Loved this new book by Harlan Coben! Suspenseful, sinuously twisty as a snake, full of misdirection and shocking surprises, it's certainly one of his best. It's a whodunnit that keeps leading you in different directions; even the end was a surprise.

The story is this: young Sami, a premed student, goes on a summer vacation with a group of friends. While in Spain, he meets this girl, Anna. When his friends move on to the next step in the journey, Sami stays behind. Then one morning he wakes up to find Anna in bed, covered in blood, seemingly dead, and a knife in his hand. He freaks out (as any good college student would do) and leaves the country. Many years later, much of them filled with mistakes that leave him working as a 2 bit investigator and teaching a class in investigation, he thinks he sees Anna. How could that be, she's dead, isn't she? Or is she? The investigation part of the story is the best part; Sami has to know what's going on, whether it's really Anna, and he engages his sharpest students as they work to figure things out. Toss in a very wealthy family, who wants to help (or do they?) and a cast of shady characters (or are they?) and you won't be able to put the book down until all is revealed (or is it?). Really fun read, great for vacation, on the airplane, or at the beach. Don't miss this book!

Wow! This was twisty and turny! I was never sure who was who, but it was exciting and kept you reading for sure! I really liked the characters, especially Sami and Molly! Marty was really cool too. Anna, not so much, but a good character none the less. Loved his students!
Highly recommend!

Joan Huston

This is an intriguing mystery with some exciting and unpredictable twists and turns. Unlike in some mysteries, character development is not sacrificed to plot development. The characters in the story are so skillfully developed that their actions are believable even when they are not necessarily morally or legally right. There are only one or two characters who are just pure evil while most have shades to their character making them more relatable and helping draw the reader into the story.

"Nobody’s Fool" by Harlan Coben is an absolute masterpiece that deserves every bit of a 5-star rating. From the moment I delved into the pages, I was captivated by Coben’s unique ability to weave a tale filled with family secrets and unexpected twists. The story centers around a sharp-witted private investigator whose charm and intellect guide us through a labyrinth of intrigue and suspense.

Coben's writing is brilliantly witty, providing not just a gripping mystery but also moments of humor that lighten the intensity of the unfolding drama. The characters are richly developed, each with their own secrets that add layers of complexity to the narrative.

The story unravels seamlessly, keeping you guessing until the very last page. Coben’s knack for crafting a mystery filled with heart-stopping surprises and clever dialogue makes "Nobody’s Fool" a must-read. It’s a book that not only keeps you on the edge of your seat but also leaves you pondering long after you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a mystery with depth and wit!

HOLY SHII++++ this kept me on my toes. Idk if i’ve read anything by this author before but I am so glad I read this book. My mind is still??? Also the ending omg. Anyway 10/10 for this book. I did not read book 1 prior to this since this was an ARC from Net Galley and I would say you can definitely read this without book 1 and understand what’s going on.

Happy Publish Day Nobody's Fool!! Harlan Coben does it again with another excellent mystery, this time circling back to Detective Sami Kierce. However, this novel reads fine as a stand alone! In Nobody's Fool, Kierce is an ex-cop and current private investigator with a big secret from 22 years ago. That secret is about the come and haunt him. The girl he thought he murdered suddenly shows up in his classroom, and he has no choice but to pursue her. What follows is a twisty adventure to get to the bottom of what really happened 22 years ago.

I enjoyed how Coben broke the 4th wall in this novel and the twists and turns throughout kept me turning the pages late into the night. A solid 4/ stars from me!

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I noticed Nobody's Fool was the second in the Sami Kierce series so I decided to read Fool Me Once first. I found this very confusing since there was no character called Sami Kierce. There was a Roger Kierce and he was a minor, background sort of character. So I was surprised now to read Nobody's Fool with Sami being the main character and the point of view for the story.

We are now about 20-25 years later. Sami is married to Molly and has a baby son, Henry. He was thrown off the police force after the events in Fool Me Once. In the meantime, he had a fiance who was murdered. He also is being sued for various things. He works as an investigator for a law firm in trade for his legal bills. He also teaches a class in criminology.

The class really are his friends and help him work cases by tracking down information or surveilling people. I really enjoy them as they are colorful characters interested in solving puzzles from grannies, to influencers, a former hedge fund manager, and other oddballs.

The story alternates between the past when he met a woman named Anna on a trip after college and thought maybe he killed her when high on drugs. It turns out she is Victoria Belmond who is a wealthy heiress who was missing for 11 years. The other big plot line is the his fiance's murderer gets his conviction vacated and is out of prison. Sami still believes he killed her.

Everything he is investigating happened about 20 years ago but it ties in to things happening today. With the help of his students he collects good information and moves closer to the truth. Sami works it out in the end.

