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The bestselling author and creator of the hit Netflix drama The Stranger reveals the deadly consequences that can be born of the best intentions.As the school year winds down, Myron Bolitar is determined to help keep his friends’ children safe from the dangers of drinking and driving. So he makes two neighborhood girls promise him that if they are ever in a bind but are afraid to call their parents, they must call him. Several nights later, the call comes at two a.m. The next day, a show more girl is missing and Myron is the last person who saw her. Racing to find her before she’s gone forever, Myron must outrun his own troubled past and decide once and for all who he is and what he will stand up for... show less
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The school year is almost over. In these last pressure cooker months of high school, some kids will make the all too common and all too dangerous mistake of drinking and driving. But Myron is determined to help keep his friends’ children safe, and so he makes two neighborhood girls promise him that if they are ever in a bind but are afraid to call their parents, they will call him. Several nights later, the call comes at two a.m. The next day, a girl is missing, and Myron is the last person who saw her. Desperate to fulfill a well-intentioned promise turned horribly wrong, Myron races to find her before she’s gone forever.
My Thoughts:
This is a beautifully, well-constructed novel with amazing plot twists and turns. It is show more virtually impossible to guess the villain. You almost feel that the final twist is simply not believable but on reflection you can see that the seeds are there but there lots of red herrings along the way. I can't imagine what must go on in this man's head to inspire him to invent characters like Big Cyndi and Little Pocahontas. Whatever it is, I hope he keeps it going. Another great read from Harlan Coben. show less
The school year is almost over. In these last pressure cooker months of high school, some kids will make the all too common and all too dangerous mistake of drinking and driving. But Myron is determined to help keep his friends’ children safe, and so he makes two neighborhood girls promise him that if they are ever in a bind but are afraid to call their parents, they will call him. Several nights later, the call comes at two a.m. The next day, a girl is missing, and Myron is the last person who saw her. Desperate to fulfill a well-intentioned promise turned horribly wrong, Myron races to find her before she’s gone forever.
My Thoughts:
This is a beautifully, well-constructed novel with amazing plot twists and turns. It is show more virtually impossible to guess the villain. You almost feel that the final twist is simply not believable but on reflection you can see that the seeds are there but there lots of red herrings along the way. I can't imagine what must go on in this man's head to inspire him to invent characters like Big Cyndi and Little Pocahontas. Whatever it is, I hope he keeps it going. Another great read from Harlan Coben. show less
8th in the Myron Bolitar series.
If life were fair (it isn’t, never has been, and never will be), good deeds backed by noble intentions would always be rewarded. Problem: most of the time, they never are, and too many times, they get us into trouble.
All of us are concerned about the danger to young people; many of us complain bitterly that there doesn’t seem to be a sense of responsibility for the safety of others, particularly young people. And then someone does feel that responsibility, does take it upon himself to do what he can to protect a young woman—and as a reward, becomes the chief suspect in a kidnapping/potential murder case.
Myron, concerned that Aimee Biel, the 18 year old daughter of friends may be endangering her life show more by drinking and driving, asks her to promise him to call him, no matter what the hour, if she is in need of a ride home; his only concern is her safety, not informing her parents. Shortly thereafter, Myron receives a phone call at two a.m. from Aimee, tearfully begging him to pick her up in Manhattan. Reminding him of his promise, Aimee not only doesn’t want her parents to know but asks Myron to drop her off, not at her home, but at a friend’s house.
Then Aimee disappears. And guess who is the last to have seen her?
As Myron, just as worried for Aimee’s safety as he is in clearing his name, investigates, the case turns ever more complicated. Strains of this magnitude put nearly unbearable pressure on the parents; any cracks in the marriage are certain to widen and even break the structure entirely.
While Promise Me is a very good “mystery”, even more, it’s an excellent examination of the emotions and questions of responsibility of all concerned in this type of situation. While the plot is resolved, left hanging are those questions—and, in reality, there may be no good answers. Whom among us can say that we absolutely never would have done as Myron—not me. So kudos to Coben, who is writing ever more serious books under cover of the mystery genre. Highly recommended. show less
If life were fair (it isn’t, never has been, and never will be), good deeds backed by noble intentions would always be rewarded. Problem: most of the time, they never are, and too many times, they get us into trouble.
