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Deal Breaker (Myron Bolitar #1)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 12,658 ratings · 885 reviews

Sports agent Myron Bolitar is poised on the edge of the big time. So is Christian Steele, a rookie quarterback and Myron's prized client. But when Christian gets a phone call from a former girlfriend, a woman who everyone, including the police, believes is dead, the deal starts to go sour. Trying to unravel the truth about a family's tragedy, a woman's secret, and a man's...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published July 25th 2006 by Delacorte Press (first published 1995)

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Feb 10, 2011 Kemper rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, crime-mystery, sports, myron-bolitar

I’ve been aware of Harlan Coben’s series of crime/mystery novels starring a sports agent named Myron Bolitar for some time but never read one because I thought it’d be something like Jerry Maguire crossed with Murder, She Wrote. I figured Myron would always be tripping over dead baseball players killed by pitching machines or discovering the bodies of basketball players hanging from rims.

What I should have realized sooner is that modern sports can offer a great backdrop for a gritty mystery. Yo...more I’ve been aware of Harlan Coben’s series of crime/mystery novels starring a sports agent named Myron Bolitar for some time but never read one because I thought it’d be something like Jerry Maguire crossed with Murder, She Wrote. I figured Myron would always be tripping over dead baseball players killed by pitching machines or discovering the bodies of basketball players hanging from rims.

What I should have realized sooner is that modern sports can offer a great backdrop for a gritty mystery. You’ve got an industry with huge amounts of money involved with famous personalities always getting caught up in gambling scandals, dog fighting, rape accusations, domestic violence, drug abuse, manslaughter and the occasional player shooting someone else or themselves so sports is the perfect environment to set a crime novel.

Myron was once a college basketball star with Duke (Boo Duke!) before a knee injury ruined his chances for a pro career. Myron went on to get a law degree from Harvard, worked as some kind of secret undercover agent for the FBI, and now has taken up being a sports agent. One assumes that he’ll also be a cowboy and an astronaut someday, too.

Christian Steele is Myron’s biggest client. A talented, clean cut quarterback who looks to be the next Aaron Rodgers, Steele is every agent’s dream. Myron is in the midst of negotiations with a tough and unscrupulous NFL owner over Christian’s first contract when the player gets a shocking piece of mail. Christian’s girlfriend, Kathy, had disappeared a year ago from their college campus and everyone assumes the worst. Christian receives a pornographic magazine with a nude photo of Kathy in a phone sex ad.

Fearing scandal or some kind of set up that will ruin Christian’s NFL chances, Myron begins checking into the ad and what happened to Kathy. Things are complicated because Myron’s ex-girlfriend, Jessica, was Kathy’s sister, and their father was recently murdered. If that isn’t enough, Myron has to deal with another sleazy agent and his gangster pal who are trying to strong arm one of his clients into leaving Myron for them.

Fortunately, like most heroes of a crime series, Myron has a bad ass friend he can count on for help. Windsor ‘Win’ Horne Lockwood III seems like the kind of preppy who would make Niles Crane look tough, but Win is Myron’s former FBI partner and a ruthless killer when need be. Plus, he uses his financial business to advise Myron’s clients so he can get your portfolio squared away in between ass kickings.

The whole premise for this is obviously far fetched, but Corben gets it grounded enough to make the story enjoyable. Myron is a likeable smart-ass with a wry sense of humor, and Win is hilarious. I also liked how Corben built up the idea that Myron’s skills as a lawyer and former detective are also valuable as a sports agent and vice versa. In one scene, Myron deals with a brutal negotiation with the NFL owner and in another he’s working out a deal with a vicious gangster. There’s precious little difference between the two.

This book also has a big time warp element since it was written in 1995. Like Michael Connelly’s The Poet, I found some of the things like car phones and print pornography to be almost quaint now. But the biggest laugh is that Corben named the team that Christian is going to play pro football for the Titans. I assumed this meant the Tennessee Titans, but then the story describes their facilities at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. It was only then that I realized that the Tennessee Titans were still the Houston Oilers in 1995, and that Corben had invented a fictional team at the time but later that name would be used for real. It was a tad confusing for a minute.