The start seemed slow to me, maybe because I was distracted over the Roger / Sami. Or maybe it was because Sami, in general, was not a very compelling character for me. I enjoyed the first book more. I think you could read this without having read Fool Me Once.

As usual, Harlan Coben keeps the story moving in this one with clever storytelling and plenty of action and surprises. I felt like I should have been less surprised by the twists and reveals of this story, but that's a mark of how clever Coben is in how he writes his books.

In "Nobody's Fool," Sami Kierce, a former detective turned night school instructor in New York City. Sami's routine life takes a dramatic turn when he spots Anna, a woman he believed was dead for over two decades, sitting in his classroom. This shocking encounter propels him into a relentless quest to uncover the truth about his past and the events that led to Anna's presumed death.​

Harlan Coben has an uncanny ability to hook readers from the very first page, and "Nobody's Fool" is no exception. The narrative is fast-paced, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself devouring the book in just over a day, unable to put it down.​

One aspect I particularly appreciated was that, despite being the second book in the Sami Kierce series, it stands strong on its own. You don't need to have read the first installment to fully grasp and enjoy the story. In fact, after finishing this one, I was compelled to dive into more of Coben's works, embarking on a thrilling binge-read.​

Sami Kierce is a compelling protagonist—flawed, determined, and deeply human. His journey to unravel the mysteries of his past is both gripping and emotionally resonant. Coben's mastery in crafting suspenseful narratives with well-developed characters shines through, solidifying his place as an instant-buy author for me.​

🔍 Mystery and Investigation​
🕵️‍♂️ Amateur Sleuths​
⏳ Past Secrets Unveiled​
💔 Lost Love Rekindled​
🏃‍♂️ Fast-Paced Thriller​
🧩 Twisty Plot​
📚 Standalone in a Series​

"Nobody's Fool" is a testament to Harlan Coben's prowess in the thriller genre. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his work, this novel promises a gripping and satisfying read.​

I received this book as an ARC by NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing. These are my honest opinions.

Did you get a chance to read Fool Me Once - the last book from Harlan Coben? It introduced us to Sami Kierce. He’s a great lead character and he’s back in Nobody’s Fool!

This latest focuses on a piece of Sami’s past. This is what Harlan Coben does so well - he takes a seemingly impossible event and drops the lead right into it all. And it takes the reader along for the journey. I always get lost in his tales. His storytelling is so good!

There’s a great lineup of supporting characters as well. I like the way Sami thinks. I enjoy the snappy dialogue. With all of these players you just know that someone is lying. The one place that Sami doesn’t lie is at home - to his wife Molly. I really liked her.

The plotting is just so good. I hated turning the last page but then I saw it. I have my fingers crossed that there’s another Sami on the way!

This story has so many twists and turns you might get whiplash. It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything by this author. I really don’t know why I waited to long. Talk about a thrilling ride. One of those mysteries that keeps you guessing and on edge waiting for the next explosive revelation.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Harlan Coben's latest, Nobody's Fool, reminded me of Hitchcock's best films because it deals with a hero who's just an ordinary guy who's thrown into an unexpected situation where he faces a past incident that effects his present life. Coben's latest puts him back on top of his game after his previous release, 2024's disappointing 2024's Think Again.

*Another plus are the cleverly hidden Easter Eggs in sections of the story."

Thank you, @grandcentralpub for my free @netgalley ARC.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 344 / Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Release Date: March 25, 2025
🥳#HappyPubDay!🎉

On a backpacking trip through Europe, Sami Kierce fell hard and fast for a beautiful girl he met on the dance floor. Then he wakes up one morning with a knife in his hand, and the girl lying in a pool of blood beside him. Flash forward 22 years later, he’s teaching a class and when he looks up, he sees the girl and when their eyes meet, she flees. What is going on?

While this is another twisty thriller from one of my favorite authors, this one wasn’t my favorite. It was a good ride and packed with surprising reveals, but I felt like the dialog wasn’t as witty as usual and the characters weren’t as engaging as others. Still a worthy read though.
.

