As usual with Harlan Coben books, I loved this one. New main character and a great crew recruited from his class. Lots of twists and some laughs in this one.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

edge of your seat, very twisty, with so many twists at points that they almost loop back around, thriller. 5 stars. tysm for the arc. would recommend

I enjoyed this read; was an excellent mystery and did not have it figured out. Lots of good red herrings as this author does

As always Harlan Coben has written an amazing thriller. It starts out with great character development and then goes on to give nail biting suspense. I liked all the characters and the ending left me satisfied. A huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!!

Another great one from Coben. Plenty of twists and intrigue along with a good deal of humor. I hope we see Sami's team of amateur sleuths in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.

Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben is a suspenseful, story of Sami Kierce, who was a police officer and now teaches adult “wannabe sleuths” at a local New York City school at night. Sami has been living with the pain of what happened to him 22 years ago when he was taking a backpacking trip with friends in Spain before starting medical school. He was hanging out with a girl named Anna that he met when right before he was to return home, he woke up to find her bloody next to him in bed with a knife in his hands.

Harlan keeps the suspense going as one night, while teaching, he sees her outside the room. He takes off after her and chases her – this leads to his adventure to find out what happened in Spain. Sami’s class and his friends join in to help him solve the mystery.

I love Harlan’s books normally flying through them in a day, but I found Nobody’s Fool a bit slow to start. Also, there were so many twists and turns that it was hard to stay focused during the first part of the book. The second half was good, and the ending was different & fun to see how everything would be answered. I really liked his relationship with his wife. It really tied the book together.

I thank Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for this copy. My comments and thoughts are my own.

Harlan Coben once again proves why he’s a master of suspense in Nobody’s Fool, a gripping thriller that seamlessly blends mystery, psychological tension, and a haunting past that refuses to stay buried.

The story follows Sami, a man whose life took a dark and unexpected turn twenty years ago. What was supposed to be a carefree trip to Europe before med school turned into a nightmare when he woke up in Spain covered in blood—next to a dead girl. Fast forward to the present, Sami is no longer on the path to becoming a doctor. Instead, he’s teaching an investigative course to a ragtag group of students, having left his career as a police officer behind. But when he spots a woman in his class who looks eerily familiar—someone he knows should be dead—his past comes rushing back in the worst way possible.

Coben masterfully crafts a story filled with twists, moral dilemmas, and the dangers of digging too deep into the past. As Sami embarks on a desperate search for the truth, readers are pulled into a web of secrets, regret, and the lingering question: is it better to seek answers or let the past remain undisturbed?

With sharp dialogue, well-developed characters, and a fast-paced plot, Nobody’s Fool keeps readers hooked until the very last page. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing and stories that explore how past mistakes shape the present, this is definitely a book worth reading.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's been several years since I read Fool Me Once (where Detective Sami Kierce first makes an appearance), and you definitely don't need to read or re-read that one to enjoy Nobody's Fool. It reads great as a stand-alone, although there are some characters from that book that make an appearance here.

Harlan Coben knocked another missing person mystery-thriller out of the ballpark. I loved the twists in this one and could hardly put it down. Coben also adds some of his usual wit and humor to lighten the book a bit and make it an even more entertaining read.

The book starts 25 years prior when Sami Kierce and his friends are backpacking in Spain. He meets beautiful Anna in a club, and they quickly develop a relationship over a few days until Sami wakes up one morning with a knife in his hand, covered in blood with Anna dead next to him.

Now Sami is married to Molly with a baby boy. He's also a disgraced cop teaching night classes to an eclectic group of people. Until one night Anna steps through the door, she runs, and Sami chases. He's like a dog with a bone and the need to uncover everything. Who is Anna? How is she linked to another missing person case? And is his fiancé's killer he put away 20 years ago and now being released coming after him and his family? So many pieces to the puzzle that is Nobody's Fool.

A fast-paced read that keeps you entertained and guessing. Harlan Coben does such a great job with not only his characters, but a well put together plot that somehow connects the dots perfectly at the end with a little opening for another Sami Kierce book....

