No. 8), Promise Me (Myron Bolitar

I found Coben's writing style wonderful and the dialogue great. I couldn't put this book down. Looking over the other reviews it seems you either love or hate Promise Me. The wisecracking dialogue and oddball characters may be an acquired taste but I loved it all. My only regret was that it wasn't longer.

Nothing about HarlanCoban's novels is boring or without interest. Page turners in the extreme, and my only criticism about his writing is that I am constantly in trouble for neglecting things like sleep, eating, chores etc. because I can't put him down. "Promise Me" is no exception.

CAVEAT: This is the first novel by Harlan Coben that I have read. Therefore, this review is written from the perspective of a reader (actually listener) of this book as a standalone novel. In addition, this review is based on the unabridged audio CD, which was narrated by the author. These two factors have undoubtedly influenced my reaction to the story relative to readers familiar either with the early novels in the Bolitar series or Coben's recent standalone novels. In summary, as my rating indicates, despite some minor complaints detailed later in this review, I enjoyed the story a great deal. I felt that there was sufficient background provided regarding the continuing characters in the series that I was not as at a disadvantage despite no previous exposure to them; in fact I would surmise that in some ways the background descriptions of Win (Winthrop Lockwood III), Esperanza, Big Cindy, and Jessica and comments regarding their previous exploits were fresher and more enjoyable for me as a first time reader. However, my comments will be of no help for readers interested in a comparison of PROMISE ME to Coben's other work. Finally, I found it very interesting to listen to the author (rather than a professional narrator) read his own work. It is indeed an unusual circumstance to be confident that the narration conveys the story to the listener with the intonations, emphasis, pronunciation and character nuances exactly as intended. Finally, I apologize for any misspellings of character names which might result from my not having a written text.

The story begins with Edna Skyler (a sixty-three year old M.D. with a specialty in genetics whose hobby is studying the faces of strangers) recognizing a disguised Katie Rochester, an eighteen year-old local runaway, during a visit to NYC. Katie, who does not appear to be under duress, pleads with Edna to PROMISE her to keep her secret and tell nobody that she has seen her. We are next introduced to Myron Bolitar, the former basketball player and now owner of his own sports and entertainment agency who for the past six years has foresworn his role of superhero. Myron is relaxing with his long time friends Claire and Eric Biel and Ali Wilder, a woman whom he has just begun to date. Then fate intervenes, Myron overhears a conversation between their two eighteen year old daughters (Aimee Biel and Erin Wilder) about drinking and driving; remembering all too vividly the pressures which high school seniors face and being keenly aware of the tragic accidents which often are the result of alcohol intake, Myron eventually convinces them to PROMISE that if they are ever in a situation in which they need help but cannot call their parents that they will call him.

A few nights later, Myron receives a 2 AM call from a very nervous Aimee that she needs a ride from a Manhattan party to a friend's home. Despite his efforts to elict information from her, she is noncommunicative and hostile. The next day, Aimee is missing; the supposed friend is non-existent, Claire and Eric are frantic and cannot understand Myron's actions and his attempt to interject himself between them and their daughter. The evidence initially leads the police to focus on Myron as their primary suspect; meanwhile, Myron frantically attempts to unravel the mystery of Aimee's disappearance, his actions fueled both by guilt concerning his actions and the PROMISE that Claire extracts from her old friend to find Aimee and facilitate her return her home.

Almost immediately, both the police and Myron's investigations are faced with a series of either amazing coincidences or meaningful and important clues as incredible similarities between Katie's and Aimee's disappearances are uncovered. (Did these eigteen year olds run away - in which case the police have no legal basis on which to interfere - or were they kidnapped?) The situation is complicated by the fact that Katie's father Dominic, an individual with mob connections who is desperate enough to go to any lengths in his effort to locate his daughter, soon becomes convinced that Myron may be the key to the discovery of the truth concerning Katie's disappearance as well. Win's numerous and truly amazing talents and connections are soon called into action by Myron, and Esperanza becomes involved long distance while on her honeymoon. And Big Cindy's eventual cameo role is both hilarious and memorable. And intertwined with Myron's frantic search for Aimee is the impact which it has on his incipient romance with Ali.

However, the main reason for my enjoyment of this story and my high rating was not the plot outline but rather the character development, details, and heavy dose of philosophy and psychology. Essential elements of the storyline include the importance of the college application process and the emphasis on achievement in the life of high school seniors; the nature and discernment of individual innocence and guilt; the unpredictable reactions of parents under the stress of unknown danger facing their children; and the acceptability of violence in the service of love friendship, and justice; and, finally, love lost and love found. In addition, my interest in the story was heightened by my personal experience, for many years I lived near Livingston, New Jersey, and became very familiar with the town when visiting members of my family who resided there. Coben's depiction of life in suburbia is both well drawn and recognizable. I was also fascinated by the commentary and insights concerning self protection, the use of weapons, and the tricks of detective work which are provided by Myron and Win as their use becomes necessary during the course of the story.

