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The Woods
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Twenty years ago at summer camp, Paul Copeland's sister died in the woods, the alleged victim of a serial killer. Her body was never found. Now, Paul is the prosecutor for Essex County, New Jersey, immersed in one of the biggest cases of his career-a case that will change everything he believes about the past...and the truth.
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Hardcover, First Edition, 404 pages
Published
April 17th 2007
by Dutton Adult
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Start your review of The Woods
I find that if I pick up a book by Harlan Coben, I then resent anything that requires my attention, dragging me away from it, such is his skill at grabbing hold of you and playing with your mind. He really knows his stuff, able to draw readers in with ease, and he hasn't failed with The Woods. The suspense is constant, but not happy with that, he manages to turn up the action a notch further as the story twists and turns every which way! The characters are really believable too, and the dialogue
...more
Jan 01, 2018
Sandra
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary,
mystery-suspense
Twenty years ago eighteen-year-old Paul Copeland was working as a counselor at a summer camp in which four teenagers walked into the woods one night... two were murdered, and two went missing, never to be seen again (they were thought to be dead, their bodies were never found, some of their clothing had blood on it). One of the missing was Paul's sister, Camille. Twenty years later Paul (now a County Prosecutor) is being asked questions by detectives about a man who was recently murdered who had
...more
Definitely a page turner! Coben always fascinates me with his novels!
Just love this guy. HC is great. This was very good audio book, well-crafted artists that delivered good quality reading with excellent accents, tone and an all-round feel of a quality performance, as after all, these audio books are a performance. Also a great feature was the use of a male and female narrator. Excellent! Funny enough though, I own the paperback without list here on GR, so (again) I end up with both hardcopy and audio. Here, the audio fits the bill.
This was a good chilling read ...more
This was a good chilling read ...more
I have read all of Coben's Myron Bolitar books and love them all, but I have so far only tried a couple of his stand alones. On the strength of this one I will be looking out for more.
The main character is Paul Copeland, County Prosecutor of Essex, New Jersey. On the face of it he is an admirable character, successfully raising a child after the death of his wife, managing a fast developing career and totally honest and trustworthy. His court scenes are tremendous fun and he certainly fights to ...more
The main character is Paul Copeland, County Prosecutor of Essex, New Jersey. On the face of it he is an admirable character, successfully raising a child after the death of his wife, managing a fast developing career and totally honest and trustworthy. His court scenes are tremendous fun and he certainly fights to ...more
“You don't worry about happiness and fulfilment when you're starving.”
2.5 stars The Woods was quite boring with nothing new to surprise me. Harlan Coben put the old materials in this book again without reconsidering whether the twists were predictable or not. Four children were lost in the woods, twenty years later Paul Copeland wants to revaluate this case again, he thinks that maybe his sister is still alive somewhere. The book started off with the same feeling as if I was reading Tell No ...more
3.5*.
a real page turner. story was full of twists whenever i thought i know the murderer, there was a new mystery and a new revelation. I will definitely be reading other Coben soon.
a real page turner. story was full of twists whenever i thought i know the murderer, there was a new mystery and a new revelation. I will definitely be reading other Coben soon.
Oh Harlan, you were exactly what I needed. But before I begin, let me say that this was my first Harlan Coben experience. I'll more than likely read more of his stuff. Bear with me as I explain myself.
Okay, the writing was nothing spectacular; there were even times when I winced as he described something by using the item. Example: The great oak stood like a, well, great oak. Yes, this type of writing appears more frequently than I liked, but the writing is really not an issue with this type of ...more
Okay, the writing was nothing spectacular; there were even times when I winced as he described something by using the item. Example: The great oak stood like a, well, great oak. Yes, this type of writing appears more frequently than I liked, but the writing is really not an issue with this type of ...more
Jul 14, 2008
Stephanie
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anyone who loves a good page turner
Recommended to Stephanie by:
Mom
This was my first Harlan Coben book and I thought it was just fabulous! I'm not huge into "mysteries" or "thrillers", but when I do sit down with one this is the type of story that has everything I want in a "page turner" - short chapters, quick dialog, twists and turns, and narration that was surprisingly funny at times (case in point, after annoying a police officer and a prosecutor both in a matter of hours the main character concludes, "I had itched an ass this morning and now I had burned a
...more
Yep, Harlan Coben is officially the king of the twisty turns.
