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kaeliif07's review against another edition
4.0
guess what, harlan strikes again. “death cure” revolves around AIDS, basketball, medias and corruption. at some point, i was close to throw the book as far as i could; that’s how it made me feel. well, that’s how all of harlan coben’s stories make me feel..
lottie_s24's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve never read a Harlan Coben before and it’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller. Even though it was published 30 years ago it’s still a good story. Loved the pace of it and that I was kept guessing until the end. Will definitely read more by Coben
the_graylien's review against another edition
3.0
In this Coben yarn from the 1990s, a clinic has successfully cured three HIV-infected patients. So why is someone trying to kill them off?
This was one of Harlan Coben's first few books, which he prefaces by saying, basically, that they aren't that good. I did get a good bit of enjoyment out of this one, though. Not the best of the mystery genre I've read, but by no means a burden to read, either.
This was one of Harlan Coben's first few books, which he prefaces by saying, basically, that they aren't that good. I did get a good bit of enjoyment out of this one, though. Not the best of the mystery genre I've read, but by no means a burden to read, either.
nadyne's review against another edition
5.0
This was really good, both characters and plot. I loved it.
reader44ever's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this story, but I had to agree with Coben's "Note from the Author" that it wasn't his best. It was interesting to read it, though, if for no other reason than to see a take on the AIDS crisis when it was in its first years of having become a "crisis."
lauragrace1's review against another edition
4.0
Good story and a quick listen. Nothing groundbreaking or spectacular, but fun.
markalkman's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, most of you know I'm a massive Harlan Coben fan. He's my most-read author and definitely one my all time favourites. I own nearly all his books and I've read most of them (still 4 to go, I believe...). I've seen The Five and Safe on Netflix and I can't wait for The Stranger to be released! I usually love all his work, but this time it felt a bit 'meh'.
Which isn't all that surprising, if I'm being honest. This is one of his first books and while reading it, I could see why he's added a letter saying that if this is the first Coben book you're reading, please please please read some of his later work first. I couldn't agree more. If you've never read anything by this author: please don't start with this book. Or 'Play Dead' for that matter. Don't get me wrong; the premise is good, the plotting is superb and the characters are interesting. The writing... well, let me just say that he definitely evolved as an author. Where his later books are mindblowingly good, his first ones are just a bit... well... not fantastic. Plus, there was more sex (or talk of sex) than I bargained for and I'm glad he doesn't use that as a plot device any longer.
The story itself, however, was interesting. Three doctors believe they've found a cure for aids (it takes place in the '90s, just fyi). But then one of them gets killed. Him, and three of their patients meet their maker way too soon. As a reader, you have no idea who's behind the killings and I was dying to find out. Of course, there's lots of people trying to bring down the doctors and the clinic, because homophobia was massive during those days (it still is, but that's a whole other discussion). There's a tv reverend, a senator, a doctor and a NIH official. They all have their own reasons for wanting to take down the clinic. The question is; are they capable of murder?
There were a few plot lines that were unnecessary in my opinion. It once again highlights the fact that this is one of his first books and he was still trying to figure out his way as a writer. For instance: two of the main characters are tv journalist Sara Lowell and her basketball star husband Michael Silverman. Michael gets sick (he's got hepatitis), but after some blood tests by the two remaining doctors of the clinic, it turns out he's got aids (no surprise there), given to him by way f a blood transfusion after an accident two years ago. One: Sara only acts as a journalist in the first 150 pages of the book. After that it wouldn't have mattered if she'd been a model or a writer or a waitress at a restaurant. The only thing that's important about her is the fact that she has a bad leg and has to use a cane but she's so hot that everyone refers to her as "the beautiful woman" or "gorgeous Sara Lowell" or whatever. Two: Michael decides he wants to help the community by sharing his story. So he goes on live television and the only thing he says is "I have aids". That's it. No explanation. No telling the public how it happened and telling everyone they should be vigilant because this clearly isn's something only gay people or drug users can contract. Also, they only mention his tv appearance twice? Then they dig out his stepdad from somewhere, who tells everyone that Michael is definitely gay (which he isn't). Michael doesn't respond. No one does. This just doesn't work for me. Where's the personal aspect of the story?