In summary, Myron is a complex character whom I found, interesting and entertaining. I moral dilemmas which he faced as he attempted to keep the promises which he perhaps should never have made. I do, however, have two complaints concerning the book. First, there are a few loose ends that are not tied up and which highlight the coincidences upon which was fascinated by acknowledgement and examination of the complicated nature of the the story relies. Second, the surprise ending is very satisfying in terms of its consistency with Myron's examination of his own humanity and morality, but at the expense of believability and credibility. I seriously debated whether this novel deserved a five star rating, but eventually decided that my enjoyment (especially of Myron and Win's interaction) overcame its shortcomings.

Note: I strongly recommend the audio version of this book. It is comprised of nine compact discs and is approximately eleven hours in length; listening to it while traveling is an excellent way to pass the time. The author's narration allowed me to visualize both the action and characters as the story proceeded. Another benefit is that this audio set is produced by Brilliance Audio, whose production methodology of providing very short tracks (almost one hundred per disc) allows for easy replay if the listener is momentarily distracted as well as being very amenable to interruption and subsequent restart at any point. (Other formats often provide chapter breaks only or similarly long and inconvenient intervals.)

Tucker Andersen

I read this book first not knowing the history of the character. A great read. I was not overwhelmingly blown away by the end but it was an excellent book. I'm now reading the series. Not necessary to enjoy this book but very good.

I am absolutely addicted to the Coben novels starring Myron Bolitar. This character is so very real he LEAPS off the pages. . I do not know how Coben can keep all his tales of Myron so fresh, each one reveals fascinating twists and assures the reader of a fascinating and fun RIDE !!

I am absolutely addicted to the Coben novels starring Myron Bolitar. This character is so very real he LEAPS off the pages. . I do not know how Coben can keep all his tales of Myron so fresh, each one reveals fascinating twists and assures the reader of a fascinating and fun RIDE !!

This is an abridged book but the transition to the last cd was terrible. It seemed to have left out a whole chunk of the story. You could barely piece it together in the last cd but I was not well done. I also did not care for the reader even though I know he was the actual author.

Just started reading it two days ago, but stayed up way too late reading last night, already at page 264. It really is a page turner, that keeps you guessing. Several interesting subplots and good character development.

If you do, you'll miss the subtleties as skillful author Harlan Coben pays another visit to see his first protagonist, the wisecracking sports agent, Myron Bolitar. If you read this alone, you might like it, but to appreciate what Coben's trying to do, you need to let the fact that he's letting everyone in the series grow up (except for Win, Myron's sidekick)to the tune of six years passing since Myron's last adventure.

There's much to appreciate - Myron gets caught up in childrearing drama when he gets the teenage daughter of friends and the daughter of his girlfriend to promise that they'll call him if they are ever in a situation where they have no ride home that isn't drunk or drugged out. The reader is squirming a little at how suburban Myron has become, including new love Ali (not a winning combination), and being drawn, mouth-agape into the complex and risky world of teenagers in today's culture.

Coben probably brings back a character or two that are not necessary, in an effort to please his old fans. The subplot of visiting his folks in Florida would be ludicrous, if the context of the dialogue between El Al (his parents, Ellie and Al) wasn't so darn funny. Big Cyndi, however, a character I swear he shares with Janet Evanovich, did not bear revisiting.

The final twist in the book is just a little over the top, and I, for one, hope that Bolitar goes back to repping sports figures and not celebrities, but all in all, Coben's given us a great continuing chapter in a series that thrives on wisecracks, while blending the over the top humor and violence with some of today's real tragedies (college entrance pressure, dysfunctional families, domestic abuse. Coben attempts a lesson, and succeeds, but "Promise Me" falls short of some of the earlier and more cartoonish Bolitar fare.

Nevertheless, not to be missed if you're a Coben fan!

Harlan, you clever clever man. This had me convinced i knew what happened and them bam! Another twist. Sure I have my issues with the epic romance between Jessica and Myron coming to an end, but this was another clever tale. Win was downplayed tremendously this time. Which was ok but I still craved that entertaining reparte between win and Myron.

This ia a great author that writes many good books and I have read most of them. This one however is the worst, it is slow moving, banal plot and a take off of many his other books. Find another book.

Fans of Myron Bolitar (me included) wanted to catch up with what has been going on in his life. However, Mr. Coben tries to put it all in one book; this is an example of too much information and not enough explanation. New and past relationships are mixed right along with several past characters, who make unsatisfactory cameo appearances. Add to this a plot which isn't as tight as Mr Coben's other books. There were too many balls in the air, and a few were dropped.