Book: The Boy From the Woods
Author: Harlan Coban
My Rating: 4 Plot Twisty Stars
Hey fellow bookworms! I read my first Harlan Coban novel this week and all I can say is, I’m glad he has about thirty other books in his catalog because I’m obsessed! What a refreshing thriller. I read it in two days, and could have done it in one if I didn’t have to be a responsible adult. Don’t get me wrong – going to work and cooking supper and spending time with family is nice – but so is binge reading a good mystery.
I don’t even know how much of the plot to reveal here. I want you to read it and experience it like I did. It has more twists and turns than the roundabouts on Alcoa, y’all. I mean, at least three big plot twists, and the last two were completely unpredictable. The key players in this story are Wilde, a man known as “the boy from the woods” because he was found living on his own in the woods as a child. Wilde is able to function in society, but he also lives in an “ecopod” in the woods of New Jersey – so, let’s not say he’s “normal.” Then you’ve got Hester Crimstein, a badass criminal defense lawyer in her seventies with her own show on a popular cable network. She’s tough as nails, and she also has a long and complicated history with Wilde. The two of them are so different and both are powerhouse characters, I loved that they shared the protagonist role. As far as the “bad guy” – whew – who can tell? You will be guessing until the very end about that role, and honestly, several characters would fit the bill.
It was such an interesting mystery because there was more than one mystery going on throughout. You’ve got a missing teenage girl, you’ve got a missing teenage boy, you’ve got a politician trying to protect his campaign, you’ve got a television producer trying to protect his secrets, you’ve got private security firms, you’ve got righteous human rights lawyers… the intrigue is STRONG in this one. My head was spinning with theories on who did what. This book is the epitome of a page turner.
I knocked off one star (and remember my ratings are totally a personal preference) because the ending left me with a lot of questions. Like, AFTER all the plot twists are revealed, then Coban throws a couple more out there in the last few chapters that are just left unresolved. I was kind of annoyed, but also hopeful that he’ll come back and continue the story because I really need to know some things. I feel confident saying that if you enjoy Jack Reacher or American Assassin books, you will probably enjoy this one. If you’re looking for a quick read that will suck you in on the first page and spit you out on the last with your mind reeling, then go for The Boy From the Woods.
Friday, July 23rd, at 7 p.m. the Saline County Library in Benton will be presenting a live Author Event via Facebook Live featuring Dr. Sam Taggart and Ms. Jenny Carlisle of Benton and Mr. Kevin Thompson of Fort Smith discussing their latest books and the process of writing. Please visit www.facebook.com/
Krystle Goodman is a crazy cat lady, who loves to drink exorbitant amounts of coffee, and read a shocking amount of books. She lives in Benton with her husband Josh, her son Roman, and their two cats Roxanne and Abby. When she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cooking, painting, or watching true crime shows. Watch for Krystle’s book reviews every other Friday. Send fanmail to: [email protected]
See more of Krystle’s reviews at www.mysaline.com/krystle.