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No Second Chance
Shot twice by an unseen assailant, Dr. Marc Seidman lies in a hospital bed. His wife has been killed. His six-month-old daughter has vanished. But just when his world seems forever shattered, the ransom note arrives: We are watching. If you contact the authorities, you will never see your daughter again. There will be no second chance. With no one to trust, and mired in a deepening quicksand of deception and deadly secrets, Marc clings to one unwavering vow: bring home his daughter, at any cost.
452 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 31, 2003
2778 people are currently reading
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About the author
Harlan Coben
246 books43.9k 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 2,541 reviews
November 17, 2021
Dr. Marc Siedman wakes up in a hospital and discovers that he has been shot twice, his wife was dead, and his six-month-old daughter is missing. Marc can’t remember everything that has happened to him, and the police are suspecting him of the murder of his wife and kidnapping of his child. Marc receives a ransom note, things go wrong, and secrets from the past are eventually revealed. Will Marc ever see his daughter again?
This was a captivating story. I was curious to find out what happened to Marc’s child, who shot Marc and his wife… I liked some characters, like Marc’s old flame Rachel, and Verne, who helped Marc out later on. The villains were evil. But I was disappointed with how the book ended. Some things I liked, and some I didn’t.
A so-so read.
This was a captivating story. I was curious to find out what happened to Marc’s child, who shot Marc and his wife… I liked some characters, like Marc’s old flame Rachel, and Verne, who helped Marc out later on. The villains were evil. But I was disappointed with how the book ended. Some things I liked, and some I didn’t.
A so-so read.
January 18, 2022
“No second chance” (Última oportunidad) es otra buena novela de Harlan Coben, pero, como suele ser habitual en él, no aprovecha el potencial de la trama para desarrollar un producto redondo. A saber, la descripción de los personajes es excelente, los diálogos muy creíbles, el desarrollo de los acontecimientos está muy bien secuenciado, pero ¿qué le falta? En mi opinión, a medida que avanza la novela, va perdiendo fuelle, quizás por entrar en demasiadas reflexiones morales sobre el tema en cuestión (en este caso, la adopción ilegal de niños y las mafias que la llevan a cabo). El final pseudo-feliz, muy apropiado sin duda para la mayoría de los seguidores del autor, a mí me ha parecido una concesión de cara a la galería que le resta al menos una estrella. Por lo demás he encontrado una novela bastante entretenida, que se puede leer casi del tirón. ¡Aunque sigo echando de menos a Myron Bolitar!
Los franceses han adaptado la novela en una mini serie de 6 episodios. Está disponible en Amazon. Habrá que verla.
Año y medio después, me pongo con ella.
Los franceses han adaptado la novela en una mini serie de 6 episodios. Está disponible en Amazon. Habrá que verla.
Año y medio después, me pongo con ella.
March 17, 2016
I know some may think Harlan Coben beneath them, but let me explain why I find myself enjoying his books: First, I'm tired as heck of books where nothing happens but blushes hidden and a cough of disapproval. Second, I always had a fondness for books on killers (not to understand myself, but the opposite, I assure you). Third, I agree with most of Coben's values, like this snippet from No Second Chance:
"Edgar belongs to that unique class of the entitled who have deluded themselves into believing that they somehow earned their status through hard work. We all live with self-justification, of course, and if you have never fended for yourself, if you live in luxury and have done nothing to deserve it, well, that is going to compound your insecurities, I guess. But it shouldn't make you a prig, to boot. (p. 29)"
I've lived my entire life trying to meet unrealistic standards: let me have my light reading. It could be worse: I could listen to smooth jazz.
"Edgar belongs to that unique class of the entitled who have deluded themselves into believing that they somehow earned their status through hard work. We all live with self-justification, of course, and if you have never fended for yourself, if you live in luxury and have done nothing to deserve it, well, that is going to compound your insecurities, I guess. But it shouldn't make you a prig, to boot. (p. 29)"
I've lived my entire life trying to meet unrealistic standards: let me have my light reading. It could be worse: I could listen to smooth jazz.
November 10, 2024
An explosive novel about the love of a father, set against a story where nothing is what it seems and where hope and fear collide in the most surprising ways.
It was fast paced, page turning action that constantly left me wondering what could possibly happen next.
Verdict....... fast, interesting, enjoyable, likable characters – including one of the rogues of the piece.
A story that whilst stretching the bounds of believability didn’t transgress too far into the realms of fantasy to make me hit the switch to the off button.
It was fast paced, page turning action that constantly left me wondering what could possibly happen next.
Verdict....... fast, interesting, enjoyable, likable characters – including one of the rogues of the piece.
A story that whilst stretching the bounds of believability didn’t transgress too far into the realms of fantasy to make me hit the switch to the off button.
December 30, 2021
“You shouldn’t do the wrong thing for the right reasons.” (3.5 stars)
NO SECOND CHANCE is my first Harlan Coben novel. Obviously I see his stuff everywhere, and I finally picked him up.
The book drew me in very quickly, for a variety of reasons. It opens with the protagonist being shot in the chest, his wife murdered, and his infant daughter missing. As I kept reading I had to make a decision. I could roll my eyes a lot, or I could go with it and enjoy the read. I decided on the latter. The plot has very over the top elements (especially the villains) but the writing is sharp. All in all, a fair exchange.
The perspective changes a lot in this novel, but most of the book is told from the first person perspective of the protagonist, Dr. Marc Seidman. Marc’s voice is drool, witty, and very dry. With him Coben has created a nice persona who we enjoy as he guides us through this story.
