Member Reviews

Win is a departure for Harlan Coben, Windsor Lockwood the third was the psychopathic aristocratic friend and protector of Coben’s original detective Myron Bolitar, now he gets his own novel as the lead character.

20 years ago Win’s cousin was abducted and held captive during a robbery of the family home. The two stolen artworks were never recovered until one appears in the home of a murder victim. As Win tries to solve the crime and find the other painting he discovers some disturbing family secrets and interest from the FBI related to domestic terrorism in the 60’s.

I liked Win as a sidekick but he lacks the nuance and charm of Bolitar and overall this is rather meh!

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I don't think that Harlan Coben can write a bad or boring book. This one confirms what I think and I loved it.
Great storytelling, excellent character and plot development.
A gripping and entertaining story that kept me hooked.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Harlan Coben has always been a paragon of thriller writers to me, the one author seemingly able to conjure jackknife plots out of any human situation, always written with flair, always graced with deft characterization. But in "Win," Coben has taken a storytelling risk that backfires. The Myron Bolitar series, eleven books strong, has buddied up the hero with an antihero facilitator, Windsor Horne Lockwood III, a super-rich, martial-arts-endowed, nerves-of-steel, amoral machine who helps out. This time Windsor, known as Win, is the protagonist in a mystery that springs open upon the discovery of a dead man in a room next to a suitcase stolen two decades earlier from the Lockwood family mansion. The book's plot gyrations, revolving around a tragic radical leftists group and Win's sister's past, is suitably intriguing and unpredictable, but for this reader, Windsor's cold unlikability and apparent indestructibility conspired to reduce a fast read to a "meh" experience. Win feels skillful but pointless.

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YES! YES! YES!
A book I could not stop reading until my eyes were burning and the sun was coming up but I had to finish it in one sitting!!
Was it worth feeling horrible while two toddlers roared at me the next day for more snacks? Yes! Yes it was!

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Harlan Coben was always a well known name to me but I was yet to read one of his books... Until now!
I was absolutely not dissapointed.
I love how this book was written and how the narrator addressed the reader.
The way that the author described and embodied the characer was fantastic.
I love that nothing was dragged out for too long. No excessive and unnecessary detailing.
I also really like that the mystery was fully resolved with no outstanding questions or obvious plot holes.
I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read more from this author!

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A heiress Patricia Lockwood was abducted over twenty years ago but she escaped so did her captors with the stolen items.
Now a man is found dead in an apartment
Are the two cases connected.
Another good read by Harlan
Thanks NetGalley

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I "know" Windsor Horne Lockwood III. from the Myron Bolitar series, where I especially enjoyed the quips between Myron and his best friend Win. Unfortunately Myron is completely missing from this book (he is mentioned, but never shows up), so Win has no dialogue partner. That's really a pity.

Instead Win tells us as a first-person-narrator the tale of the Jane Street Six and how he has now suddenly gotten involved with them. Win is a very special kind of protagonist. "People describe you as crazy, dangerous, a psycho." someone says to him, and that sums it up quite nicely. But although he comes across as very arrogant and is a big advocate of vigilante justice (at least as long as he is the 'judge'), you cannot help but root for him. I mean, he is comparing himself to Bruce Wayne/Batman - both their superpower being superrich - and who doesn't like Batman?

But he has some flaws and does some questionable deeds. "I'm not sounding like the hero of this story, am I?" he asks us readers, and no - not really. But he still solves the case in the end (I'm sure everyone guessed that and I'm not spoiling anything), after some twists and turns of course, and I enjoyed being witness to that!

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I’m a huge Harlan Coben fan so I was over the moon when I was approved for this one. I’ve always loved Myron and Win as a duo and I was interested to see how this would play out with just Win on his own. Ive always really liked Win as a character even with his I’m rich therefore I can do as I please and not to forget his major ‘god complex’. I found the storyline an interesting one and was really invested to find out how it played out. Having said that the pace was slow to begin with and I think the flow of the book didn’t always work as at times I felt like I had missed something. Sometimes the inner thinkings of Win and his need to go into detail about certain parts of his life that I felt didn’t add to the story was a bit much. I’m glad I read it but it wouldn’t be one of my favourites of Harlan Coben but others have loved it so it could be just me...

This for me would be 3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read and review this ARC that was published on the 18th of March.

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I have read many Harlan Coben books over the years featuring Myron Bolitar and thoroughly enjoyed them. Win often featured in the books and their relationship was always interesting and fun. I think I expected this book to be like the others and was a bit disappointed that Myron only featured in name alone.
Having said that, I did enjoy the storyline and the characters involved. Win investigates a cold case involving a terrorist group, art theft, murder and the abduction of his cousin. His investigation reveals events at the time were not as they seemed and reveals some interesting twists at the end of the story.
Harlan never fails to deliver a good book.

