Gone For Good

Rating:
Summary: Good, but ...
Review: This is typically good Coben: a zippy pace, good characters, lots of twists and gentle humor. The plot unfolds like an origami creation, revealing more, then more, then more. The back story hinges on the murder, eleven years earlier, of hero Will's former girlfriend, Julie, and the disappearance of her killer--Will's roguish, bad-boy brother, Ken. Then there's the death of Will's new love, Sheila who works with Will and the wonderful character, Squares, at Covenant House. (Lots of good, true stuff about street kids.) The story gallops along at breathtaking speed and then, in the last fifteen or so pages, it gets resolved--but ... the machine goes Tilt. One problem is that the author has teenager Katy (younger sister of Julie) suddenly sounding like a middle-aged matron; in other words, she goes so far out of character that it's hard to buy. That aside, with disbelief suspended, things get wrapped up nicely.

Unfortunately, that bogus and absurd pop-word "closure" is used so often throughout the book that it becomes annoying. Coben's editor, or the copyeditor, should have caught this because it diminishes the impact of the work. Nevertheless, Coben's story-telling skills remain in top form and this is a highly entertaining book.
Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: What Could Be Better?
Review: This was my first Coben book, so I can't compare it to "Tell No One." I cannot tell you if it's a rerun of his previous plots. I can tell you that this is a superb thriller.

Part thriller, fully a mystery, "Gone for Good" starts with Will Klein's discovery that his older brother is perhaps still alive. The questions mount: How did his brother die? Was he really guilty of murdering a teenage girl? And the answers come only quick enough to lead to other questions.

When you think there are no more questions, you're wrong.

When you think you have all the answers, you're wrong.

Coben writes with a deceptively easy style. He writes with a quick pace, yet never forgets to give his characters heart. I found myself caring for these people, even feeling emotions in my throat once or twice. He paints with a broad brush, showing rage, love, pain, sorrow, twisted violence, and family concern.

If you haven't read Coben, I'm sure you'll enjoy this book as much as I did. If you're already a fan, then why'd you keep this guy secret for so long?

Rating:
Summary: Awesome book!
Review: This book is suspense and thrill at its finest novel form. I did not quite like it as much as Tell No One, but it is another excellent book from Coben. If you have read one of his book,s this is a MUST read because it is so good. If you haven't read any Coben books, I suggest you start with this or Tell No One. You will not be able to put it down. Always unexpected twists.

Rating:
Summary: Coben Branches Out
Review: This is the first book by Coben that I have read not in the wonderful Myron Bolitar series. (If you are not a Bolitar fan, keep reading.)

It is a unique tear-jerker of a mystery. At some point, the main character's mother, old girlfriend and current girlfriend all die - two murdered one natural. All are wrapped up in his brother's possible run from justice. Like Coben's other novels, the plot twists and turns and takes the main character and the reader through the labyrinth together. In this book, Mr. Coben piles on layers of emotions tied to the deaths, both violent and natural.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this novel is that the main character can not and should not be referred to as the "hero." Unlike Grisham's novels where the amateurs always outsmart the professional killers, Will Klein is an admitted coward and keeps coming up on the short end of both the mental and physical battles he undertakes.

A great read. Different enough from the Bolitar series that those who might not have loved that character (I am not one of them) will enjoy this book; the style abnd fine writing are similar enough that Coben's fans will continue to enjoy him.

Rating:
Summary: Coben is superior!
Review: One more time, Harlan Coben has written a superb mystery where every page adds another totally unexpected twist. This book didn't have as many extreme plot turns as his last, "Tell No One," but it is really close.

As you have read, the plot revolves around poor Will, who has to be the unluckiest man in love ever. His first love is murdered, his worshipped brother is the suspected killer and has been on the lam for 11 years, his current lover is missing. Can things get much worse? Of course they can because Coben makes up good stuff!! I refuse to say any more about the story because to do so would ruin it for you.

Suffice to say, the different story lines become interwoven, and downright creepy. I have followed Coben's writing since his very first novel and, in my humble opinion, he keeps getting better and better.

If you only read one or two novels a year, this is a don't miss for sure. If you read hundreds of novels a year, this is one you won't forget. "Gone for Good" is a great read, filled with suspense and the knowledge that Coben won't let you figure it out; he always has one more surprise up his sleeve. And the surprises just keep on coming. Buy it, Read it, Relish it. This book is one of the year's best!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read
Review: A most impressive book with a great ending to boot, my second Harlan Coben book....will definitely be trying the rest of his books..The best part of this story is the fact that there is a surprise at the conclusion of each chapter. It just keeps you coming back for more..