Quotes:
• “I think there are places a man just can’t get to without experience.”
• “We claim to embrace change. But in the end, especially in these times, what truly draws us is the familiar.”
• “I can only be as happy as my saddest child.”
• “I knew him so well. Or maybe I hadn’t known him at all.”
• “I had the selfishness of a teenager, a truly redundant description if ever I’ve heard one.”
• “No one remembers being the bully.”
• “It was easier to talk, even with your best friend, when you were looking at the stars.”
Despite the fact that there were some plot elements I figured out (in part) I still very much enjoyed this read because Coben always threw in a twist to those moments I had caught on to that I did not see coming.
As mentioned, NO SECOND CHANCE was my first Harlan Coben book. It has given me no reason to not pick up others, and I will do so at some point.
NO SECOND CHANCE is my first Harlan Coben novel. Obviously I see his stuff everywhere, and I finally picked him up.
The book drew me in very quickly, for a variety of reasons. It opens with the protagonist being shot in the chest, his wife murdered, and his infant daughter missing. As I kept reading I had to make a decision. I could roll my eyes a lot, or I could go with it and enjoy the read. I decided on the latter. The plot has very over the top elements (especially the villains) but the writing is sharp. All in all, a fair exchange.
The perspective changes a lot in this novel, but most of the book is told from the first person perspective of the protagonist, Dr. Marc Seidman. Marc’s voice is drool, witty, and very dry. With him Coben has created a nice persona who we enjoy as he guides us through this story.
Quotes:
• “I think there are places a man just can’t get to without experience.”
• “We claim to embrace change. But in the end, especially in these times, what truly draws us is the familiar.”
• “I can only be as happy as my saddest child.”
• “I knew him so well. Or maybe I hadn’t known him at all.”
• “I had the selfishness of a teenager, a truly redundant description if ever I’ve heard one.”
• “No one remembers being the bully.”
• “It was easier to talk, even with your best friend, when you were looking at the stars.”
Despite the fact that there were some plot elements I figured out (in part) I still very much enjoyed this read because Coben always threw in a twist to those moments I had caught on to that I did not see coming.
As mentioned, NO SECOND CHANCE was my first Harlan Coben book. It has given me no reason to not pick up others, and I will do so at some point.
January 7, 2021
Everyone seems to read Harlan Coben books but me, so I thought I would give one a try........ and it lived up to expectations.
This is a complicated story of a surgeon who is shot, his wife murdered, and his infant child missing. The surgeon, who barely escapes death is determined to find his daughter who he believes is still alive. And so begins a complex and sometimes a bit confusing tale of his search. His wealthy father-in-law gets a ransom demand for $1 million and the chase is on.
The story covers two years of false clues, disappointment, a father's quest, and no sign of the child. Many diverse characters are introduced and the reader is left with the trying to identify which of them, if any, is involved in this crime.
I thought the ending was a bit far-fetched but not enough to ruin my interest in the story. I will probably read more of Coben's books since it certainly keeps the reader guessing and that's the mark of a good thriller.
This is a complicated story of a surgeon who is shot, his wife murdered, and his infant child missing. The surgeon, who barely escapes death is determined to find his daughter who he believes is still alive. And so begins a complex and sometimes a bit confusing tale of his search. His wealthy father-in-law gets a ransom demand for $1 million and the chase is on.
The story covers two years of false clues, disappointment, a father's quest, and no sign of the child. Many diverse characters are introduced and the reader is left with the trying to identify which of them, if any, is involved in this crime.
I thought the ending was a bit far-fetched but not enough to ruin my interest in the story. I will probably read more of Coben's books since it certainly keeps the reader guessing and that's the mark of a good thriller.
July 14, 2015
Dr. Marc Seidman has been shot twice, his wife has been murdered, and his six-month-old daughter has been kidnapped. When he gets the ransom note-he knows he has only one chance to get this right. But there is nowhere he can turn and no one he can trust.
Okay, so this book is a little "can't happen in real life" but Harlan Coben is such an incredible writer that you kinda forget it and just let yourself be sucked in.
Okay, so this book is a little "can't happen in real life" but Harlan Coben is such an incredible writer that you kinda forget it and just let yourself be sucked in.
April 11, 2016
Another fantastic page turner from Coben. This novel had such thrilling moments that I found myself totally and completely immersed in it and in complete Coben tradition, a 180 hits you at the end which I love. Great book! Coben is a must read author!!!!!!
March 10, 2009
I have mixed feelings about Harlan Coben. The first novel I read of his was part of the Myron Bolitar series and I so seriously disliked Myron and his sarcastic ways that I dismissed Cobens' books completely.
Then, a long airplane ride forced me to reconsider and I found myself enjoying his Tell No One. Smart, complicated and a likable protagonist (a far cry from Myron).
No Second Chance falls between the two ends of the spectrum, but closer to the good end. As I've learned is his usual set-up, his protagonist, a plastic surgeon named Marc Seidman, is a likable, clueless, and willing-to-do-anything-to-find-out-what-happened-because-he's-got-nothing-left-to-lose kind of guy. In this case, Seidman's beloved baby daughter has been kidnapped, his estranged wife murdered and he himself shot and left for dead. When the kidnappers call and demand a ransom, he bungles the exchange and fears he's lost his chance to recover his daughter forever.
