Play Dead

Harlen Coben is one of my favorite Mystery writers, he does such an excellent job at keeping the readers at the edge of their seat and making them want to read until dusk. Mystery books are probably my favorite to read because I love the multiple intriguing plot lines that keep you guessing until the very end. That's what exactly happened here, I finished this book in about 2-3 days tops, and I thought I was the detective that was one step ahead of the criminal. Until. BAM. It hit me. It was the character you least expected, the character who stood aside until it was his moment. The character that made havoc break lose. Yes, that character.

It is pretty funny though, this was one of his first books I believe, written 20 years ago. At the front of my copy (a re-printed copy), it says, "If this is one of your first books of mine. Put it down. Return it. And grab another one." I just thought this was really hilarious that an author would this in his book. But after reading it, you can totally tell the difference between this and one of his now-a-days, his voice, writer's craft, and just the feel you get from it. But all that comes with time and I like that he warned us and recognized it himself. To be frank, the plot is well written but it is so far-fetched and there would be so many alternate solutions, but hey that what makes this book so unique.

To me, what makes this book a good mystery book is that one, the characters are well developed and are very distinguished. Like I said, the plot line is well written but it would need a revamp if it was done today. My favorite thing about the plot line is that he gives you a hint of what is coming up, sometimes in very subtle ways or just out right says something that hints at the upcoming pages. Then, when it all comes together, it is just so genuine and is a good mystery. Sometimes, I would catch his little hints then sometimes I wouldn't. The reaction is greatly differed between when I realize it...or I don't. I got this book out of my parents bookcase, almost every book in that bookcase, they have read, so sometimes when something insane happened, I would always run upstairs and be like, "WOW YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE THIS"...but they do believe it because they've read it. Yet again, I do that with a lot of things.

It was a great book and recommend it to anyone who likes a good ol' mystery!