Listen to me: Harlan Coben is such an amazing writer, his stories ALWAYS surprise me (this one did as well, by the way. I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did). But DO NOT start with this book. He's got so many amazing books that are WAY better than this one. Only read this one once you've gotten to know him through his books. When you know what kind of writer he turns out the be, how his writing and plotting evolves. Read this when you (like me) have read almost everything the guy has ever written. I could read through the gaps, I could see past the mistakes and the irregularities and the plotholes and random plotlines. If you don't know him, you might dislike him after reading this and I don't want that to happen because he deserves better.
So. If you want to start reading his work? I'd say start with 'The Woods' (my personal favourite) or 'No Second Chance' or 'Tell No One' or 'Just One Look' or 'Caught' or 'Don't Let Go'. And if you want to read some of his older work? Start with the Myron Bolitar series, book 1 is 'Deal Breaker'.
That's it. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. Mar out.
Which isn't all that surprising, if I'm being honest. This is one of his first books and while reading it, I could see why he's added a letter saying that if this is the first Coben book you're reading, please please please read some of his later work first. I couldn't agree more. If you've never read anything by this author: please don't start with this book. Or 'Play Dead' for that matter. Don't get me wrong; the premise is good, the plotting is superb and the characters are interesting. The writing... well, let me just say that he definitely evolved as an author. Where his later books are mindblowingly good, his first ones are just a bit... well... not fantastic. Plus, there was more sex (or talk of sex) than I bargained for and I'm glad he doesn't use that as a plot device any longer.
The story itself, however, was interesting. Three doctors believe they've found a cure for aids (it takes place in the '90s, just fyi). But then one of them gets killed. Him, and three of their patients meet their maker way too soon. As a reader, you have no idea who's behind the killings and I was dying to find out. Of course, there's lots of people trying to bring down the doctors and the clinic, because homophobia was massive during those days (it still is, but that's a whole other discussion). There's a tv reverend, a senator, a doctor and a NIH official. They all have their own reasons for wanting to take down the clinic. The question is; are they capable of murder?
There were a few plot lines that were unnecessary in my opinion. It once again highlights the fact that this is one of his first books and he was still trying to figure out his way as a writer. For instance: two of the main characters are tv journalist Sara Lowell and her basketball star husband Michael Silverman. Michael gets sick (he's got hepatitis), but after some blood tests by the two remaining doctors of the clinic, it turns out he's got aids (no surprise there), given to him by way f a blood transfusion after an accident two years ago. One: Sara only acts as a journalist in the first 150 pages of the book. After that it wouldn't have mattered if she'd been a model or a writer or a waitress at a restaurant. The only thing that's important about her is the fact that she has a bad leg and has to use a cane but she's so hot that everyone refers to her as "the beautiful woman" or "gorgeous Sara Lowell" or whatever. Two: Michael decides he wants to help the community by sharing his story. So he goes on live television and the only thing he says is "I have aids". That's it. No explanation. No telling the public how it happened and telling everyone they should be vigilant because this clearly isn's something only gay people or drug users can contract. Also, they only mention his tv appearance twice? Then they dig out his stepdad from somewhere, who tells everyone that Michael is definitely gay (which he isn't). Michael doesn't respond. No one does. This just doesn't work for me. Where's the personal aspect of the story?
Listen to me: Harlan Coben is such an amazing writer, his stories ALWAYS surprise me (this one did as well, by the way. I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did). But DO NOT start with this book. He's got so many amazing books that are WAY better than this one. Only read this one once you've gotten to know him through his books. When you know what kind of writer he turns out the be, how his writing and plotting evolves. Read this when you (like me) have read almost everything the guy has ever written. I could read through the gaps, I could see past the mistakes and the irregularities and the plotholes and random plotlines. If you don't know him, you might dislike him after reading this and I don't want that to happen because he deserves better.
So. If you want to start reading his work? I'd say start with 'The Woods' (my personal favourite) or 'No Second Chance' or 'Tell No One' or 'Just One Look' or 'Caught' or 'Don't Let Go'. And if you want to read some of his older work? Start with the Myron Bolitar series, book 1 is 'Deal Breaker'.
That's it. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. Mar out.
eenmooigebaar's review against another edition
3.0
Clearly one of Cohen's earlier books. Lacks the depths of later works. But, as a "collector" I want to read them all and it seems as entertaining enough to finish.