Contrary to the title, he does gets a second chance. In fact, I think he gets a third chance. I know. I don't know what Coben was thinking with that title. Because the book is almost all about the second chance, which happens fairly early on in the novel and it's also when the plot gets nice and murky.
Coben plays the role or part-time philosopher several times throughout the book and allows his narrator to pontificate his version of truth. From his observations of the rich to other virtues and vices, Coben tends to moralize his characters. I also loved the many twists and turns and was really satisfied with what I thought was the ending. But then he twisted it again and the ending became something different. Then he twisted it again and I wanted to call him up personally and say, "Sometimes, less is more, Harlan!" I'll concede that I didn't see the final end coming, but it's not as satisfying because it rests on pretty much every single person Marc knows ultimately being a complete psychopath.
I'll continue to pick up these books when I need to unwind and read a page-turner that lets me escape.
Then, a long airplane ride forced me to reconsider and I found myself enjoying his Tell No One. Smart, complicated and a likable protagonist (a far cry from Myron).
No Second Chance falls between the two ends of the spectrum, but closer to the good end. As I've learned is his usual set-up, his protagonist, a plastic surgeon named Marc Seidman, is a likable, clueless, and willing-to-do-anything-to-find-out-what-happened-because-he's-got-nothing-left-to-lose kind of guy. In this case, Seidman's beloved baby daughter has been kidnapped, his estranged wife murdered and he himself shot and left for dead. When the kidnappers call and demand a ransom, he bungles the exchange and fears he's lost his chance to recover his daughter forever.
Contrary to the title, he does gets a second chance. In fact, I think he gets a third chance. I know. I don't know what Coben was thinking with that title. Because the book is almost all about the second chance, which happens fairly early on in the novel and it's also when the plot gets nice and murky.
Coben plays the role or part-time philosopher several times throughout the book and allows his narrator to pontificate his version of truth. From his observations of the rich to other virtues and vices, Coben tends to moralize his characters. I also loved the many twists and turns and was really satisfied with what I thought was the ending. But then he twisted it again and the ending became something different. Then he twisted it again and I wanted to call him up personally and say, "Sometimes, less is more, Harlan!" I'll concede that I didn't see the final end coming, but it's not as satisfying because it rests on pretty much every single person Marc knows ultimately being a complete psychopath.
I'll continue to pick up these books when I need to unwind and read a page-turner that lets me escape.
September 10, 2020
Ще има и втори шанс ... но счупеното не се лепи.
Да не разказвам сюжета, че нали трилърите на това се крепят. При Коубън е характерно, че обиновено става въпрос за травми от детството, които са изградили част от героите такива, каквито ги четем в книгите. Въпреки някои налични клишета (като тъмните балкански субекти н. пр.) успява да предложи неочаквани развития.
Много подходяща за дъвка, ако това си търсите в момента. Несъмнено воденето на нератива от Коубън е много подходящо за аудио вариант и това са оценили в Сторител. Има вече няколко негови в каталога.
Да не разказвам сюжета, че нали трилърите на това се крепят. При Коубън е характерно, че обиновено става въпрос за травми от детството, които са изградили част от героите такива, каквито ги четем в книгите. Въпреки някои налични клишета (като тъмните балкански субекти н. пр.) успява да предложи неочаквани развития.
Много подходяща за дъвка, ако това си търсите в момента. Несъмнено воденето на нератива от Коубън е много подходящо за аудио вариант и това са оценили в Сторител. Има вече няколко негови в каталога.
March 20, 2020
This book was great and definitely my favorite kind of book, psychological thriller. The author never disappoints. Harlan Coben is always one of my favorites. I could not put this book down. I've spent all weekend reading it and it was well worth it. I will continue to read any book I can by this author.
I just read this book again and it was as good the second time. I was not sure I had read it, kept thinking it sounded familiar but does not matter. Love this author, always enjoy what he writes and also enjoy the series he does on Netflix.
I just read this book again and it was as good the second time. I was not sure I had read it, kept thinking it sounded familiar but does not matter. Love this author, always enjoy what he writes and also enjoy the series he does on Netflix.
February 10, 2025
4 Stars
Good but very long.
Marks wife is murdered and his young daughter goes missing.
Mark was almost killed in the incident and he wakes up in a hospital twelve days later not knowing what happened.
After a year of looking for his missing daughter Mark decides to get in touch with his ex girlfriend.
She was an ex FBI agent and Mark knew she could help him.
Neither one knowing what they were walking into.
Loved the characters and writing
Good but very long.
Marks wife is murdered and his young daughter goes missing.
Mark was almost killed in the incident and he wakes up in a hospital twelve days later not knowing what happened.
After a year of looking for his missing daughter Mark decides to get in touch with his ex girlfriend.
She was an ex FBI agent and Mark knew she could help him.
Neither one knowing what they were walking into.
Loved the characters and writing
February 10, 2022
4 stars
So, the ending of this book is what makes it so good. I don't usually change my mind about rating a book based on the ending but there's a first for everything, right?
So, the ending of this book is what makes it so good. I don't usually change my mind about rating a book based on the ending but there's a first for everything, right?
August 30, 2023
An early Harlan Coben thriller that stands up pretty well, though is a little drawn out in places.
The novel immediately thrusts the reader into the mystery as successful surgeon Marc Seidman wakes up in ICU having been shot and discovering his wife was murdered and daughter missing.
The hook like many of these types of stories, sees Marc on a desperate search for answers with plenty of twists along the way.
