Myron Bolitar is back and this time it seems like the dead have risen. Three years earlier Myron gave the eulogy for his client and basketball nemesis Greg Downing. Now the FBI has told him that Greg's DNA was found at a murder of someone he used to know. And he was also implicated in another murder from several years ago. But Greg is dead - isn't he? Myron and Win, his longtime friend and partner, team up again to try to find out what is going on. Is Greg being framed from beyond the grave, is he alive or did he really die? And how many other dead bodies are related to this newest case? A complete page turner from start to finish. The promo says that this is book 12 of 12, but I really hope that there are many more Myron/Win adventures to come. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the fantastic opportunity to read this ARC. Loved it.

Fictional series characters often seem to be stuck in a bizarre time warp. Years pass, and more books are written, but, like Dorian Gray or the residents of Neverland, these characters always remain the same age. Nero Wolfe and Perry Mason solved mysteries for over three decades but didn’t approach retirement age. By contrast, Harlan Coben has allowed his series protagonist, Myron Bolitar, to age. Coben has only written five Bolitar novels since 2000, but Myron has gone from a young hotshot agent to a middle-aged man well aware of his mortality. Coben’s newest Bolitar novel, “Think Twice,” gives readers their first look at Bolitar in eight years. The wait was worth it. This novel is an excellent mystery thriller with some surprising twists.

“Think Twice” brings back some essential characters from earlier books. The most significant among them is Greg Downing, Myron’s former client and a onetime romantic rival with a penchant for disappearing when things get tough. His most recent disappearance was five years ago, after being fired as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. Greg then announced he would find spiritual comfort in Southeast Asia and vanished. Two years later, his ashes turned up, and Myron delivered the eulogy at his funeral. Now, however, Greg is a suspect in a grisly celebrity double murder. His DNA was found on one victim despite his supposedly being dead for three years. Since Greg, if alive, is still Myron’s client, he and his partner Win Lockwood try to find the missing man.

What readers know from the book’s first chapter, but Myron and Win don’t, is that Greg’s supposed murder victims may instead be the latest victims of a highly elusive serial killer who has been active for years. This killer doesn’t just dispatch victims without a trace. Instead, they leave carefully planted evidence behind to frame an innocent person with a motive. Once the police catch the patsy, the case is officially closed, so there is no pattern of unsolved cases for the authorities to track down. If alive, Greg may have been the latest target of this killer’s frame-up.

I’ve read serial killer mysteries since Thomas Harris’ “Red Dragon,” and I thought I had run across every possible modus operandi and motivation for both fictional and real-life murderers. Coben’s villain, which one character dubs the “Setup Serial Killer,” is different and utterly fascinating. Several chapters in “Think Twice” are written in the second person from the killer’s perspective. Readers get increasingly detailed insight into how the killer plans and executes both the killings and the frame-ups. As the book progresses, the killer’s and Bolitar’s paths grow closer and closer until a spectacular finale.

Before that last encounter, Myron and Win do some old-fashioned detective work, tracing what happened to Greg since his supposed disappearance. They soon link Greg’s disappearance to that of a former male hustler who also disappeared at about the same time. I don’t want to get into too much detail here because this legwork is just as interesting as Myron’s later deductions regarding the killer’s identity. While Myron is trying to trace the hustler from his last known location in Las Vegas, he runs afoul of some nasty goons in the employ of a mobster with the catchy nickname of “Joey the Toe.” Those who like two-fisted action will find plenty when Myron and Win encounter Joey the Toe’s goons.

“Think Twice” gives readers additional insight into Myron’s character. He has a conscience and debates the relative morality of various possible courses of action. By contrast, Win is more ruthless and amoral, willing to do whatever is necessary to get information. Win isn’t the traditional mystery sidekick; he’s as complex a character as Myron and an intriguing counterpoint to Myron’s sense of morality.

I had never read any previous Myron Bolitar novels before “Think Twice,” but that didn’t present a problem. As the book progressed, the author gave me all the backstory I needed to understand what was happening. Further, he did so without lengthy, distracting information dumps. Almost every bit of backstory is tied into the central storyline. The relationship between Myron and Greg, which dates back to their college days, comes into focus as the novel progresses. Those who read the earlier Bolitar books in which Greg appeared will have an advantage. (I read reviews of other Bolitar novels after finishing this one to better understand Greg’s earlier appearances.)

