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Myron Bolitar #4
Back Spin
Kidnappers have snatched the teenage son of super-star golfer Linda Coldren and her husband, Jack, an aging pro, at the height of the U.S. Open. To help get the boy back, sports agent Myron Bolitar goes charging after clues and suspects from the Main Line mansions to a downtown cheaters' motel--and back in time to a U.S. Open twenty-three years ago, when Jack Coldren should have won, but didn't. Suddenly Myron finds him self surrounded by blue bloods, criminals, and liars. And as one family's darkest secrets explode into murder, Myron finds out just how rough this game can get.
In novels that crackle with wit and suspense, Edgar Award winner Harlan Coben has created one of the most fascinating and complex heroes in suspense fiction--Myron Bolitar--a hotheaded, tenderhearted sports agent who grows more and more engaging and unpredictable with each page-turning appearance. "From the Paperback edition."
In novels that crackle with wit and suspense, Edgar Award winner Harlan Coben has created one of the most fascinating and complex heroes in suspense fiction--Myron Bolitar--a hotheaded, tenderhearted sports agent who grows more and more engaging and unpredictable with each page-turning appearance. "From the Paperback edition."
358 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Harlan Coben
161 books38.6k followersHarlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world's leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries with seventy-five million books in print worldwide.
His books have earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many have been developed into Netflix Original Drama series, including his adaptations of The Stranger, The Innocent, Gone for Good and The Woods. His most recent adaptation for Netflix, Stay Close, premiered on December 31, 2021 and stars Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, and Richard Armitage.
His books have earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many have been developed into Netflix Original Drama series, including his adaptations of The Stranger, The Innocent, Gone for Good and The Woods. His most recent adaptation for Netflix, Stay Close, premiered on December 31, 2021 and stars Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, and Richard Armitage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,515 reviews
September 19, 2024
The fourth instalment of the intriguing and pretty original Myron Bolitar series sees this volume set in the world of Golf. A good read, dare I say joyfully convoluted with an additional back story sub-plot set in the past. A easy reading series with each book giving insight into American sports as well as the genuinely interesting Myron Bolitar and his just as interesting past, and supporting cast. 7 out of 12. Three Star read. :)
August 29, 2016
Myron didn't quite do it for me this time round, folks. I do love his writing, and the dead pan comments. A one liner that says it all 'One man's opinion.' Suave, I think? He just says it how it is, doesn't he. I liked another little conversation he had with a messy teen, a girl that was headed for trouble. She comments on wanting to look as good as Esperenza and he tells her she should aspire to be like her. I liked that. I didn't love the golf setting, and we hear that HC doesn't love it either, and still doesn't get it. I read these sporadically, so I was a bit lost. Jessica had left? I can't remember where she went or why. We also get a lot more back story on the elusive Win. Looking forward to seeing more of the Cool Myron in number 5. He's very hot. I missed that here.
February 7, 2017
Another quality Myron Bolitar mystery! Twisty and turny throughout. Lots of humor, suspense, and snarky dialogue. It always amazes me how a sport agent can keep getting involved in these crazy scenarios (the suspension of disbelief is strong here) - but, as unbelievable as it would seem, Coben always keeps it fresh and interesting.
Golf is the sport of focus in this one, and Coben has himself an Eagle (if not a hole-in-one)!
Golf is the sport of focus in this one, and Coben has himself an Eagle (if not a hole-in-one)!
March 20, 2015
My very first Harlen Coben book and I enjoyed it very much. It appears I have started at number four in a series but that did not seem to matter as the story was stand alone. I liked the main character very much and smiled often at his attempts at humour. This particular book was not the most exciting mystery I have read but is was okay and I am keen to read more of this author's work. I know it comes highly recommended by many people whose opinions I trust:)
February 5, 2017
For those who say that the Myron Bolitar series gets better and better by each book, I agree a hundred percent. Back Spin NAILED IT!!
About halfway through the book we learn more about Win's past and childhood which I thought was interesting, and it explains his dark, warped sense of humor, why he's very protective of Myron and is extremely violent to those he believes is a threat.
Funny thing is one of the subplots of this story involves Golf, and I hate Golf, hate it with a passion, (no offense to those who do like it, HAHA)! But it doesn't interfere with the rest of the story even in the slightest.
Another great edge-of-your-seat mystery/thriller by one of the best!
About halfway through the book we learn more about Win's past and childhood which I thought was interesting, and it explains his dark, warped sense of humor, why he's very protective of Myron and is extremely violent to those he believes is a threat.