A great read, a real thriller that keeps the reader turning pages to find out where ex-cop Sammi Kierce will find himself. This one finds Kierce looking back to his after college days when he backpacked with friends in Spain. He leaves his group to spend time with a girl he meets on the dance floor. He wakes up to find a bloody knife and a body. Now years later, a disgraced cop, he finds himself teaching a group of wanna be detectives--one night a woman appears in his classroom--it's the girl from the past. Kierece's whole world is upended as he searches for the woman and the truth. Lots of twists and turns but Kierece's personality and relationship to his family keep this grounded. Thanks to Net Galley!

📚 E-ARC BOOK TOUR BOOK REVIEW 📚

Nobody's Fool By Harlan Coben
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

After much scientific research (which included only reading a lot of books), I have reached the conclusion that it's a statistical impossibility for Harlan Coben to write anything other than a five star captivating thriller. Okay, it's not a scientific conclusion, but that doesn't make the statement any less true. Don't believe me? Read Coben's books -- you'll see.

It is absolutely befuddling to me how this man can create twist after mind-blowing twist in every single one of his books! There's a magic that happens in every one of Coben's reads, where I am pulled into this fast-paced and action-packed storyline and I can't fight it -- I have to read the entire book in one sitting. His stories simply must be crafted with some sort of masterful thriller dust, because I find myself lost in the story every single time and perched on the edge of my seat to find out what happens next. And the stories are so perfectly detailed, with humor and sarcasm and realistic dialogue between genuine characters, that it's as if I'm watching them on a movie screen in my head. This happens for me with each and every one of Coben's books, so I know it's a talent he has with his writing style and not just a fluke.

Interestingly, this book took a little more time than a typical Coben read to pull me in. It was just over 20% into the book before the hook got its claws in me. So if you're a die-hard Coben fan like I am, be prepared for this one to start off with a slight slow burn feel. But don't worry - once it starts taking off, it's twisty revelations will have your heart pounding, per usual.

This is book two in the Sami Kierce series, but you can 100% pick this one up as a standalone if you want to. If you're a fan of intelligent plot twists, sarcastic dialogue, and brilliant whodunnit-style plotlines that'll keep you guessing till the very end -- Harlan Coben should already be an auto-buy author on your list. If he isn't, be sure you pick up Nobody's Fool when it publishes in March. Once you read it, I promise you'll understand why he's such a revered name in the world of thrillers -- and in Netflix limited series.

#NobodysFool #HarlanCoben #GrandCentralPublishing #ARC #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #bookreviews #bookrecs #thrillerreads #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #bookaddict

I enjoy reading Harlan Coben's books. I must have first the first Sami Kierce book. Sami is a somewhat down on his luck former NYPD detective who cannot always control his mouth and/or actions which is why he was dismissed his job.

With a wife and young child, he takes on jobs for a high powered law firm to help pay off his debts. This bring him to investigate a murder of a high powered couple's daughter that took place year's ago and intersected with and changed Sami's life.

I enjoyed Nobody's Fool though it was a bit slow in places. It is rememberable, not really. Instant gratifications? Yes.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

Nobody's Fool is Harlan Coben's latest novel. I really enjoy his books but this one took a bit of time to get interested in so if you are like me hang in there, after about 50 pages it picks up and becomes more interesting. The main character, Sami, is not a particularly likable guy, but what happens to him in the past might explain why he is not a very likable. Victoria’s family’s actions, particularly the father and brother, were just reprehensible, and I was shocked by the ending. Overall I recommend this book, because Harlan Coben is such a good author. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my review copy of this book.

Harlem Coben never fails to deliver a suspenseful read. I finished this book in two days!
I did not read the first book in this series (but I will now), and I could still follow along with the storyline. The connection between the narrator and the “missing girl” was fascinating, and Coben kept the surprises coming.