There’s a few too many coincidence for my taste, and I could have lived without the backstory between Myron and Jessica, but overall I still enjoyed this one. The sports stuff gives it a fresh angle, but you don’t have to be a big sports fan to enjoy it. Plus, I thought Win was a great addition to the ranks of bad ass friends in crime fiction like Hawk, Mick Ballou, Bubba Rogowski, Mouse, Joe Pike, etc. I’ll be revisiting Myron’s series again sometime soon.
(less)

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Jun 19, 2010 Ellen rated it 1 of 5 stars

We all classify and judge; every review written here is a form of classification. Binaries are bit more emphatic. You're in or you're out; you're good or you're bad. I enjoy David's binaries, though some were not included in the chart to keep the peace :). David's binaries came to mind when I thought of the 15 BOOKS I read by Harlan Coben during my book wallow. And by the way, this review provides considerable bang for the buck, as it treats 15 books in one review.

The six stand-alone books can...more

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Feb 08, 2009 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

I haven’t exactly resisted reading Harlan Coben before, but I somehow didn’t think a mystery series about a sports agent could be that riveting. I mean, I like teams of sweaty men in skimpy uniforms as much as the next girl, but a sports agent just sounded smarmy and, well, kind of dull. Man, was I wrong. Myron Bolitar is smart and funny and tough and big-hearted, and who doesn’t like those qualities in a man? He’s a former FBI agent, too. Coban writes pretty good women, although, of course, the...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Renata *Bluetulip* rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, mystery-thriller, read-in-2012, thriller, suspense, favorites, humor, meus-físicos

Adorei! Tudo!

Bom, começo dizendo que na primeira página em que começa a história no livro me fez rir. E que durante o livro foram risos e mais risos.
Mas antes de falar da causa dos risos, quero falar da escrita do Harlan Coben. Fluida e sem enrolação, você ia de uma pista a outra em muitas vezes ao terminar os capítulos - que por sinal eram curtos, não fazendo o leitor ficar cansado.

Agora a parte do motivo dos risos: a "dupla dinâmica" formada pelo Myron e o Win. Ou mesmo só o Myron também. M...more

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Oct 19, 2009 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I was surprised that this is the first in the Myron Bolitar series (I've been reading them out of order). There was not an undue amount of exposition to 'set up' the characters as I would have expected when introducing a new cast of characters. Loved the book and the dry humor of many of the characters.

There is a fairly large 'supporting cast' in this story, and for the brief time that you spend with some of them you still get to know enough of the character so that they don't seem flat or just...more

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Feb 19, 2008 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first of Coben's, Myron Bolitar series. I enjoyed this one, because of the plots twists and the fantastic development of both Bolitar and his best friend Win. I did not enjoy that fact that the language was at times much worse than the other novels I have read by him. I did enjoy it and like all of what I have read by him so far...it is a quick read, because you don't want to put it down.

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Apr 17, 2010 Jgoldlbc rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you're like me, you fall in love with characters. If I find a good character, I can read a dozen books in a series. With Myron Bolitar and Windsor Lockwood III, you have two such characters.
Myron is a quick witted, often hilarious sports agent with a deep backstory. He is a two time NCAA champion basketballer whose metioric rise was halted by an injury years before its apex. He then went to Harvard Law and then did work of questionable morality with the Feds. His past as an athlete informs h...more

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Nov 09, 2009 Todd Huish rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is everything I want in a good book. It was a fun easy read but not total cotton candy trash. It's the first book in the series but feels like I've picked one up in the middle only because the characters feel so developed. Harlan hints at all this backstory which I think (I hope) will be revealed in future novels but he doesn't muddy up the water with a lot of exposition. A sentence here or there and then he just moves on. I -love- it when an author doesn't feel like they have to expla...more

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Dec 18, 2008 Tien rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

Myron Bolitar, ex-federal agent turned sports agent, became involved in a case of missing person, Kathy Culver. As it happens, Kathy Culver was a fiancé of Myron’s most promising client, Christian Steele. Christian received an anonymous mail containing a magazine showing a picture of Kathy. Is she alive and well somewhere? How will this disappearance affect Christian’s career?

