I’ve had thrillers on the brain lately. Last week marked 11 years since Michael Jackson died, so naturally I’ve been listening to the album “where every song was a killer.” Recently, my sis and I followed 80 West from Connecticut to Utah—we did some first-rate yackety-yakking, interspersed with listening to the talented Jane Harper. The Dry is definitely an awesome whodunit (Five star). Oh, and I may or may not have binge-watched Defending Jacob, a legal thriller that caught my eye. Because Chris Evans.

I’m a suspense junkie as of late. Not surprisingly, I checked out Harlen Coben’s new release The Boy From the Woods. (Never read a Coben before.) When a teen named Naomi Pine goes missing, Wilde (the boy, now man, from the woods and an outcast in his own right) sets out to not only get answers but to find the young girl. Is Naomi’s disappearance somehow related to the presidential aspirations of a Senator named Rusty Eggers? You’ll have to read to find out. This book had mystery, plot twists, some political intrigue, and great characters (especially Wilde and Hester Crimstein). It definitely held my attention; however, there were things left unsaid, big things. This was a good read, but it didn’t come close to The Dry or The King of Pop, or Defending Jacob for that matter. Take it to the beach or listen on a long drive, you’ll definitely be satisfied. For what’s it’s worth, the reviews I’ve since read suggest this isn’t Coben’s best.

Posted by Tracy