Rating:
Summary: Never Ending Twists
Review: This is the second novel I have read of Coben's and the best so far. This story had me hooked on the first page and addicted until the ending - which was the best of many twists through out the book. Coben has you really caring about the main character, Will Klein and wanting to find out all the answers as much as he did. I thought a few times that I had figured out an answer only to have Coben surprise me with something different. I look forward to reading much more from this author.

Rating:
Summary: My first Coben book but definitely not my last!
Review: This was my first book by Harlan Coben but definitely not my last. If I ever find a moment of peace and quiet I will soon be adding his backlist to my wish list. Gone for Good had me interested from the first page to the last which is quite an accomplishment for me, the all-too-easily bored. I'm not a huge mystery fan and, to be honest, was somewhat dreading having to read this story for my suspense group because it contained so many pages (anything over 300 scares me). But it was terrific! I never knew where the plot was going to take me next and the characters were very well fleshed out and interesting and I truly enjoyed the glimpse into the world of a famous Yoga instructor (Yoga is my second addiction after books). A big draw for me was the heartrending emotionalism weaved within the story; I came close to tears on many occasions. This is a great book if you like some heart along with your suspense.

Rating:
Summary: Very formulaic but a good read
Review: The beginning was a little tough to read. Coben seemed like he was trying to hard to write like a writer instead of tell a good story. The terminology and details seems...forced, a little out of place. After a while he either got into his groove or the pace and plot were exciting enough that I didn't notice his writing and was able to enjoy the story.
The characters seemed familiar, but this story felt more robust than "Tell No One". I really enjoyed the first because it was an orignial story for me. The second book though, now familiar, felt more complex and full, more complete. I have enjoyed both books for different reasons, and would recommend each, but I think his best work is still to come.
Cobens style just feels like it needs to mature a little. His writing and terminology can be so blatant that it chokes the story and the experience.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best storytellers on the planet
Review: I have been avidly following the writing career of Harlan Coben since the early days of the Myron Bolitar paperback originals in the early to mid 90s. It is interesting to note the progression of this writer's developing talent. The early books were relatively lighthearted and, at times, downright hysterical romps around the northern New Jersey and Manhatten area. They were quite evidently reflections of the author's milieu where he grew up. They are filled with much Jewish angst and, overall, they create a very human portrait of Myron Bolitar. As the books progress, they become much darker with deeper meaning . In fact, from lighthearted humor tragedy rears its ugly head. Now, Harlan has left Myron to write stand-alone thrillers that pierce the human psyche. He also is being well compensated for these new books which I hereby entitle "The return of the dead?" in that both TELL NO ONE, as well as, our current consideration, GONE FOR GOOD, have as their central focus a character believed to be dead yet true doubts exist.
Will Klein is told by his mother, on her deathbed, that his brother, Ken, is still alive. Ken disappeared years before after he was accused of raping and murdering a neighbor's daughter. It was assumed that Ken had to be dead in that he would never have had the resources to remain alive. Will currently works for Covenant House in Manhatten with his close friend, Squares, a reformed white supremist. They help abused and runaway children. Unfortunately for Will, soon after his mother's death, his girlfriend, Sheila, the love of his life mysteriously leaves him. He pursues her and looks into his brother's disappearance. He begins to find answers to difficult questions. The answers might very well prove there is much he needs to know about Sheila and Ken. With the new knowledge comes danger.
As a long-time reader of Harlan Coben, it is gratifying to see some brief episodes of humor in the Bolitar vein. Squares very much reminds this reader of a much more human Win, Bolitar's partner and sidekick. Yet there are long passages that exude the true power and beauty of Harlan's writing. The type of writing that forces the eyes backward to fully experience those words again. I almost never quote but this is just one striking example:
"Morty played in Las Vegas, Las Vegas-the real Las Vegas, the city itself, no strip-strolling tourist trade in psuedo-suede and sneakers, no whistling and hollering or squeals of joy, no faux Statue of Liberty or Eiffel Tower, no Cirque de Soleil, no roller coasters, no 3-D movie rides or gladiator costumes or dancing water fountains or bogus volcanoes or kid appeal arcades. This was downtown Las Vegas. This was where grimy men with barely a mouth of teeth per table, the dust of their pickups still coming off them with each shoulder slump, lost their meager paychecks. The players here were bleary-eyed, exhausted, their faces lined, their hard times baked on by the sun."
Without the constraint of a series, Harlan can feel free enough to take his stories' characters wherever he wants them to go. They explore the very dark faces of society and do so in the confines of a truly gripping thriller where things are never as they seem until the very last page. Harlan Coben today-bestselling author, Edgar winner, writer of rare talent and one of the best storytellers on the planet.