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.

Gripping

This novel kept me engaged from start to finish. I felt each character come to life and hold my interest. The ending was a big surprise but a good one. The narrator was superb.

Great writing but a little predictable.

A little too much foreshadowing. I figured out the plot and knew "whodunnit" half way through.
Nonetheless, the story was great, the characters believable, and the shifting narrative make it a fun listen.
Coming from a self-proclaimed critic, I would definitely still recommend this book to paying customers (close to the highest praise I can give.)

Great read

Brick and Coben are MY perfect combo! I've listened to almost all of Coben's books and now I'm on a quest to hear all of Scott Brick's!

Stay close kept me close

Another Harlan Coben book not to fail me. I️ know whenever I️ see Mr. Coben’s name I️ am assured of suspense, thrills and late nights.
Thank once again, Mr. Coben!!

wait for it....wait for it....

What did you like best about Stay Close? What did you like least?

it seemed like it took fooooooorever for Mr. Coben to develope this story, way too much time to state the obvious

Would you recommend Stay Close to your friends? Why or why not?

eh.....maybe not

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

excellent performer, always like his feel for the subject

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

just ok

I did want to finish but I thought the story line was mediocre. The narrator was good.

Great storyteller!

Some authors you can tell they do extraordinary research have extensive backdrops and scenery for their stories. Harlan Coben is the kind of guy you give him 5 or 6 characters and say tell me a story and he will spin a tale that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Back and forth with the plot and all the info is there for you to figure it out you just dont see it coming until the end. Great book.

always a surprise at the end!!

What did you love best about Stay Close?

I do like the surprises at the end of Coben's book. I can never quite get the twist figured out.

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

Scott Brick is consistently good.

Another Winner From Coben/Brick

What made the experience of listening to Stay Close the most enjoyable?

The story was fluid and kept me engaged throughout. Scott Brick's performance was, as always, rock solid.

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

Scott Brick is one of my "go-to" narrators when I'm aimless and looking for something new to listen to. I enjoy his work, his ability to truly differentiate characters and his seamless transitions. He can take a mediocre work and make it good - when given a great story, he makes it epic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Although a little slow to start, with a 13 hour shift in front of me, the book didn't make it to Day-2 - I devour audio books, and this one has made the rare jump to the list of books I'll listen to more than once.

Gripping. Really keeps you interested

Would you listen to Stay Close again? Why?

Yes, to view the story again, knowing the ending. I think it will enrich the story.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was about gritty and sorted people without stooping too low to get that view.

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

Yes. I always enjoy his performances. Spot on!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Is "hooker with a heart of gold" simply a fairytale?