Reviews tagging 'Child death'

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

35 reviews

chronicloser's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

i love a good story that emphasizes bonds and support systems, but i wasn’t super impressed, nor would i say this is an unbelievable, life-changing book. i think if you’re a parent, you could feel an emotional connection on a surreal level, maybe? but, in the book’s defense, not everything has to be grand. not to mention, it was written in a super digestible way— not my favorite style in the world, but i admire it greatly anyway, because time and time again, it’s reminded me that i truly do enjoy reading during every slump i’ve had. my biggest complaint/compliment, depending on the intention? max and sarah, although play a smaller part, were (effectively) the most nails-on-a-chalkboard duo i’ve had the absolute non-pleasure of experiencing lately

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Child death, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Pregnancy, Suicide, Infertility, and Sexual assault

czoltak's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

My first Harlan Coben, and I’m pleasantly surprised. I was worried his work would be similar to James Patterson, David Baldacci, Stuart Woods, etc. Thankfully, I actually really enjoyed this and was hooked the entire way through. This was quite intense at times and I found the twists surprising. The only downsides were that the FBI Agents Sophie and Max were some of the most annoying characters I’ve ever read. Also, the ending was rushed and started to get a little over the top after having to suspend your disbelief already at other major plot points. Overall, a solid thriller that kept me guessing until the end. I’m definitely open to picking up more of Coben’s work in the future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Cancer, and Child death

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Rape

mamawantsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Confinement, Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Infertility, Kidnapping, Violence, Rape, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Pedophilia

nat20charisma's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This book was recommended to me by a few of my coworkers. They said they couldn’t put it down, and I agree it was a pretty good page turner! 

The premise was interesting. A man serves 5 years in prison, falsely convicted of killing his young son. Then his ex sister in law shows up with a picture of a boy that looks identical to his son, down to the birth mark on his face. Is the story a little fantastical and unrealistic? Yes. But is it still enjoyable? Certainly. 

I had a few issues with the locations and the pacing. It all seemed to happen too quickly. They traveled between states so fast. Also the FBI agents on the case were a little too corny that it took me out of the story at times. I think the main FBI guy Max reminded me a bit of the agent in the “Boondock Saints”.  A smart know it all who easily pieces it together. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Infertility

Moderate: Gun violence and Child death

Minor: Grief, Infidelity, and Confinement

alilbitofeveryth1ng's review

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Pregnancy, Child death, Gun violence, Infertility, Kidnapping, Murder, and Chronic illness

Minor: Sexual assault

allison_elaine's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Child death, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Infertility, and Death of parent

thecleversiamese's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad 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? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Child death, Infertility, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, and Child abuse

brynhayes's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Infertility, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Rape

bakingbookworm's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

3.5

I Will Find You starts with a bang!! Coben hits the ground running with a prison break with a fugitive on the run, dysfunctional families and secrets involving the murder of a toddler. 

The first half of the book focuses on the fast-paced prison escape of David Burroughs, a man five years into his prison sentence for brutally murdering his toddler son. He claims he didn't do it, but when he sees a recent picture of a boy who could be his son, he plans his escape. With the help of his former sister-in-law and recently disgraced journalist Rachel, readers are taken on an energetic ride with a gaggle of farfetched and serendipitous but entertaining situations as David tries to find his son and clear his name. 

Ok, so this wasn't my favourite book by Harlan Coben. It had its moments of high-octane scenes, but its weakness for me was the lack of depth to the characters. I didn't connect with David or Rachel, and I usually love the humour Coben adds to his books, but the only humour comes from the FBI duo whose banter was more of a silly 'ba-dum-bom' schtick and that got tiresome fast. But long-time fans of his books will be excited over the cameo of lawyer Hester Crimstein (minus her signature and delightful snark) and a teasingly brief mention of Win. 

This is an entertaining, action-packed, over-the-top thriller that immediately pulls readers in. The first half is filled with tense, fast-paced scenes; the middle section lags a bit, but Coben finishes with a creative revelation that is kind of satisfying and will require readers to suspend disbelief. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gore and Child death

kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Infertility, Gun violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Miscarriage, Cursing, Infertility, Suicide, and Cannibalism