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Myron Bolitar Series, Book 11

By: Harlan Coben

Narrated by: Steven Weber

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ten years after the high-profile kidnapping of two young boys, only one returns home in Harlan Coben's next gripping thriller, to be published in September 2016.

A decade ago, kidnappers grabbed two boys from wealthy families and demanded ransom, then went silent. No trace of the boys ever surfaced. For 10 years their families have been left with nothing but painful memories and a quiet desperation for the day that has finally, miraculously arrived: Myron Bolitar and his friend Win believe they have located one of the boys, now a teenager. Where has he been for 10 years, and what does he know about the day, more than half a life ago, when he was taken? And most critically: What can he tell Myron and Win about the fate of his missing friend? Drawing on his singular talent, Harlan Coben delivers an explosive and deeply moving thriller about friendship, family, and the meaning of home.

©2016 Harlan Coben. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

"As the action picks up, [Narrator Steven] Weber reads with a fierce intensity, raising his voice to an all-out roar at the climax of one particular chase sequence. Weber's range of accents - British, Indian, Italian, New Jersey, to name a few - is also impressive and adds another layer of enjoyment to this expertly narrated thriller." ( AudioFile)

Win comes home. So does Harlan Coben.

I enjoyed the first 6-7 books in this series, but the last few got too dark and depressing. Then Coben wrote out Winsor Horne Lockwood III. Now, I don't know why an effete-looking but brutally accomplished assassin, a semisociopath who also has access to his family's billions, should be the most engrossing character in the book. But he's the perfect foil to brooding do-gooder (but also brutally accomplished and anything but effete) Myron Bolitar, and without him the stories don't work as well.

Now Win is back "Home" and the series is back on track. Win even narrates part of this one. It's a great mystery that hangs together right through the ending. Coben's standalones often get so convoluted as to be unbelievable (and sometimes un-followable), but this story's secrets and twists all work. I really liked Steven Weber's narration; different from Marosz, who did the early books, but very easy to listen to.

"Home" is not exactly a happy book--books dealing with kidnapping, the sex trade, and other nasty things can't be. But ultimately it is an engrossing, occasionally thrilling ride. The mystery is tied up within the book, but an epilogue opens a door to new avenues for Myron and Win (and the younger set, Mickey, Ema, and Spoon). I hope Coben, an accomplished novelist, chooses to explore them. And keep Win in the picture!

I have so missed Myron and Win and now they are back. Yeah

I have missed these Great characters They are like old friends. Great story and fantastic narrator. Mr Coban please do not make this the last book

Not Good

While the performance was above average, unfortunately the story was not. Much too contrived and too much gratuitous sex. I have either read or listened to all of Harlan Coben's previous books but find this one a big disappointment. I would think he could find better things to write about than sexual exploitation of boys. I was not even surprised with the ending. Hopefully, he will do better next time.
Oh, you may be wondering why I read the whole book if I thought it was so bad. First I wanted to give it a chance as I have been a fan of Coben's in the past and secondly, I had my subscription on hold so I couldn't return the book.

WOW

Couldn't stop listening. The twists and turns were non-stop to the end and loved hearing Wins point of view along with my favorite character, Myron Bolitar. I also truly enjoyed including Micky and friends. Narration was truly excellent. mr Weber gave voice to all the characters in a truly believable way. Mr. Coben, hurry up and write another one.

Typical of Harlan Coben at his best!

I'm a fan of Harlan Coben novels but not of his Myron Bolitar series. (That MAY be because Myron Bolitar played basketball for Duke, or as we Tar Heels prefer "Dook".) 15 of Coben's 30 novels are in my Audible library. My favorites are the 3 novel teen series featuring Mickey Bolitar. Mickey is Myron's nephew. No one writes better suspense thrillers than Coben when he is at his best, and in Home he is at his very best. I will not discuss the story here except to say one should read the publisher's summary. The narrator, Steven Weber, has a great voice range and he is wonderful. Home is written in an unusual style in that much of it is first person in the voice of Myron's best friend Win. The rest is third person. I highly recommend this novel.

Great narrator!

Love the mystery & narrator is great! Super voices! (There could have been longer space breaks when the story speakers switch, but listener can figure it out.) "toasty!"

Best ending ever!

Loved it! Suggested read. Ending alone was worth reading. Harlan Coban really knows how to keep you interested.

Best Bolitar So Far!

Myron Bolitar's back... With a clever plot device that teases your imagination... Question: Is a child, kidnapped at age 6 in any way predictable in a 16 year old body if he's discovered? Is that boy still the child of his parent's? Of course the parents will have no difficulty answering that question... But what about the 16 year old? Is he identifiable beyond fingerprints or DNA?

Here are powerful questions about what determines who we are... Who anyone is. But that's a piece of the questions which tumble out of Coben's clever plotting. And here the ensemble's more satisfying than ever.

However there seems to be something new in "Home". Windsor "Win" Horne Lockwood, III - Myron's sidekick's- mind is open to us. Win's discussions, interactions, even his thoughts are now as important to the story arc as Myron's own.

This technical change has added a freshness to the series which had slowed somewhat in "Live Wire". As usual however, while "Home" is a barrel that stands upon its own bottom... don't start this series here. Nope, enjoy the way that the players grow with this series and start it from "Deal Breaker" (which is on sale as I write these words). You'll thank me.

Steven Weber does a fine job of bringing the cast to life and dealing audibly with the challenge of two characters (Win and Myron) who pretty much share the lead roles.

Liked it a lot.... 15 stars worth!

most enjoyable

I am a harsh critic, but this is a terrific stoy,, 2 thumbs up! !

If you're into minute details and repeats

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book goes into minute details, like what was being eaten for dinner with a discussion of what was on each plate, so to speak. Also some passages are repeated word for word in subsequent chapters. The story is good but could be condensed into one half the time.

If you’ve listened to books by Harlan Coben before, how does this one compare?

There are other better Harlan Coben books with less details and were good reads (or listens).