I'm completely amazed how he can weave such a fascinating mystery that can change directions nearly every chapter. Even until the very end. Well done, sir!
I also loved the witty dialogue. Some of the characters had me laughing out loud. And this subject matter was not light at all.
Such a page turner. 5 stars!
I'm completely amazed how he can weave such a fascinating mystery that can change directions nearly every chapter. Even until the very end. Well done, sir!
I also loved the witty dialogue. Some of the characters had me laughing out loud. And this subject matter was not light at all.
Such a page turner. 5 stars!
Cheat Sheet for Writing A Harlan Coben novel:
-an event that happened a long time ago that affected the lives of the loved ones
-one pretty hip guy who is quick with wit and sarcasm
-main character must be a professional white male who helps inner-city black characters-it's ok to throw out all stereotypes possible, as long as the main character justifies it by performing his civic duty of helping them out
-add a ballsy female side-kick, and give her at least one manly characteristic (if she's no ...more
-an event that happened a long time ago that affected the lives of the loved ones
-one pretty hip guy who is quick with wit and sarcasm
-main character must be a professional white male who helps inner-city black characters-it's ok to throw out all stereotypes possible, as long as the main character justifies it by performing his civic duty of helping them out
-add a ballsy female side-kick, and give her at least one manly characteristic (if she's no ...more
More like a 2.5, but I've read one previous Coben book, and I liked it a lot more. The author can clearly do better.
I read this a month and a half ago, but I can barely remember any details. NOT a good sign!
Lemme see what I can recall... mmmm... There's something about a series of killings at a teen summer camp coming back to haunt one of the camp counsellors (who's now a county prosecutor) 2o years later. The KGB might be involved. Various people who were thought to be dead or killed might stil ...more
I read this a month and a half ago, but I can barely remember any details. NOT a good sign!
Lemme see what I can recall... mmmm... There's something about a series of killings at a teen summer camp coming back to haunt one of the camp counsellors (who's now a county prosecutor) 2o years later. The KGB might be involved. Various people who were thought to be dead or killed might stil ...more
4.5 stars!
“It's not the dead even. It's what's left behind - the echo. These woods you're walking through. There are some old timers who think a sound echoes here forever. Makes sense when you think about it. That Billingham kid. I'm sure he screamed. He screams, it echoes, just bounces back and forth, the sound getting smaller and smaller, but never entirely disappearing. Like a part of his is still calling out, even now.”
I discovered the world of fiction ...more
I’ve only read a few Harlan Coben books but I’ve enjoyed them all. He writes a good fast paced page turner that keeps you entertained and guessing throughout. This particular book is exactly that! Paul Copeland’s sister is one of four teenagers who go missing twenty years ago after going into the woods during a summer camp. Two of them are found murdered, the other two, including Paul’s sister are never found. Paul becomes a County Prosecutor and still seeking answers to his sisters disappearanc
...more
Dec 11, 2015
BrokenTune
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
started-but-can-t-be-bothered
‘I don’t understand. What makes you so sure your sister is alive?’
‘I’m not sure,’ I said.
‘But I think there’s a decent enough chance.’
‘Why?’
‘Because of Manolo.’
‘What about him?’
Yes. What about him? What about any of them?
I don't know, but i'm not feeling this one. The Woods should be a gripping story but I just can't care for any of the characters. It's not that the writing is bad but the dialogues are making me feel sleepy. It's like the characters want to pretend that they are telling a story ...more
‘I’m not sure,’ I said.
‘But I think there’s a decent enough chance.’
‘Why?’
‘Because of Manolo.’
‘What about him?’
Yes. What about him? What about any of them?
