Hold Tight

By: Harlan Coben

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs

Publisher's summary

Mike held his son's hand and told him to "hold tight", and he could feel the little hand dig into his. But the crush got bigger, and the little hand slipped from his - and Mike felt that horrible panic, as if a wave hit them at the beach and it was washing his baby out with the tide.

The separation lasted only a few seconds, 10 at the most, but Mike would never forget the spike in his blood and the terror of those brief few moments.

Tia and Mike Baye never imagined they'd become the type of overprotective parents who spy on their kids. But their 16-year-old son, Adam, has been unusually distant lately, and after the suicide of his classmate, Spencer Hill - the latest in a string of issues at school - they can't help but worry. They install a sophisticated spy program on Adam's computer, and within days they are jolted by a message from an unknown correspondent addressed to their son: "Just stay quiet and all safe."

Meanwhile, browsing through an online memorial for Spencer put together by his classmates, Betsy Hill is struck by a photo that appears to have been taken on the night of her son's death...and he wasn't alone. She thinks it is Adam Baye standing just outside the camera's range, but when Adam goes missing, it soon becomes clear that something deep and sinister has infected their community.

For Tia and Mike Baye, the question they must answer is this: When it comes to your kids, is it possible to know too much?

©2008 Harlan Coban (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Parents will find this compulsive page-turner from Edgar-winner Coben...particularly unnerving." ( Publishers Weekly)

Just ok

This is probably my least favorite of Harlan Conan’s books. He’s one of my favorite authors. I’ve read most of his books more than once, but I doubt I’ll read this one again.

Decent Story, Poor Narration

The story was okay; nothing great, but a decent listen. The problem I had was with the narration. As seems to be often the case, the reader didn't understand what he was reading. His enunciation and pronunciation were excellent, but he spoke in a mostly monotone voice and when he did add emphases, they were virtually ALWAYS in the wrong place. The result is that the sentences and phrases had a meaning different from what the author clearly intended, and subconsciously I was correcting him throughout the book - mentally repeating the words the way they were intended.

Why is it so hard for a narrator to read the book in advance and - more important - for the authors to listen to the end results and not accept poor performances???

Wow

Nice taught thriller. Great plot twists. Age old theme of child rearing in a modern setting.

Fun and complicated

Coben takes focused listening. There are so many complexities with so many families with kids who interact that focus is a must to keep things straight.

Great story - bad narrator

I enjoyed this book, not as much as The Woods, but still very good. However, Scott Brick has to be the most annoying narrator I have encountered. His whole read was over the top. Doesn't he know the suspense and thrills are in the words not how he says them? I would definitely read more Coban but never another read by Brick.

Poor performance.

Hold Tight is a great book. My only complaint is narrator Scott Brick who exhibits a tight urgency and a consistent tone regardless of plot tone or background description. He possesses no lightness or humor.

Bring back Jonathan Marosz or get George Guidall.

gotta love coban

I have listened to every Harlen Coben book ever written, so let's just say I am a huge fan. (Please Harlan, write some more Myron Bolitar novels!) This book, however, seemed to be a little of a stretch, what with all the loose ends coming together so neatly at the end. It was just a little too "tidy". Having said that, it is still a great listen, and Scott Brick could make the Yellow pages interesting. If you don't know Harlen Coben, he's done better, but you'll still want to listen to this one.

Fantastic!

This was the first Harlen Coben book I've tried, and I found it exciting and intricately plotted. You're never quite sure what path he'd going to lead you down next! The characters all come across as real people, complete with foibles and inconsistancies. Highly recommended!

Hold tight that's what you Will do while listening

This book was a spellbinder from the minute the first musical cord was heard. Twists and turns and the plots You listening Long after you have parked the car. A delicious thriller with many lessons to be learned.

Excellent

I couldn’t stop listening. There was nothing right or wrong. If you have children, you have to make the judgment calls. This read kept me on the edge for sure! This author is very talented in telling a story & leaving out no details.