The Woods

By: Harlan Coben

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES!

The bestselling author and creator of the hit Netflix drama The Stranger takes listeners into the heart of family loyalty in this twisty thriller that proves that the darkest secrets are often closest to home.

Paul Copeland, a New Jersey county prosecutor, is still grieving the loss of his sister twenty years ago - the night she walked into the woods, never to be seen again. But now, a homicide victim is found with evidence linking him to the disappearance. The victim could be the boy who vanished along with Paul's sister. And, as hope rises that his sister could still be alive, dangerous secrets from his family's past threaten to tear apart everything Paul has been trying to hold together....

©2007 Harlan Coben (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

“[The Woods] might just be the best thing Coben has written...A gripping story, filled with fine characters and dark secrets.” - Chicago Sun Times

“A lively, fast-moving entertainment, jam packed with the bizarre plot twists that are his stock in trade.” - The Washington Post

“Another surprising and emotional story that will remain with the reader long after the last page is finished. One of Coben’s best.” - Library Journal

Narrator’s voice was impeccable

The narrator’s ability to put in his voice inflections made it seem like I was watching it live. This is one of the best books I have enjoyed by Harlan Coben and have read well over 12 of his books.

Narrator ruins it 

The story would’ve been far more interesting and enjoyable, if the narrator wasn’t so excessively over acting. Seriously it was almost comical and how bad he is. I don’t know why the writers and the publishers don’t do a better job of selecting narrators for audibles.

Coben’s Twists!

I was a little disappointed at the wrap up for the story. There was a twist, but an innocent one. I wish it had been a little darker and left a cliffhanger. Never the less, another good one by Harlan Coben.

A fun mystery to fly through...

I listened to this years back on Audible and still remember the plot and clever banter. That alone reminds me of how much I enjoyed this novel.

But today my bar is set far higher. I am spoiled over the sophistication and brilliant writing of mystery authors on a different plain than Coben and Baldacci. Please don't miss understand, there are novels by these men I thoroughly enjoy, The Woods among them. But thanks to Audible I have read and listened to the entire avaible works of Jo Nesbo, Jusse Alders-Olsen, A.W. Gray and others. I mention this because if you like Harlen Coben, you will worship the above mentioned authors.

Scott Brick is great here as always.

Is this worth a credit? Yes, but only after you treat yourself to a Department Q, Harry Hole or Bino Phillips novel.

The Woods

I ordered this book as I enjoy Scott Brick's readings. However, the author Coben was a great surprise to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting book. I certainly did not anticipate the ending.

Great mystery, well told story.

My first discovery of Harlen Coben. Stands out from many mystery writers, and I have read hundreds. I will definitely look for more work from this author. Even the parts I thought were predictable turned out to have great twists. And it all tied together logically.

Entertaining, twisty, slightly improbable thriller

This was an unexpectedly entertaining page-turner, though towards the end, so many plot twists are woven together in an improbable climax and epilogue that my suspension of disbelief was tested a bit. However, getting there was fun in this combination courtroom drama and suspense thriller.

Paul Copeland survived a summer camp massacre as a teenager. He and his girlfriend snuck off into the woods for a little nookie, only to hear the screams of three other kids — including Paul's sister — being murdered. Years later, they are sure that they know who the killer is, as a creepy teenager who was also at the camp turned out to be a serial killer who was convicted for similar crimes elsewhere. The fact that Paul's sister's body was never found means he has never really had closure, but as an adult, he's now a New Jersey county prosecutor, buddies with the Governor, and he has political ambitions.

Things start unraveling when he begins prosecuting a Law & Order-style "ripped from the headlines" case: Chamique Johnson, a poor black underage stripper/prostitute, has accused a couple of rich white frat boys of raping her in their frat house. Their families start going after everyone involved in the prosecution, including Paul, to pressure him to drop the case. For Paul, this means digging into his past and uncovering some of the questions left unanswered when his sister disappeared into the woods twenty years ago.

There are a lot of characters, a lot of twists, and a lot of revelations. From Paul reconnecting with his old girlfriend, to his ex-KGB uncle, to his interview with his old camp buddy-turned-serial killer, to the super-hottie private detectives sent out to dig up dirt, there's lots of plot and it never slows down.

I had a little trouble believing the ending, and Paul was just little bit too much a combination of Perry Mason and Jack McCoy, but it was refreshing to have an imperfect but not crooked protagonist who prevails largely by not being intimidated, seduced, or corrupted. I liked it enough to try Harlan Coben again.

Overacted and Unbelievable

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No...the story was wholly unbelievable and the reading was terrible. Overly dramatic narration.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The story was unbelievable. In the end, the author would have us believe that all of the characters in the story except the main character knew the answers he was seeking...over decades. Truly stretched my credibility.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Scott Brick?

No comment here. Just didn't like this narrator, and I will avoid him in the future.

Could you see The Woods being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

A waste of time and money. The reviews are far too optimistic.

Scott Brick

What didn’t you like about Scott Brick’s performance?

Scott Brick's oily voice is so difficult to listen to that it makes it impossible for me to listen to another Harlan Coben book. Sorry, like Coben, can't listen to Brick again.

powered through this one

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

This book is so gripping, i couldnt put it down! Coben's style is phenomenal and the narrator is outstanding.