Funny thing is one of the subplots of this story involves Golf, and I hate Golf, hate it with a passion, (no offense to those who do like it, HAHA)! But it doesn't interfere with the rest of the story even in the slightest.
Another great edge-of-your-seat mystery/thriller by one of the best!
March 7, 2022
Started off a little shaky, picked up steam during the middle and then petered out its finale. Meh.
2 1/2 So-So Stars
2 1/2 So-So Stars
April 26, 2023
Myron Bolitar is a sports agent who acts very much like a private detective and in this, the 4th book in the series we’re taken onto the golf course and into the middle of the US Open. The series is a favourite of mine, and Back Spin works for me mixing sharp moments of humorous exchanges with more dramatic and emotive moments that gives you pause for deeper thought. At the heart is a complex mystery that will leave a trail of death and heartbreak.
A redemption story is in the process of unfolding. Jack Coldren is playing out a redemption story at the US Open, taking a huge lead after 2 rounds at the course where he dramatically lost many years before.
Although he’s a sports agent with no interest in golf, Myron is there to help the Coldrens because their son has been kidnapped. The usual threats about not involving the police has led to involving a sports agent instead.
This turns out to be quite the complicated little mystery with numerous possibilities flagged along the way…you know, either the son has staged the whole thing to get attention or, someone with a grudge is doing it to stop Jack from winning the US Open or, Jack’s wife has staged it to better her own career and a few other possibilities.
Regular sidekick/dangerous enigma Windsor Horne Lockwood III, aka Win, is a part of this caper because Jack Coldren is his cousin. But Win has an intense dislike for Jack and steadfastly refuses to provide Myron with any help. Initially I was disappointed by the fact that Win was there but not there in the way he was in the first 3 books.
What we miss out on in terms of creative ways in which Win provides help is more than made up for by the deep background we finally get regarding Win’s past. In the course of solving the kidnapping case, Myron uncovers many details about Win’s early years and the result is the nearest we’ve ever come to seeing Win appear almost human.
The bottom line is that Myron manages to dig extremely deeply into the case, makes a few enemies, uncovers a skeleton or two, lands a major contract as a sports agent, finds out a lot more about Win than he could ever imagined and, oh yeah, solves the thing. But not without some sobering events that put a bit of a dampener on the usual lighthearted banter and witticisms.
Although I would have preferred to see more involvement by Win in this story, it was somewhat offset by the larger part played by Myron’s business partner and friend Esperanza Diaz. She plays the solid sounding board to Myron’s cavalier nature and, through her, gets a good chunk of investigative type work done. A worthy trade-off and a character to look forward to seeing more of in the future books.
A redemption story is in the process of unfolding. Jack Coldren is playing out a redemption story at the US Open, taking a huge lead after 2 rounds at the course where he dramatically lost many years before.
Although he’s a sports agent with no interest in golf, Myron is there to help the Coldrens because their son has been kidnapped. The usual threats about not involving the police has led to involving a sports agent instead.
This turns out to be quite the complicated little mystery with numerous possibilities flagged along the way…you know, either the son has staged the whole thing to get attention or, someone with a grudge is doing it to stop Jack from winning the US Open or, Jack’s wife has staged it to better her own career and a few other possibilities.
Regular sidekick/dangerous enigma Windsor Horne Lockwood III, aka Win, is a part of this caper because Jack Coldren is his cousin. But Win has an intense dislike for Jack and steadfastly refuses to provide Myron with any help. Initially I was disappointed by the fact that Win was there but not there in the way he was in the first 3 books.
What we miss out on in terms of creative ways in which Win provides help is more than made up for by the deep background we finally get regarding Win’s past. In the course of solving the kidnapping case, Myron uncovers many details about Win’s early years and the result is the nearest we’ve ever come to seeing Win appear almost human.
The bottom line is that Myron manages to dig extremely deeply into the case, makes a few enemies, uncovers a skeleton or two, lands a major contract as a sports agent, finds out a lot more about Win than he could ever imagined and, oh yeah, solves the thing. But not without some sobering events that put a bit of a dampener on the usual lighthearted banter and witticisms.
Although I would have preferred to see more involvement by Win in this story, it was somewhat offset by the larger part played by Myron’s business partner and friend Esperanza Diaz. She plays the solid sounding board to Myron’s cavalier nature and, through her, gets a good chunk of investigative type work done. A worthy trade-off and a character to look forward to seeing more of in the future books.
