Stay Close

By: Harlan Coben

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Megan is a suburban soccer mom who, once upon a time, walked on the wild side. Now she’s got two kids, a perfect husband, a picket fence, and a growing sense of dissatisfaction. Ray used to be a talented documentary photographer, but at the age of 40 he finds himself in a dead-end job posing as a paparazzo, pandering to celebrity-obsessed rich kids. Broome is a detective who can’t let go of a cold case—a local husband and father who disappeared 17 years ago—and spends the anniversary every year visiting a house frozen in time, the missing man’s family still waiting, his slippers left by the recliner as if he might show up at any moment to step into them.

Three people living lives they never wanted, hiding secrets that even those closest to them would never suspect, will find that the past never truly fades away. Even as the terrible consequences of long-ago events crash together in the present and threaten to ruin lives, they will come to the startling realization that they may not want to forget the past at all. And as each confronts the dark side of the American dream—the boredom of a nice suburban life, the excitement of temptation, the desperation and hunger that can lurk behind even the prettiest façades—they will discover the hard truth that the line between one kind of life and another can be as whisper-thin as a heartbeat.

Master of domestic suspense Harlan Coben delivers his trademark combination of pause-resistant thrills and unrivaled insight into the dark shadows that creep into even the happiest communities.

©2012 Harlan Coben (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Excellent Quirky Characters, a Good Read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend because of the interesting characters and excellent narration. The dialogues are fresh and entertaining. Momentum builds throughout and the pace really quickens in the final two hours.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I empathized with the Cassie/Megan, and the dilemma she faced stepping into her past while trying to keep it from destroying her current life.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Scott Brick is one of my favorite narrators and conveys tension, uncertainty, conviction or joy, delivering what each scene demands. You identify with the characters as they struggle through their introspections as they piece together the clues of the mystery. The character's internal monologues express their feelings as well as their thoughts.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scenes when Ken and Barbie are stalking Cassie/Megan are well written/voiced and full of tension.

Any additional comments?

"Stay Close" has complex characters and dialogue, intrigue and mystery, a solid 4, but just misses the mark of a truly excellent, can't-put-it-down storyline. I was more interested by how characters acted/interacted than what they did. It would make a great episode of an hour-long detective show but doesn't have enough substance for a 2-hour movie.

Scott Brick is AWESOME!!

I love the combination of a story written by Harlan Coban and told by Scott Brick. My first choice. Every time.

Not his best

I total knew who the killer was five chapters before they ID the killer. Very expected plot.

Great Story!!

Loved the story once I was able to sit and listen. Narrator did and excellent job and the twist at the end I did not see coming.

I really disliked this

My favorite author was a great disappointment. The story is dark and depressing . Don’t buy it.

Great Thriller

Harlem Corbin writes great reads. This novel was a great thriller! This was my second time listening to this book and it was really better the second time around!

Kept me guessing

Fans of Coben and Brick will like this collaboration once again. What kept this book from reaching five star status is that the characters and outcomes were not very believable. Brushing the unbelievability factor aside, the story was a good one with a balanced mix of good and evil spread around many characters. This is a good book if you want to be entertained and care little about reality.

Wow! One of the Best Books I've Listened To

If you've gotten this far, then you know the basic premise of the book. I've told several friends to read it, because it's the best thought-out time travel book I've read. Every time I had a questions during the book, like "how would that work?" or "what if...?" it was answered in the book almost as soon as the question popped into my mind. I did think the book dragged just a little in the middle, but it picked back up again shortly. And I loved the ending. If time travel were really possible, then this would be how it could work and what the consequences would be. Definitely put this one on your "to read" list, you won't be disappointed. And don't be put off by the length, the only issue is that you won't get much sleep because you won't want to turn it off!

One of Harlan Coben's Best!

Whenever a new Harlan Coben's book is publishing, I buy it immidiatly.
Harlan Coben has a formula of smart-funny-human thrillers that I always enjoy hearing/ reading.
Opposing to some of the reviews here- I also enjoyed the narrator's performance which made the book interesting and very floating.
If you like Harlan Coben- you will enjoy this book!

Be Your Own Judge

There are many conflicting reviews and opinions on this book. In particular, a reviewer whom I follow (and whose opinions I really value) panned this book. Being a fan of both Brick and Coben, I decided to listen to it right away and form my own opinion. I'm quite glad I did.

This book is really a 4.5 -- not a 4 but not a 5 star book. For me, the only thing holding it back from a full 5 stars was a rather so-so ending. This listen was really excellent until the last 30+ mins. At that point it just petered out. Not a bad denouement, just a lack luster one.

All of the primary characters were understandable and interesting in very different ways. Even the bad guys (at least a couple of them) had a sympathetic turn to their stories. The plot tension was well maintained; the twists and turns were entertaining and not predictable; and, each character pretty much got was coming to him/her. Frankly I enjoyed the whole listen.