Monday 26 September 2011

Live Wire by Harlan Coben

Live Wire is the latest Harlan Coben book featuring Sports rep Myron Bolitar, who has now diversified and represents musicians and others too. There are the usual entourage of characters sociopath/psychopath Win, exotic Esperanza, Big Cyndi and the Ache brothers.
Suzze T, ex-tennis star is eight months pregnant with the first child of her rock star husband Lex Ryder. A Facebook post questions the paternity of the child and Lex disappears. Suzze asks for Myron's help to find out who posted it and why and find Lex. In his search for Lex, he also finds his estranged sister-in-law, Kitty. Where is his brother?
Despite of repeated requests from various people not to interfere, Myron interferes. Does his interference solve problems or increase? Myron is a "funny guy" always with a quick retort. In Live Wire most of the characters come up with a witty retort "everyone's a wiseass" as Coben himself comments. The conversation between Win and Myron is funny as always but what was the need for two page jokes about Mee and Yu.
The first half looks like Coben is just stalling the story with repartees and pop philosophy. And by the time this occurs to you there is a remark on how Myron is stalling instead of facing the truth.
The latter half of the book delivers as a thriller with Harlan Coben's trademark twist and turns and surprises. This book serves as a introduction to Mickey Bolitar, new teen detective(?) to feature in Coben's latest book Shelter. After James Rollins with Jake Ransom and John Grisham with Theodre Boone, Coben has joined the bandwagon of thriller writers catering to young adults. Wonder when Michael Connelley will join the bandwagon, Bosch already has a teenage daughter, isn't it?
This book just reminds me why I love Coben's standalone better than Bolitar series. Bolitar books are fun but his standalones are better.
CymLowell

2 comments:

Kailana said...

I have been hearing about this author for years, but never read anything... One day!

srivalli said...

I have read most of his books. I love his unpredictable stories with twists and turns. Tell no one is his best if you want to try.