Do you have go to Authors? For example, if you are looking for a legal thriller then you might choose a John Grisham novel, or looking for Crime Detective genre with Michael Connelly (Bosch series). Maybe you feel like a Social Commentary blast and opt for Zadie Smith or an investigation into a historic character (Cicero, Dreyfus, or murder of Charles I) then your go to would be Robert Harris. I used to be an avid reader of Harlan Coben mystery thrillers but somehow his books had fallen off the radar. But then I read an article about the TV adaptation of many of his novels including my favourite “The Woods. Here are some of the Harlan Coben Netflix adaptations
- “The Stranger” (2020) – A British mystery-thriller series based on Coben’s novel of the same name. The series follows a man named Adam Price, whose life is turned upside down when a stranger reveals a secret about his wife.
- “Safe” (2018) – A British crime drama series created by Harlan Coben. The series follows a widowed surgeon, Tom, who is raising his two teenage daughters alone. When one of his daughters goes missing, Tom’s world is turned upside down as he tries to unravel the mystery.
- “The Woods” (2020) – A Polish mystery drama series based on Coben’s novel of the same name. The series follows a prosecutor named Pawel Kopinski, who investigates the disappearance of his sister 25 years ago. When the body of a boy who disappeared with his sister is found, Pawel begins to uncover long-buried secrets.
- “Stay Close” (2022) – An upcoming American crime drama series based on Coben’s novel of the same name. The series follows three people whose dark secrets resurface when a man goes missing.
- “Gone for Good” (2021) – A French mystery thriller series based on Coben’s novel of the same name. The series follows Guillaume Lucchesi, who is drawn into a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal when his brother goes missing.
- “The Innocent” (2021) – A Spanish crime thriller limited series based on Coben’s novel of the same name. The series follows a man named Mateo, who becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy after he accidentally kills a man in a bar fight.
- “El desorden que dejas” (2020) – A Spanish mystery drama series based on Coben’s novel “The Inheritance”. The series follows a young teacher who starts a new job at a school in a small town and becomes embroiled in a web of secrets and lies.
As a reminder, Harlan Coben is a popular American author of mystery and thriller novels. He has written many books, and his works are generally fast-paced and suspenseful, often featuring intricate plots and unexpected twists. So it was time to look at his latest “I Will Find You”. What is it about? Netgalley summarises as follows:
David and Cheryl Burroughs are living the dream – married, a beautiful house in the suburbs, a three-year-old son named Matthew – when tragedy strikes one night in the worst possible way. David awakes to find himself covered in blood, but not his own – his son’s. And while he knows he did not murder his son, the overwhelming evidence against him puts him behind bars indefinitely.
Five years into his imprisonment, Cheryl’s sister arrives – and drops a bombshell. She’s come with a photograph that a friend took on vacation at a theme park. The boy in the background seems familiar – and even though David realizes it can’t be, he knows it is.
It’s Matthew, and he’s still alive.
David plans a harrowing escape from prison, determined to do what seems impossible – save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened that devastating night.
As always his plot is complex and intricate. The early part of the story in the prison is particularly gritty and realistic in the confines of prison. The escape is clever but fraught with difficulty. As he traces his son, there are plenty of unsuspected twists – most revolving around DNA. There is plenty of fast paced action before the denouement, Who can David trust as he narrows down the search? Just when you think you have grasped the outcome there is a final twist. So clever!
In summary an engaging and entertaining plot, with complex characters and plot twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. So my go-to mystery/thriller writer? No surprise, Harlan Coben!
Here is Harlan introducing his new book:
