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tomaind's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the second Myron Bolitar book. I thought the story was much better than the first one. I really like the combination of mystery and humor.
itssideeffect's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
johnnyb1954's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Cops and bad guys too stupid and too cliche.
The big reveal at the end was telegraphed so early in the book it was just maddening that Myron couldn’t figure it out. He was right there and just didn’t make the most obvious logical deduction.
The detective novel trope of the main character having a best friend/sidekick who has no moral code and can take care of the dirty work is really tired.
The treatment and depiction of women by the author is cliched and inappropriate as well.
The book is described as hilarious but the humor is hacky and falls flat.
The big reveal at the end was telegraphed so early in the book it was just maddening that Myron couldn’t figure it out. He was right there and just didn’t make the most obvious logical deduction.
The detective novel trope of the main character having a best friend/sidekick who has no moral code and can take care of the dirty work is really tired.
The treatment and depiction of women by the author is cliched and inappropriate as well.
The book is described as hilarious but the humor is hacky and falls flat.
agnesreadsbooksuk's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
latas's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very quick read loaded with Harlan Coben's usual wit and sarcasm. I have rated all his books that I read as 5 except for 'Just one Look'. Even that was a 4.5. I almost reduced 1 star because Win gets away with murder(s) so easily. I am feeling very proud that I figured out the story of Duane and Mrs Yeller much before the actual reveal.
Some review in GR said that Harlan Coben has the same formula, which starts 5 to 20 yrs earlier, then the murder victim is seen again. This is so true, but i haven't yet got bored of this formula. i have read each of Coben's books within 2 - 3 days. With such books I can surpass the GR challenge very soon :-)
Some review in GR said that Harlan Coben has the same formula, which starts 5 to 20 yrs earlier, then the murder victim is seen again. This is so true, but i haven't yet got bored of this formula. i have read each of Coben's books within 2 - 3 days. With such books I can surpass the GR challenge very soon :-)
jayneyh314's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
A former young tennis star is looking to make a comeback and wants Myron Bolitar to represent her but before he gets a chance to meet with her she’s murdered outside a stadium at the US Open. Myron is pulled into her case and feels there may be a connection between her murder and the murder of her fiancée, the son of a US Senator, 6 years earlier but even he couldn’t have imagined where his investigation would take him.
After reading “Deal Breaker” I decided to go straight into the second book in the Myron Bolitar series, “Drop Shot”.
I can see the pattern emerging with these books, Bolitar might be running a sports agency but he actually spends more of his time investigating crimes! The sport forming the backdrop in this case is tennis, which I suppose is an obvious one with the books being set in New York, the home of the US Open.
As always, Coben’s writing is fast paced and gripping so I have absolutely gobbled it up. I did figure out one of the twists but didn’t guess the killer until almost the reveal.
I did find myself agreeing with Win at one point, which is slightly concerning to me! I do like the fact that Coben poses some difficult questions to his readers and really makes you think about how you would act if put in the characters’ shoes.
It’s difficult to say too much because I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Coben is a master of the twist and packs his books full of them. His writing style really suits me and I love how quickly I can read his books. I think he’s going to be another of those authors that I turn to when I want a guaranteed winner.
I’m now going to have to look at buying some more of the books in this series at some point because I don’t have any more.
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
This book has been languishing at the bottom of a pile unread for may years and as I gradually reduce that pile I thought I would give it a go realising I had never read Harlan Coben.
It was certainly a rattling page turner as sports agent tough guy Myron Bolitar watches his latest client triumph in the early rounds of the US tennis open in New York. A violent murder leads him down the path of investigating the crime as well as another that occurred several years before. Lifting the stone covering the tennis world and treatment of young female stars it was definitely an interesting read. Will definitely try him again.
It was certainly a rattling page turner as sports agent tough guy Myron Bolitar watches his latest client triumph in the early rounds of the US tennis open in New York. A violent murder leads him down the path of investigating the crime as well as another that occurred several years before. Lifting the stone covering the tennis world and treatment of young female stars it was definitely an interesting read. Will definitely try him again.
jamballdonut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Having only recently discovered Harlan Coben (Late 2022), I'm continuing to really enjoy the books I've read by him, and this is no exception.
I didn't realise just how long ago the book was published when first reading it, so seeing mentions of playing a tape or a car phone gave me a good chuckle, and proved that some books are timeless since it didn't fully pull me from the book.
An enjoyable read, with a twist I didn't see coming.. mostly. From the hotel onwards I definitely had some ideas, but not to the extent of what actually happened.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the book, and plan to read the Myron Bolitar series from start to finish, since this is now the second I've read from this particular series.
I didn't realise just how long ago the book was published when first reading it, so seeing mentions of playing a tape or a car phone gave me a good chuckle, and proved that some books are timeless since it didn't fully pull me from the book.
An enjoyable read, with a twist I didn't see coming.. mostly. From the hotel onwards I definitely had some ideas, but not to the extent of what actually happened.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the book, and plan to read the Myron Bolitar series from start to finish, since this is now the second I've read from this particular series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racism, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
suzannedix's review against another edition
4.0
The narration is hilarious and Harlan Coben reminds me so much of Robert B. Parker. What fun if Spenser and Myron could meet!