Win

Harlan Coben’s new novel is something of a return to his roots. ‘Win’ is Windsor Horne Lockwood, III, Myron Bolitar’s best friend. Win functions as what I have termed the ‘avenging angel’ character: like Spenser’s Hawk or Elvis Cole’s Joe Pike, an invincible figure who can be turned to in a pinch, particularly a pinch requiring the old ultra-violence. The difference with Win is that he appears unassuming, like Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, but he has endless wealth, an armory of weapons, deadly martial arts skills and few scruples. His superhero power (he says here) is his wealth and he compares himself explicitly with Bruce Wayne. In his fascination with and demand for premium goods carrying exquisite brand names he reminds us also of James Bond. Though he has never been on her Majesty’s Secret Service he spent a brief period of time in the FBI.Here he gets his own novel and he also gets to narrate it. His relationship with the reader is by turns coy, slightly arrogant, deadly honest, endearing and annoying. He knows that he must be faithful to himself but that may irritate the reader; he says as much in a number of direct addresses, when he breaks the narrative wall between us.The story is very complex (but always intelligible). A body has turned up in an expensive apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. An elderly man has had his throat slit. On his wall is a Vermeer that was stolen from the Lockwood family decades ago. Decades ago Win’s uncle was murdered and decades ago his cousin was abducted and raped for five months before she was able to escape from a tiny shed (the ‘hut of horrors’) in the Pennsylvania woods. Win’s old FBI handler/mentor/friend asks Win to investigate and determine the perpetrator of all of these things. The NYC mob is also interested and, as we soon learn, the case ultimately involves the doings of a domestic terrorist group (the ‘Jane Street Six’) who have been on the lam for a long, long time.I am a sucker for domestic terrorist group stories (having been at Wisconsin for the bombing of Sterling Hall) and this is a fascinating one. Win is determined to get to the bottom of things and when he is thus determined there is nothing that can stop him.The story is set in New York and mainline Philadelphia, with Win shuttling hither and yon on private jets, helicopters . . . whatever it takes. Win has always been a solid, offbeat character, and who doesn’t like the lifestyles of the rich, famous and deadly? The principal theme here is something like ‘being faithful to oneself, one’s family and one’s roots, even when they lead to conflict’ but the real star is the story. Investigations are always more interesting when you’re richer than God and prepared to use that wealth in ingenious ways.Bottom line: a solid Harlan Coben novel but with a familiar protagonist we have always wanted to know better. Whether we love him or not is our problem (Win would be quick to point out).

cant wait to read it

Loved getting a peek inside Win's view of the world. And nice to see his own character development. Ready for the next one!

The First Person narrative makes you fell like you’re sitting with a good friend in a comfy high back chair sipping your favorite drink while he tells you another intriguing story - not caring for a moment how much is made up and how much is true. Fantastic read.

Great story! I couldn’t put it down! I love Harlan Coben and have read many of his novels, and this one is my favorite so far!

Pretty good with twists and turns. Interesting character. It’s my first Harlan Coben book so I’ll wait to read another before more critic.

Delectable. Win got some chapters of his own in first person in Myron Bolitar #11. I was captivated. I was enthralled with this book. When is 2 coming out?

An intriguing plot which I could’ve easily read in a day if I hadn’t needed sleep. I was hesitant to jump into this book since some of the reviews indicated the main character was from another series which I hadn’t read. It wasn’t a problem, I thoroughly enjoyed Win, his wealthy family and interesting friends. It was a plot full of unpredictable twists and easy to follow.Many years ago I was fortunate to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and experience the masterful space and art, including the empty frames where the Vermeer and others would’ve been. It was nicely worked into the plot here. There are multiple mysteries to unravel - the abduction, a murder, the missing Vermeer, so many dead ends and theories to pursue. I was empathically entertained and positively stumped. Highly recommend this book and hope there will be more with Windsor Horne Lockwood III.

Adoro o autor

Wer die Myron Bolitar Reihe liebt wird diesen Roman verschlingen. Ich mag die Figur, jetzt erfährt man als Leser warum er so geworden ist. Ich hätte noch gern mehr von Myron, der in diesem Buch nur am Rand auftaucht - Win ist aber mein heimlicher Liebling.

I liked the story and the plot...but I just find Win so pompous...it's hard for me to read a book where you hate the main caracter...but maybe thats's exactly Harlan's intention...so maybe its brilliant if that is what Harlan intens...also...I miss Myron...

I have read the entire Myron Bolitar series and guess just to have Win as a main character is quite overwhelming. Myron was definitely missed by me so was little ponchintas aka Esperanza.The read does get a little boring in between which too much emphasis laid on the background.

Harlan Coben : non smetteresti mai di leggere