Play Dead

I didn't even know this book existed until recently as it along with his second novel Miracle Cure aren't mentioned in most of his later work, guess they had a different publisher or something. I have to say though I'm glad I discovered Coben's first novel Play Dead as it is just as enjoyable as his later work. Granted Play Dead's a bit far fetched in some parts and yes as you read at times you will say why didn't the character just do this instead of what they actually do but their actions do lead to a fast paced can't put down storyline. Also being that this is his first novel Coben obviously didn't have as high a quality editor as there's the odd typo such as Qantas with an added u after the q that appears on and off when that word is used. This in no way though detracts from the high quality storyline. You can also see glimpses of future storylines and their characters from those used in this book where Coben shows his knowledge of certain areas such as professional sports, especially his Myron Bolitar character who Coben will publish to the world five years later in that character's first adventure Deal Breaker. So what was Coben's first novel about? Laura a beautiful retired (at the age of 23) supermodel now turned successful businesswoman has married the top sportsman in his chosen sport, Boston Celtics basketball plater David Baskin. To escape the pressures of her family they eloped to the northern Cairns beachside suburb (portrayed as a small town in this novel) Palm Cove. The two couldn't be more in love but when Laura returns from wrapping a distribution deal for Svengali's products with an Australian company she discovers that her husband has gone swimming. As the hours pass by he does not return. With the help of David's best friend T.C who happens to also be a Boston police officer David's battered body is discovered. The fairy tale is over! Fans around the world morn the loss of their superhero but things do not add up for Laura. David was a great swimmer and in love with her which dismisses the whole suicide angle the locals are hinting at. When his will is read his bank account mysteriously is not listed, when Laura makes enquiries she learns that he (or someone pretending to be David) recently before his disappearance transferred a large amount of wealth to a Swiss bank account. Everything doesn't add up and when David's gambling addicted deadbeat brother Stan decides to cash in on the death of his brother and Laura starts to get the message that her life and those around her are in danger if she doesn't drop the whole thing, Play Dead get a whole of a lot more interesting. Granted some of the mystery you will work out before it is revealed but since when aren't you supposed to do this with mystery stories, that's the point of them! Harlan Coben set the bar for himself extremely high with his first novel Play Dead written way back in 1990. Those of us who have read his later stuff can testify that he has at le

Harlan starts off his career with this wonderful book! Always easy to read and very interesting.

Harlan Coben continues to prove that he is one of the best thriller writers around at the moment. A page turner is a much used phrase but in this case it is really appropriate. The author's books are always so well structured and his character's well rounded. He is obviously comfortable with his style and ability and this transmits itself to the reader making the reading of his books sheer pleasure from start to finish. Coben has now got a string of best selling crime novels behind him and all I can say is that I hope he continues to write for many years to come. The author lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children. Harlan Coben's books often border on the edge of implausibility and this is another of them but it does not detract from the entertainment value for the reader. This story is about a basketball star who fakes his own death while honeymooning in the tropics. His bereaved bride, not convinced that his death is an accident starts snooping around, which proves extremely dangerous when somebody starts bumping off people who may be able to give her some answers . . .

I've recently discovered Harlan Coben and have been just tearing through his books. He is really fantastic. I recently came across "Play Dead", his first novel, at the library. OK, it's not his best, but it was still quite a page-turner. It is great for a first novel, and it is also very nice to see how far Mr. Coben has come in his writing career. There are lots of suprises and they are all very fair.