I don't know, but i'm not feeling this one. The Woods should be a gripping story but I just can't care for any of the characters. It's not that the writing is bad but the dialogues are making me feel sleepy. It's like the characters want to pretend that they are telling a story ...more
Oct 24, 2018
Rob
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
stand-alone-thrillers
Harlan Coben is one those authors that be can relied upon to give you a guaranteed entertaining thrilling read. And The Woods is just that, a guaranteed, page turning, entertaining read.
The main protagonist, Paul Copeland, is a man who knows what success smells like. He also knows what it’s like to loose just about everyone he cares for.
Some twenty years ago Paul’s sister is brutal murder whilst on summer camp, a camp that Paul also attended. His mother walked out on the family not long after h ...more
The main protagonist, Paul Copeland, is a man who knows what success smells like. He also knows what it’s like to loose just about everyone he cares for.
Some twenty years ago Paul’s sister is brutal murder whilst on summer camp, a camp that Paul also attended. His mother walked out on the family not long after h ...more
4.5 stars. Thank you to my sweet friend Heather for sending me a copy of The Woods; it's my 1st Harlan Coben novel and it won't be my last.
There were a lot of elements I appreciated within this novel. This is the 2nd book I've read by Harlan Coben, but surely not my last! Some surprisingly awesome twists and turns here & main character was great! Twisted right up to the end!!
Narration Notation: This audiobook was narrated by Scott Brick, whom I happen to thoroughly enjoy. While the entire recording was not as high quality as his more recent narrations, whenever he received a phone call, it sounded right as if you were listening in ...more
Narration Notation: This audiobook was narrated by Scott Brick, whom I happen to thoroughly enjoy. While the entire recording was not as high quality as his more recent narrations, whenever he received a phone call, it sounded right as if you were listening in ...more
I love some of Harlan Coben's books but IMHO this was not one of his bests. I think it could have been told without a lot of the twists that turned out to not be twists at all, just page fillers. I was attached to the main character in the beginning but became separated from him as the story went along, a little too sappy for me. Would have been a great mystery if it had stuck closer to the main story line.
This book literally blew my mind! It kept me guessing through all the 442 pages. Yes! That's right, suspense grips the reader till the very last page. In the beginning you feel that the book is only about a murderer who killed 4 kids in a summer camp but Hell No! Paul Copeland was in the dark about a lot of things, like stuff about his mother and father and Ira and Lucy. The entire story gets twisted towards the end. The twists and turns are really unexpected and makes you want to read the book
...more
This was such a page-turner!!
I didn't know much about this book when I started reading it but I didn't expect this! There was so much happening in this book. It was really fast-paced and had a lot of interesting stories all weaved in together very nicely. This was my first book by Harlan Coben and I definitely want to read more after this. I felt the characters motives were explained thoroughly so you knew exactly why they did what they did.
A highly enjoyable read and I'll be watching the Netf ...more
I didn't know much about this book when I started reading it but I didn't expect this! There was so much happening in this book. It was really fast-paced and had a lot of interesting stories all weaved in together very nicely. This was my first book by Harlan Coben and I definitely want to read more after this. I felt the characters motives were explained thoroughly so you knew exactly why they did what they did.
A highly enjoyable read and I'll be watching the Netf ...more
I read this book as a buddy read and also wanted to read it for TBR Takedown, but I did not make it for that. I knew that I would enjoy this book since it is by Harlan Coben, wow it was so engaging with such a great mystery plot line. Thoroughly loved this book.
Synopsis
Twenty years ago, four teenagers at summer camp walked into the woods at night. Two were found murdered, and the others were never seen again. Four families had their lives changed forever. Now, two decades later, they are about t ...more
Synopsis
Twenty years ago, four teenagers at summer camp walked into the woods at night. Two were found murdered, and the others were never seen again. Four families had their lives changed forever. Now, two decades later, they are about t ...more
I love Harlan Coben's writing. You just turn and turn the pages and before you realize it you've read a 500 page book. This is the third novel I read by him and I have many more on my to read list. Paul is haunted by the events that took place in his life more than 20 years ago. His sister and 3 of her friends go into the woods near their summer camp and they never came out. But after all these years the past comes rushing back. I loved the book and even liked the ending. i think Harlan Coben mo
...more
This is the first Harlan Coben book that I have read. It will not be my last because I am preparing to binge read a bunch of his books! I read this over the course of two days and could not put it down. This became a page turner for me and I enjoyed the plot twists and turns. He keeps them coming until the very last page. Just when I thought I had this book figured out, he turned the tables and pulled another one out of his hat. Did I mention that I love this in a book?
