Miracle Cure (1991)

This was a powerful introduction to Coben's work: as a suspense novel, it moves quickly and believably, and keeps you guessing throughout the work even though, in the end, everything makes sense. True, Coben misleads readers along the way, but he doesn't trick them or leave out small bits of information that, realistically, should be included--in other words, it's written the way a good mystery should be. Character-wise, Coben's characters are believable and well-drawn. Subject-wise, Coben also tackles more aspects of the complexity of society's reactions to AIDS than most novels, and does so subtly.

It is true that this is one of Coben's earlier works, republished, and there are a few spots where that shows through in awkward-ish dialogue and scenes moving a bit too quickly or slowly, but in general, this is a smart and well-developed suspense novel. And, early or not, it's enough to ensure that I'll be picking up quite a bit more work from Coben.

Absolutely recommended. ( )

MIRACLE CURE by Harlan Coben is his second novel. It is prefaced with a warning that it’s not up to his present-day standards. But his first novel, PLAY DEAD, contained the same preface, and I enjoyed it, anyhow. So I thought this second would be at least as good as the first. Nope.

MIRACLE CURE lacks that grab-me-from-the-start that is characteristic of Coben’s other books. But, because it was there in PLAY DEAD almost immediately, I thought it would be in MIRACLE CURE, too.

So I was disappointed in spite of his warning. But MIRACLE CURE did end, as all Coben’s books do, with a surprise. ( )

Is a cure too frightening for the general public? Is religion trying to use the social problem to make millions? These questions are only apart of the story as Sara Lowell and her husband Michael Silverman search for answers before time runs out. Interest social comment on our reaction to illness and press. Good read.

I love Harlan Coben novels, and I'm OCD enough that I have to have everything checked off on my lists. Accordingly, I tracked this novel from a library in a neighboring state, which is Coben's 2nd and now out of print. Published in 1991 it's a thriller that centers around the AIDS epidemic, but I would not consider it to be a medical thriller. AIDS back in the early '90's was a headline issue and it was very interesting to go back in time a bit with the fears and sterotypes associated with AIDS. Also intersesting was one of his main characters, Michael Silverman - where you could see hints of who was to become Myron Bolitar. Very entertaining and well-written. Now to hunt down Coben's first novel Play Dead - also out of print. ( )