Rating: 
Summary: Back Spin scores a hole in one.
Review: In Back Spin, Harlan Coben not only manages to provide a glimpse into the psyche of a champion (whatever their field of expertise), but weaves together a chilling tale of kidnapping, family secrets, and the beauty and eccentricity which is golf.
While Myron Bolitar, sports rep and rival of Henny Youngman for king of the one-liners, attempts to enter the world of professional golfing at the US Open, he is more than a little side-tracked by frantically working to find the missing son of the leader of that prestigious event.
This is a story of violence, in the graphic, physical sense and also in terms of betrayal; particularly the pain that family members can inflict upon one another.
Back Spin also moves us along in our understanding of Myron, Esperanza and especially the charming, but lethal Win. For those already acquainted with those characters (in every sense of the word!), Back Spin is a "must read." For those not yet acquainted with this trio, or the author, you can look forward to a great story, with more twists and turns than the golf hole of your worst nightmares, and more empathy and eloquence than all the jokes and snappy come-backs might lead you to expect.
Whatever the author's golf handicap may be, with this latest addition to the Myron Bolitar series, Harlan Coben shows he definitely qualifies as a Master of his craft
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: Cobens Rules!
Review: Please order all of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar novels at once. Not only will you read about the world's most honorable sports agent Myron Bolitar but you get a murder mystery to follow as well as some memorable characters to cheer for. The mysteries are excellently written, hilarious and fast-paced. Once I started reading the book, it is hard to put it down, so I didn't, I finished it the day I received, as I did with the previous Bolitar novels. What draws me to this series is Myron's interactions with the people closest to him - his girlfriend, his parents, his assistant/partner(?) Esparanza and last but not least Win Lockwood - psycho-yuppie. I can only read books in the mystery genre and this is one of the best series ever. To all you potential Cobenatics - order all Bolitar novels at once! Please note that you can reserve the new novel - The Final Detail before its release in June. Hurry - catch up with Myron, Win (my favorite) and crew before the June deadline.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely brilliant as befits a genius talent such as Coben
Review: Since the U.S. Open golf tournament is being held at the Merion golf
course near Philadelphia, sports agent and private detective Myron Bolitar
attends in the hope that he can find some sports clients. At the
tournament, Jack and Linda Coldren ask Myron to help them find their
missing son, sixteen year old Chad, who apparently has been kidnapped. Linda has been the leading female golfer for the past decade, while Jack is
known for blowing the U.S. Open almost a quarter of a century ago.
Surprisingly, Jack is the early leader of the tournament. Desperate for
help, he turns to his partner, Win Lockwood, who refuses to help because
the clients are blood, related to his estranged mother.
....... Myron begins an investigation to unearth the missing teen. Myron tapes
evidence that makes it seem as if Chad is conducting a hoax, but Linda
thinks he is still in trouble. Jack thinks his son has pulled a nasty stunt
on them. Linda asks Myron to stay on the case which he does. Before Myron
can further dig into the case, Jack is murdered. It seems that without Win
to help him, Myron is going to lose this case.
........ BACKSPIN, the latest Myron Bolitar mystery, is a great sports
who-done-it. The story line is filled with twists that wrap together in a
plausible manner. Long before we heard of Jerry there was a Myron, who is
a wonderful character. However, this time there is the bonus of learning a
lot about the enigmatic Win. Harlan Coben may be the best writer of sports
mystery novels today and definitely proves that he earned his recent Edgar
Award.
......Harriet Klausner
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: Another Great One by Coben
Review: This book probably gets 4 1/2 stars, because as good as it was I know it can be better, like "Fade Away". I think Harlan Coben is the best mystery writer out there now. The stories are excellent with enough plot turns to keep you guessing all the time. "Backspin" is no exception to this. The story is very well developed and as with all of his books this one always keeps the central plot in mind. Too many books you find yourself wandering for 30 pages at a time on tangents that have nothing to do with the mystery. I could hardly put this book down, and when I did I was able to pick it right back up and be right into the thick of it immediately. Don't hesitate to buy this book. You'll like the characters, the story itself, and not be disappointed by the ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorest of the series
Review: This book ranks as the poorest in a series of otherwise enjoyable books. Why? I think the main reason is that Win has very little to do with this novel. Early on, Win makes it clear to Myron that he will not help him with this case because Win hates his mother and, by association, the rest of his family. Because the person Myron is helping is Win's cousin and his mother's nephew, Win refuses to offer his services. I'm not sure what was going through Coben's mind when he decided NOT to use the most interesting (and by far, the most likeable) character in his series in this installment. I consider myself a fan of the MB series, but that is purely because of Win's presence. I believe Myron to be totally annoying, and I will only tolerate him because he and Win usually go hand in hand. Not this time. So if, like me, you read this series because of Windsor Horne Lockwood III, this one is not for you.
Rating:
Summary: Coben=Bolitar=Excellent
Review: With Back Spin Coben scores another solid hit. Its plot is very fast-paced, the dialogue is crisp, the characters are well-developed, the humor is well-integrated within the non-stop suspense, and you'll be guessing "who-done-it" right up until the end. Could you ask for anything more in a mystery? This is definitely enough for me and I think you'll be more than satisfied as well. If this will be your first Simon Bolitar book by Coben, you're in for a treat. If you've read other Coben books you KNOW you're in for a treat with Back Spin. Enjoy!
|
