The Woods by Harlan Coben
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Book Reviews of The Woods
Book Review: The Woods Review
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Woods",. Harlan Coben proves to be one of the most consistent thriller writers around. This is familiar territory, with familiar themes and characters (even a few carryovers from previous stories), and yet Coben manages to connect with us on emotional and intellectual levels.
Twenty years earlier, the Copeland family dealt with a horrific situation involving the woods surrounding a summer camp. Now, one of the original homicide victims has resurfaced--with a different name and hints that he survived. Paul Copeland finds himself dragged back into the anguish of that dreadful evening. Not only did he lose his sister, he lost real connection with his parents, due to their grief. As he explores the widening mysteries, he is faced to confront hard truths about each and every person he has loved. Harlan Coben is a writer who specializes in domestic thrillers with a twist: Instead of the protagonist being a woman, Coben's heroes are men with deep dark secrets. Coben takes folks who, at first glance, are fairly ordinary and then puts them in extraordinary situations. This helps makes the novels stand out in a genre populated with cops, private detectives and world weary types in general.
I thought "The Woods" was a great book. It reminded me of a movie, which keep you off your seat. When I started reading "The Woods" I never wanted to put it down. I understood what was going on and everything. The book was well written but the characters could have different life situations. The women were all good looking and I don't think every female in the book should be hot. The plot had some twists and turns. I believe one thing then the next it was something different; but that's what made the book good to me. It kept me wondering, what's going to happen next. I also loved how everything came together at the end. "The Woods" is one of the best books I read in years. Because this book was so good to me, I decided to read another book by Harlan Coben, "Hold Tight". I like how the stories carryover to the next book.
Book Review: Couldn't put it down!
Summary: 5 Stars
The other day I was looking for something new to read. I asked for suggestions from friends, stating that I really wanting a mystery/suspense novel. Someone mentioned trying out Harlan Coben. Well, I've never read any of his books before, although I have seen them from time to time at the book store. One of the few that I could easily get my hands on right away was The Woods. I was immediately hooked!
The protagonist is Paul Copeland. 20 years ago, at summer camp, his sister and 3 other teens all snuck into the woods at night. The next day 2 of them were found dead. Paul's sister and one other teen were never found again, although some of their clothing was found. Paul has never really gotten over the events. How can you ever truly move on if you never find the body? There is always that small seed of hope. Some unexpected events cause him to start looking into the past, and Paul's life and emotions are taken on a wild ride.
I was hooked on this book from beginning to end. When you read a lot of mysteries, sometimes you can predict what the outcome of a particular book is. For this book, I never would have guessed it! There were so many fantastic twists and turns that the book took! And even after everything is over, and you think that you have learned it all, one last bombshell is dropped! I loved that Coben ended the book not telling us how that particular piece of information would affect everyone in the long run. This was a phenomenal story and I have ever intention of picking up another Coben novel! Loved it!
Book Review: What happened in those woods??
Summary: 5 Stars
Reading Coben's book was very enjoyable. I have to give it 5 out of 5 stars. He managed to outline a great story filled with everything from KGB spies to a summer camp Slasher. This is another author I truly appreciated for giving the reader intellectual credit. You don't find that often with a lot of the popular writers. A court case rape trail starts as the primary plot followed by a re-hash of the mystery behind Paul Copeland's sister. Slowly, as you progress through the story the sister becomes the main interest while the court case falls into the background. The great thing about the book is the fact that you never feel this transition.
Before I read this book I noticed a lot of reference to Mr. Harlan Coben as "the master of the plot twist." I have to admit he does a great job of presenting a couple jaw dropping surprises. The characters unfold in a way that had me turning the pages all night long. I just really wanted to find out what happened in those Woods. The best part of this story was the witty comebacks. If your not laughing after the reading Cope's banter with the slimy ambulance chasing lawyer; then your bound to crack a smile for the conversations Muse has with the security guard at the murder site.
After this book I have become a Coben fan!!
I recommend this book it is worth the read summer, winter, or fall!
Book Review: Quite a Ride (Read)
Summary: 5 Stars
The central character is Paul Copeland, a county prosecutor in New Jersey. While in the midst of arguing the prosecution's case at the trial of two wealthy college fraternity brothers accused of rape, he is questioned about the murder of a man in New York City. This man's death appeared to be connected to an incident that happened twenty years earlier at a summer camp attended by the then-teenaged Copeland. It was believed that four youths were murdered one night, deep in the woods, although only two bodies were found. One of the victims was Copeland's sister. Copeland has long been haunted by the events of that night, for, it turns out, he was more than just the brother of a victim.
From this starting point, the novel takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride of plot twists and turns. I'm not a speed reader, but I finished this book in record time (for me) because I was able to race through the extremely well written pages. The only speed bumps were occasional digressions in the form of overlong explanations as the story developed. Also, there were a few false conclusions, something like the amusement park ride that gives you a couple of extra shocks near the end.
But it was an exciting read (ride), well worth the cost of admission.
Book Review: More Suspense than You Can Shake a Stick At
Summary: 5 Stars
New Jersey County Prosecutor Paul Copeland has seen more than his share of grief and loss. Twenty years ago his sister and three others were murdered at summer camp. Two of the bodies were never found. Paul is still haunted by what happened back in the woods when his sister died and to further his pain he has never come to terms about his mother's desertion.
So long ago, but the past doesn't seem to want to stay buried. A murdered body is discovered and clues seem to point to Paul. How can this be possible? Paul begins to suspect that the dead man is somehow linked to his past and what's more, may be one of the victims of that crime that happened twenty years ago, maybe they all didn't perish back then.
There are also secrets long buried that will come to light and they will threaten everything Paul believes in, believes to be true. Paul's nerves will be stretched to the limit and yours will be too as you read through this Harlan Coben thriller. As usual with a Coben thriller there are plenty of twists and turns in this mystery that will keep you guessing as you anticipate your way through the story.