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”—Sir Walter Scott
Harlan Coben’s new novel, Nobody’s Fool, is just that—a tangled web of missing persons, murders and retribution. In Coben’s hands, the storylines are skillfully handled and intersect seamlessly to form a top-notch thriller!
The story is narrated by protagonist Sami Kierce, disgraced former police detective, now a PI working off his debt to a law firm by doing minor gumshoe work. He is also teaching his “No S**t, Sherlock,” criminology class at an adult night school. The students are quirky, flawed yet often endearing individuals, bringing some humor and street-weary perspectives to the class. Sami shares some of the same human frailties, but is now stable and functional, grounded by his lovely wife Molly and infant son Henry.
Then an old lover appears, the killer of his fiancée is released from prison, and a cold case kidnapping all mix to bring back disturbing events in Sami’s past. He is basically a do-gooder, so he works to solve all and come to peace with his personal demons.
The plot is complex, compelling, and engaging, especially as the conclusion nears. The prose is written in Coben’s signature style—sassy, sardonic, and filled with ironic observations of the ways of the world. There are nuggets of wisdom and truisms—“Small mistakes can ruin a life,” and “A parent is only as happy as their saddest child.” Sami is a flawed hero faced with ethical and moral dilemmas, and is struggling with his own personal problems. While he believes that trauma is healed by resolution and closure, he is also circumspect enough to know when to stay silent.
This is a very well-told tale, laced with humor, wit, and wisdom, with compelling action and a startling conclusion that has me hoping for another entry in the Sami Kierce saga, soon!!

Sincere thanks to the author, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Sami Kierce enjoys his work as a private investigator and is fresh off the success of a recent murder case. Yet, he's suffered multiple tragedies in his life-the murder of his fiancee, whose killer is being released from prison soon and an ex-girlfriend whose death still haunts him. 22 years earlier, he was a recent college graduate touring Europe with friends. He falls for a girl named Anna, but days later, wakes up to find her dead body in bed next to him. He ran back home to the US but no one ever came looking for him. One day, teaching a class for wannabe detectives, he spies Anna in the back of his class. Can it really be his Anna? And why is she appearing now? Is his past finally catching up with his present?

This was a really good murder mystery that kept me guessing the whole time. I've heard of Harlan Coben from watching multiple Netflix adaptations of his books. They always surprise me and hold a mix of great characters and great plot. This was another good one. It's the second book with Sami Kierce as the detective but it can be read as a standalone. It was a little unbelievable that one man could have so many deaths happen around him, but it kept it interesting. The story was multi-layered and I couldn't see how all the pieces connected until the twists and turns at the end. But the puzzle pieces fit together eventually and the story was easy to follow, not overly complicated. His revisit of a past murder mystery combined with a group of amateur detectives reminded me of an adult version of "Good Girl's Guide to Murder." Great for fans of murder mysteries!

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

Sami Kierce is a disgraced ex- cop with a long history of ups and downs professionally, and he’s doing whatever he can to scrape by for his family. He’s also not one without skeletons in his closet- especially in the form of dead ex lovers. Not only is the man who murdered his fiancée now walking free again, but he’s about to be confronted by that time he woke up in Spain next to his murdered summer fling’s body….
The past is slamming into Sami’s future, and the reader is along for the ride as he searches for truth and justice.

This story starts off with a bang and hooks the reader in instantly. The pacing is fast and makes you want to keep looking out for twists and surprises. Sami’s conversational style narration also added to the interest as the reader feels like they’re similarly on this investigation. Bonus points for fun and well developed side characters- especially the fun and eclectic group of students in his adult education class!

Unfortunately for me, the ending of the story lacked the same buildup as the rest of the book and was pretty predictable. His side investigation into the murder of his fiancée ended in a similar way. While I appreciate the intent behind both plot lines to really paint a picture of what Sami Kierce’s life is like, I felt as though they competed and distracted from each other rather than build up the drama.

TL;DR: Not my all time favorite thriller/mystery, but still a fun quick read to add to your TBR! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

This was my first read from this author and I can see why he has so many shows on Netflix!! I didn’t realize this was book 2 in a series so I read it as a standalone. I will be checking out book 1 soon! The first half of this book started out slow for me but maybe that’s because I didn’t read book 1? But once I hit 50% I could not put this down! So many twists and the plot is addictive. I definitely recommend this title to anyone that enjoys a good thriller! Thank you Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the digital arc. All views here are my own.

I love Harlan Coben. He’s great at mystery, he’s great at thriller, and he’s great at comedy. I love the observations that he sneaks in throughout his books, the ones that make me burst out laughing. He’s very, very funny.

So this is sort of a sequel to “Fool Me Once”, which was made into a TV series and also featured the main character Sami Kierce. If you haven’t seen or read that, you are going to get some spoilers in this one. Now, the spoilers you get aren’t so much that you can’t go back and read the first book, but it’s probably better if you do that first.

Sami Kierce is a sympathetic character. You feel for the guy. He’s been through some stuff. I mean, who has proximity to that much death so early on?? It affects you, deeply. Now he’s older and wiser, but he’s immediately taken back 22 years in time when he sees someone he thought was dead. This sets off a chain of events, and, since another dubious character is introduced at the same time, it’s very hard to tell who is responsible for what.

Add Sami’s criminology students doing some sleuthing for him, and it’s mass chaos.

