Hold Tight (original 2008; edition 2008)

My blog post about this book is at this link.
( )

This is a step down from his top notch thrillers like Tell No One and . It is as gripping as any of his work, but he has too many threads in this one, and they all spin together way too neatly at the end. He has some good ideas and reminded me a bit of Andrew Vachss with how he's warning us about something the media is ignoring, but I'd suggest more focus next time. A good airplane book. ( )

BLURB........ Tia and Mike Baye never imagined they’d spy on their kids. But their sixteen-year-old son Adam has been unusually distant lately, and after the suicide of his best friend Spencer Hill, they can’t help but worry. Within days of installing a sophisticated spy program on Adam’s computer they are jolted by a cryptic message from an unknown correspondent that shakes them to their core: “Just stay quiet and all safe.”

As if Mike Baye isn’t dealing with enough, he also learns that Lucas Loriman, the sweet kid who grew up next door, is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. As the boy’s doctor, Mike suddenly finds himself in possession of an explosive secret that threatens to rip the Loriman family apart at the seams.

Nearby, while browsing through an online memorial for Spencer, Betsy Hill discovers a surprising detail about the night of her son’s death. Before she can find out more, Adam disappears, taking the truth with him and sending shockwaves through the neighborhood.

As the lives of these families collide in tragic, unexpected, and violent ways, long-hidden connections in their small suburb begin to work their way to the surface. And when an unidentified Jane Doe is beaten to death not far away, those connections threaten to turn this quiet community upside down—and force these desperate parents to decide whether there is any line they won’t cross to protect those they love most in the world.

My thoughts......
I haven't picked up a Coben book for a fair few years, before last month, a bit like buses you wait for ages then 2 come along together.

Enjoyable but it didn't rock my world. I haven't read enough of Coben to judge whether it is one of his better books or not,but it passed the time easily enough, the story flowed, the characters were likeable.

More 4 than 3 out of 5, would read more from him, which is just as well as there's about 15 of his other books sat on the shelf at home. ( )

Two good stories. Not well connected. I miss Myron. ( )

First class standalone thriller from the master of twists and turns. A few recurring characters make walk-on appearances but can be read alone. First class, as usual. ( )