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Rating: 
Summary: the only disappointing book in the series
Review: Back Spin, for me, only got going way late in the book. Perhaps it was my utter indifference towards the plot, which was not nearly as interesting as Coben's previous novel in the series, "Fade Away". Plus the humor just wasn't there as it was in the other Myron books. Perhaps it was due to Win's absence in most of the novel. The "twists" were only okay too.
I recommend that people read the Myron Bolitar series in order, starting with Deal Breaker, but to skip Back Spin. Fade Away was Coben's best MB book. Gone for Good is his best stand-alone.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I am a fan of Mr Coban & M. Bolitar, Eaq., but I liked this book less than the 5 I've read previously. The reason is that the plot is way too convoluted. There is no way the reader can follow, because new facts are dropped into the stew up to the very end. The author & the hero readily admit they see little sense in golf. Perhaps this is why this novel makes less sense that their others.
Rating: 
Summary: Backspin could send your reading enjoyment into a tailspin
Review: If ever a thriller failed to excite, this surely is it. Riddled with forced (and not particularly funny) "humor" this book grates from the first page to the last.Where the humor in Robert Crais' Elvis Cole series works and works brilliantly, it utterly fails in Coben's work. The difference is that Coben has written Backspin in the third person, whereas Crais writes in first person. When using the third person, the commentary is given far too much attribution to the author, the opinions of which have no business being stated in any work. When an author needs to express an opinion, it must only be done through the words and actions of the characters, and not the narrative. This is a basic tenet of writing (and, I feel one of many) that Coben has either never learned or chosen to ignore. There is also a huge difference in the skills of the Crais and Coben. At one stage I was wondering if Coben could possibly write a single paragraph without using the word "almost" - someone needs to instruct Coben that to "almost" acheive something is to fail. The difference that correct word usage - to say nothing of the occassional simile or metaphor - would make to Coben's work would not render a silk purse from his sow's ear, but it would at least result in something worth reading. This book shows no evidence of an editor's touch, nor even of the author performing a re-write. It is that raw. There is little or no background given to the main character, other than him being an agent for sportsmen and women. There are allusions to his having had a different career path, but this is not made clear by the middle of the book, and by then it is too late: I had given up wondering, determined to finish the book only because I had bought it. Again, contrast this work to any of Crais' pieces, and the difference is profound. Another tenet of good writing has been thrown out the window: introduce your characters and develop them. Myron Bolitar had virtually none, but Esperanza piqued the interest from time to time. Consider this: a man whose income depends upon wheeling and dealing for his sport-playing clients apparently has no knowledge or interest in one of the most lucrative sports on the planet? Add "inability to suspend disbelief" to the list of shortcomings for this book! The thriller genre need not be devoid of good writing just because it is a genre - witness Crais' work and also that of John (not Michael) Connelly. Both writers know how to please the intellect as well as excite the imagination. Their work has pace, tension, credible characters, descriptive prose, and cannot easily be put down. Andrew Klavan's superb True Crime is also in a different league to Coben's work. No, I cannot recommend this book - but take note of the authors I have mentioned and your dollar will be spent far more wisely, and ultimately, enjoyably.
Rating: 
Summary: Plot Spins and Spins Taking You on the Ultimate Adventure
Review: Myron Bolitar, MB Sports Rep returns for another fast paced can't put down adventure with so many twists in the ending you feel like you're in a backspin. This time round Myron's at the US Open golf tournament. Not a huge fan of golf he doesn't really want to be there but Win tells him it is an excellent opportunity for clients. Turns out Win's right, but for personal reasons Win doesn't want Myron to accept this case. Myron can't say no though, so he's on the case of kidnapped spoilt rich kid Chad Coldren, who is the son of the top female Golf player Linda Coldren and her husband tournament choker Jack Coldren who is leading the US Open for the first time in 30 years. Of course not everyone likes Myron poking his nose where it does not belong and to Myron's disappointment Win is at the top of that list. Win of course would never harm Myron but others don't share that point of view. You don't have to be a fan of golf to enjoy this in fact if you don't like Golf Myron's comments along the way are so much funnier. This is one of the best Myron stories, you can read it as a stand alone novel but you'll get a lot more out of this book if you read the prior novels first. Also check out Coben's independent Masterpieces such as Tell No One and One False Move.
