Reviews

The Final Detail by Harlan Coben

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gabby3087's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

In certain ways, this book was probably edgy and progressive when published. Now, certain sections were cringeworthy in their use of language about gender. But I think about context and take a breath.

beate251's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This is my second Myron Bolitar novel, and turns out I'm not in love with them. It takes me longer to read them, combined with huffs, sighs and eye rolls. Whether it's Harlan Coben's early writing style, the 90s misogyny or the high sports content (he doesn't stop talking about baseball for pages), it just doesn't grab me.

The story is a chaotic mess and full of people I can't keep track of, some of which only turn up right at the end to provide the story with the Heureka moment. Myron's business partner Esperanza is accused of murdering a client but doesn't want him helping her. Naturally, Myron and Win take no notice and investigate anyway, upsetting everyone in the process.

Coben really needs to stop describing women's attributes in detail, and fatshaming them. It's awful. Also, he has the habit of mocking his own main character when for example Myron philosophises and he follows it with "Oh, deep again." What's the point of that?

I shall read the few I have on hold though they will not be in order as I'm kind of beholden to my library on that one, but I will not be sad if I miss some of of them out.

ellemc67's review

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

lovesresqdogs's review

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Not as gripping in the first few pages as he has been in the last couple books ... however still an amazing writer

aaricia96's review against another edition

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4.0

“It reminded him of the Sound of Music. Myron liked the ole Julie Andrews musical well enough. who didn't? but he always found one song particularly dumb. One of the classics, actually. My Favorite Things. The song made no sense. Ask a zillion people to list their absolute favorite things, and how many of them are going to list doorbells for crying out loud.

You know what, Milly, I love doorbells. To hell with strolling on a quiet beach, or reading a great book, or making love or seeing a broadway musical. Doorbells, Milly, doorbells really punch my ticket. Sometimes I just run up to people's houses and press their doorbells and, well, I think i am man enough to admit I shutter.”