Book Review: "The Boy From The Woods" By Harlan Coben

If ever there was a book that I have chased after for months to read -this was the ONE- Thanks to the hard work of re-opening during a major pandemic (covid) I finally scored one of the earliest copies in my valley. 

In fact at one point & by dumb luck my local B&N put this book out on shelves but soon took it back as they placed it out too early. LOL...

In addition this unpaid blogger/reviewer in extreme poverty who's seeking work for past ten years has been declined at Netgalley after requesting on January 6th- even with 94% feedback, 1k followers, 800k views of blogs, 38k readers on self help site, 9 major publishers auto-approved, 5 major book awards via NetGalley, Top 32 USA Reviewer of All Time at Goodreads and many more stats.

So, for those who get discouraged from declined requests- you must note this upfront- we can't all be paid bloggers, journalist, or Paid Amazon Male Influencers...

Not jelly-just noting -for women who work hard and rarely get a thank you much less noticed and doing so in extreme poverty -I see you!

Now on to the show because folks this was superb and I can't take away from the glorious writing that Harlan Coben portrays in this newest piece. It's why I requested first dibs back in January and today for those noting is Mid July!!!

The wait was well worth it even if I have a few more grays in the process because the plot here is a thing of pure beauty.

Just when you think -this seems like Wilde is just a man in need of some good lovin' (New Jersey)-(Ex-Military)we shoot out of a cannon and over a cliff-or so it felt -literally.

My word-this Wilde has a history and it's deep, dark, mysterious and the author sends us down this one way street -no offense David and the car accident; but look more needs to come out .

I'm not a fan of too much blood, gore, and brain matter (Love ya Stephen King) but I must choose Stephen's books wisely and this had a few cringe worthy moments but overall it wasn't bad. Some have noted that The Boy From the Woods was more about everyone around him but I do see the interconnected tangential thoughts here so hold that idea.
This all began 30 years ago, memories fade, settings change, but you can never forget a past.

Wilde is now a security expert called upon by a criminal attorney Hester Crimstein-the feisty yet best female attorney of Coben's mind tingling thriller.

Of course, Wilde became friends with David prior to being sent to foster care so it's no surprise when he begins to have a connection with this girl named Naomi on many different levels. Surprise she goes missing along with some others.

I suppose you can say Crash was a perfect name for this Maynard boy who seems to have done exactly that with his challenging past but I'm sworn to secrecy.

This has many difficult yet triggering topics to digest and discuss-drugs, rape,politics, death of a son,bullying, murder, gruesome acts of violence-aka-fingers going missing and biting, adoption, foster care, and much more.

So if you're squeamish or sensitive -you have been warned! Proceed with caution!
If you like several subplots, plenty of twists, unexpected relationships, gruesome acts, hideous responses, and some open ended or shall we say never fully resolved issues; than this is the one for you.
For some this may be too much , too many characters, too many stories, too many interconnected plots, and lord knows another day of anything mirroring current state of affairs in politics will be met with some saddened faces.

For me I love a challenge, I enjoyed the way this seemed to be going but then reversed course especially with regards to the biological issues. The crash and who was driving, who was incompetent or shouldn't have been, who may have known was interesting.

The fact that a woman had felt necessary to keep silent about rape -rubbed me the wrong way-and I'd hope she'd come forward and never wait -although she seemed to settle the score.

Nevertheless, for me the ending with everyone looking, seeking, searching -only to have it fly off into air space...well that just gave new meaning to staying hidden and for some they may not ever want to be found for good reason. Remember that!

We're off...and running...to a new adventure.

I no longer need the wish for it copy at netgalley so please disregard that request.Thank you Osterhout Library for this ARC as it was an interesting read.