Rating:
Summary: Plot Spins and Spins Taking You on the Ultimate Adventure
Review: Myron Bolitar, MB Sports Rep returns for another fast paced can't put down adventure with so many twists in the ending you feel like you're in a backspin. This time round Myron's at the US Open golf tournament. Not a huge fan of golf he doesn't really want to be there but Win tells him it is an excellent opportunity for clients. Turns out Win's right, but for personal reasons Win doesn't want Myron to accept this case. Myron can't say no though, so he's on the case of kidnapped spoilt rich kid Chad Coldren, who is the son of the top female Golf player Linda Coldren and her husband tournament choker Jack Coldren who is leading the US Open for the first time in 30 years. Of course not everyone likes Myron poking his nose where it does not belong and to Myron's disappointment Win is at the top of that list. Win of course would never harm Myron but others don't share that point of view. You don't have to be a fan of golf to enjoy this in fact if you don't like Golf Myron's comments along the way are so much funnier. This is one of the best Myron stories, you can read it as a stand alone novel but you'll get a lot more out of this book if you read the prior novels first. Also check out Coben's independent Masterpieces such as Tell No One and One False Move.
Rating:
Summary: Read a Harlan Coben - any one
Review: Some months back, I went to a bookshop in New Delhi & found one copy of each of the Myron Bolitair series. I bought two titles as they seemed interesting. Two days later, having finished both, I went back & bought the entire lot & both the Non- Myron Bolitair books; which meant that I had cleaned out their Harlan Corben stock as they only had one copy each.
The bookshop owners then went & re-stocked many more copies of each title, It's difficult to suggest a specific Harlan Coben Book: I found them all tremendously enjoyable. Read any one & you will be hooked. It isn't necessary to read them in any order but I would recommend that start from the first as Myron's life will then unfold as lives should.... The crimes at the heart of each book can be read in any order.
Rating:
Summary: Coben Does it Again!
Review: This book is a thriller that you can't put down. I've been reading mysteries for many years, and have long since stopped staying awake until I finshed one. This was an exception. I didn't even regret losing a few hours sleep! It is best to read this series from the beginning so you will appreciate the development of the friendship between the two main characters. In Backspin, Coben not only gives the reader a fine plot, but delves into the psyche of Win and the acceptance of Myron. Even though I don't particulrarly like golf, I appreciated Coben's insight into the personality of a champion. This was not only a good book, I learned something. A must read for anyone who likes mysteries with depth and has a sense of humor.
Rating:
Summary: Coben Sinks This One, And That's No "Lie"
Review: Yes, I couldn't resist all of the golf puns in my review title. Needless to say, this book is a lot better than my title. Once again, Myron Bolitar, the college basketball superstar turned FBI agent turned sports' agent, and his wonderful supporting cast are back once again in another fast-paced book. Jack Coldren, has a large lead in the U.S. Open on the same course he choked on 23 years ago. His wife, Linda, is the number one player on the women's golf tour, and they become Myron's lastest clients, when he agrees to help them find their son, Chad, who has been kidnapped. Myron wonders through the darkest parts of Philadelphia, running into all kinds of seedy individuals along the way. The ride is one of non-stop twists and turns, and to make matters worse, the Coldrens are part Win's, Myron's best friend, family. Myron has to solve this case alone. Most of the regular characters are back for this novel, as well as a few more. Win and Esperanza are the perfect compliments to Myron, and as always in Coben books, all of the characters are well-developed. The storyline is chock full of surprises, which makes for an enjoyable page-turning adventure. Coben uses a literary witty dialogue between his characters, peppered with humorous observations, that helps the book flow so well. This fourth book in the Myron Bolitar series lives up to its reputation. It is entertaining and humorously suspensful. BACK SPIN in one unpredictable, exciting book.
Rating:
Summary: Coben Sinks This One, And That's No "Lie"
Review: Yes, I couldn't resist all of the golf puns in my review title. Needless to say, this book is a lot better than my title. Once again, Myron Bolitar, the college basketball superstar turned FBI agent turned sports' agent, and his wonderful supporting cast are back once again in another fast-paced book. Jack Coldren, has a large lead in the U.S. Open on the same course he choked on 23 years ago. His wife, Linda, is the number one player on the women's golf tour, and they become Myron's lastest clients, when he agrees to help them find their son, Chad, who has been kidnapped. Myron wonders through the darkest parts of Philadelphia, running into all kinds of seedy individuals along the way. The ride is one of non-stop twists and turns, and to make matters worse, the Coldrens are part Win's, Myron's best friend, family. Myron has to solve this case alone. Most of the regular characters are back for this novel, as well as a few more. Win and Esperanza are the perfect compliments to Myron, and as always in Coben books, all of the characters are well-developed. The storyline is chock full of surprises, which makes for an enjoyable page-turning adventure. Coben uses a literary witty dialogue between his characters, peppered with humorous observations, that helps the book flow so well. This fourth book in the Myron Bolitar series lives up to its reputation. It is entertaining and humorously suspensful. BACK SPIN in one unpredictable, exciting book.
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