All of us are concerned about the danger to young people; many of us complain bitterly that there doesn’t seem to be a sense of responsibility for the safety of others, particularly young people. And then someone does feel that responsibility, does take it upon himself to do what he can to protect a young woman—and as a reward, becomes the chief suspect in a kidnapping/potential murder case.
Myron, concerned that Aimee Biel, the 18 year old daughter of friends may be endangering her life show more by drinking and driving, asks her to promise him to call him, no matter what the hour, if she is in need of a ride home; his only concern is her safety, not informing her parents. Shortly thereafter, Myron receives a phone call at two a.m. from Aimee, tearfully begging him to pick her up in Manhattan. Reminding him of his promise, Aimee not only doesn’t want her parents to know but asks Myron to drop her off, not at her home, but at a friend’s house.
Then Aimee disappears. And guess who is the last to have seen her?
As Myron, just as worried for Aimee’s safety as he is in clearing his name, investigates, the case turns ever more complicated. Strains of this magnitude put nearly unbearable pressure on the parents; any cracks in the marriage are certain to widen and even break the structure entirely.
While Promise Me is a very good “mystery”, even more, it’s an excellent examination of the emotions and questions of responsibility of all concerned in this type of situation. While the plot is resolved, left hanging are those questions—and, in reality, there may be no good answers. Whom among us can say that we absolutely never would have done as Myron—not me. So kudos to Coben, who is writing ever more serious books under cover of the mystery genre. Highly recommended. show less
Harlan Coben's Myron Bolivar, is near the top of my list for a recurring character in a series of books. Entertainment agent, a man who actually visits his parents and lives in the house where he grew up, with an assortment of friends that includes two women ex-wrestlers, Myron is one of those characters that you feel you know--almost a type of guy next door . . . almost.
In this installment, the daughter of a close friend goes missing. Did she run away or was something more sinister involved? Myron, with his underlying calling to help people, becomes involved in the search for the truth, but will it be a truth he and his friend will be able to accept?
Well paced, with Mr. Coben's usual great dialogue and story line, I give the book and show more Myron a "thumbs up". show less
In this installment, the daughter of a close friend goes missing. Did she run away or was something more sinister involved? Myron, with his underlying calling to help people, becomes involved in the search for the truth, but will it be a truth he and his friend will be able to accept?
Well paced, with Mr. Coben's usual great dialogue and story line, I give the book and show more Myron a "thumbs up". show less
Promise Me by Harlan Coben is a 2007 Dutton publication.
I’ve been going through this series as quickly as possible, hoping to catch all the way up before ‘Home’ becomes available at the library. So, it was a pretty big jolt when I started this one because apparently there is a huge time gap between book seven and book eight, and it really caught me off guard.
But, once I started reading, I soon realized I have read this book before. It was years ago, and I couldn’t recall all of the key points, but I was able to zip through this one pretty fast, since it was so familiar.
This eight installment puts Myron in an awkward and tight spot, as he becomes a person of interest in the case of a missing teenage girl.
This one is very fast show more paced, tense, and has so many twists, you might get whiplash. The plot is very sharp and once more exposes the darker side of humanity, and places the spotlight on the secretive world teenagers live in, and the lengths parents will go to save their child and secure their future.
The only complaint I have is how muted Win is in this one and the humor was practically nonexistent, and I missed Myron’s parents as well. But, I did like the direction Myron’s future is headed, as he puts some ghost to rest, and moves into a brighter place, finding some happiness for a change.
Overall 4 show less
I’ve been going through this series as quickly as possible, hoping to catch all the way up before ‘Home’ becomes available at the library. So, it was a pretty big jolt when I started this one because apparently there is a huge time gap between book seven and book eight, and it really caught me off guard.
But, once I started reading, I soon realized I have read this book before. It was years ago, and I couldn’t recall all of the key points, but I was able to zip through this one pretty fast, since it was so familiar.