August 14, 2011
I love all Harlen Coben novels!!! This one was no exception! Fast paced, all the familiar characters you love, and lots of drama, and twist and turns. This is a 1997 copyright, with a 2007 re- issue. There was some dated lingo, like with the girls at the mall, a reference to windows 95, and use of the entire word- cellular. No texting etc. For some reason this book must have fallen through the cracks for me because I thought I had read all of his novels, but I have no memory of having read this one. If you keep up with his books you will already know the latest development with the characters, but it was a good refresher of what went down in their personal relationships in the past. Never miss a Harlen Coben novel!!
April 5, 2016
"Back Spin" is a conundrum, even for those who love Harlan Coben's books. On the one hand, this fourth entry in Coben's Myron Bolitar series is an engaging, page-turner that keeps the reader guessing up until the very end. On the other hand, the author's usual regimen of twists and turns goes way too far, turning the cleverness of the story into a series of serendipitous contrivances, and over-the-top red herrings.
The story starts out kind of weak. Sports Agent/Crime Fighter Myron Bolitar is hired to help his partner in crime Win's cousin's golf dynasty family get back their kidnapped teenage son, WITHOUT the help of Win! For those who have read the Myron Bolitar novels, the appearance and participation of Win is essential to the story, every story. Without Win, Myron Bolitar is just a lone wolf, and arguably far less interesting a character study in general. As Harlan Coben himself might say, Win is "Yang" to Bolitar's "Yin." Sure, Win IS in "Back Spin,' but only as a background player, a peripheral piece of the story's puzzle. Needless to say, the lack of "Win" in "Back Spin," ended up weakening the novel as a whole.
Ironically, Win's absence played an important part into who Windsor Horne Lockwood III really is. Though Coben doesn't reveal everything, "Back Spin" features some interesting, new insight into Win's background, and why Win ended up the way he is. He has an aversion to his family, possibly because of how he was raised, and the betrayal he felt from both of his parents. Win's coldness towards his cousin's family though, never felt right to me. More to the point, I just did not understand it at all.
Here lies the chief rub with "Back Spin," the big reveal at the end was at best vague, and at worst completely nonsensical. I still don't understand the backstory that set the entire novel off. So, back in the day, a young 8-year-old Win was supposed to be with his cousin's boyfriend Jack Coldren, getting golf lessons. Yet instead of golf lessons with Jack, Win went with his father to the horse stables and stumbled upon Win's mother having sex with a horse riding instructor. Traumatized for life, Win never spoke with his mother again, and lost respect for his father. The family was ruined.
Win's mother, refusing to accept her own responsibility in the matter, sought out vicious revenge on Jack Coldren, for she felt it was Coldren who destroyed her life, and ruined her family. Does that make sense? I don't get it, and Coben never fully explains what this meant. All he writes is that Jack Coldren was a bully as a teenager, and mischievous, and that somehow his involvement with Win seeing his mother have sex with another man was part of a prank, but...I...I still don't get what the prank was, or supposed to have been.
Regardless, Win's mother refused to let it go, and years later got revenge on Jack Coldren by bribing his caddy Lloyd Rennart to deliberately ruin Coldren's likelihood of winning at the U.S. Open. Rennart did as he was paid to do, and Coldren lost the tournament, and was ruined. As a result, Lloyd Rennart was rich, but ruined in the golf world, so he became a drunk...which in turned ruined Rennart's family.
Years later, Rennart's long lost daughter Esme becomes a sports marketing exec, and discreetly places herself near Jack Coldren's family, as her company Zoom has an endorsement deal with Jack's superstar golfer wife Linda. Secretly, and just like Win's mother Cissy, Esme blames Jack Coldren for ruining her family, and it is her intension to sabotage Jack's second attempt at winning the U.S. Open.
Then, the author throws a huge and totally unnecessary red herring/monkey wrench into his story. It is revealed that not only is Jack Coldren homosexual, he is also having an affair with Esme's boss, the likable Jewish hippie Norm Zuckerman. The question is, why? Why add this extra layer to an already convoluted story, especially when it does not pay off at all?