I enjoyed the book thoroughly and would’ve read it in one sitting if I didn’t have to work. I love Myron’s business partn...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Madelle Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First published in 1995, this is one of Harlan Coben's older novels, yet it has aged well. Little dates it other than, for example, references to the phones in the characters' cars. Remember those?

Myron Bolitar is a lawyer, a former FBI agent, and currently a sports agent. His partner, Windsor Horne Lockwood III, a wealthy MBA who is also a lethal martial arts expert, handles the accounting side of Myron's business.

This novel is a fun, fast read. Myron spouts dialogue from old movies and genera...more

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Apr 16, 2013 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

Deal breaker is a mystery/thriller about a man named Myron Bolitar, who was a basketball player that became a sports agent. I chose this book to read because it is fairly well reviewed and is part of a praised series about Myron. Myron has not had a very good line-up in his career, but if he can land a deal with Christian Steele, he will receive a six-figure lump of cash. The only thing that is getting in the way is the sudden reappearance of Christian's fiancee Kathy Culver, who was thought to...more Deal breaker is a mystery/thriller about a man named Myron Bolitar, who was a basketball player that became a sports agent. I chose this book to read because it is fairly well reviewed and is part of a praised series about Myron. Myron has not had a very good line-up in his career, but if he can land a deal with Christian Steele, he will receive a six-figure lump of cash. The only thing that is getting in the way is the sudden reappearance of Christian's fiancee Kathy Culver, who was thought to be dead. She was in an adult magazine that was sent to Christian's box. Christian, learning that Kathy might still be alive, starts to lean toward calling the deal off. Myron really wants to get filthy rich, so he investigates so that Christian will go through with the plan. Myron isn't much of an investigator himself, so he teams up with Windsor "Win" Horne Lockwood, III, who owns a security company. They get assisted by Jake Courter, who is a Sheriff. Sheriff Jake points them in the right direction, and Windsor and Myron work backwards, starting with the advertisement in the magazine. Herman and Frank Ache are brought up, as they are known criminals. Not much else can be said without hinting at who the real villain(s) is/are.
The main conflict is Man vs. Man because Myron is trying to catch the person/people responsible for Kathy's disappearance. I think a good theme for this book would be somewhere along the lines of, "Doing something for yourself can end up helping someone else" because Myron was only doing it for the money initially and hey, he ended up helping someone else out a good bit in the process. I don't really like this theme very much as it is really self-centered, but it suits the plot and Myron's character.
Coben has a strange obsession with one-liners. Throughout the book, even in the face of death, Myron was cracking jokes. There is a limit to how many jokes you can crack, and then there is how many Myron cracked. Many of his one-liners are spat out in bad situations like staring down a gun barrel. It was not as big of a problem as I make it out to be, but it makes Myron feel like a hollower character than he really is, and I didn't even mention Myron's nasty attitude and how much of a smart-aleck he is. Other than that, Coben made this book terrifically. The sentences were very well made, he didn't repeat the same structure over and over again, he used a variety of words and transitions to make the whole story flow like melted butter.
I would recommend this book. It reads smoothly and leaves you guessing until the very end. The characters' personalities are lacking, but the plot is very nicely made. (less)

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Mar 06, 2013 Steve Horsfall rated it 5 of 5 stars

have read and enjoyed a couple of the Myron Bolitar stories, so was intrigued to go back and read the first in the series. I really enjoyed Deal Breaker. Bolitar has not long turned his hand to being a Sport's Agent and is representing a young American Football star called Christian Steele. The boy has a sad back-story as his girlfriend (Kathy) from University went missing nearly 2 years before the story starts; the girl just happens to be the sister of Bolitar's ex, Jessica Culver. Steele was...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Lynn rated it 1 of 5 stars

I've been a fan of Michael Connolly for about two years. I read all of the Lincoln Lawyer books and the Harry Bosch books, in order. With the release of his latest book, "The Black Box" Mr. Connelly did a national book tour. I saw him at Barnes & Noble, Union Square in NYC where he was interviewed by Harlan Coben. I rather enjoyed Mr. Coben's schtick, and on the recommendation of the gentleman seated next to me, I read the first Myron Bolitar mystery. Based on that book, I'm not sure I would...more I've been a fan of Michael Connolly for about two years. I read all of the Lincoln Lawyer books and the Harry Bosch books, in order. With the release of his latest book, "The Black Box" Mr. Connelly did a national book tour. I saw him at Barnes & Noble, Union Square in NYC where he was interviewed by Harlan Coben. I rather enjoyed Mr. Coben's schtick, and on the recommendation of the gentleman seated next to me, I read the first Myron Bolitar mystery. Based on that book, I'm not sure I would read any more Harlan Coben novels.

