A review by jencunn2024
The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben

2.0

I’m thinking maybe more like 2.5 but that’s not an option. This is an action/mystery novel with a bit of current political commentary mixed in. There was enough to make it readable, but It was fairly predictable and there is no emotional investment for the reader. The Boy from the Woods is an intriguing title but has absolutely nothing to do with the entire plot of this book other than establishing the backstory for a protagonist in a series. That bit alone is not strong enough to bring me back for the next book and there wer no other real cliffhangers at the end. The inclusion of social commentary is there and I was grateful for that in hopes that some messages are received by the masses. Overall, Coben’s writing is UN enthralling and sometimes awkward. What I did enjoy about this book was his ability to create new situations and combine them to bring to light some of the modern American political tensions and divides. I liked his inclusion of the horseshoe political theory even though it was awkward.