they would disappear and give him no second chance, Seidman still held onto the phone. The phone became a symbol of hope for Seidman as he desperately longed for his missing daughter. He even bought a charger to keep the cell running. Even though the odds of Tara's return were minimal, Seidman still had hope, still awaited a second chance.


Rating:
Summary: Never Know Who Your Friends Are.....
Review: This book is a real page turner. Just to wait up from a coma, only to find that you are the prime suspect of the murdered of your wife and possibly of you own child can be dramatic and tramatic. It takes a person that can stand the heat to try and get out of this. I really enjoyed this book. It had action and
drama.

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

Rating:
Summary: Riveting Thriller
Review: This is a fast-paced murder mystery ~~ and riveting. I picked this book up at my hairdresser's and finished it in two days. I have never read Coben's books before and was not disappointed by this one ~~ it's engrossing.

Dr. Marc Seidman lies in a hospital bed after being shot twice by an unknown assailant. His wife is murdered and his six-months-old daughter is missing. This is just the beginning. The police suspects Marc as the guy behind the kidnapping and the murder of his wife. Desperate to find his daughter and to find the truth ~~ Marc didn't allow anyone to stop him from completing his quest.

As the mystery unravels ~~ so did Marc's suspicions. The truth lies closer to home than he ever realized.

It is a fun book ~~ perfect for a long dreary winter night. It is a definite fast-paced thriller. If you like murder mysteries, this is a good one. It's suspenseful enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

1-10-05

Rating:
Summary: Another great book from Coben
Review: This is the second Coben book I read and I can't wait to read the rest! Coben's writing is smarter than most "thriller" writers and his plot turns and twists keep you interested until the very end. I finished this book on a plane ride and the only bad part was that it ended so soon.