The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
Date Read: March 11, 2020
Length: 384 pages
Source: Publisher / NetGalley
★★★★☆
A man with a mysterious past must find a missing teenage girl in this shocking thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away.
Thirty years ago, Wilde was found as a boy living feral in the woods, with no memory of his past. Now an adult, he still doesn’t know where he comes from, and another child has gone missing.
No one seems to take Naomi Pine’s disappearance seriously, not even her father-with one exception. Hester Crimstein, a television criminal attorney, knows through her grandson that Naomi was relentlessly bullied at school. Hester asks Wilde-with whom she shares a tragic connection-to use his unique skills to help find Naomi.
Wilde can’t ignore an outcast in trouble, but in order to find Naomi he must venture back into the community where he has never fit in, a place where the powerful are protected even when they harbor secrets that could destroy the lives of millions . . . secrets that Wilde must uncover before it’s too late.
This was fantastic! I have been a Harlan Coben fan for a very long time. Since finding his work, I have worked my way through his backlist and always eagerly await each new release. I was really excited to start reading this book and had pretty high expectations. Coben did not disappoint! I found this to be quite the page-turner and was completely entertained until the final page.
This book is a stand-alone but readers who are familiar with Coben’s books will recognize one of the key characters, Hester Crimstein. I was delighted to see Hester step into the spotlight. She has been a great character that would show up for a scene or two in various other books but she really shined in one of the leading roles in this book. There were a few nods to other books and characters that Coben fans will appreciate as well.
Hester is a criminal attorney who is well known as a result of her television show. When her grandson asks her to look into the disappearance of his classmate, Naomi Pine. Hester enlists the help of a man she has known since he was found in the woods as a boy, Wilde. Wilde knows the woods like no one else and tends to look at things in a unique manner and quickly finds himself very involved in the things going on in his small town.
I found this book to be quite exciting. There were several different threads that wove their way throughout the story and I enjoyed seeing how everything fit together. I love the way that Coben is able to keep me guessing until the very end and this book was no exception. I do have to say that a couple of things felt a little too convenient but that would be my only complaint and it is very minor.
I would highly recommend this book to others. I had a great time with this book. I thought that the characters were well done, the mystery was captivating, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting. I cannot wait to read more of Coben’s work and hope to see more of Hester and Wilde in future books.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing.
About the AuthorWith more than seventy million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous suspense novels, including Don’t Let Go, Home, and Fool Me Once, as well as the multi-award-winning Myron Bolitar series. His books are published in forty-three languages around the globe and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries. He lives in New Jersey.
Oh this one definitely looks good! I didn't know he had a new book out.
I've never read any of his books but this sounds like it might be a good starting point. Your excitement is contagious which is really the only kind of contagion I want to experience right now.
I have a few of his books based on your recommendation. I am loving the sound of this one.
So glad you enjoyed reading this one! I've never heard of this book before but the premise sounds interesting.
claire @ clairefy
Coben is an author I've really been wanting to read and this is an interesting sounding read. I love when a side character that I like has a chance to be front and center.
i've read some of his work and i do like stories where the characters go home…to a bunch of trouble
sherry @ fundinmental
That really sounds good.
I have enjoyed his work also. I haven't read this one or any other very recently but I hope to read everything eventually. Excellent review!
Anne – Books of My Heart
And I who have never tried him
I have not tried a Coben book yet, but you remind me that I really should. 🙂
I've only read one book by Coben and I didn't totally love it. I've heard good things about this one, though. I'm definitely going to give it a go. Glad you enjoyed it!
I think I tried one of his books years back and couldn't get into it but I always meant to try a few more. I think it was more about the subject of that particular book and less about the actual writing!
The hold list at the library for this book is massive right now, I will have to get in line!
I don't think I've ever read Coben but this sounds right up my alley. Another for the library wishlist!
I have been trying my hand at reading more thrillers lately but I have been starting in the wrong place as I haven't really enjoyed what I read yet 🙁 But maybe that is because I should be reading Harlan Coben books judging from your opinion on this one!
I'm not too fond of Mysteries, but every once in a while one sounds good, and this one does. Thanks for sharing your review. ?✨
I've heard nothing but great things about this one!