Back Spin

Sports agent and amateur detective, Myron Bolitar, is asked to advise professional golfers, Linda and Jack Coldren, when their sixteen year old son is kidnapped. The kidnappers have made it clear they will kill Chad if the parents go to the police, and so far, they haven't asked for any ransom. Jack is making his comeback at the U.S. Open and Myron wonders if the kidnappers might want him to throw the game as part of the ransom. Myron discovers Linda Coldren is his best friend, Win's, cousin. Myron has always known him to be estranged from his family but he's shocked when Win refuses to give Myron any help.

You don't have to like golf to find this an interesting book. Myron is a Yoo Hoo glugging, wise-cracking barrel of fun. We don't see show more much of Win, but he's still integral to the story. Myron's assistant, Esperanza, plays a much bigger role in this fourth book of the series. Former member of FLOW (Fabulous Ladies of Wrestling), Esperanza is graduating from law school and looking at different job options.

There are lots of twists and turns in the story and it's never clear who the kidnappers are or what the want. If you're a new fan of the series, I wouldn't necessarily start with this one, because it deals with the three main characters that we've gotten to know over the first few books. I love the sarcastic wit of Myron, especially regarding the golfer's outfits. I enjoyed getting to know more about Win's background and can't wait to read the next book in the series, One False Move. show less

A mystery about GOLFERS? Yep! And the author pulled it off with humor and mystery. Lots of twists in the plot. Esperanza's character develops, at the expense of Win--who still plays a role. The reader has to admire that and keep on reading. New character, Victoria, the humorless lawyer...hope to see more of her? Coben pokes fun at golfers, they have their own lingo and he exploits it; main character, Myron, is put off by it. Myron is one of those guys you just love as he develops--even demonstrates some moderate amount of integrity. Pretty good for a slimy agent type--the kind of guy you'd want representing you. Book 4 was just as exciting as it;s predecessors--on to book 5.

#4 in the Myron Bolitar series.

Up to now, at least, each book in the series revolves around a different sport. For Back Spin, that sport is professional golf. Coben admits up front in his Acknowledgements page that he enjoys golf "about as much as sticking his tongue in a fan". And thus his protagonist, Myron.

Still and all, Myron has a business to run, a sports representation agency. So, despite his aversion, he is attending the U.S. Open, trolling for potential clients. This year, the tournament is being held at Merion, home course of Windsor Lockwood III (known to many of us as Win the Sociopath); Myron is staying with Win.

To his surprise, he is asked by one of Win's family friends to aid the top woman golfer in the WPGA, Linda show more Coldren, whose husband Jack leads the pack for the tournament. Their son Chad has disappeared, and Linda fears kidnapping or worse.

With a promise to represent Linda if he can help, Myron begins an investigation. To his bewilderment, Win refuses to help; the Coldrens are neighbors, Win has known Jack since childhood, but he remains adamant without explanation. And so Myron more or less blunders along without the aid of his efficient and deadly backup/sidekick. Two murders later.....

The plot is good with enough twists and turns to satisfy old fans; Coben's writing carries it along handsomely. Coben's particular brand of bizarre wit is very present, but somehow not as biting without Win. Characterization is typically Coben/Bollitar--slightly off-beat but believable. The world of professional golf is mildly interesting but since neither Coben nor Myron is involved emotionally in the sport, it remains exactly that--mildly interesting but not terribly revealing.

A good story, but we miss Win. show less

An often funny crime thriller with Myron Bolitar investigating the kidnapping of the son of a golfer who is in the lead at the US Open. The style is relaxed, engaged and engaging and the story is interesting, although sometimes complex with multiple characters and suspects. The investigation is an adventure that Myron generally takes lightly, using all his contacts and expertise. Enjoyable and a fun read.

A solid mystery novel by Coben, with a complicated, but interesting plot. Also narrated by Jonathan Marosz. It deals mainly with golf, pro golfers, Etc., but still very accessible to those who know nothing about the sport. 4 stars.

I normally enjoy Myron Bolitar novels, but I was a bit reluctant with this one considering that this was tackling the completely uninteresting and mind-numbingly boring world of golf. Not exactly my ideal setting for a thriller. In Back Spin, Myron takes on a client whose son disappears from my native Philadelphia. As Myron dives into the case, he realizes that the family who has hired him holds some seriously dark secrets. The boy’s father, a golf pro who once upon a time had a shot at the big time before collapsing under pressure, is making a serious run at winning the US Open championship. This adds a good bit of tension and a ticking clock to the story.

The plot itself is solid, but not quite as good as some other Harlan Coben show more novels I have read. Perhaps it was that I really dislike golf and everything about it that I couldn’t quite get into this novel. Whatever the case, the novel never quite worked for me other than being mildly entertaining. A decent read, but Coben could do better.

Carl Alves – author of Blood Street show less

Very different from his thriller novels, the Myron Bolitar series is excellent. Myron is a sports rep who doubles as a detective, usually having to drag one of clients out of trouble In this case, Myron investigates the kidnapping of Chad Jack (the “Choker”) and Linda Coldran’s son. Jack is famous for having lost a US open in the last few rounds when he had it otherwise sewn up.

There are some very funny lines about golf and the seemingly idiotic behavior of golfers and their fans. Here “he was writing about an activity [golf] he enjoys as much as sticking his tongue in a fan.” Myron’s friends and associates are characters in their own right: His assistant Esperanza, (who often steals the scenes) had a “glare that show more construction crews would have liked to hire to break up rock formations.”

Listened to this on audio read by a favorite reader: Jonathan Marosz Lots of fun. show less