Reviews

Play Dead, by Harlan Coben

manavisharma's review

3.0

This is the first Harlan Coben book I read and at the very start I was warned, by none other than the author, that if this was his first book I was reading I should really stop and pick up a later one. But I didn't - instead I just adjusted my expectations. And sure, there are elements of the book that I can see him cringing at years later - his description of all the women in the book being the most gorgeous ever, the not so great writing style; but despite all of that, I still kept turning the pages and was hooked into the plot! Really looking forward to reading more recent books of his!

claudetteb's review

1.0

Terrible book! If this was the first Harlan Coben book I read, I'd never read another. Re-releasing this was a mistake if they lose potential readers.

melissacharitos's review against another edition

3.0

Coben’s eerste boek; voor het overgrote deel voorspelbaar en enigszins van de hak op de tak. Verder wat langdradig. Niet zijn beste werk, maar ik had graag zo’n eerste boek geschreven.

ml_buchanan's review

2.0

I love Harlan Coben's books, and his disclaimer at the beginning of this one makes me like him more. As he said, if this is your first experience with his writing, go read one of his later publications first.

emmiedeandean's review

1.0

I should have listened to Coben’s letter at the beginning and not read this first. I’ll give him another shot, because I’ve loved the Netflix adaptations of his novels, but this was so cliche and poorly written. I certainly hope he has grown as a writer and isn’t doing the all women are gorgeous and the men are all wealthy and perfect. While I finished the book/ the only way I did was by skimming. The plot was a bit far fetched and the writing was very juvenile. It’ll be a while until I pick up another of his books

anjni's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

halleb's review

3.0

At first I had trouble getting into the book, potentially because it started with such a sad concept. Once I sat down and really gave it a chance I was hooked. The twists and turns that the plot takes were fairly unpredictable. Each time I though I had solved the mystery I would shockingly learn something new.

Those who, like me, love the Myron Bolitar series must be prepared for a bit of different writing style from Harlan Coben. The characters are not as witty and lovable but are still very easy to like.

I have always recommend Coben's books to friends and family and this is yet another one of his that I will recommend.

pkadams's review

3.0

I would read anything by Harlan Coben including his first short story he wrote in 4th grade. Honestly I love Myron Bolitar and the rest of the gang that much. Play Dead features the Bolitar prototype and it isn't bad especially for a first novel. Pete was right, Coben telegraphed everything throughout this novel. I couldn't even take the "drowning seriously" and really a rookie that no one has ever heard of? Please! That being said it was a fun read and it made me excited for the next Coben book.

brookesbooks842's review

I really love Harlan Coben. This was one of his first books, that is just now being published. So, my expectations were not very high. But, it was actually really good. It was a bit far-fetched, but I love the pace of it. I couldn't put it down. I read it in 3 days. The ending was a little too tidy, but otherwise- worth the read!

alipickle's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5