Then you have Esme's revenge plan. First she takes Jack and Linda Coldren's son Chad to a cheap motel in order to seduce him, but in reality she wanted to have Chad catch his gay father in a tryst with Norm Zuckerman. When that didn't work out, she hired neo-Nazi street thug Tito to help her kidnap Chad, with the ransom being Jack Coldren deliberately losing at the U.S. Open. This would please Esme as it would forever ruin Jack Coldren for good, AND it would help her big star client Tad Crispin win the U.S. Open, and put her company Zoom on the map for all things golf. When the neo-Nazi street thug Tito goes crazy (hmm, you would think she would have seen that coming) and chops off Chad Coldren's finger, Esme kills Tito gangster style.
Then you have Jack Coldren, who lies to everyone about the kidnapper's demand in order to keep up his winning streak at the U.S. Open. And you have Linda Coldren, who not only was having an affair with Jack's chief opposition Tad Crispin, but who also was responsible for murdering her husband Jack, and hiding the evidence! It's all too much, TOO MUCH story, TOO many red herrings, TOO many twists. And what was the payoff, some vague story about Jack Coldren being directly or indirectly responsible for ruining Win's family? Whaaaat??????
However, I am sucker for Harlan Coben's prose, and even his novels that go beyond the notion of rational sense have their entertainment value (read "Tell No One" to confirm). As frustrated as I was by the ending of "Back Spin," I did have a good time reading the book, and more often than not, I was highly compelled to turn to the next page, and the one after.
The story starts out kind of weak. Sports Agent/Crime Fighter Myron Bolitar is hired to help his partner in crime Win's cousin's golf dynasty family get back their kidnapped teenage son, WITHOUT the help of Win! For those who have read the Myron Bolitar novels, the appearance and participation of Win is essential to the story, every story. Without Win, Myron Bolitar is just a lone wolf, and arguably far less interesting a character study in general. As Harlan Coben himself might say, Win is "Yang" to Bolitar's "Yin." Sure, Win IS in "Back Spin,' but only as a background player, a peripheral piece of the story's puzzle. Needless to say, the lack of "Win" in "Back Spin," ended up weakening the novel as a whole.
Ironically, Win's absence played an important part into who Windsor Horne Lockwood III really is. Though Coben doesn't reveal everything, "Back Spin" features some interesting, new insight into Win's background, and why Win ended up the way he is. He has an aversion to his family, possibly because of how he was raised, and the betrayal he felt from both of his parents. Win's coldness towards his cousin's family though, never felt right to me. More to the point, I just did not understand it at all.
Here lies the chief rub with "Back Spin," the big reveal at the end was at best vague, and at worst completely nonsensical. I still don't understand the backstory that set the entire novel off. So, back in the day, a young 8-year-old Win was supposed to be with his cousin's boyfriend Jack Coldren, getting golf lessons. Yet instead of golf lessons with Jack, Win went with his father to the horse stables and stumbled upon Win's mother having sex with a horse riding instructor. Traumatized for life, Win never spoke with his mother again, and lost respect for his father. The family was ruined.
Win's mother, refusing to accept her own responsibility in the matter, sought out vicious revenge on Jack Coldren, for she felt it was Coldren who destroyed her life, and ruined her family. Does that make sense? I don't get it, and Coben never fully explains what this meant. All he writes is that Jack Coldren was a bully as a teenager, and mischievous, and that somehow his involvement with Win seeing his mother have sex with another man was part of a prank, but...I...I still don't get what the prank was, or supposed to have been.
Regardless, Win's mother refused to let it go, and years later got revenge on Jack Coldren by bribing his caddy Lloyd Rennart to deliberately ruin Coldren's likelihood of winning at the U.S. Open. Rennart did as he was paid to do, and Coldren lost the tournament, and was ruined. As a result, Lloyd Rennart was rich, but ruined in the golf world, so he became a drunk...which in turned ruined Rennart's family.
Years later, Rennart's long lost daughter Esme becomes a sports marketing exec, and discreetly places herself near Jack Coldren's family, as her company Zoom has an endorsement deal with Jack's superstar golfer wife Linda. Secretly, and just like Win's mother Cissy, Esme blames Jack Coldren for ruining her family, and it is her intension to sabotage Jack's second attempt at winning the U.S. Open.
Then, the author throws a huge and totally unnecessary red herring/monkey wrench into his story. It is revealed that not only is Jack Coldren homosexual, he is also having an affair with Esme's boss, the likable Jewish hippie Norm Zuckerman. The question is, why? Why add this extra layer to an already convoluted story, especially when it does not pay off at all?