“Think Twice” has everything readers should want in a mystery story. It has a fully developed protagonist, interesting supporting characters, both humorous and dangerous, and a complex plot with some tremendous third-act twists. It also has action, procedural, and deduction moments. This is one of the best detective novels I’ve read in a long time and one that may net Harlan Coben another Edgar Award. Readers shouldn’t think twice about reading “Think Twice.”

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

If you haven't read the previous books in the Myron Bolitar series, don't let that deter you- I haven't read them, but I had some familiarity with the character from other Coben books, and I think this works just fine as a standalone. It's a great balance of tense and yet filled with quippy banter, and I found the ending jaw dropping.

Think Twice is Harlan Coben’s new novel. It follows Myron Bolitar and his friend, Win, as they navigate finding a friend who was presumed dead and now is thought to be alive. Myron Bolitar is a character who has been in quite a few of Coben’s novels but you don’t have to read the previous ones to follow this one. All his novels have been great reads and this one is no exception. A story that you are never sure what is going to happen next and makes you want to keep reading to find out.

Oh, Mr. Coben, you've done it again! I was so excited when I was approved for an ARC of this book. I still remember the first Harlan Coben book I read many, many years ago. It was all twists and turns, big reveal and twist to another, and then the ending coming together perfectly. I read it all in one day and not because it was a short book but because I just couldn't put it down!

Since that first Coben book, I've read at least a dozen more over the years and would definitely say he's one of my favorite authors. However I've only read a few of the Myron Bolitar series and it's been awhile. When I requested this book, I didn't know it was part of the series and when I downloaded it, I was a little hesitant. I couldn't remember a thing from the few I had read but started anyway, hoping Coben would fill in any blanks. As I read, I realized that I not only remembered Myron's story but quoted him quite often: "Man plans, God laughs." Myron Bolitar's world as a sports agent, lawyer, unofficial private investigator is fast paced and can be a little emotional at times. Being back in that world with him and Win, who is his best friend (and if we're being honest, probably his soul mate), is such a delight!

The book opens in the eyes of a killer and hooks you right in. From there, it switches between following Myron and Win trying to figure out why the FBI is claiming a long dead friend is still alive, to putting the reader right into the killer's point of view. There's never a slow spot, a chance to catch your breath even. The surprises start about halfway through and continue to a very emotional ending. I read the whole book over 2 sittings but could've just done it in 1, avoiding all real life obstacles. Every chapter ends with you wanting more, needing to find out what's going to happen next. Coben ties up all the details and doesn't leave a loose end, but you're going to jump through some hopes on fire to get to that tidy ending. Enjoy that journey, try to figure it out (just know that while you're planning it it goes together, Coben is god, laughing at how wrong you are 😂), and bring a couple of tissues for the last bit. It is a thriller through and through, your heart will race, skip a beat or two, and then break just a little bit. I can't wait for the next one!

Published by Grand Central Publishing on May 14, 2024

When Harlan Coben writes standalone novels, the results are hit-or-miss. When he writes Myron Bolitar novels, Coben ups his game.

Bolitar was a star player in college basketball. His pro career was immediately ended by an injury. He compensated by earning a law degree and becoming a sports agent. His career has moved in varying directions, but he is again working with his best friend, the almost equally athletic Win Lockwood. Bolitar and Lockwood have a knack for getting into trouble.

Think Twice is a serial killer novel. There are way more serial killer novels than there are serial killers, but the reading public’s appetite for fictional serial killers seems insatiable. I give Coben credit for making the serial killer theme fresh and interesting in Think Twice. The novel’s serial killer avoids detection and capture by framing someone else for each of the murders. Since the killings have no obvious connection and since cops will almost always fall for a frame (it’s easier to draw seemingly obvious conclusions than to conduct a full investigation), the killer has had a successful run.

Bolitar gets involved when the police show up at his office, demanding to know the location of Greg Downing. Bolitar believes Downing was cremated after his death three years earlier, making his location difficult to pinpoint. The police nevertheless suspect that Downing has committed a series of murders. Because DNA tests suggest that Downing’s skin was found beneath the fingernails of a recently murdered supermodel, Bolitar is prompted to look into Downing’s death.

It’s not a spoiler to reveal that Downing is still alive and has married a woman named Grace. It would be a spoiler to reveal whether Downing is the serial killer the police believe him to be.