The characters - and there are a LOT of characters - are, for the most part, out of central casting or are so one dimensional that they are just not believable.

There were just too many characters - it was difficult keeping track of who was who and see note above.

Dialogue - was just so contrived! Was this book written with the idea of turning it into a film noir? I also resented the way Corben talked about the prostitutes that are really not central to the story anyway. Besides the fact that most of that could have been left out, for what ever reason they were included, to keep referring to them as whores is such a value judgement. He could have used the word hookers, prostitutes, working girls - there are a bunch of terms. But using the term whores was immature and gratuitous. Sort of like when a teenager learns a new swear word.

I'm not sure how old Myron is supposed to be (35 - 45 yrs) so the only reason to have him living in his parents' basement is to make stereotypical Jewish parent jokes. They were not necessary to the plot or to the story.

In spite of the fact that I rolled my eyes through most of the book - I did finish it and there were some very suspenseful parts. But don't think you're going to figure out who dunnit but Myron will explain it to you in chapter 48. I would not recommend this book.

That said, I have read several of the other reviews that said Coben's later books are much better. I really like this genre so I may give Coben 1 more try.(less)

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Dec 08, 2012 William Arsenis rated it 2 of 5 stars

DEAL BREAKER is the first novel in the Myron Bolitar series, but I have to admit, I didn’t read this book until recently.

Which turns out to be a good thing, because had this been the first Harlan Coben novel I’d ever read, I’d have never picked up another book by the same author again.

Why?

Because of the ending. Chapter 46, to be exact, in which there’s a dialog between the main protagonist, Myron, and his sidekick, Win; a chapter and a dialogue that exists for the sole purpose of explaining the...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Kris rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: suspense-mystery-series, humour

3 STARS

Myron is more than a sports agent - he is a sarcastic kick-ass problem solver. With his college best friend, Win and his office manager, Esperenza there seems to be no trouble they can not get out of. And trouble for Myron does not come in small doses.

His ex-gf, Jessica is back home due to the recent death of her father and thinks his death is tied in with her younger sister, Kathy's disappearance. Christian - Kathy's bf at the time of her disappearance - receives a package from Kathy wh...more

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Jul 10, 2012 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: completed

Though I've read these mysteries completely out of order, it hasn't harmed my opinion of them at all. Deal Breaker is the first of the Myron Bolitar novel, and while not the best, it is a pretty decent mystery. The author was kind enough to drop the requisite red herrings and misdirection, but also places the clues directly in the path of the reader.

This time we get a lot of comic dialogue as Myron smarts off towards just about everyone he meets. He responds to threats with sarcasm and witty co...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Harry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: detective-mystery, favorites

Beginning to exhaust my hunt for the loner, the hunter as a singular and main hero...a new trend seems to be emerging, the disassociation of the hunter and conscientious hero into two separate characters: the main character and his loner side-kick. Several authors embrace this genre motif: Robert Crais's Elvis Cole and his side-kick Joe Pike and of course Harlan Coben's Mylor Bolitar and his elitist side-kick Win.

Of this genre, Coben is probably the most adept at creating complex and winning cha...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Best Crime Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have read one of Harlan Coben's stand alone novels, albeit some time ago, and wanted to start at the beginning of his very popular series of books featuring Myron Bolitar. When I started this book, it didn't take me more than a few chapters to fall head over heels for the character Myron. One of the reasons for this is the element of his character that is witty and sarcastic, always a winning combination for me.

In addition to Myron we meet his friend and sidekick Win Lockwood and his work coll...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Jake rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-detective

My four stars should be taken with a huge grain of salt. This was not a "four star" book. It is the most reluctant of reviews I've given here.

All I want from a good mystery story is a deeply layered plot with lots of unexpected and yet organic twists. And Harlen Coben spins quite a yarn here with this novel. It was a literal page-turner for a mystery lover like myself and it thrills from beginning to end. I read it in the span of the day.