This eight installment puts Myron in an awkward and tight spot, as he becomes a person of interest in the case of a missing teenage girl.
This one is very fast show more paced, tense, and has so many twists, you might get whiplash. The plot is very sharp and once more exposes the darker side of humanity, and places the spotlight on the secretive world teenagers live in, and the lengths parents will go to save their child and secure their future.
The only complaint I have is how muted Win is in this one and the humor was practically nonexistent, and I missed Myron’s parents as well. But, I did like the direction Myron’s future is headed, as he puts some ghost to rest, and moves into a brighter place, finding some happiness for a change.
Overall 4 show less
In Harlan Coben's, Promise Me, agent slash avenger, Myron Bolitar, inherits more than he bargained for when he asks a couple of teenage girls to promise and call him if they are ever in trouble. Coben delivers a plot full of action and misdirection that's sure to please mystery and suspense fans in this tale of suburban desperation.
I liked the book, though I found the love scenes between Myron and his new girlfriend, Ali, to be a bit too cute. I also felt Myron's sidekick, Win, was an over-the-top hero. No matter what Myron needed or when he needed it, his buddy Win was there to deliver.
That being said, Promise Me has that hard to define Make-you-want-to-read-it quality going in full force.
Bob Avey, Author of Beneath a Buried House
I liked the book, though I found the love scenes between Myron and his new girlfriend, Ali, to be a bit too cute. I also felt Myron's sidekick, Win, was an over-the-top hero. No matter what Myron needed or when he needed it, his buddy Win was there to deliver.
That being said, Promise Me has that hard to define Make-you-want-to-read-it quality going in full force.
Bob Avey, Author of Beneath a Buried House
Such a great read!! Picked it up at the library on a whim and I am so glad I did! The plot was fabulous, fast paced and exactly what I expect from this genre. I didn't want to put it down because I was on the edge of my seat to see what happened next.
The ending, fabulous! A twist I didn't see coming at all - and just made the book that much more great I think!
I will definitely be reading more books by Coben in the future!
The ending, fabulous! A twist I didn't see coming at all - and just made the book that much more great I think!
I will definitely be reading more books by Coben in the future!
I really liked this thriller and I was totally drawn in and couldn't put it down at times. This was my first Coben book and I will be reading more, however I'm worried they might all get repetitive. I liked all the twists in this book and the way it was all resolved. Some of it was a little too violent to be beleivable so I wish that was different, but besides taht it was a good read. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller!
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Harlan Coben was born in Newark, New Jersey on January 4, 1962. After receiving a political science degree from Amherst College, he worked in the travel industry in a company owned by his grandfather. He writes the Myron Bolitar series and Mickey Bolitar series. His other works include Gone for Good, The Innocent, The Woods, Hold Tight, Caught, show more Stay Close, Six Years, Missing You, The Stranger, Fool Me Once, Home, and Don't Let Go. Tell No One was turned into the multiple award-winning 2006 French film Ne le Dis à Personne. He was the first author to win the Edgar Award, Shamus Award, and Anthony Award. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- Promise Me
- Original title
- Promise Me
- Alternate titles*
- Loftet
- Original publication date
- 2006
- People/Characters
- Myron Bolitar; Aimee Biel; Win Lockwood; Esperanza Diaz; Big Cyndi; Al Bolitar (show all 13); Ellen Bolitar; Jessica Culver; Claire Biel; Eric Biel; Loren Muse; Lance Banner; Cingle Shaker
- Important places
- Livingston, New Jersey, USA; New York, New York, USA
- Dedication
- For Charlotte, Ben, Will and Eve. You're a handful, but you will always be my world.
- First words
- The missing girl-there had been unceasing news reports, always flashing to that achingly ordinary school portrait of the vanished teen, you know the one, with the rainbow-swirl background, the girl's hair too straight, her sm... (show all)ile too self-conscious, then a quick cut to the worried parents on the front lawn, microphones surrounding them, Mom silently tearful, Dad reading a statement with a quivering lip-that girl, that missing girl, had just walked past Edna Skylar.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And now, at long last, he had.
- Blurbers
- Brown, Dan
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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