Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben Narrator: Steven Weber
Published by Grand Central Publishing on March 14, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 400
Length: 10 hours, 16 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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David and Cheryl Burroughs were living the dream life when tragedy struck. Now, five years after that terrible night, Cheryl is remarried. And David is serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the brutal murder of their son.
Then Cheryl’s sister, Rachel, arrives unexpectedly during visiting hours and drops a bombshell. She’s come with a photograph that a friend took on vacation at a theme park with a boy in the background who has a familiar, distinctive birthmark … and even though David and Rachel realize it can’t be, they both just know. It's David’s son, Matthew, and he's still alive.
I’m a fan of Harlan Coben and his books. I have read both series and standalones. The character development as usual is very well done and it easily feels like these could be real people. They have depth in their flaws, and their wants and needs, their rationalizations and dreams.
The primary character is David. He is in prison, having been convicted of killing his son 5 years ago. He has shut himself off from everyone in his life. Nothing matters to him since his son is dead.
Then Rachel, his formal sister-in-law, finds a photo and they think the son, Matthew, is still alive. In addition to needing to get out of prison to find his son, some inmates with the help of guards are now trying to kill him.
I won’t spoil the fast paced, dangerous action, clever investigation which follows. There are so many forces at work here. It’s not just the FBI trying to chase down David. There’s the people who saw to his false conviction in the first place. At least David gets to see his father, who is dying, and his beloved aunt who raised him after his mother died.
David has the support and help of Rachel. His ex-wife Cheryl, Rachel’s sister has other things happening. She’s a surgeon at a hospital. Rachel gets some help from an old college friend also. There are so many details of the past and present which all make up the web of deceit which changed their lives.
The ending was satisfying but getting there was terrifying. David and Rachel took a lot of risks. The truth was shocking but enjoyable to learn.
Narration:
I have listened to Steven Weber on other Harlan Coben audiobooks where he is the narrator. His style works with the material . He performed the voices distinctly and appropriate for age and gender. The emotional tones were fitting. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Harlan Coben
With over 60 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben’s last seven consecutive novels, MISSING YOU, SIX YEARS, STAY CLOSE, LIVE WIRE, CAUGHT, LONG LOST and HOLD TIGHT all debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and lists around the world. His books are published in 43 languages around the globe.
Coben is the winner of the Edgar Award, Shamus Award and Anthony Award – the first author to win all three – and he has received an eclectic variety of honors from all over the world. His novel TELL NO ONE has been turned into a hit French film of the same name. His essays and columns have appeared in many top publications.
Harlan was born in Newark, New Jersey. He still lives in New Jersey with his wife, Anne Armstrong-Coben MD, a pediatrician, and their four children.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I can’t wait! Fabulous review, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta. It’s a fine line between repeating things that are in the blurb, not spoiling and saying something meaningful.
Interesting! This sounds like it would be a good movie 😉
I’m sure it would. Lots of his books have been made into movies.
I enjoy his books and now I’m curious about this one!
I hope you get to read it. His characters are always so well written and this one is quite a ride.
I haven’t read a Harlan Coben book yet. This one sounds excellent
Wendy, he is one of the best in this genre. Many of them are also movies now.
You and Carole are review twinsies today and both have me convinced about picking this up.
yes, I’ll read anything by Harlan Coben.
My heart is racing just reading this review. It sounds good, but not for me. I just would want someone to tell me how it ends!
yes Jen, it’s an adrenaline rush for sure with excellent characters. I really feel for David.
I haven’t read many Coben books, but I’ve liked the ones I’ve read. Have you read The Match? That’s the one I’ve got on my TBR list, mostly because I like Wilde so much.
I have not read The Match. I read all the Mylan and Mickey Bolitar books. And some others like The Stranger. I’ve loved them all.
I’ve enjoyed this author and feel like I should revisit him. Great review!
Thanks Kimberly. I’ve read his series and some of his standalones and have loved everything I have read.
I loved this book! Harlan Coben has been a favorite for a long time. This story was incredibly exciting!
It is. I wouldn’t hesitate to read anything by Harlan Coben.
Hooray!! A new Coben. I wasn’t aware of it and your review makes it sound outstanding….right up my alley. I’m putting in a library request right now!
Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
Thanks Terrie. I hope you love it too. I’ve enjoyed all of his books I’ve read.
This sounds like an intense read! I haven’t read this author but several of his books are on my TBR. That’s great to know that the narrator was a winner. It’s always a little weird when the narrator makes an older character sound young or vice versa. It definitely pulls me out of the book a bit.
I really enjoy Harlan Coben. While some bad things happen, there is generally a positive and satisfying ending.
Now I’m not a Coben reader, but I have a friend who is. A funny thing though, I got to meet him at Book Expo in NYC back in 2014 I think? I was actually in line to meet another author, and he was standing there talking to him, and so he was joking with me while I was getting that book autographed. He seemed like a really nice guy!
That’s fun! His books are in my regular reading and I’ve read them a long time since I used to only read mysteries for about 20+ years.