So why the reluctance to give this four stars? Dialogue....more

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Sep 28, 2011 Brian rated it 3 of 5 stars

I thought Deal Maker was so-so. Since it was the author's first effort I'm willing to give him a second chance.

The story itself is not all that bad. A coed who has been missing for going on two years may still be alive. Sports agent/former NBA 1st round draft pick/former FBI agent/attorney Myron Bolitar is trying to help out his biggest client yet who was engaged to the missing girl. There are enough twists in the plot to make a reader want to pop a Dramamine. I never even came close to figuring...more

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Mar 28, 2011 Joy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read a review of detective fiction and this author commented that Robert B. Parker was the best of all
detective fiction writers. That gave him great credibility with me, so I've started his series of books about sports agent Myron Bolitar who also solves crimes. I like Bolitar, though not as much as Spenser. They both notice the girls and make witty comments and have a tough friend to help them stay
alive in tough times. Lots of funny lines. "He sounded like an aardvark near an anthill." "In bu...more

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Feb 09, 2011 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobooks-read, favorite-series

My first Myron Bolinger & certainly NOT my last! Myron has a strange sense of humor & you must be quick-witted to catch it. His humor consists of dry one-liners dripping with sarcasm & he can be at times crude. He's almost more of a 'guy's guy', in a way that I think more men can relate to him as a person. Despite that, Myron has really grown on me! I have to overlook some of his behavior, such that Myron is not a romantic kinda guy like many of the characters I read about. But, he's...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Julaybib rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: novels

Deal Breaker sebenarnya cuma kisah detektif, dengan sedikit modifikasi yang cukup aneh tapi asyik dibaca. Aneh karena detektifnya seorang agen olahraga (pernah nonton Jerry Macguire? Itu loh, orang yang jadi 'manajer' para atlet dalam soal negosiasi kontrak), dan bukan sembarang agen karena sang agen sendiri sebenarnya seorang mantan atlet yang pernah main di NBA, pernah kerja untuk FBI (entah gimana FBI mau-maunya merekrut atlet basket???), lulusan hukum Universitas Harvard, dan pemegang sabuk...more Deal Breaker sebenarnya cuma kisah detektif, dengan sedikit modifikasi yang cukup aneh tapi asyik dibaca. Aneh karena detektifnya seorang agen olahraga (pernah nonton Jerry Macguire? Itu loh, orang yang jadi 'manajer' para atlet dalam soal negosiasi kontrak), dan bukan sembarang agen karena sang agen sendiri sebenarnya seorang mantan atlet yang pernah main di NBA, pernah kerja untuk FBI (entah gimana FBI mau-maunya merekrut atlet basket???), lulusan hukum Universitas Harvard, dan pemegang sabuk hitam Tae Kwon Do. Pokoknya sang agen yang bernama Myron Bolitar didesain sebagai karakter yang terlalu komplit untuk cuma jadi seorang agen atlet yang punya rasa ingin tahu besar. Memang agak berlebihan untuk cerita detektif. Di buku pertama serial Myron Bolitar ini, Myron untuk pertama kalinya menemukan tambang emas, yaitu atlet Bola telur Amerika (American football, saya nggak suka menerjemahkan sebagai sepak bola amerika karena mainnya nyaris nggak pernah disepak dan bolanya juga gak bisa dibilang bola karena lebih mirip telur) bernama Christian Steele. Chris ini berprestasi baik selama di Universitas sehingga jadi rebutan klub-klub NFL, dan Myron dengan bahagianya berusaha mencari penawaran kontrak terbaik untuk kliennya. Sayangnya, skandal masa lalu si Chris mulai mencuat ke permukaan. Skandal yang melibatkan seks dan juga pembunuhan, yang tentunya bisa mengacaukan karier Christian. Agen Super Myron pun terpaksa bertindak untuk menjaga asetnya sekaligus memuaskan ingin tahunya akan misteri yang menyelubungi kliennya itu. Penulisannya ringan-ringan saja, dengan bumbu humor yang cukup sedap dan enak diikuti. Misteri yang ada disajikan dengan cukup piawai, diungkap sedikit demi sedikit untuk memuaskan keingintahuan pembaca tapi tetap susah ditebak. Intinya saya merasa susah untuk menaruh buku ini sampai ceritanya selesai. Sangat menghibur, tapi sayangnya kurang berkesan (saya menulis review ini kurang lebih dua minggu setelah selesai membaca, tapi kok susah mengingat apa yang membuat saya menikmati buku itu). Still a good book though.(less)

