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.

Good story, great narrator, falls a little short.

I agree with the other posters here that the "ick" factor was excessive and unnecessary. Not sure why it was necessary for the writer to include that particular aspect since the device did not result in any real assistance to solving the crime(s). The two weirdos were used like a red herring, maybe to divert the reader from discovering the true perpetrator.

For me, I sort of "knew" 2/3 thru who was heading up the myriad disappearances. You will too. It's okay, though since you won't be quite sure. The ending is a bit trite. All the explanations and justifications for lifetimes of disappointment, fear, revenge and uncertainty.

The text was good; deep and satisfying. The primary characters mostly believable -- especially Ray Levine. Megan was too dippy to have been who she used to be and her husband way too tolerant.

Left unfinished were the punishments meted out to the people who set the weirdos on the prowl, but other than that, mostly satisfying, understandable, and 75% believable. This won't deter me from another Coban story -- I have liked others of his before -- but I will pay close attention to reviewers who cite the stuff that (for no apparent reason) is included to make me squirm. I can take horror and gore, if it serves a purpose. Here, I don't feel it served anything but an appeal something I can't quite recall. It reminds me of something I've read -- like in Preston & Child, or another series. I am hoping this wasn't a copy-cat effort to compete with the likes of P&C.. there is no way to beat those two at their game.

Harlan Coban should stick to what he does best. If he needs torture and horror, I hope it is better justified in future books.

In all, I liked it. It kept me "turning the page," and I only laughed a few times at improbable scenarios.

Not one of Coben's best

I have enjoyed most of Harlan Coben's books, but this is deefinitely not one of his finst hours. OK, but out of touch with his other stuff, and a bit (lot!) unreal.

New to me narrator and author

I chose this book for my #JIAM challenge of listening to new to me narrators and with a bonus of a new to me author that I have been meaning to read ,I am so glad I picked this one what a great book and great narration!

I now see why Harlan Coben is so popular here at the library this was a really good mystery, it kept me guessing all the way to the end. Coben’s writing kept me glued and I didn’t want to stop listening. I liked all the different parts of the story and trying to figure out how they all came together. The cop still trying to solve a 17 year old disappearance, the ex-stripper with so much to hide, the ex-photo journalist who has lost everything; how do all these people fit together and why after 17 years is it all coming to a head.

This mystery will keep you guessing and keep you on the edge of your seat, as I said this was my first book by Harlan Coben and it will not be my last.

Scott Brick’s narration was fantastic I just love his deep voice and was impressed with his characterizations. I will be seeking out more from him and I can see now why he has so many fans and I now count myself in that group!

4 Stars

Definitely kept my interest

This was my first Harlan Coben book. The narrator annoyed me a bit at first (he was a little breathy for me), but I got used to him and started to enjoy his performance. The story definitely kept me guessing - took me a while to figure out the ending, which had just enough twists and turns. Great suspense book!

fun but...

See through plot. Scott Brick is entertaining when the material is good. Great fun this winter.

well its ok and well good

Would you consider the audio edition of Stay Close to be better than the print version?

Audio is much better. You just can't duplicate Brick's reading

What did you like best about this story?

The book as a very rough storyline. So sadness. Some happiness. Holds your interest

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Emotional. We felt sorry for Mom who turned her life around.

Any additional comments?

Audio book is worth purchasing. No matter what others say. Critics just don't want to relax.

Thank you

Mr. Coben and Mr. Brick are the best in the business. Thank you both for another great book.

good story but patience is needed to stay with it

good mystery but the story jumps around too much in the beginning. later connecting the characters with the plot story becomes much better

Loved it

Loved every suspenseful minute of this book! I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys who done it mysteries.

Not Coben's best. Mostly predictable

I am usually a fan of Harlan Coben but when he often gets on the subject of love or guilt he gets sappy, writes like a High School student, and sounds like a amatuer. The story is fun to a degree but the depressed characters and much of the sappy dialogue drags the story down. This same soap opera drama and guilt is also evident in Harlan's last few Mayron Bolitar novels. I hope this is a phase he moves pasts soon.