Whilst I don't think that this is Coben's strongest novel, the characters are interesting and it's fast paced with a tense climactic conclusion.
The novel immediately thrusts the reader into the mystery as successful surgeon Marc Seidman wakes up in ICU having been shot and discovering his wife was murdered and daughter missing.
The hook like many of these types of stories, sees Marc on a desperate search for answers with plenty of twists along the way.
Whilst I don't think that this is Coben's strongest novel, the characters are interesting and it's fast paced with a tense climactic conclusion.
May 31, 2020
A good Coben thriller/mystery as a man is shot and left for dead while his wife is murdered and his baby daughter is missing. There are many, many plot twists in this exciting story, but the very last twist is one twist too many and detracts from the overall story. A lot of contemparary authors cannot resist having a last minute twist, but they often detract for the believability as this one does. Still, it is Coben and he is good, so recommended.
April 30, 2024
Too many layers in this onion destroy its credibility!
Marc Seidman comes to in the hospital to learn that he has recovered from a near fatal gunshot wound. His wife is dead and his daughter, Tara, is missing, apparently having been kidnapped. When the kidnappers demand a $2 million ransom they also warn Seidman that his daughter will be killed if he notifies the police. They are adamant that there will be No Second Chance . Torn between the love of his daughter and the logic that suggests his chances of recovering her are better with the help of the authorities, he brings them in against the warning of the kidnappers. The exchange is botched, the money disappears and Seidman is sure that his daughter has been killed.
But eighteen months later, just as life is settling to a semblance of normalcy, Seidman is given the second chance that the kidnappers swore he couldn't have. A demand note for another $2 million ransom surfaces. The police, on the other hand, are now looking at Seidman as the number one suspect in the kidnapping of his own daughter and they think he's scamming his deceased wife's father for the ransom.
Despite a promising plot, convincing dialogue that comes easily off the tongue, a satisfying cast of complex well-built characters and some easy-reading action that does keep the pages turning, I found myself strangely unsatisfied. At the end of the novel, I found the highest compliment that I could pay Coben was to call NO SECOND CHANCE workmanlike and reasonably well-constructed. Like the previous Harlan Coben novel that I read, JUST ONE LOOK, I found the plot to be needlessly twisted and complex with just a few too many layers of details. Not that the plot was difficult to follow, more that it was difficult to swallow if you understand the difference.
Recommended. I'm sure Coben fans will enjoy it but I confess I'm not running to the bookstore to stock up on other Harlan Coben titles.
Paul Weiss
Marc Seidman comes to in the hospital to learn that he has recovered from a near fatal gunshot wound. His wife is dead and his daughter, Tara, is missing, apparently having been kidnapped. When the kidnappers demand a $2 million ransom they also warn Seidman that his daughter will be killed if he notifies the police. They are adamant that there will be No Second Chance . Torn between the love of his daughter and the logic that suggests his chances of recovering her are better with the help of the authorities, he brings them in against the warning of the kidnappers. The exchange is botched, the money disappears and Seidman is sure that his daughter has been killed.
But eighteen months later, just as life is settling to a semblance of normalcy, Seidman is given the second chance that the kidnappers swore he couldn't have. A demand note for another $2 million ransom surfaces. The police, on the other hand, are now looking at Seidman as the number one suspect in the kidnapping of his own daughter and they think he's scamming his deceased wife's father for the ransom.
Despite a promising plot, convincing dialogue that comes easily off the tongue, a satisfying cast of complex well-built characters and some easy-reading action that does keep the pages turning, I found myself strangely unsatisfied. At the end of the novel, I found the highest compliment that I could pay Coben was to call NO SECOND CHANCE workmanlike and reasonably well-constructed. Like the previous Harlan Coben novel that I read, JUST ONE LOOK, I found the plot to be needlessly twisted and complex with just a few too many layers of details. Not that the plot was difficult to follow, more that it was difficult to swallow if you understand the difference.
Recommended. I'm sure Coben fans will enjoy it but I confess I'm not running to the bookstore to stock up on other Harlan Coben titles.
Paul Weiss
February 14, 2020
“I can only be as happy as my saddest child. Do”
― Harlan Coben, No Second Chance
.
Because of the high demand for the Myron Bolitar books at the library I picked up another Coben one-shot, No Second Chance. Like the previous one-shot I read it has a great premise main protagonist Dr. Marc Seidman is shot, when is wife's murdered and baby daughter taken! He gets a ransom note, and realises that whatever he does, he'll have to do it alone!
Wowsers.. the twists, and the turns! My favourite Coben to date. 7 out of 12.
― Harlan Coben, No Second Chance
.
Because of the high demand for the Myron Bolitar books at the library I picked up another Coben one-shot, No Second Chance. Like the previous one-shot I read it has a great premise main protagonist Dr. Marc Seidman is shot, when is wife's murdered and baby daughter taken! He gets a ransom note, and realises that whatever he does, he'll have to do it alone!
Wowsers.. the twists, and the turns! My favourite Coben to date. 7 out of 12.
May 24, 2015
I love these sorts of stories where ordinary people are put through the wringer and have their lives turned upside down and then have to do stuff they've never done before to save their families/own skins/whatever. In typical Coben fashion he takes us to hell and back. Good twist at the end. A good, gripping yarn.