Then you have Esme's revenge plan. First she takes Jack and Linda Coldren's son Chad to a cheap motel in order to seduce him, but in reality she wanted to have Chad catch his gay father in a tryst with Norm Zuckerman. When that didn't work out, she hired neo-Nazi street thug Tito to help her kidnap Chad, with the ransom being Jack Coldren deliberately losing at the U.S. Open. This would please Esme as it would forever ruin Jack Coldren for good, AND it would help her big star client Tad Crispin win the U.S. Open, and put her company Zoom on the map for all things golf. When the neo-Nazi street thug Tito goes crazy (hmm, you would think she would have seen that coming) and chops off Chad Coldren's finger, Esme kills Tito gangster style.
Then you have Jack Coldren, who lies to everyone about the kidnapper's demand in order to keep up his winning streak at the U.S. Open. And you have Linda Coldren, who not only was having an affair with Jack's chief opposition Tad Crispin, but who also was responsible for murdering her husband Jack, and hiding the evidence! It's all too much, TOO MUCH story, TOO many red herrings, TOO many twists. And what was the payoff, some vague story about Jack Coldren being directly or indirectly responsible for ruining Win's family? Whaaaat??????
However, I am sucker for Harlan Coben's prose, and even his novels that go beyond the notion of rational sense have their entertainment value (read "Tell No One" to confirm). As frustrated as I was by the ending of "Back Spin," I did have a good time reading the book, and more often than not, I was highly compelled to turn to the next page, and the one after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2016
Published way back in 1997, if Back Spin was read today by someone born in that decade, that person might not understand some of Myron Bolitar's wit or his references to TV shows popular back then. The material is definitely dated, but I didn't mind too much because I'm dated too!
The kidnapping case Myron is asked to work on took one turn after another, eventually solved by none other, but not until every character in the book was looked at as suspects. Then throw a murder, revenge, and a variety of sins and crimes into the mix. You think you have it figured out, but of course you don't. You forget completely about some characters/suspects, and then they're back again at the top of the list. It's what I love about Coben. A likeable, albeit probably unlikely, story.
The kidnapping case Myron is asked to work on took one turn after another, eventually solved by none other, but not until every character in the book was looked at as suspects. Then throw a murder, revenge, and a variety of sins and crimes into the mix. You think you have it figured out, but of course you don't. You forget completely about some characters/suspects, and then they're back again at the top of the list. It's what I love about Coben. A likeable, albeit probably unlikely, story.
April 30, 2020
Great mix of humor and mystery, with several holes of golf mixed in.
July 28, 2015
“Merion Golf Club”
Sou um admirador confesso do escritor de policiais Harlan Coben (n. 1962) e adoro golfe.
Com o título original “Back Spin” - significa “o efeito que a bola ganha no contacto com a face do taco de golfe; um movimento de rotação contrária da bola que se imprime na pancada e que a faz rolar para trás quando aterra no solo” - surge-nos o "detective/agente desportivo" Myron Bolitar que é "contratado" para investigar o desaparecimento/rapto de Chad Coldren, filho do casal de golfista Linda e Jack Coldren.
Em busca do adolescente Bolitar acaba por se ver enredado numa antiga história de corrupção e crime, num contexto ambíguo e complexo, em que a investigação avança de uma forma minuciosa, com inúmeras teorias e especulações, onde invariavelmente surgem muitas suspeitas e inúmeros suspeitos.
Com o retorno à ribalta do marido de Linda, o golfista profissional Jack Coldren, volta a participar no US Open, um dos maiores torneios mundiais de golfe, um dos quatro “Majors”, no magnífico campo de golfe “Merion Golf Club”, na proximidade de Filadélfia, os fantasmas do passado regressam.
Harlan Coben retrata admiravelmente o “cenário” desportivo do golfe de competição profissional, os seus aspectos negativos associados a uma intensa e desenfreada rivalidade, onde os prémios e os valores monetários associados são altíssimos, numa atmosfera de riqueza e discriminação social e económica.
”Tacada Mortal” é uma excelente leitura, sobre o submundo do golfe e das “tacadas” menos leais num emocionante thriller assinado por Harlan Coben.
“Merion Golf Club”
June 15, 2019
This was about the twistiest mystery I've ever read & it all came together well. While Win won't have anything to do with it, we get a lot of his backstory which I enjoyed. He's a better character for it. On the downside, the witticisms were too thick sometimes - more so than usual. A few are great, but in places they just came so fast & thick they detracted from the story.
