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kathbow's review against another edition
3.0
My copy of this book had a note from the author, warning that it was his first book - and you could tell. It had the bones of a good story, but the writing needed help...and where was the editor, for heavens sake?
He's improved a lot over the years! I would recommend any of his other books before I'd recommend this.
He's improved a lot over the years! I would recommend any of his other books before I'd recommend this.
leniiiii's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me go crazy. There were many hints throughout the whole book and in the end everything made sense and I thought I knew what happens, but I didn’t. He wrote this book so good, you don’t have a chance to guess what the secret is.
sarahsbookstack's review against another edition
3.0
For a first book, this wasn't bad. (He definitely gets better)
I figured out what happened to David pretty early on but there were still many surprises that lay ahead.
There were so, so many shady characters in here. There could have been a very big ICK in here and I'm glad it didn't go that way. I felt extremely bad for Gloria, falling for a smooth talking crazy dude.
I figured out what happened to David pretty early on but there were still many surprises that lay ahead.
There were so, so many shady characters in here. There could have been a very big ICK in here and I'm glad it didn't go that way. I felt extremely bad for Gloria, falling for a smooth talking crazy dude.
lavanderdetergent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
booktiamo's review against another edition
5.0
Great book kept me guess till the last, and had so many twists and turns and who done its!! great page turner!!
gh_monroe's review against another edition
4.0
The story of what happens when a world-renowned model elopes with an NBA superstar and one of them vanishes during their Australian honeymoon? Was it really an accidental drowning as the coroner has concluded, or was it a suicide … or even something more sinister? This was the sort of story line that I like in that in that it was figurable, there were no details required in order to come to a solution that were hidden from the reader. It was a little heavy on the love story to suit my taste, but I recognize that I probably have less tolerance for love stories than just about anyone on the planet.
The person who recommended Coben to me cited his sense of humor and that was spot on. His work shined in all of the spots where witty dialogue was required.
My biggest complaint was that the writing was a tad melodramatic. You definitely knew it was writing. Furthermore, the way that the narrator read the story only exacerbated that issue. Considering that this was his first novel, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and read more of his work. If Goodreads facilitated half-stars I would give this one three and a half stars, but since they do not, I give this read four stars on the strength of a good plot that kept me engaged. I just hope Coben eases of the lovey dovey sappiness in his next book because the most important thing for a writer is to tell the truth and the truth is rarely hearts & flowers & sunny love.
The person who recommended Coben to me cited his sense of humor and that was spot on. His work shined in all of the spots where witty dialogue was required.
My biggest complaint was that the writing was a tad melodramatic. You definitely knew it was writing. Furthermore, the way that the narrator read the story only exacerbated that issue. Considering that this was his first novel, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and read more of his work. If Goodreads facilitated half-stars I would give this one three and a half stars, but since they do not, I give this read four stars on the strength of a good plot that kept me engaged. I just hope Coben eases of the lovey dovey sappiness in his next book because the most important thing for a writer is to tell the truth and the truth is rarely hearts & flowers & sunny love.
thepolishedbibliophile's review against another edition
2.0
This was my DH's pick, it was okay. I could figure out the pieces of the puzzle, long before they were placed in the story.
djeand's review against another edition
1.0
J'aime bien Harlan Coben. et Je trouve son premier livre rassurant. Comme quoi on peut se louper complètement au début et parvenir à une belle carrière. Parce que rien ne va dans ce bouquin: l'histoire est totalement invraisemblable (par charité, je ne vais pas citer d'exemple); par dessus le marché, elle est mal racontée car absolument tous les développements et retournements sont téléphonés 50 pages en avance; enfin le style est très moyen, avec beaucoup de longueurs, de répétitions et de dialogues qui tombent à plat.
Ce qui est intrigant, c'est qu'on arrive à discerner au travers de ce pudding indigeste les qualités que Coben saura ensuite exploiter: un certain talent pour des dialogues ciselés, une capacité à créer des personnages attachants, et une imagination pour créer des retournements de situations palpitants (dans ce livre ils ne sont pas palpitants, mais ils sont bien là).
Dans son intro, Coben avoue ne pas avoir eu envie de relire ce premier livre et incite à ne pas commencer par celui ci la lecture de son oeuvre. Je pense que l'avertissement est en effet très valable et que l'auteur aurait dû jouer la sécurité et interdire la republication.
Ce qui est intrigant, c'est qu'on arrive à discerner au travers de ce pudding indigeste les qualités que Coben saura ensuite exploiter: un certain talent pour des dialogues ciselés, une capacité à créer des personnages attachants, et une imagination pour créer des retournements de situations palpitants (dans ce livre ils ne sont pas palpitants, mais ils sont bien là).
Dans son intro, Coben avoue ne pas avoir eu envie de relire ce premier livre et incite à ne pas commencer par celui ci la lecture de son oeuvre. Je pense que l'avertissement est en effet très valable et que l'auteur aurait dû jouer la sécurité et interdire la republication.
manymerrybooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book could’ve been half the length if this man could chill with the similes and metaphors and ridiculous descriptions of not important things. BUT the story was good it shocked me till the very end even if the end was a bit disturbing.
rachrog517's review against another edition
3.0
Good book- he has definitely grown as a wroter over the years!