January 9, 2021
No Second Chance is a stand-alone thriller published in 2003, that has been sitting on my “to read” bookshelves since buying it from a book fair in 2012. The plan this year is to read lots of tree-books, so I decided I would alternate between Book Club books and ones I’ve accumulated over the years - it’s actually a bit daunting knowing which to pick (there are currently about 300) so I went for something relatively short by a well-known and usually reliable author that I figured the rest of BC would want to read. Had I realised it was a missing child plotline I probably would’ve chosen something else, but it starts with a bang and I wanted to know what happened so kept going. Unfortunately then it slowed down and became more and more ridiculous with multiple very contrived twists, and totally unrealistic character behaviour.
Marc Seidman is a talented young plastic surgeon who wakes up after being shot in the chest to discover his wife is dead and his baby daughter Tara has been taken. His wealthy father-in-Law puts up the $2 million ransom, but the kidnappers find out that the police & FBI have been called, and punish him by taking the money and the child. Then, eighteen months later, despite being told there would be No Second Chances, Marc is offered a second chance. This time he is determined to do whatever it takes to get Tara back - so calls his college ex, Rachel, a disgraced former FBI agent, but the conspiracy is more complex that either of them could’ve imagined - and Marc will learn that the betrayal was closer to home than he could’ve believed.
For an eighteen year old novel, this holds up pretty well in terms of technology and character attitudes. It just wasn’t very believable. I think one of the reasons I dislike missing child stories (apart from having read too many of them) is the way they turn normally sensible parents into desperate nutcases, and that’s not fun to read about. Marc is all over the place, flipping from coolheaded surgeon to gun-toting bully, in the name of finding his child - so his behaviour at the end makes no sense. (Obviously I don’t have human children so just can’t relate.)
I’ve read quite a few of Coben’s non-series books and have started to recognise a formula that doesn’t exactly spoil the plot, but just makes it feel it lacks any originality. It’s not terrible, just nothing I’d rave about, and the ending just felt too convenient.
Marc Seidman is a talented young plastic surgeon who wakes up after being shot in the chest to discover his wife is dead and his baby daughter Tara has been taken. His wealthy father-in-Law puts up the $2 million ransom, but the kidnappers find out that the police & FBI have been called, and punish him by taking the money and the child. Then, eighteen months later, despite being told there would be No Second Chances, Marc is offered a second chance. This time he is determined to do whatever it takes to get Tara back - so calls his college ex, Rachel, a disgraced former FBI agent, but the conspiracy is more complex that either of them could’ve imagined - and Marc will learn that the betrayal was closer to home than he could’ve believed.
For an eighteen year old novel, this holds up pretty well in terms of technology and character attitudes. It just wasn’t very believable. I think one of the reasons I dislike missing child stories (apart from having read too many of them) is the way they turn normally sensible parents into desperate nutcases, and that’s not fun to read about. Marc is all over the place, flipping from coolheaded surgeon to gun-toting bully, in the name of finding his child - so his behaviour at the end makes no sense. (Obviously I don’t have human children so just can’t relate.)
I’ve read quite a few of Coben’s non-series books and have started to recognise a formula that doesn’t exactly spoil the plot, but just makes it feel it lacks any originality. It’s not terrible, just nothing I’d rave about, and the ending just felt too convenient.
May 12, 2014
I have read a fair few of Harlan Coben's books, and they certainly keep me turning the pages. The trouble is, they're a bit like McDonalds burgers: you really fancy one, but after you've finished it you feel unsatisfied and a bit empty. Doesn't stop you fancying another one though.
This book was a real HC by numbers, although thank God it didn't have that godawful Hester Crimstein in it. All the other usual plot lines were there though: the teenage love affair that cast a long shadow over all future romances. The psychopathic and totally unbelievable guns-for-hire (I mean, why did this one have to be a child star for heaven's sake? Wasn't just being a psychopath enough?). There was the usual missing person (lover/wife/husband/child: delete as applicable) that had been missing for a long time, long enough for the protagonist to move on but not really move on. All the cops and FBI agents had been recycled from previous novels which, unless New Jersey only has two cops, is taking character-familiarity a bit too far.
At least we were spared the deus-ex-machina type characters this time (see Hester above, and Win from the Bolitar novels), although Verne was getting a bit close.
Unfotunately, the characters were more two-dimensional than usual for a HC novel, and in fact all of his novels could do with a bit more fleshing out of the people in them. The trouble is, that the plotline is the be-all and end-all of his books, and in this book in particular, the ugly mechanics of the plot were poking out through the fabric of the story so that it felt like it had just all been bolted together.
The reason I am being a bit scathing of this particular HC novel is that it stretched my credulity beyond its limit. Too many things just didn't make any sense, the characters starting doing unbelievable things, and so I stopped caring about them. When that happens, it's time to put down a book. I didn't though, because I wanted to see how it turned out, and therein lies HC's strength as an author.
Big Mac anyone?
This book was a real HC by numbers, although thank God it didn't have that godawful Hester Crimstein in it. All the other usual plot lines were there though: the teenage love affair that cast a long shadow over all future romances. The psychopathic and totally unbelievable guns-for-hire (I mean, why did this one have to be a child star for heaven's sake? Wasn't just being a psychopath enough?). There was the usual missing person (lover/wife/husband/child: delete as applicable) that had been missing for a long time, long enough for the protagonist to move on but not really move on. All the cops and FBI agents had been recycled from previous novels which, unless New Jersey only has two cops, is taking character-familiarity a bit too far.
At least we were spared the deus-ex-machina type characters this time (see Hester above, and Win from the Bolitar novels), although Verne was getting a bit close.