A young tourist named Sami wakes up with a dead girl in his bed and he’s holding a knife. 22 years later the dead girl shows up very much alive. Why? How? You follow along as Sami investigates a constant unfolding story. The thriller/mystery aspect fell flat to me. I couldn’t get into the character’s matter of fact way of speaking. It felt monotone. The story wasn’t interesting enough to keep wanting to turn the page. I felt it contained a lot of filler. I want to thank NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy.

Sami Kierce was on a break in Spain from school when he meets a Anna and falls in love. When he wakes up covered in blood and his girlfriend's body, he calls the police. Then her body disappears and the hotel room is spotlessly clean. He heads home wondering what really happened. Flash-forward 25 years and Kierce is a disgraced cop, teaching a night class to wannabe detectives. Then Anna walks in. How does Anna somehow connect to a 25 year old kidnapping of an heiress, Anna's disappearance, and the murder of Kierce's partner and fiancee?

This is a taut mystery/detective novel that kept me turning pages. Sami Kierce is a flawed character who uses those flaws to try to do the right thing. I don't remember reading Harlan Coben books before, but now I understand why he is so popular. The action is swift and there are plenty of twists and turns and, finally, a satisfying ending. Just what I was hoping for. Also, as a bonus, there are several quirky characters that add moments of humor and lightheartedness to the story.

Preface with Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors, period.
This was engrossing and I devoured it quickly, as per usual. Pros - Harlan delivers on twists and turns and surprise endings like any veritable suspense writer.
Cons- because this main Character was also the lead in Fool Me Once (which is referenced in this book), you have to suspend your disbelief EVEN MORE than usual to believe that this “average Joe” has had this much scandal in his life. Also, I can’t fully suss out why but Sami Kierce is just not my favorite Coben character. Could be how unassuming/Anti-hero Coben is painting him to be - I suppose I prefer a Myron Bolitar that is more stereotypical “hero”.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my
Honest review!

Nobody’s Fool by Harlam Coben is an exhilarating read that twists and turns in unexpected ways. The plot is full of surprises, keeping you guessing right up to the very end.You’ll find yourself hooked from the first page, eagerly trying to piece together the mysteries as they unfold. And then, when it all clicks at the end, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe at how well everything is tied up.
I didn't realize this was a series.

I’m definitely excited to see what’s next, especially if there’s a book 3 on the horizon! If you love gripping stories with lots of twists

Thanks NetGalley for advance copy

Full disclosure: I didn't realize Nobody's Fool was the 2nd in a series and when I got to the end I had questions that I felt may have been answered in book 1 (specifically the whole Nicole/Tad Grayson storyline) so I waited to review it until I read Fool Me Once.

Spoiler: my questions were not answered. Roger Kierce became Sami Kierce in this book (which is fine because I like Sami way better). There was no mention of Nicole/Tad or any of the reasons Sami was kicked off the police force.

Putting all that aside, I really enjoyed the plot of Nobody's Fool. The mystery, the way the characters come together, the way Sami's past in Spain when he was a college student came back 20+ years later to smack him in the face. Coben does a great job of writing twists and turns that I don't see coming. I binged this book in a day I was that intrigued and hooked.

I really enjoyed this book, from start to finish. I thought the characters were great, I thought the story was excellent, and I really thought the author did a great job of tying the whole story together despite it not seeming possible when about 50% of the way through the book. And it also didn't feel rushed. It was nice to have a series with an independent story that didn't feel like it require institutional knowledge of the previous book. Like the book as a standalone was enough. Makes me appreciate the story. Overall, I think a must read for any mystery/crime fans.

Thank you to Harlan Coben, NetGalley and Grand Central for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

As almost of the Coben's novels, you must stretch your believability a bit but after that it is a good time reading his tales. In this book, Sami Kierce is on a post college backpacking tour through Europe where he seemingly falls in love but something tragic takes place and he leaves her behind as she dies. Fast forward 20 plus years later and he thinks he sees her again. He attempts to track her down with the help of his novice detective class and the story unfolds. A really fun read and I am so happy I was approved for this story.