The Woods by Harlan Coben
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.99 You Save: $8.00 (80%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Woods
Book Review: Well Written & Wonderfully Entertaining -- 4.5 stars!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Warning! Once you start this book, you'll be hard pressed to put it down. It's like a bag of chips or peanuts. You can't have just one! This is a well written, fast paced suspense novel that beats anything [well almost] that TV offers. I liked that it wasn't pretentious. Paul Copeland is so sympathetic! Coben's characters are well drawn and finely nuanced. I was abe to picture Cope, as well as so many other characters. [Hickory was too much! So funny...] Some chapter endings left me gasping! This book engages from page one. You'll visit the woods, the camp, Lucy's apt. & office, the court, prison...Coben takes the reader on an unbelievable ride. This book offers so much -- love, death, murder, parent/child relationships, espionage, etc. If you want to be immediately engaged in suspense, buy this book! The minute I reached page 250 [which took less than 1 reading], I immediately ordered more of Harlan Coben's works. I'm stocked for a couple of weeks. Buy & enjoy!!Book Review: Above Average Thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Four teenagers enter the local woods on summer camp. Two are found murdered, and two are never seen again, presumed dead. Twenty years later, County Prosecuter, Paul Copeland, is still haunted by the memories of that fateful night, as one of the missing teenagers was his sister, Camille. Now, evidence comes to light, that perhaps, one of the teenagers, may have survived.
I found this book an enjoyable read, with very believable characters. There is a very interesting modern day court case plot, which intertwines with the main plot of the missing teenagers.
My only gripe is that the last quarter of the book, is not as interesting as the earlier parts. The court case subplot is almost forgotten about, and there are a few twists near the end, that for me, did not work that well. However, that should not put the reader off too much, as the story is very good, overall.
Book Review: The Woods
Summary: 4 Stars
In "The Woods" Coben once again proves he is a master storyteller and suspense writer as he presents a plot that involves mysters, murder, rape, suspense, loyalties and losses. His main character, Paul Copeland, has been put through a myriad of horrific situations which involve two murders and the disappearance of his sister, Camille. This, oddly enough, all arising out of a camping expedition in the woods.
Coben presents this novel in a vivid and clear manner. He connects with the reader on an emotional and intellectual level, and presents us with a fast but extremely interesting read. Although the plot is complicated, in true Coben style, it is totally understandable which is Cobens real strength in his writings.
E.J. Walden, author of "Operation Snow Owl"
Book Review: Salaciously Surprising
Summary: 4 Stars
The Woods' sub-plotting is deliriously delicious. The Characters are modestly marvelous, the presumptuous ending is salaciously surprising. The story's timeline is calculatingly cunning. I loved this novel for all those reasons...and more.
It's a long and somewhat complicated read, but with undertones of literature and overtones of current fiction, which takes the reader from courtroom combat to mysterious murder sites. And, the intervening love story is superb.
I'm the author of the psychological drama KISSING FREUD, the action adventure DUBROVNIK, and now, the new publication IT'S ALL MAKE BELIEVE, ISN'T IT? *Marilyn Monroe Returns*. You can preview and purchase them here on amazon.com, or on my secure site at www.lulu.com/bencampbell.
Book Review: a very readable and *controlled* mystery by Coben
Summary: 4 Stars
Harlan Coben is one of my favorite mystery writers. His prose is very readable and easy flowing. Dialog and characterizations are always excellent. 'The Woods' have all these fine qualities. However Coben has a tendency to throw in too many plot twists in the end which often ruin an otherwise excellent read. And in 'The Woods', a story about people coming to terms with a multiple homicide which occurred twenty years ago in a wooded campground, the author throws in a few plot twists but they are mercifully restrained. And so overall reading 'The Woods' is an enjoyable experience.
Bottom line: although relatively short on any sort of "WOW!" factor, 'The Woods' is a fine mystery. Well done.