Rating: 
Summary: Good Read
Review: "Darkest Fear", another of Harlan Coben's 'Myron Bolitar' novels, is a page turner certain to rivet you to your favorite chair. Myron is a still single sports agent and a man comfortable with his warm relationship with his parents. Myron's life turns chaotic when an ex girlfriend seeks his help to find a lost bone marrow donor for her dying son and confesses that Myron is the child's father. What begins as a simple lost donor turns deadly when Myron stumbles onto a serial killer known for torturing the families of his never-seen-again victims. Enemies unite to ferret out the killer and save the life of a young boy. DARKEST FEAR is another sure winner from this talented writer.
Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever." Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books at http://www.funeralassociates.com/authors.htm
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: "Darkest Fear", another of Harlan Coben's `Myron Bolitar' novels, is a page turner certain to rivet you to your favorite chair. Myron is a still single sports agent and a man comfortable with his warm relationship with his parents. Myron's life turns chaotic when an ex girlfriend seeks his help to find a lost bone marrow donor for her dying son and confesses that Myron is the child's father. What begins as a simple lost donor turns deadly when Myron stumbles onto a serial killer known for torturing the families of his never-seen-again victims. Enemies unite to ferret out the killer and save the life of a young boy. DARKEST FEAR is another sure winner from this talented writer.
Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever." Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books at http://www.funeralassociates.com/authors.htm
Rating:
Summary: A GRIPPING MYSTERY...TOTALLY UN-PUTDOWNABLE
Review: ...."Darkest Fear" is excellent. The writing is first rate, you are on the edge of your chair one minute, and laughing the next...it has some of the best dialogue of any novel in recent years. Myron and Win are characters you look forward to seeing in up-coming novels. This is the kind of book you read all through the night and think about the following day.Harlan Coben has written an un-putdownable mystery that speeds like a runaway train to the stunning conclusion. A MUST READ! Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: Myron is desparate in this one
Review: A reporter for the New York Times has run a series of articles in the newspaper where he has supposedly been in contact with a kidnapper obsessed with tormenting his victims' families. But there have been no reports of kidnappings and even more bizarrely, the reporter is fired for plagiarism. He had apparently borrowed the entire episode from an obscure book that was published many years before. This is the strange scenario in which Myron Bolitar, erstwhile sports agent and sleuth, finds himself enmeshed in this the seventh and last of the Bolitar series. Furthermore, he starts to find that there is more fact than fiction to this situation. Bolitar's usual supporting cast is back, namely Win the blue-blood financial consultant and borderline psychopath and Esperanza now a full partner in MB SportsReps. But one character from his past, Emily Downing, ex-wife of Myron's fiercest basketball rival, takes the wind right of Myron's sails by not only revealing that her son was in fact fathered by Myron but also needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant. Myron vows his help but meets with immediate frustration: the name of a potential donor surreptitiously obtained from a national registry turns out to be not only bogus but leads to a member of an immensely wealthy family who also cannot be located. From a mysterious phone contact out of the blue, Myron has to contend with a seeming connection between a fired sports reporter with a bizarre kidnapping story and a missing donor. As in all of Coben's Bolitar books, the plot is fast moving. There is the usual no nonsense dialogue with Win, and as always Bolitar's current female dealings never quite get on track. And of course, Myron and Win have a running battle with the FBI. As some reviewers have noted, the plot gets a little involved but in this opinion not wildly so. This is the last book of the Bolitar series and it has been an entertaining series with interesting characters, snappy dialogue, and intriguing plots. However, it seems that Myron may have come to some kind of crossroad in his life. It has been several years since a Bolitar book has appeared. Maybe Coben is trying to figure out where Myron was/is headed. I will be interested to find out.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay, Not Great
Review: After hearing so much about Harlan Coben in the AOL forums I decided to try him. The plot was good, but I found it emotionsally manipulative. It was like reading a TV show written as a novel.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing to fear in Coben's latest
Review: Again and again Coben seems to come up with an even better book than his last. Darkest Fear is no exception. Myron, Win, and the rest of the gang are all back, in a somewhat darker and more serious novel than previous entries in the series. Of course, the trademark Myron humor is still present though, striking a good balance between laughing one second, and being scared the next. Darkest Fear has the fast pace, numerous plot twists, and great characterization that Cobens fans have come to expect. Original, sophisticated,and hitting on many emotional levels, Darkest Fear shouldn't be missed by old and new fans alike.