Unfotunately, the characters were more two-dimensional than usual for a HC novel, and in fact all of his novels could do with a bit more fleshing out of the people in them. The trouble is, that the plotline is the be-all and end-all of his books, and in this book in particular, the ugly mechanics of the plot were poking out through the fabric of the story so that it felt like it had just all been bolted together.
The reason I am being a bit scathing of this particular HC novel is that it stretched my credulity beyond its limit. Too many things just didn't make any sense, the characters starting doing unbelievable things, and so I stopped caring about them. When that happens, it's time to put down a book. I didn't though, because I wanted to see how it turned out, and therein lies HC's strength as an author.
Big Mac anyone?
March 26, 2013
NO SECOND CHANCE (Pub. 2003) by Harlan Coben kept me turning the pages right up until the end. The story kicks off with a bang and gave me no choice but to read on because I had to find out what would happen next.
Marc Seidman wakes up in the hospital, recovering from surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his chest during a home invasion. He quickly finds out that his wife was also shot and killed, and his infant daughter has been kidnapped. Seidman is desperate to find his daughter but his search is impeded by the police who accuse him of shooting his own wife. But Seidman cares only about finding his daughter and flees the hospital with the help of his business partner and his best-friend/attorney.
Seidman receives a ransom note for his daughter, and two million dollars from his father-in-law to meet the ransom demand, but the exchange goes awry and he is forced to leave without his daughter.
The author quickly begins to plant several question marks on the who/how/why of the kidnapping and murder of Seidman's family. Once again, Coben brings out his method of giving us a deeply tangled web of lies and deceptions to comb through to get the answers, but the tangling doesn't happen until the very end of the story although we begin to get hints of it along the way. Even while giving us clues, it is impossible to figure out the who-done-it until the author reveals all at the end.
I enjoyed this book because the author keeps the tension tight throughout the story, it's well written and edited and Coben gives us several interesting villains. The author quickly makes us care about the main character and whether he will find his daughter. The ending is surprising and brings a satisfying payoff.
Marc Seidman wakes up in the hospital, recovering from surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his chest during a home invasion. He quickly finds out that his wife was also shot and killed, and his infant daughter has been kidnapped. Seidman is desperate to find his daughter but his search is impeded by the police who accuse him of shooting his own wife. But Seidman cares only about finding his daughter and flees the hospital with the help of his business partner and his best-friend/attorney.
Seidman receives a ransom note for his daughter, and two million dollars from his father-in-law to meet the ransom demand, but the exchange goes awry and he is forced to leave without his daughter.
The author quickly begins to plant several question marks on the who/how/why of the kidnapping and murder of Seidman's family. Once again, Coben brings out his method of giving us a deeply tangled web of lies and deceptions to comb through to get the answers, but the tangling doesn't happen until the very end of the story although we begin to get hints of it along the way. Even while giving us clues, it is impossible to figure out the who-done-it until the author reveals all at the end.
I enjoyed this book because the author keeps the tension tight throughout the story, it's well written and edited and Coben gives us several interesting villains. The author quickly makes us care about the main character and whether he will find his daughter. The ending is surprising and brings a satisfying payoff.
August 19, 2019
Great book! This is the first Harlan Coben book I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last. The only thing keeping this off my “loved it” shelf, which I keep for the best of the best, is the amount of feelings speckled throughout. I know, I know, hard to tell a story like this without it dealing with the anguish and emotions the main character goes through. Still, it was one twist after another and overall, a fantastic read! I love it when I can spend the whole book trying to figure things out while still not quite putting it together. Great mystery and I liked the ending. Oh, and a side note....I absolutely loved Verne!
April 18, 2025
Има втори шанс, поне в този симпатичен, бързооборотен трилър.
June 5, 2016
Another AWESOME page-turner from Coben! In the ending just when you think you've got it all figured out it heads in a direction you'll never see coming!
No Second Chance is about Dr. Marc Seldman who has just come out of a coma after getting shot twice, waking up in a hospital and finding out that his wife has been killed and his 6 month old daughter has mysteriously disappeared, but not long after Seldman receives a ransom demand from an unknown party, and saying if he tries anything stupid he'll never see his daughter again, he won't get a second chance.
Filled with Non-stop thrills, great characters, and twist and turns!
No Second Chance is about Dr. Marc Seldman who has just come out of a coma after getting shot twice, waking up in a hospital and finding out that his wife has been killed and his 6 month old daughter has mysteriously disappeared, but not long after Seldman receives a ransom demand from an unknown party, and saying if he tries anything stupid he'll never see his daughter again, he won't get a second chance.
Filled with Non-stop thrills, great characters, and twist and turns!
February 18, 2018
Another great Harlan Coben missing person mystery. You never know what to expect with his books, which makes you keep reading until the very end!
November 24, 2020
Šiandien baigėsi mano pažintis su Harlan Coben. Sunku vertinti neišduodant siužeto, bet knyga man visai patiko. Vietomis kėlė pyktį, nes atrodo taip tikrai realybėje nebūna ,bet autorius tikrai sugebėjo sudominti ir išlaikyti intrigą iki pat galo. Galbūt norėjosi , kad tam tikros detalės nebūtų atskleistos taip greitai, kaip buvo, bet pabaigoje paaiškėjo kodėl būtent taip atsitiko
-Ar skaitysiu kitas jo knygas?
-Taip.
