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)

Troubles Abound

Everyone has an issue, everyone has something to hide. This book includes teen suicide, bullying, prescription drugs, chronically ill children, runaways. It also has loving families who no longer know what to do, marriages built on lies, empty nest syndrome. You will ride along with characters who are strong and broken at the same time. Harlan Coben's books seem to have multiple plots which twist and wind together throughout the book, making any big reveal a truth you may not have considered. Despite the tragic themes, this book was a great listen and of course, Scott Brick brings it to life!

It was good but…

This book seemed like a giant soap box on respecting your child’s privacy. I mean, it really swelled on it. All the while, the teen was in serious trouble/danger and kept it from his parents. It was a bit much.

Always great till end

Love his imagination, and how he brings everything together towards the end love all of his books

Gripping story overcomes terrible narration

Any additional comments?

Perhaps not being a parent made this story easier for me to bear, to not internalize the story so deeply. There is much sadness and fear and existential angst in this book. It's a story about every day people coping with every day stuff. There is a twist thrown in with the murderer but aside from that, the conflicts and questions are those that we all deal with - how many secrets are there between those who love each other, how much love is too much and how far do you let things drift before you lose touch altogether. It's about parents and children, teachers and students, husbands and wives, friends and siblings.

And yet, as difficult as all this sounds, I still am glad that I read the book. It made me think about a lot of those questions. I liked the people and related to them. I've only read a couple of Coben stories before which were lighter fare and I think he's a very talented author.

The main downside with this recording is the narrator who reminded me of no one so much as Charleton Heston at his most overwrought, perhaps as Moses handing down the tablets. I don't like to be unkind but wow, Scott Brick wrings every sentence out, stamping down hard on every phrase, up and down like riding a horse with a really jarring trot. It's so bad that it becomes almost comical and is completely unsuitable for this story. However, the story was so gripping that I stuck with it. Not sure that I can actually recommend this particular recording but the book is great.

First Harlan Coben, Last Scott Brick

This was my first Harlan Coben novel, picked mostly because I'm reluctant to delve into one of the myriad series novels that are so prevalent in the mystery/thriller genre. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns of the plot, and I immediately looked for another Coben novel as soon as I finished this one.

Unfortunately, it looks like most of Coben's novels are read by Scott Brick, whose narration of this one was SO bad that I kept wondering how this guy even got a job as a narrator. 99.9% of the sentences are delivered in a ridiculously over-dramatic way. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster with each one, starting out slowly and quietly, then louder and more DRAMATIC at the top, then settling down toward the end. For example, "Carol went to the REFRIGERATOR and TOOK OUT a BOTTLE of SODA! and then closed the door and turned away." (My sentence, not Coben's, although even the most ordinary sentences were delivered this way).

The narration was so distracting that I considered dropping this book many times. But the story was compelling enough that I slogged through.

Great as usual

I have listened to every one of Mr. Cobens books and I thought this one was wonderful as usual. He keeps you going until the end and then there is always a twist that you would have never thought. That's what keeps me waiting for the next one. So, please don't make us wait too long. Thanks so much for keeping your fans entertained. This one is well worth the read and wait. I also hope there will be more Myron Bolitar.............

Fan of Harlan

If you are a fan of Harlan you wont be dissapointed with this latest book. It's fast moving and brings up some interesting points about parents and children. How much knowledge of our children's lives is too much? How much has the internet changed our lives, our privacy, our way of relating to each other? I also enjoy the fact that he lives in my area and includes local places in his books.

Harlan Coben Is The Man

He has never let me down, ever. The first book I read of his was 'Don't Tell' and I've been hooked since. 'Hold Tight' brings in the action & suspense and you just didn't know how it was going to go. I love that! There were no useless words, scenes or characters to fill in the pages. The narrator was a nice fit; he made you want to keep listening and at the end of the book I was sorry it was over. I recommend this particular book as well as all his others.

Just a heads up though, His book "Promise Me' is a better read than a listen. The narration is pretty bad, Unfortunately it's the author himself. Sorry Harlan, but you're a writer, not a narrator.

Excellent story!

Another winner from Harlan Coben! I have come to the conclusion that not everyone gets Coben and his books. I read a lot of the reviews of his novels, and I wonder if those people have read the same book that I did! There are some writers who cross most borders and appeal to "the masses", and I guess that Coben simply isn't one of those authors. However, If you happen to be one of those people who do understand and "get" this author, you are one of the lucky ones, in my opinion.

I feel as if Mr. Coben is a very unique author in the genre these days. He sees things just a little bit differently, which makes his books really stand out to me. It seems as if he sometimes struggles to find how to begin his stories, as often the beginnings of his books come across as a little lost. But, once he gets into the meat of the stories, he is simply fantastic. There is nothing in the way of the telling of the story. No unnecessary words, or characters. It is really refreshing.

In Hold Tight he writes about a family that gets torn apart by the decisions that one member of the family makes. But, as to which member it actually is the reader is left to guess. The twists and turns are special in this one, and had me in suspense throughout. There were actually 2 separate story threads through most of the book, and in the end they only tie together superficially. I LOVED that! Most times, authors feel as if divergent threads have to knit together seamlessly and climax into one overall story. That wasn't the case here, and man...it was cool! I don't want to give too much away, but hold on to your reading glasses!

Scott Brick does an amazing job, as well. He is another acquired taste, I think, but is a fantastic narrator.

I just can't EVEN

I don't feel like it would even be fair to discuss any part of the plot here. Don't read the synapses... just listen to the story. It was PHENOMENAL. I don't think I've ever been so on the edge of my seat listening to a book before. Harlan Coben is my new favorite author.