Rating:
Summary: JACKPOT-Harlan Coben's Best Ever!
Review: At the end of this novel, Harlan Coben says: "This book is a work of fiction. That means I make stuff up." For the first time, I disagree with him. I have read every one of his seven novels, and he doesn't just make things up - he uses his magic pen to pull rabbits out of hats, Aces from his sleeve, bouquets and doves out of and back to nowhere, and a few ropes tricks for good measure. He is a Master Magician---never ceasing to surprise and amaze--a grand mixture of tears and laughter, suspense and release, yet provocative and insightful. This review does not concern what the book is about, but is rather ABOUT THE BOOK. It is a roller coaster ride - Harlan takes you up the slow grade to the top of the rise and sends you hurtling down full speed; around curves, over the top, through the loops and then starts the long slow climb again. Hang on!! His characters are perfection: Myron Bolitar: hard as nails yet soft as a marshmallow - intuitive, intelligent, analytical, sweet and loving, cute and cuddly, human and feeling - you name it: that's Myron-- but don't underestimate him, that mind of his never stops working. Esperanza: Myron's sidekick, friend, advisor - beautiful, intelligent and ever faithful! Windsor Lock-Horne the Third: A devoted friend, almost unfeeling, cold and calculating in every way except where Myron and Esperanza are concerned. Aptly named - you really wouldn't want to lock horns with him!!! The quick wit and spontaneous interaction of these three will keep you reeling as Harlan spins his web of intrigue and mystery. But read his books and see for yourself. According to his answer to my e-mail, this talented author will be giving Myron and Company a rest for a "coupla years" (but he assures me they will return!) In the meantime he is at work on a 'stand-alone" novel called TELL NO ONE, with a new cast of characters. My advice is to start with his first novel and watch the characters grow right before your eyes(so to speak. And wait till you meet BigCyndi! But that's another story!Enjoy as you have never enjoyed before...I did. My hope is that Harlan Coben keeps "making stuff up" because it sure is the right stuff.
Rating:
Summary: THIS MADE ME AN INSTANT FAN OF THE "MYRON BOLITAR" SERIES!!!
Review: DARKEST FEAR by Harlan Coben is not only the newest "Myron Bolitar" novel, but also the first in the series that I've read. I got hooked on Mr. Coben's writing when I read his newest hardcover, TELL NO ONE, which knocked me right out of my little white bobby socks. It was so good that I decided to go back and read his previous novels, all of which center around ex-basketball player, now sports agent and sometimes private detective, Myron Bolitar. Since I tend to start backwards when beginning a new series, I naturally picked DARKEST FEAR to read first. So, go figure. Anyway, in this novel Myron discovers that he's a father. It seems that on the night before his ex-girlfriend, Emily Browning, was to marry his college basketball rival, he and she did the two-bear mambo (uh, sorry, Joe!), and the son she produced was a product of his genes, rather than that of her new husband's. Though a little shocked and surprised, Myron finds that he can deal with it. The problem, however, is that Emily's son, Jeremy, is slowly dying from a disease called Fanconi anemia and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant to live. A donor, who was a perfect match for the transplant was found, but then suddenly disappeared. Emily wants Myron to track down the missing donor. Enlisting the aid of his closest buddy, Windsor Horne Lockwood ("Win" for short), plus long-time friends Esperanza Diaz, Big Cyndi, and Zorra, Myron begins the hunt for the man who could save his son's life. What should be a relative breeze in the park for this gang of amateur sleuths turns into something deadly serious when the "Sow the Seeds" serial killer comes out of hiding to warn Myron off. Exactly what a serial killer has to do with a bone marrow donor is a question Myron intends on answering. If that isn't enough, he's also being stonewalled by the Lex family (billionaires who guard their privacy with extreme measures) and warned to desist in his attempt to locate a missing family member. Myron certainly has his work cut out for him, but with Jeremy's life hanging in the balance, he's not about to let anybody get in his way or prevent him from finding the donor. He'll do whatever it takes to save his son. I have to admit that DARKEST FEAR really