Twenty years ago four tee ...more
Twenty years ago four tee ...more
Loved the story, but couldn't get over the blatant paternalistic "benevolent" misogyny and racism and the awful writing. Not sure what's worse, a macho yet sensitive and misunderstood cop who seems oblivious to issues of sex and race (most characters in the genre), or a macho yet sensitive misunderstood cop who presents himself as a social-justice advocate who isn't racist or sexist while commenting extensively on women's bodies, looks, and race in ways that go with the grain of every known ster
...more
With a debt of gratitude and writing credit to Michael K. Brett-Surman's dinosaurs, from which I stole the format and a good many of the words from page 150.
For D. Pow.
Hackosaurus Rex
Field Notes:
Hackosaurus Rex exemplifie ...more
For D. Pow.
Hackosaurus Rex
Field Notes:
HAK-oh-SAW-rus REX
Tyrant Hack-Novelist
a.k.a. Harlen Coben
6 feet (1.8288 metres)
Psi Upsilon Frat Boy
Friend of Brownosaurus Dan
Current Holocene
North America (New Jersey, USA)
Edgar Award winner; Shamus Award winner; Anthony Award winner; never short listed for the Man Booker Prize.
Hackosaurus Rex exemplifie ...more
Now this was an excellent book!
So many twists I didn't see coming. I thought the characters were upbeat and seemed completely real. The plot was great. At first, it seemed to me that it was going to be a typical suspenseful thriller, but the twists in the plot made it more, especially the ending. Did not see that coming!
Excellent!
So many twists I didn't see coming. I thought the characters were upbeat and seemed completely real. The plot was great. At first, it seemed to me that it was going to be a typical suspenseful thriller, but the twists in the plot made it more, especially the ending. Did not see that coming!
Excellent!
My first ever Harlan Coben book and it was not disappointing. Fast paced and the easy, smooth writing makes it a quick page turner.
Jan 24, 2011
Danielle
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
thriller-mystery,
disappointing
I found Harlan Coben's book, "The Woods," to be a generally underwhelming read. Though the pace was quick and I kept turning pages, this has more to credit a timeline with very little breathing space between each event than intrigue and emotional investment in the characters.
The main protagonist, Paul 'Cope' Copeland, was contradictory, hypocritical and patronizing. He came across as a coward who tried to convince himself that he was otherwise by judging others and presenting himself as a morall ...more
The main protagonist, Paul 'Cope' Copeland, was contradictory, hypocritical and patronizing. He came across as a coward who tried to convince himself that he was otherwise by judging others and presenting himself as a morall ...more
4.5 Stars
Harlan Coben sure knows how to keep his readers on their toes. Just as always, no cliche ending, amazing plot twists and one helluva a ride through the Woods. It was a fun read
Harlan Coben sure knows how to keep his readers on their toes. Just as always, no cliche ending, amazing plot twists and one helluva a ride through the Woods. It was a fun read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan Coben: The last sentence haunted me | 4 | 133 | Sep 03, 2017 09:43PM | |
| Fiction Fanatics: November 2016 - The Woods | 4 | 22 | Nov 20, 2016 02:30AM | |
| The Challenge Fac...: Krissy & Gemma - The Woods | 2 | 21 | Mar 01, 2016 09:51AM | |
| Goodreads Indonesia: Buku si plontos Harlan Coben ada juga yang nerbitin | 2 | 26 | Aug 14, 2011 01:25AM | |
| sloppy seconds | 1 | 119 | Aug 20, 2007 06:35PM |
Readers also enjoyed
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 aut ...more
Coben is the winner of the Edgar Award, Shamus Award and Anthony Award – the first aut ...more
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