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daniboo22's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
weaselweader's review against another edition
3.0
“That’s how it is with early novels sometimes”
In a forward to a recent reprint of PLAY DEAD, which was his debut novel written (Holy Crap!!) almost 30 years ago, Harlan Coben didn’t quite go so far as to actually apologize for the novel. But he did suggest that, if you hadn’t read any of his novels, he’d prefer that you start with a more recent title and come back to this one later. He did confess that it was “flawed” but he also acknowledges (with a certain amount of pride in a lifetime of writing achievement, I dare say) that he loved the book.
So did I.
I’ll express my agreement with HC’s suggestions and even add that PLAY DEAD barely qualifies as a thriller which, as his fans know and love, has come to be his bread and butter genre. The back cover blurb begins the capsule description of the novel with, “Theirs was a marriage made in tabloid heaven”. In fact, - that word “tabloid” - that’s a BIG clue as to the actual nature of the book. It’s over-written; it’s melodramatic to the point of being a soap opera; it stretches credibility; and, the twists and turns were only barely beyond the ability of the reader to predict the outcomes and name the ultimate “bad guy”.
Recommended, provided you’ve already read and enjoyed something else by Mr Coben.
Paul Weiss
In a forward to a recent reprint of PLAY DEAD, which was his debut novel written (Holy Crap!!) almost 30 years ago, Harlan Coben didn’t quite go so far as to actually apologize for the novel. But he did suggest that, if you hadn’t read any of his novels, he’d prefer that you start with a more recent title and come back to this one later. He did confess that it was “flawed” but he also acknowledges (with a certain amount of pride in a lifetime of writing achievement, I dare say) that he loved the book.
So did I.
I’ll express my agreement with HC’s suggestions and even add that PLAY DEAD barely qualifies as a thriller which, as his fans know and love, has come to be his bread and butter genre. The back cover blurb begins the capsule description of the novel with, “Theirs was a marriage made in tabloid heaven”. In fact, - that word “tabloid” - that’s a BIG clue as to the actual nature of the book. It’s over-written; it’s melodramatic to the point of being a soap opera; it stretches credibility; and, the twists and turns were only barely beyond the ability of the reader to predict the outcomes and name the ultimate “bad guy”.
Recommended, provided you’ve already read and enjoyed something else by Mr Coben.
Paul Weiss
bobbikaye's review against another edition
4.0
All I gotta say is that is one messed up family! That says it all!
lbarber1980's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good book. Not many slow times in the book and of course the ending was predictable. Happy endings right. Very good though.
dride1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
stinamoore1971's review against another edition
2.0
You can tell this was the author's first book. The plot was very weak & transparent.
tomaind's review against another edition
5.0
Great book with the suspense starting right from the beginning. This book had me guessing through most of the book. I thought I had the killer figured out, but I was wrong. I really enjoy Harlan Coben's books. This is a reprint of his first book & it was as enjoyable as his more recent books.
arby_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
Some classic Coben elements but very much not his best work! Can definitely tell a) he wrote it young and b) it's one of his earliest books. I'd advise choosing a more recent book of his.
madeleinefrances's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lenzschmidt's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
Good read, a bit long winded and I could do without the latent sexism.