Downing was a frenemy of Bolitar, a competitor on the basketball court who made his way to the NBA, stole Bolitar’s girlfriend (Emily), and had something to do with the injury that ended Bolitar’s career. Downing disappeared to Asia before (as far as the world knows) he died.

To find Downing, Bolitar and Lockwood follow a series of clues that lead them to a gay man named Bo with whom Downing was exchanging flirtatious messages. Bo’s boyfriend was also a murder victim. Could he have been another of Downing’s victim? The body count will increase before the plot resolves.

Bolitar also connects with his biological son, who was conceived by Emily the night before she married Downing. Neither Downing nor Bolitar are models of exemplary behavior, but they are partially redeemed by their guilty consciences and attempts to atone.

Lockwood makes fun of Bolitar’s tendency to examine the moral implications of competing choices (Lockwood tends to simplify moral issues by killing the bad guys), but Bolitar is a more interesting character because he considers (or overthinks) the consequences of his actions. I appreciate the recognition of moral ambiguity that most tough guy novels lack. Bolitar tries to practice forgiveness in his relationship with Downing, for example, but are there some betrayals that do not deserve forgiveness?

The plot has multiple threads, enough to hold the reader’s attention and perhaps challenge the reader to remember details. The ending, including a final twist, is surprising. Coben ties the threads together neatly at the end, but not too neatly. Coben recognizes that full truths are rarely known and deliberately leaves a few minor questions unanswered.

As the novel moves toward its ending, the story creates palpable tension as a key character is endangered. A moving chapter near the end may change the direction of future novels. Kudos to Coben for having the courage to shake up a popular series.

RECOMMENDED

You don’t have to think twice to read this Harlan Coben book (Do you have to about any of them?). This is a book in the Myron Bolitar series, but this is the first one I read. I didn’t feel like there was too much history that I didn’t know. There were hints of things that I would maybe know if I had read the other books. But you can jump right into this. Because I know that you don’t have time to read the other 11 books.

The case starts off with a bang when Greg Downing’s DNA is found at the recent Callister murder scene. Problem is, he’s been dead three years. It’s up to Myron and his best friend to solve this. You wouldn’t think someone with Win’s posh exterior could actually be essential in solving the case.

This book really had me bamboozled. At first I couldn’t see the connections. And I really didn’t know Coben was going to make it work. Because I didn’t see any way that the murders were actually related, except for two of them. But in an epic and satisfying conclusion, we found out if there is a serial killer or not. And if there ever was any connection to the other cases.

I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Holy crap-fantastic!!! Think Twice is an amazing fast-paced read that will leave you speechless and with tears that may be shed! I love the characters of Myron and Win, and I can’t wait for Harlen Coben’s next book in the series! Run to buy this one on release day! Thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Publication Date: May 14, 2024

I have been on a huge Harlan Coben kick this year and was beyond excited when I got an ARC of this! The one issue is that I haven’t exactly read any of this series yet…so that could be why this book just wasn’t for me.

DNA evidence turns up at a crime scene of a mother and her son murdered, and the evidence shows that Greg Downing is the killer. One slight issue is that Greg Downing has been dead for 3 years.
OF course this immediately grabbed my attention and had me racing through the first half of this book. The problem is once the story started to unfold, it started to feel a bit silly. They actually found Greg alive pretty early on, but still felt like he couldn’t have done it… and then I just had to suspend reality for a really long time to come to an insane ending that had my head spinning, and not in a good way.

LASTING THOUGHTS: Unless you have already read the other 11 books in this series, I think you can skip out on this book.

I was hoping for more with this book. I think there was too much going on during it that it made it hard for me to follow. Could work for a lot of other people!

I don’t think I had realized how long Myron’s books have been happening. 30 years! No wonder Myron is talking about how old they were getting. This book was a fun mystery, but a little more predictable than usual. Still a very fun easy read.

Harlan Cohen continues to deliver knockout after knockout in this series. This installment will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to keep up with the twist all the while you are barreling toward an ending you won't see coming. Highly recommend you get your hands on this book.