And then there was Myron & Win playing trivia games with movies & TV shows. I thought the answers were right, but they said that Jack Klugman was in two of the original Twilight Zone episodes & neither one they named was "A Passage for a Trumpet". Surely I heard incorrectly! Nope. In fact, they went on to only mention "In Praise of Pip" & "A Game of Pool". I had to stop the book & thought about it while mowing the fields. I could have sworn... Then I realized they didn't mention "Death Ship" either. Surely it was my bad memory. Nope. I'm a bit of a Twilight Zone nerd & caught an egregious error. Coben, trivia games are only fun if they're done properly & messing with the original Twilight Zone is serious business.
Ah well, I'll listen to another, but the trivia contests just won't be the same.
And then there was Myron & Win playing trivia games with movies & TV shows. I thought the answers were right, but they said that Jack Klugman was in two of the original Twilight Zone episodes & neither one they named was "A Passage for a Trumpet". Surely I heard incorrectly! Nope. In fact, they went on to only mention "In Praise of Pip" & "A Game of Pool". I had to stop the book & thought about it while mowing the fields. I could have sworn... Then I realized they didn't mention "Death Ship" either. Surely it was my bad memory. Nope. I'm a bit of a Twilight Zone nerd & caught an egregious error. Coben, trivia games are only fun if they're done properly & messing with the original Twilight Zone is serious business.
Ah well, I'll listen to another, but the trivia contests just won't be the same.
August 8, 2021
Probably my favorite one yet in this series. Finally got a little bit of background on Win.
May 17, 2023
4 Stars
Myron is on a mission to find a teenage boy who was kidnapped.
After seeing some video footage, Myron isn't sure he's kidnapped.
He's also trying to get a new client who's a pro golfer.
This novel had a few stories in it that all come together.
Myrons assistant Esperonza is a favourite of mine. So sarcastic and funny.
Another good Myron Bolitar novel
Myron is on a mission to find a teenage boy who was kidnapped.
After seeing some video footage, Myron isn't sure he's kidnapped.
He's also trying to get a new client who's a pro golfer.
This novel had a few stories in it that all come together.
Myrons assistant Esperonza is a favourite of mine. So sarcastic and funny.
Another good Myron Bolitar novel
December 22, 2023
Geri Dönüş gitmek bilmeyen Dune Çocukları'nın arasına aldığım hızlı ve keyifli bir okumaydı. Dune Çocukları ilerlemiyor. Ben bir kitabı okurken bu kadar uyuyakaldığımı hiç hatırlamıyorum. Tamam iki çocuk büyütüyor, çalışıyor, uykusuz kalıyor olabilirim ama Myron nasıl okutuyor o zaman? Neyse konu o değil, Geri Dönüş.
Evet Myron zaten dünyanın en adamsendeci, vurdumduymaz, dedektif olmayan dedektifi. Polisiye desem değil. Karakterleri çok seviyorum. Zaten olabildiğince akıcı. Sadece tek bir çekincem var. O da Harlan Coben olay örgüsünü çözememen için çok uğraşıyor. Bu, ters köşe anlamında değil. Tabiri caizse "katili" bulmaya çalışmıyorum çünkü son 30 sayfada Myron bir kutuyu açıyor ve neyin ne olduğu ortaya çıkıyor. Zaten sürekli kendi içinde olayları çözmeye çalışıp kendi kendine çürütüyor. Seviyorum. Bu yüzden de mevzu bahis olan spor tenismiş, basketbolmuş, golfmüş pek takılmıyorum.
Evet, Dune Çocukları'na devam edelim.
Alia, Tapınak girişinde karşılaştığı muhafızlara öfkeyle çıkışıyordu. Karşıs...
Horrr, pişşş, horrr, pişşş, horrr, pişşşşş, zzzZzZZzZzZzZzz
Evet Myron zaten dünyanın en adamsendeci, vurdumduymaz, dedektif olmayan dedektifi. Polisiye desem değil. Karakterleri çok seviyorum. Zaten olabildiğince akıcı. Sadece tek bir çekincem var. O da Harlan Coben olay örgüsünü çözememen için çok uğraşıyor. Bu, ters köşe anlamında değil. Tabiri caizse "katili" bulmaya çalışmıyorum çünkü son 30 sayfada Myron bir kutuyu açıyor ve neyin ne olduğu ortaya çıkıyor. Zaten sürekli kendi içinde olayları çözmeye çalışıp kendi kendine çürütüyor. Seviyorum. Bu yüzden de mevzu bahis olan spor tenismiş, basketbolmuş, golfmüş pek takılmıyorum.
