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Summary: Complicated thriller about murder and betrayal.
Review: Harlan Coben's new novel, "Gone for Good" is about a man named Will Klein who is incredibly unlucky in love. His first girlfriend, Julie, unceremoniously dumped him eleven years ago. Shortly thereafter, Julie was raped and murdered. The prime suspect is Will's brother, Ken, who may be dead, or else he may be a fugitive from justice. Time passes, and Will finally finds another woman whom he loves, named Sheila. One day, Sheila suddenly takes off, and Will has no idea why she left or where she went.As the drama unfolds, we gradually learn that Will knows little or nothing about what really happened eleven years ago. Figuring prominently in the plot are two malevolent villains, one known as the Ghost and the other a Mafia type named McGuane, both boyhood friends of Ken's. The Ghost and McGuane have agendas of their own, and they are not squeamish about destroying anyone who gets in their way. "Gone for Good" ultimately does not succeed because the book is too "busy" and plot-driven. The characters are not developed satisfactorily. Coben works so hard trying to surprise the reader with endless twists and turns that he forgets an important element of novel writing. A good thriller appeals not just to the mind, but also to the emotions. "Gone for Good" is a puzzling mystery, but it is emotionally unsatisfying and it ultimately falls flat.
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Summary: Same plot, different characters
Review: This is exactly the same premise and plot as "Tell No One", complete with the ueber-psycho hit man, a girlfriend who works with the homeless (really!), and a totally benevolent, gotta-love-him main character. Both of them were reasonably enjoyable page turners, but it was hard to enjoy what was essentially the same story. My best advice would be to pick one or the other (and they're both equally implausible, so flip a coin) and then don't read the other one.
Rating: 
Summary: Gone For Good
Review: This book is exceptional and Mr. Coben is outstanding in his genre! In the true form of good mystery, Mr. Coben captures the reader with creative wit and poignant simplicity in an intriguing tale blurring the lines of good and evil in his fascinating characters. This is a page turner!!
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Summary: I miss Myron
Review: I've loved all of Coben's other novels, but this was a disappointment. I thought the characters were implausible and the plot strained. My book club picked this for their summer beach read and we split about 50/50 over this title.
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Summary: One of the best mystery writers I¿ve found
Review: When I open one of Harlan Coben's books I expect to be pulled into the whirlwind of suspense that he is so capable of presenting. He has me guessing till the last page of his books. They never leave my side. I carry them about in anticipation of having a minute or two to read even a paragraph. In this, his latest mystery, we meet Will whose brother Ken disappeared several years ago after being accused of a murder that his family believes he has been framed for. The circumstances around the murder become a tangled web of secrets and everyone has something to hide. Friend becomes foe and vice versa, as everything in Will's life is questioned from start to finish. Wonderfully intricate story line with bone chilling characters that leap off the pages. Coben is never a disappointment. Kelsana 10/07/02
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Summary: Good Read!
Review: Page-turning book with lots of twists. Good character development and just enough humor.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: Finally, a writer who knows how to end a novel!
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Summary: An Awesome Read!!
Review: This book is one of the best books that I've read all summer!! It's a fast paced page turner that once I picked up I could not put down. This is the first Harlan Coben book that I've read and will not be the last.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Last summer I read "Tell No One" and thoroughly enjoyed it. While searching for books to read on this summer's vacation I came across "Gone For Good". I was not disappointed. Both were excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: An Engaging Thrill-Ride
Review: As 'Gone For Good' begins, Will Klein is at his mother's death-bed. Just before she dies, she whispers "He's alive." Will knows that she is referring to his brother Ken. Ken has been missing for eleven years (and presumed dead) after being the prime suspect in a murder case. It just so happens that the girl murdered was Will's first love. For most authors, such a premise would be more than enough to begin an engaging mystery thriller, but not Coben. There's more. Just after the death of his mother, Will's current girlfriend disappears without a trace. And "The Ghost," a strange character from Will's past arrives on the scene with the worst of intentions. Coben does a wonderful job of showing the reader the lengths that Will is willing to go to in order to find out the truth about his brother, the truth about his girlfriend, and perhaps the truth about himself. Coben's characters, both major and minor, are right on target. While some of these characters may be foreign to us, they are completely believable. The settings are all handled with just the right amount of information and atmosphere. All of these elements make an excellent read, but the real strength in Coben's writing is his pacing and anticipation. The novel never bogs down, never becomes less than incredibly interesting, and always keeps the pages turning. Coben knows exactly how to handle this roller coaster ride. I hesitate to give the book five stars. It probably deserves four and a half. I thought the ending was a little too unlikely as far as some of the characters are concerned. I'm not sure the actions of one or two of them would have really worked out the way Coben chose them to. I may be wrong, but even if I'm right, I think you'll enjoy 'Gone For Good' as a very engaging read. Hang on and enjoy the ride.
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