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Feb 05, 2012 Bruce Snell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book 1 in the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. We are introduced to Myron Bolitar a sports agent who does some criminal investigating on the side. We also meet his ex-wife Jessica, his best friend Win Lockwood III, and his secretary Esperanza - all part of the team that makes his investigations work out. This time around, Myron is asked by one of his clients (a potential superstar quarterback) to investigate the disappearance of his girlfriends - who coincidentally happens to be the sister...more

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Jul 13, 2007 Jaime rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: suspense, 2007

This was a nice change of pace from the usual detective/suspense story. Instead of a detective, we have Myron Bolitar, a sports agent. Granted, he *used* to be a Fed, and he has a law degree, but he’s not a cop, nonetheless. I liked Myron, though his friend Win is a little…. weird. But an interesting character.

The mystery itself was interesting, and I really didn’t have it figured out by the end. I like that! I also like the dry humor. A series I will continue with!

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Jul 26, 2012 Dorothy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern-day-mysteries

Harlan Coben's creation Myron Bolitar is a sports agent who is just about to hit the big time with his prized client, rookie quarterback Christian Steele. But before that happens, he's going to have to do some hard bargaining with some pretty shady characters who don't mind using violence as a negotiating tool. Fortunately, Myron has as his ace in the hole his friend, Windsor Horne Lockwood III (Win), to watch his back. Win makes up a considerable posse all by himself.

Myron and Win formerly did...more Harlan Coben's creation Myron Bolitar is a sports agent who is just about to hit the big time with his prized client, rookie quarterback Christian Steele. But before that happens, he's going to have to do some hard bargaining with some pretty shady characters who don't mind using violence as a negotiating tool. Fortunately, Myron has as his ace in the hole his friend, Windsor Horne Lockwood III (Win), to watch his back. Win makes up a considerable posse all by himself.

Myron and Win formerly did some top secret work for the government and they are both black belts in tae kwan do. They are very well-trained and capable of physically defending themselves against the bad guys, but defending his clients against the psychological harm that can ensue when certain secrets start unraveling may be a different matter.

Christian Steele receives a phone call from his former fiancee, a woman whom everyone assumed was dead, although her body had never been found. Then nude pictures of the woman turn up in a sleazy magazine. At the same time, the woman's father is murdered by an presumed mugger. Are the incidents related?

To complicate matters further, Myron has a personal connection to the family. He is in love with the woman's older sister. Although his relationship with her has long since ended, his feelings for her haven't.

Myron and Win begin to dig into the mysteries but things just get more and more complicated as they uncover lies within lies and family secrets which could destroy many lives.

Coben has created a very personable and likable hero in Myron Bolitar. He is a compassionate man in a business that is all about the money. Moreover, he has a sly humor that is very endearing.

Coben writes dialogue that is believable and rings true, although I know nothing about the business of being a sports agent. He tells his story in a very linear, easy-to-follow manner and it is a real page-turner. He builds suspense as he keeps the reader in doubt as to whether the missing woman is alive or dead until close to the end of the book. All in all, it is a very satisfying read and a good introduction to the series. This first entry in the series was published in 1995 and there have been several since then. I look forward to reading them and to getting to know Myron and Win better. (less)

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Jun 29, 2012 Rafal Jasinski rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Interesujący, acz nie porywający kryminał. Intryga o średnim stopniu komplikacji, rozwiązana raczej na skutek zbiegów okoliczności, niż przy szczególnym udziale intelektu Myrona Bolitara - ów natomiast to typ bohatera, jakiego zazwyczaj nie trawię, czyli wysportowany, przystojny - ale mniejsza z tym - cieszący się mirem wśród pracowników FBI (której to agencji, oczywiście, jest byłym pracownikiem), jak i półświatka przestępczego, ponadto doskonale włada bronią, zna wschodnie sztuki walki, a gdyb...more