I love this series! It’s another well written book.
It’s full of surprises and with an ending I didn’t see coming. It will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn’t put it down!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I was thoroughly intrigued by Harlan Coben's "Think Twice", the latest installment in the gripping Myron Bolitar series. The mystery surrounding the discovery of Greg Downing's DNA at a recent crime scene had me hooked from the start. With the FBI on his tail, Myron, accompanied by his resourceful friend Win Lockwood, delves into the perplexing case, questioning whether Downing faked his death or if foul play is at hand. Coben's conversational writing style and clever plot twists kept me engaged, while the humorous dialogue added a delightful touch to the murder and mayhem. The cast of characters, including Myron's eccentric parents and other familiar faces, added depth to the story. Whether you're a longtime Coben fan or new to the series, "Think Twice" is a must-read standalone that will leave you guessing until the very end. A big thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Novel Suspects Insiders for providing me with an advance copy of this riveting novel.

The highly anticipated 12th book in the Myron Bolitar series... thank you to GCP and netgalley for the arc.

Myron's life long rival, father to his bio son, and client comes back from the dead to be accused of murder. Myron, Win, and Esperanza work together again to solve the case of the "Setup Serial Killer".

I was so excited to read this one, just as I am to read all of Harlan Cobn's books, but this was not the page turner I was hoping for. Parts kept me wanting more but overall I was let down with how the book ended. I am curious if there will be a book 13 or not.

Overall 3.5 stars rounded up.

I enjoy Harlan Coben books, but I will say I have not read any of the series with Myron Bolitar as of yet. I will definitely go back and read some now, but I am going into this without knowledge of these characters beforehand! With that being said, I felt like it could be read as a stand alone, I didn’t feel as I was missing a whole lot of backstory - Coben does a good job of giving you enough information to keep going.

This was a quick read. The pacing was overall decent, and I say that because there were a couple of times things felt a bit repetitive - enough worth nothing, but not enough that took away from my reading experience.

The ending doesn’t come out of left field and though I didn’t figure it out, it still made enough sense to me and left me as a satisfied reader.

Thank you to NetGalley, for the much-appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Myron Bolitar is back in this 12th installment of this series. This time, Myron gets a surprise visit from the FBI asking about the whereabouts of his former client, Greg Downing. Myron is confused because Greg is dead, but the feds say Greg's DNA was just found at a double murder scene. How can that be? Of course, Myron, Win, and Esperanza are on the case.

This was yet another excellent entry in this series. Full of twists, turns, red herrings, and the sarcastic quips we all have come to know from this series. They help ease the tension in this book. The characters continue to grow as they've aged over the years, and it's like visiting with old friends. I definitely recommend!

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing, author Harlan Coben, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

FBI agents announce that one of Myron Bolitar’s clients is suspected of a double homicide; in fact his dna was found at the scene. The only problem is that Myron gave the eulogy at the guy’s funeral, three years ago.

As Myron and his friend Win investigate, they’re led along a trail of misdirection and danger.

This reader loves the wisecracking and humor that Coben brings to his dark thrillers, especially Myron’s interactions with his parents. Highly recommended. #ThinkTwice #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

Sports agent Myron Bolitar is beyond baffled. His nemesis, former basketball player and NBA coach as well as former client Greg Downing died three years ago. Then how was his DNA found at a recent double-murder scene? The FBI shows up at Myron's office seeking answers. Good guy Myron and his best friend Win Lockwood, who appears to have unlimited financial resources as well as questionable morals, are determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. Did Downing fake his death? Was the DNA planted at the scene? The case is even more complicated based on Myron's history with Greg, who married his ex, Emily. After a pre-wedding tryst, Myron fathered Emily's son Jeremy, who had always regarded Greg as his real father, even after knowing the truth about his biological father. A cast of colorful characters help Myron figure out this strange and murderous puzzle which gets more complicated as other murders take place.

Think Twice is the 12th book in Harlan Coben's popular Myron Bolitar series but it can be read as a standalone. Coben has an enjoyable, conversational writing style. This story has intriguing plot twists with humorous dialogue woven in, balancing all the murder and mayhem. In addition to Myron and Win, the secondary characters are wonderful. Fans of Coben’s other books will be happy to welcome them back including Myron's delightful parents Ellen and Allen, who left New Jersey and now live in a retirement community in Boca Raton and have started to play pickleball. If you're a Coben fan, it's probably already on your list. You won't be disappointed.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Novel Suspects Insiders for providing an advance copy.

Rated 4.25 stars.

You will not want to put down Think Twice by Harlan Coben. The winning combination of Myron and Win along with the suspense, drama, and heartache make this one of Coben's best.