-Ar skaitysiu kitas jo knygas?
-Taip.
June 22, 2025
৪.৫ তারা
শেষ একটা বই পড়ে শেষ করেছি, সেটাও এক মাসেরও বেশি আগে। তারপর নাওকো ধরার পড়ে এত চাপ গেলো যে কখন যে রিডার্স ব্লক ধরে ফেলেছে, টেরই পাইনি। এই কয়দিন আল্লাহকে শুধু ডেকেছি, একটা বই অন্তত শেষ করার ক্ষমতা দাও। অবশেষে একটা বই শেষ করতে পারলাম। আলহামদুলিল্লাহ।
হারলান কোবেনের বই মানেই রোলার কোস্টার রাইড এটা আমরা কমবেশি সবাই জানি। তবে আমার পড়া উনার অন্য বইয়ের তুলনায় এই বইটা তুলনামূলক স্লো। প্রথম ১০০ পৃষ্ঠা পড়ে আমি ভাবছিলাম সম্ভবত বইটাকে তিন তারা দিতে হবে, এত ধীর। কিন্তু এরপরে কাহিনী এত দ্রুত এগিয়েছে, মনে হবে ছয় মাসের বাচ্চা হামাগুড়ি, হাঁটার পর্যায় এড়িয়ে সোজা দৌঁড়ানো শুরু করেছে। এজন্যই সাড়ে চার তারা না দিয়ে পারা গেলো না।
কাহিনীটা সংক্ষেপে এরকমঃ প্লাস্টিক সার্জন মার্ক সাইডম্যান ও তার স্ত্রী মনিকাকে গুলি করা হয়েছে। মনিকা ঘটনাস্থলে মারা গেলো, আর মরতে মরতে বেঁচে ফিরলো মার্ক। এদিকে চুরি হয়ে গেছে তাদের মেয়ে ছয় মাস বয়সী টারা। ঘটনার সাথে জড়িয়ে পড়েছে এফবিআই, মার্কও রয়েছে তাদের মূল সন্দেহভাজনের তালিকায়। মার্ক হাসপাতাল থেকে ফেরার কিছুদিন বাদেই একদিন কিডন্যাপারদের ফোন এলো। কিন্তু মেয়েকে ফিরিয়ে দেয়া হলো না মার্কের কাছে। আঠারো মাস পর, যখন মার্ক আশা নিরাশার মাঝখানে রয়েছে এমন সময় আবার কিডন্যাপাররা যোগাযোগ করলো ওর সাথে। এই সুযোগটা কিছুতেই মার্ক হাতছাড়া করতে চাইলো না। অতঃপর....
ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ ভাইয়া বরাবরের মতোই দারুন অনুবাদ করেছেন। বুঝলাম না প্রকাশের দেড় বছর পরেও বইটার কেবল একটা রিভিউ পেলাম গুড রিডসে। খুবই আন্ডাররেটেড একটা বই, বলতে হচ্ছে। বইটা থ্রিলারপ্রেমীদের কাছে পৌঁছাক, এমনটাই চাই।
শেষ একটা বই পড়ে শেষ করেছি, সেটাও এক মাসেরও বেশি আগে। তারপর নাওকো ধরার পড়ে এত চাপ গেলো যে কখন যে রিডার্স ব্লক ধরে ফেলেছে, টেরই পাইনি। এই কয়দিন আল্লাহকে শুধু ডেকেছি, একটা বই অন্তত শেষ করার ক্ষমতা দাও। অবশেষে একটা বই শেষ করতে পারলাম। আলহামদুলিল্লাহ।
হারলান কোবেনের বই মানেই রোলার কোস্টার রাইড এটা আমরা কমবেশি সবাই জানি। তবে আমার পড়া উনার অন্য বইয়ের তুলনায় এই বইটা তুলনামূলক স্লো। প্রথম ১০০ পৃষ্ঠা পড়ে আমি ভাবছিলাম সম্ভবত বইটাকে তিন তারা দিতে হবে, এত ধীর। কিন্তু এরপরে কাহিনী এত দ্রুত এগিয়েছে, মনে হবে ছয় মাসের বাচ্চা হামাগুড়ি, হাঁটার পর্যায় এড়িয়ে সোজা দৌঁড়ানো শুরু করেছে। এজন্যই সাড়ে চার তারা না দিয়ে পারা গেলো না।
কাহিনীটা সংক্ষেপে এরকমঃ প্লাস্টিক সার্জন মার্ক সাইডম্যান ও তার স্ত্রী মনিকাকে গুলি করা হয়েছে। মনিকা ঘটনাস্থলে মারা গেলো, আর মরতে মরতে বেঁচে ফিরলো মার্ক। এদিকে চুরি হয়ে গেছে তাদের মেয়ে ছয় মাস বয়সী টারা। ঘটনার সাথে জড়িয়ে পড়েছে এফবিআই, মার্কও রয়েছে তাদের মূল সন্দেহভাজনের তালিকায়। মার্ক হাসপাতাল থেকে ফেরার কিছুদিন বাদেই একদিন কিডন্যাপারদের ফোন এলো। কিন্তু মেয়েকে ফিরিয়ে দেয়া হলো না মার্কের কাছে। আঠারো মাস পর, যখন মার্ক আশা নিরাশার মাঝখানে রয়েছে এমন সময় আবার কিডন্যাপাররা যোগাযোগ করলো ওর সাথে। এই সুযোগটা কিছুতেই মার্ক হাতছাড়া করতে চাইলো না। অতঃপর....
ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ ভাইয়া বরাবরের মতোই দারুন অনুবাদ করেছেন। বুঝলাম না প্রকাশের দেড় বছর পরেও বইটার কেবল একটা রিভিউ পেলাম গুড রিডসে। খুবই আন্ডাররেটেড একটা বই, বলতে হচ্ছে। বইটা থ্রিলারপ্রেমীদের কাছে পৌঁছাক, এমনটাই চাই।
December 19, 2025
As brilliant as I've come to expect by this author.
Typical Coben book that keeps you guessing until the end and I'm here for it.
Four stars.
Typical Coben book that keeps you guessing until the end and I'm here for it.
Four stars.
October 1, 2021
Dr. Marc Seidman, a plastic surgeon (but the good kind, who fixes cleft palates in the third world, not the kind who injects packing peanuts into the bubble asses of the nouveau riche), is shot twice and left for dead. He survives, but his wife Monica is killed, her body left nude, and his infant daughter abducted. There's a silver lining: he had fallen out of love with Monica, in fact he never really loved her that much.
Soon a ransom note is received, and Seidman's rich father-in-law prepares a $2 million bundle. Marc delivers it, but the kidnapper runs off without producing his daughter Tara. This is sad, but there's still that silver lining. Monica is gone, so Marc doesn't have to feel guilty when his old college flame Rachel shows up and he can reminisce about their years together spent listening to Steely Dan, before he cheated on Rachel and she left him. Rachel is a "retired" FBI agent and helps Marc search for baby Tara. This involves a lot of night vision goggles, following cars stealthily, and repeatedly poking a Palm Pilot with a stylus.
Months go by. The kidnappers give Marc one more chance, ignoring the title's instruction "No Second Chance." For another $2 million, they will produce baby Tara, they promise. The father-in-law bundles together another bag of money, and this time Rachel sticks a radio tracker inside.
October 29, 2021
Jeigu atmintis manęs neapgauna, prieš keletą metų perskaičiau Harlan Coben detektyvinį romaną ir nuo to laiko pamilau šį žanrą. Pastaruoju metu šį rašytoją buvau kiek apleidusi, bet buvo be galo gera ir smagu vėl paimti į rankas jo knygą.
Šioje istorijoje chirurgas Markas Zaidmanas atsipeikėja reanimacijoje. Jis pameni tik tiek, jog stovėjo savo namų virtuvėje ir valgė javainį, o tuomet.. Tamsa.
Vyras sunkiai, bet išsikapstė iš mirties gniaužtų. Į jo namus buvo įsilaužta. Jo žmona nužudyta, o vos pusės metukų dukrelė - pagrobta. Prabėgus neilgam laikui nuo šio įvykio Markas sulaukia raštelio, kuriame yra sakoma, jog jis yra sekamas.. Lai net nebando kreiptis į policiją, nes tuomet savo dukrą praras amžiams.
Kaip ir bet kurio tėvo, taip ir Marko pagrindinis tikslas - surasti savo dukrą sveiką ir gyvą.
Šita knyga man buvo būtent tai, ko šiuo momentu man labiausiai reikėjo. Norėjau pagalaus bei dinamiško siužeto detektyvinės istorijos, tą ir gavau perskaičiusi "Kitos progos nebus". Skaitant šią knygą nuobodžiauti nebuvo kada, daug veiksmo, įvairių veikėjų bei nenuspėjamų siužeto vingių. Knyga tikrai įdomi, niekaip nebūčiau atspėjusi kaip toliau pasisuks siužetas ir kas slypėjo už viso šito nusikaltimo, bei kur iš tiesų dingo mažoji Tara.
Autorius privertė susimąstyti kaip kartais galvojame, jog pažįstame vieną ar kitą asmenį, o paaiškėja, jog realybė yra visiškai kitokia.
Šioje istorijoje chirurgas Markas Zaidmanas atsipeikėja reanimacijoje. Jis pameni tik tiek, jog stovėjo savo namų virtuvėje ir valgė javainį, o tuomet.. Tamsa.
Vyras sunkiai, bet išsikapstė iš mirties gniaužtų. Į jo namus buvo įsilaužta. Jo žmona nužudyta, o vos pusės metukų dukrelė - pagrobta. Prabėgus neilgam laikui nuo šio įvykio Markas sulaukia raštelio, kuriame yra sakoma, jog jis yra sekamas.. Lai net nebando kreiptis į policiją, nes tuomet savo dukrą praras amžiams.
Kaip ir bet kurio tėvo, taip ir Marko pagrindinis tikslas - surasti savo dukrą sveiką ir gyvą.
Šita knyga man buvo būtent tai, ko šiuo momentu man labiausiai reikėjo. Norėjau pagalaus bei dinamiško siužeto detektyvinės istorijos, tą ir gavau perskaičiusi "Kitos progos nebus". Skaitant šią knygą nuobodžiauti nebuvo kada, daug veiksmo, įvairių veikėjų bei nenuspėjamų siužeto vingių. Knyga tikrai įdomi, niekaip nebūčiau atspėjusi kaip toliau pasisuks siužetas ir kas slypėjo už viso šito nusikaltimo, bei kur iš tiesų dingo mažoji Tara.
Autorius privertė susimąstyti kaip kartais galvojame, jog pažįstame vieną ar kitą asmenį, o paaiškėja, jog realybė yra visiškai kitokia.
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