Evet, Dune Çocukları'na devam edelim.
Alia, Tapınak girişinde karşılaştığı muhafızlara öfkeyle çıkışıyordu. Karşıs...
Horrr, pişşş, horrr, pişşş, horrr, pişşşşş, zzzZzZZzZzZzZzz
November 27, 2021
Syn znanego golfisty zostaje porwany. Na ratunek młodemu zostaje wezwany, a jakże, Myron Bolitar. Kiedy zaczynają wychodzić na jaw nowe fakty, sytuacja staje się bardzo skomplikowana, a wszyscy wokół są podejrzani. Myron jak zawsze szuka pomocy u swojego przyjaciela Wina, ten jednak z powodów osobistych odmawia jakiejkolwiek współpracy przy tym śledztwie. Bolitar sam będzie musiał stawić czoło wyzwaniu oraz, wiadomo, typom spod ciemnej gwiazdy, których jedynym celem życiowym jest uszkodzenie Myrona.
Ciekawa historia, jak dotąd podobała mi się najbardziej z wszystkich przygód Myrona Bolitara.
7/10
Ciekawa historia, jak dotąd podobała mi się najbardziej z wszystkich przygód Myrona Bolitara.
7/10
March 18, 2024
3,5 / 5
March 31, 2020
Review to follow
June 14, 2023
Number 4 in the series with Win on the periphery of the story. Myron is at the US Open trying to sign up new clients. The leading player son Chad is kidnapped and Myron is drawn in to help find him and is attracted to Jack’s wife Linda.
The plot has lots of twists with a few murders. Very easy to read. Lots of suspects. Lloyd the caddy who cost Jack the Open 20 years ago and was fired. A Neo-Nazi thug, Chad’s friend Matthew whose father is a wannabe Soprano, Chad’s older girlfriend who seduced him or is it a combination.
SPOILERS AHEAD
We find out Esme is the daughter of Lloyd who committed suicide and was responsible for Jack losing the Open 20 years ago. She markets Tad who is Jack’s main competitor and arranges for a Neo Nazi to kidnap Chad. We then find Jack is unwilling to lose the Open and in a struggle Linda accidentally kills Jack.
Win doesn’t really feature in the story except as a background to why he won’t help Myron due to his mother’s involvement and a hatred of Jack. Good entertaining story.
The plot has lots of twists with a few murders. Very easy to read. Lots of suspects. Lloyd the caddy who cost Jack the Open 20 years ago and was fired. A Neo-Nazi thug, Chad’s friend Matthew whose father is a wannabe Soprano, Chad’s older girlfriend who seduced him or is it a combination.
SPOILERS AHEAD
We find out Esme is the daughter of Lloyd who committed suicide and was responsible for Jack losing the Open 20 years ago. She markets Tad who is Jack’s main competitor and arranges for a Neo Nazi to kidnap Chad. We then find Jack is unwilling to lose the Open and in a struggle Linda accidentally kills Jack.
Win doesn’t really feature in the story except as a background to why he won’t help Myron due to his mother’s involvement and a hatred of Jack. Good entertaining story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2024
Even though I'm not a sports fan, I still find the Myron Bolitar books engaging and entertaining. They are good mysteries with a bit of sarcastic humor throughout. If you are looking for a lighter mystery (instead of some of the dark, depressing ones), this is definitely a great one to read. I admit I often skim past some of the sports parts, but thankfully there aren't many since the mystery and relationships take up the majority of the novel.
Back Spin went a little more into the demise of Win and his mother's relationship. Each book gives you a bit more backstory into a sub-character's storyline and makes you want to keep reading books in the series.
Back Spin went a little more into the demise of Win and his mother's relationship. Each book gives you a bit more backstory into a sub-character's storyline and makes you want to keep reading books in the series.
October 28, 2012
Sports agent Myron Bolitar is approached by the father of super-star golfer Linda Coldren when her son is kidnapped. Her husband, Jack, an aging pro, is in the middle of a comeback in the golf U. S. Open. Myron agrees to help them and, as usual, gets embroiled in the middle of a plethera of suspects, lies and twists.
There were any number of suspects that could have been involved in this case and after awhile, I just stopped trying to guess and sat back and enjoyed the story. One of the highlights, however, was the inclusion of Win Lockwood, but not in the usual way. The case involved his family and we learned a lot more about him and what helped shaped who he is today.