See if you can figure out the multiple twists. Coben fooled me, and that’s hard to do. Will he fool you?

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback. I’m always up for another Harlan Coben book!

Headline: A Rewarding Must-Read!

Book Review: Nobody's Fool, Detective Sami Kierce #2, by Harlan Coben
Published by Grand Central Publishing, March 25, 2025

★★★★★ (5/5 Stars, Rave!)

I read both books in author Harlan Coben's "Detective Sami Kierce" series, - two thus far, "Fool Me Once" (2016), and this novel, nine years after the first, "Nobody's Fool" (2025).

"Fool Me Once" was subsequently adapted in a 2024 Netflix 8-Episode mini-series, to positive reviews (IMDB 6.8).

In "Fool Me Once" the novel, NYPD Homicide Detective Kierce is known by the name "Roger Kierce", not "Sami Kierce". Kierce, described as "short and hirsute" (hairy) of Pakistani origin, plays a supporting role to the book's compelling protagonist, Maya Stern Burkett, a former special operations UH-60 Blackhawk pilot married to the scion of a monied tri-state family.

In the Netflix adaptation, however, British actor Adeel Akhtar of Pakistani /Kenyan heritage, delivers an inspired performance and lends gravitas to the "Sami Kierce" Netflix character. Which in turn, quite probably inspired the author to rename the protagonist and write a sequel to his 2016 novel, further developing character "Kierce".

Objectively, if you've read both novels, the second book could be considered a "non-sequitur sequel", a study in contrasts. NYPD Homicide Detective Kierce, a supporting backbencher to the protagonist in the former, to Mr. Kierce, on top of the heap in the second iteration - a civilian, disgraced ex-cop, haunted by a vision in his past.

Crafted through disparate veins notwithstanding, both novels turn out to be five-star psychological thrillers!

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// Nobody's Fool, Detective Sami Kierce #2, by Harlan Coben (2025) //

Sami Kierce finds himself booted out of New York's Finest and lives in bare subsistence, working for free under a "barter agreement" for a high-end Manhattan law firm in exchange for legal representation against allegedly having caused the death of a high school kid. The very reason why he's no longer an NYPD homicide detective.

The former det. is assigned by the law firm to do menial PI work, i.e. reduced to shadowing and taking surreptitious photos of cheating husbands.

After dark, Kierce teaches a 2-hour class for wannabe sleuths at a dubiously legit "Academy Night Adult School" on the Lower East Side by the Williamsburg Bridge, one of those pay-as-you-go, cash in advance before the class starts deals, $16 per class which Kierce splits with the "headmaster", who also happens to be the custodian (or janitor) of the building, opened in 1901 as a public bathhouse, now more ruins than building.

// It is at this point that the reader realizes that this is altogether far removed from the theme and tenor of the first book of the series, "Fool Me Once" serialize on Netflix, and assumes a position, as I did, to read a bit more, just a little bit more. I found the wry humor amusing, if anything, so far. And for forging on, the reader is richly rewarded! //

It is during one of those night classes that Sami Kierce happens to glimpse at the classroom door and sees the face of girl he'd known years ago. The face was now hat of a woman in her forties. That girl was in her early twenties' when he'd met her. A girl named Anna he'd met during a college spring break vacation in Spain.

A girl whom he'd believed he'd killed...

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This book, second of the series, can be read as a stand-alone, although Book 1 is equally a gripping psychological thriller, both rewarding must-reads!

Review based on an advance reading copy courtesy of Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley.
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Sami Keirce is heading to medical school in the fall - so he decides to have a last fling with a group of friends in Europe. One day he wakes up next to his girlfriend of just a few days - she is covered in blood and he is holding a knife. He quickly flees - calls home - and is told by his father to get on the next plane back home - and don’t ever look back. Fast forward 20 years - Sami is now happily married with a baby son and a loving wife. He had lost his job as a police detective for some less than by the book investigations. He is now teaching a group of misfits and police wanabes how to investigate when a woman walks into his class - and just as quickly runs out - but Sami is sure that she is the same girl he killed so long ago. Thus begins an odyssey of trying to find her using a friend from his police days and the group of amateur detectives. Sami can’t walk away from the slim leads he has despite being pressured from several fronts to just go back to his normal day-to-day life. What ensues is a complex tale as he peels away layer after layer of clues ultimately resulting in a surprise (at least to me!) ending.

This is Coben’s second book featuring Sami Keirce - and it’s a good thing that I didn’t look at my review of the first or I might not have requested/read this one! This one grabbed me from the very beginning and never let go. A complex story with so many plot twists and turns that it kept my head spinning - just when you think you have think you know who is who and what is what, everything changes. Vintage Harlan Coben. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.