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May 25, 2012 Steve rated it 2 of 5 stars

The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Wasn't that the statement at the beginning of the TV series "Dragnet"? Here it should be stated the names of the characters have been changed in hope that no one notices similarities of another famous detective series. That is, Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Granted, I'm a big fan of Parker and having read about 98% of his published works I am perhaps TOO familiar with Spenser. This is my first Myron Bolitar book I've read and the similari...more The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Wasn't that the statement at the beginning of the TV series "Dragnet"? Here it should be stated the names of the characters have been changed in hope that no one notices similarities of another famous detective series. That is, Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Granted, I'm a big fan of Parker and having read about 98% of his published works I am perhaps TOO familiar with Spenser. This is my first Myron Bolitar book I've read and the similarities with Parker just kept popping up.

Myron vs. Spenser. Both are former professional athletes; basketball for Myron and boxing for Spenser. Both are approximately the same height; Myron 6'4 in this book and I believe Spenser is the same but what's an inch or two at that height? The smart-mouth comments and the subtext comments are way too Spenseresque. Myron tries "winning" smiles as does Spenser with various levels of success. Both comment on fantasizing about women's reaction to themselves; usually ironic and humorous. Myron is expert in Korean martial arts; Spenser forte is boxing. Both have no fear of getting physical. Both constantly comment on their girlfriends' beauty, often getting lost in thought as they describe them.

Hawk vs. Win. Hawk is Spenser's muscle backup. Win is Myron's muscle backup. Hawk drives a Jaguar or other European luxury cars; Win drives a Jaguar. Both dress fashionably albeit different styles. Both appear to have numerous relations with women without developing attachments. Both work out together at their regular hang outs; Henry's boxing gym turned yuppie gym vs. the Korean do of Win and Myron.

Jessica vs. Susan. Both are knockouts who everyone notices no matter how they are dressed. Both are successful professional women. There are obvious differences. Susan definitely has her act together whereas Jessica has been a bit of a flake in the past but seems to be getting her act together. Susan eats like a bird but Jessica scarfs down like a pig at a trough while still keeping a super-model figure. But then again, why does Coben even mention this when it is such a common observation by Parker regarding Susan?

Even if there were no similarities I could not take this book seriously. The characters are nearly comic book characters. Uber-achiever Myron was a world-class athlete (retired due to injury), is a Harvard Law School graduate, a former FBI employee-consultant (??? unclear after the first book), and professional sports agent/representative. All at age 31. Win is a billionaire who is even more expert in this Korean Martial art who is a borderline psychopath and who makes middle of the night "visits" to enemies or potential enemies and puts fear into the hearts of men without apparently physically harming them. Sounds like Batman or The Shadow.

All books don't need to be serious. I admit that despite all I've written above I did enjoy this book to some degree. That rates an "it's okay" rating of 2 stars. The plot was like playing a game of pick-up sticks. Scattered pieces strewn about. Coben did a good job of tying them together within the story. However as the mystery was coming to a close and all the elements were connecting Coben takes
two pages of summarizing between Win and Myron towards the end. This was redundant and too much like an old fashioned detective gathering all the suspects in a room and describing all the elements of the crime.

So will I read more Myron Bolitar books? Surprisingly yes. Despite the comic book characterizations I find Win interesting. Hey, I find Batman interesting and I'd like to read more. The other characters were developed enough and I'd like to see how the development continues. When the need for not-so-serious entertainment and a quick read surfaces I'll read the next one.

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Jan 04, 2011 Zelda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The first of the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. A very engaging character, whose character and life story develops over the series. He's an American sports agent who always seems to get pulled in to solve crimes and mysteries that lead him and his cronies into regularly life threatening situations. Luckily, his rather trusting nature is helpfully counterbalanced by friend and colleague Win, the preppy sociopath, who is an adept at martial arts. Win believes that an over tender conscience...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Priyam Gopani rated it 3 of 5 stars

A regular Harlan Coben book...
lots of mystery...suspense..wit...humor..chuckles...murders..betrayal..twists and turns...love...friendship...and tae kwon do!