By the end of the story, there were so many twists and revelations my head was spinning so I guess the book was aptly named. It's a classic Myron Bolitar story, with his trademark wit and sarcasm, and it delivered. I'm committed to this series and cannot wait to start the next book.
There were any number of suspects that could have been involved in this case and after awhile, I just stopped trying to guess and sat back and enjoyed the story. One of the highlights, however, was the inclusion of Win Lockwood, but not in the usual way. The case involved his family and we learned a lot more about him and what helped shaped who he is today.
By the end of the story, there were so many twists and revelations my head was spinning so I guess the book was aptly named. It's a classic Myron Bolitar story, with his trademark wit and sarcasm, and it delivered. I'm committed to this series and cannot wait to start the next book.
February 11, 2012
her zamanki gibi süperdi,Coben'in en sevdiğim serisi zaten :) Sherlock-Watson sevenler kesinlikle bayılacaklar Myrion-Win ikilisine.Myrion'un kafa sesleri çok eğlendiriyor beni :D Martı sırayla yayınlasaydı iyiydi ama olsun,böylesi de zevkli :D
Kitapta beni üzen tek şey Jess-Myrion ilişkisinin gidişatıydı,lanet olsun :(
Kitapta beni üzen tek şey Jess-Myrion ilişkisinin gidişatıydı,lanet olsun :(
April 29, 2015
The 4th book in the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. I am a big fan of Harlan Coben and this series in particular and enjoy his fast paced novels that have more than a touch of humour. This book was no exception and was a delight to read. He brings the characters to life and I have pictures of them in my head while I am reading the novels. Great plots and so well paced.
April 26, 2017
Two-haiku review:
Golfers' son kidnapped
No cops, but Myron will help
Is it real or staged?
Lots of theories
All wrapped up neatly at end
Very good mystery
Golfers' son kidnapped
No cops, but Myron will help
Is it real or staged?
Lots of theories
All wrapped up neatly at end
Very good mystery
June 9, 2024
moja pierwsza książka harlana cobena
liczyłam na troche większy zachwyt
pierwsza polowa strasznie mnie wymęczyła i nie moglam się wciagnca ale na szczęście druga połowa uratowala
może podobała mi się tak srednio przez ze to pierwsza przygoda z stylem autora a może źle sobie dobrałam pierwsza ksiazke, niewiem🤷♀️
ale za to bardzo podobało mi się rozwiązanie zagadki i wykreowane postacie
liczyłam na troche większy zachwyt
pierwsza polowa strasznie mnie wymęczyła i nie moglam się wciagnca ale na szczęście druga połowa uratowala
może podobała mi się tak srednio przez ze to pierwsza przygoda z stylem autora a może źle sobie dobrałam pierwsza ksiazke, niewiem🤷♀️
ale za to bardzo podobało mi się rozwiązanie zagadki i wykreowane postacie
February 25, 2021
This is a Myron Bolitar novel and instead of basketball the novel revolves around golf. Myron has women’s golf star, Linda Coldren , his client, caught up in her son being missing. The mystery is tied into Linda’s husband ,who has come close only once in winning a major tournament, leading the U. S. Open. Myron must determine if the boy just ran away or was kidnapped to prevent his father from winning the Open.
The reader will be surprised how this all comes out, especially since all possibilities remain open for most of the book.
A great read for sports mystery fans, especially those who love golf, but a book that can be enjoyed by all mystery fans.
The reader will be surprised how this all comes out, especially since all possibilities remain open for most of the book.
A great read for sports mystery fans, especially those who love golf, but a book that can be enjoyed by all mystery fans.
August 3, 2021
I picked this book out of a COVID lockdown clear out cardboard box of books along my street and not having read Harlan Cobrn before, thought I would give it a try.
The story was not bad, fast paced and more twists than a pretzel. But Coben’s writing style is a bit too smart ass for me, as is the main character Myron Bolitar. But, if “swarming tune as monotonous as a Mariah Carey CD”, makes you laugh, the book is scattered with similar “observations” and this may be the author for you.
The story was not bad, fast paced and more twists than a pretzel. But Coben’s writing style is a bit too smart ass for me, as is the main character Myron Bolitar. But, if “swarming tune as monotonous as a Mariah Carey CD”, makes you laugh, the book is scattered with similar “observations” and this may be the author for you.
May 1, 2018
Some really awkward moves all through the middle. Endless pages of plot-dump. Less snappy dialogue. Are the wheels falling off? The sports agent detective thing is good, and Win could have been good, but the plot got in the way.
April 22, 2017
Always a good read.
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