surprised me. I wasn't the least bit sure that I'd enjoy it. Instead, I found myself hooked in the first chapter or two, curious as to where the story was leading, enjoying the character of Myron Bolitar, along with his wild bunch of cohorts. Mr. Coben kept me guessing right up till the end with his meandering twists and turns-first going in one direction, then switching gears and heading in an entirely different direction. I have to say that the character of Win came pretty close to stealing the show. He's definitely someone I want to find out more about. Maybe it has to do with his martial arts ability, or possibly his inability to take anything seriously. Whatever it is, I'm drawn to this rather unusual character. I'm also happy to say that sports has very little to do with the story. If your lack of interest in sports has been the only thing holding you back from reading a "Myron Bolitar" novel, then forget about it and pick up this book or one of the others in the series. The writing is excellent, the plot holds you in its vice-like grip till the last page, and the characters are some of the most unusual ones that I've ever encountered in the "mystery" genre. I'm already trying to decide whether to read THE FINAL DETAIL or ONE FALSE MOVE next.
Rating:
Summary: You Can't Ask For Much More From A Book!
Review: Darkest Fear continues the long line of exciting mysteries from Harlan Coben. You can't want much more than Darkest Fear provides its readers -- great characters (featuring Myron Bolitar, Win, et al), strong dialogue (combining the right balance of humor and emotion), lots of action anf plenty of plot twists. You definitely won't want to stop reading this once you start! The only reason I didn't rate it a "5" is that it has SO MANY plot twists I, at times, felt I needed a score card to keep track of all the events that occur. This, though, really isn't a problem. Actually, I would have rated Darkest Fear "4 1/2" stars if I could have. Enjoy this book because it will be the last one in the series for a while.
Rating:
Summary: Darkest Myron
Review: Fans of this outstanding series may be a little surprised at how different this novel is from its predecessors. Harlan Coben has given us some of the best characters in modern suspense fiction: sports agent Myron Bolitar, a very human, fallible, and sensitive creature; the cold, calculating but extremely loyal (to Myron and Esperanza) sidekick who doesn't mind breaking a few legs to send a message; Esperanza and Big Cyndi, the ladies who are there to support Myron; and of course, Myron's parents, who are a refreshing addition to this genre. In this novel, what is different is that it is the most "cerebral" of Coben's books; there's not a whole lot of action or fisticuffs or violence in this one. The story is unique and heartwrenching. Myron finds out he is a father, finds out that his own father had a massive heart attack, and has to deal with his nemesis Greg Downing and his wife. Their secrets from the past rise like a phoenix in this novel, threatening to destroy everyone, including Myron's son, who is a product of his affair with Emily on the night before her wedding to Greg. I don't want to rehash the plot; you can get that in the overall review. What is so refreshing about Coben is his ability to stage not only remarkable action and suspense scenes, but such dynamic interpersonal scenes as well. This novel has several: Myron trying to talk to his dad about his heart attack--their awkwardness in what appears to be a shifting of roles; Myron and Greg have a short but powerful scene where Greg tries to apologize for what he did to Myron, and Myron's reaction to that apology; Myron's meeting with his son, Jeremy, and how he tries to tell him the truth; there are many, many of this types of scenes in this book. My only "complaint" is that I don't know whether the identity of the real murderer is revealed or not; it's a labyrinthine story, and by the time it's over, you don't know who did what to who. This could be a ploy of Coben's to follow-up in a sequel, or maybe he wants everyone to make their own decision. I also find the character of Therese Collins, Myron's new love interest, to be tedious and boring; we know very little about her, which I'm sure Harlen plans on addressing in future Bolitar novels. But, hey, what a great book in an excellent series. We'll miss Myron for a couple of years, but this reviewer would probably read anything Mr. Coben writes---he's that good!
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