I have actually read his books out of order...so I have read the third book before the first..so I have been exposed to more awesomeness before this book..nonetheless, this book is good..it's about Kathy Culver who's gone missing..Kathy is Jessica's sister, and Jessica is Myron's love...so the connection :)

If you have read Coben enough, you a...more

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About Harlan Coben

With over 50 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben’s last six consecutive novels, 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 first Young Adult novel SHELTER was just released in paperback, and the second in the Mickey Bolitar series, SECONDS AWAY, was released on September 18th....more With over 50 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben’s last six consecutive novels, 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 first Young Adult novel SHELTER was just released in paperback, and the second in the Mickey Bolitar series, SECONDS AWAY, was released on September 18th. His books are published in 41 languages around the globe and have been number one bestsellers in over a dozen countries.

Winner of the Edgar Award, Shamus Award and Anthony Award – the first author to win all three – international bestselling author Harlan Coben’s critically-acclaimed novels have been called “ingenious” (New York Times), “poignant and insightful” (Los Angeles Times), “consistently entertaining” (Houston Chronicle), “superb” (Chicago Tribune) and “must reading” (Philadelphia Inquirer).

Harlan’s novel TELL NO ONE has been turned into the commercial and critical smash hit French film of the same name, starring Francois Cluzet and Kristin Scott Thomas. The movie was the top box office foreign-language film of the year in USA, won the Lumiere (French Golden Globe) for best picture and was nominated for nine Cesars (French Oscar) and won four, including best actor, best director and best music. To see the trailer, click here and for stills and to see Harlan appearing in the film, visit our gallery page. The movie is now available in DVD and Blu-Ray. An American/Hollywood remake is in the works.

In his first books, Coben immersed himself in the exploits of sports agent Myron Bolitar. Critics loved the series, saying, “You race to turn pages…both suspenseful and often surprisingly funny” (People). After seven books Coben wanted to try something different. “I came up with a great idea that simply would not work for Myron,” says Coben. The result was the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller TELL NO ONE, which became the most decorated thriller of 2001 – nominated for an Edgar, an Anthony, a Macavity, a Nero, and a Barry; winner of the Audie Award for Best Audio Mystery/Suspense Book (read by Steven Weber); and a #1 hardcover book on the Book Sense 76 list. Coben followed the success of TELL NO ONE with the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers GONE FOR GOOD (2002), NO SECOND CHANCE (2003), and JUST ONE LOOK (2004) and THE INNOCENT (2005). Bookspan, recognizing Coben’s broad international appeal, named NO SECOND CHANCE its first ever International Book of the Month in 2003 – the Main Selection in 15 different countries.

Coben was the first writer in more than a decade to be invited to write fiction for the NEW YORK TIMES op-ed page. His Father’s Day short story, THE KEY TO MY FATHER, appeared June 15, 2003. His essays and columns have appeared in many top publications including the New York Times, Parade Magazine and Bloomberg Views.

Since his critically-acclaimed Myron Bolitar series debuted in 1995, Harlan Coben has won the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Allan Poe Award and was nominated for the Edgar two other times. Harlan also won the Anthony Award at the World Mystery Conference, was nominated for another Anthony Award, won the Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America, was nominated for another Shamus, and was twice nominated for the Dilys Award by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

In the United Kingdom, his novel ONE FALSE MOVE earned him the prestigious “Fresh Talent Award”, given annually by Great Britain’s largest bookstore chain, W. H. Smith, and GONE FOR GOOD won the W. H. SMITH “Thumping Good Read” Award. In France, TELL NO ONE (NE LE DIS A PERSONE) won Le Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle for fiction. His novels have been PEOPLE magazine Page-Turners of the Week and a Publishers Weekly Best of the Year pick.

Harlan was born in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating from Amherst College a political science major, Harlan worked in the travel industry. He no(less)

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“A dancer on break approached him. She smiled. Each tooth was angled in a different direction, as if her mouth were the masterwork of a mad orthodontist.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi."
"You're really cute."
"I don't have any money."
She spun and walked away. Ah, romance.” — 13 people liked it

“He tried to read, but the words swam in front of his eyes in meaningless waves. He put on the television. Nick at Nite, the cultural equivalent of aerosol cheese.” — 1 person liked it

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Deal Breaker (Myron Bolitar #1)

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