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The FBI are investigating a cold case from 20 years previously involving the very wealthy Lockwood family and the theft of two hugely valuable paintings. A man is found dead in in a New York apartment and there are obvious links amongst his effects that provide new momentum to the investigation. From here onwards the plot twists and turns threatening to tear the Lockwood family apart as skeletons tumble out of the family cupboard.
Coben knows how to write an action filled novel and his huge fan-base won't be disappointed with "Win".
An enjoyable read for the next time you have a long flight but don't expect to be doing that anytime soon!

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I looooooove Harlan's books.
Everything he writes is amazing!!!!!!!

In "Win" didn't was different, i absolutely love it.

Thank you very much for availaible this book to me

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Thank you to Netgalley for the loan of this book.
This is the first Harlan Coban book I've ever read, but I have watched series based on his books and enjoyed them. I also really enjoyed this book. I whizzed through it and it kept me interested page after page right up until the end. The book is named after the main character who I warmed to despite his personality being a bit abrupt and downright cold at times. Win is a privileged ridiculously rich chap, but by no means typical of these types. He is tough and will make you sorry should you cross him, or those he cares for. This book starts with Win badly beating a fella and making sure he will never be the same. When the police turn up at his office he thinks that is the reason, but they take him to a hotel where he finds a dead body and one of his missing piece of art thats been missing some years. Who is the dead guy and why does he have Win's family heirloom art? The story unfolds from there and interweaves other stories until coming together at the end. I dont do spoilers as I'd hate to read what occurs before reading the book so I'll tell you this...... Go and buy this book, its grand, fast paced, absorbing and kept me interested right to the end. I hope Harlan writes more books with this character, I loved him.

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This is a typical Harlan Coben and yes, that's a compliment. This book is engaging with fee likeable characters, but you don't need to like them. You still want to follow then and know how the suitcase and painting ended up in the victim's place. If you've never read anything by Mr. Coben, buckle in for the ride. It's fast paced. You'll laugh at times, get mad at times, and wonder at all times. I hope we see more of Win.

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Windsor Horne Lockwood III aka Win is a billionaire and a man on a mission. He is contacted by old FBI boss, PT to advise the body of a recluse has been found dead in his penthouse apartment. Hanging on the wall is one of 2 missing priceless paintings stolen from The Lockwood family. As Win starts his own investigation into this, links start to develop to a terrorist event and the kidnap of his cousin and murder of his uncle over 20 prior. Win is detained to understand what happened all those years ago and serve justice.
Another brilliant read by Coben, told from Win’s standpoint, the plot is fast paced and holds your interest right to the end. A clever thriller with intertwining storylines.

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A fast paced, intriguing thriller mystery featuring a character from the Myron Bolitar series. This is a new series, with a different type of character, the rich, sometimes violent vigilante with a strong sense of loyalty to his family and close friends. I look forward to the next book in this new series as Harlan Cohen never disappoints his readers.

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Another fabulous book by Harlan Coben centred around Win.....I did miss the usual banter he had with his side kick, but a stand alone book by Win also worked. The usual twists and turns and high energy suspense. Thank you for a great read!

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Thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
Win, Windsor H Lockwood III,who we have all met in previous Harlan Coben Books as Myron’s friend, plays by his own rules, comes from old, money, can come across as arrogant, rude and definitely persistent. He knows how to get what he wants, takes no prisoners whilst doing The so, ah - he can though also be a perfect gentleman.
When a hoarder is found dead in a apartment in Manhattan, Win is asked to attend the crime scene, here he immediately sees a valuable painting stolen from his family many years ago and in the apartment there is a second item which links him to the crime - a suitcase with his initials on it.
This is a twisty, fast paced crime novel, with lots of action, I enjoyed the charismatic Win being the main character.
A Harlem Coben book never disappoints.

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Not having read many of Mr Coben's work (but loved the series on Netflix!), I was intrigued to have the chance to try a novel involving somebody new, Windsor Home Lockwood 3rd.

The story is slightly complicated and involves Windsor's cousin Patricia who was kidnapped from the family home during a robbery and kept in an isolated log cabin for months. She finally escaped, but so did her kidnappers. At this point we were already told about the large fortune in the Lockwood family which helps to explain how Windsor travelled everywhere very quickly in the course of his investigation - he was ex FBI and he was basically investigating a cold case.

This crime thriller also involved stolen, valuable paintings, but no more spoilers from me!

What is joyous is the humour that comes through the book from time to time, notably the line - " it's a win-win Win"!!

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK Cornerstone for the chance to read and review.

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Another truly great read by Harlan Coben he doesn’t disappoint you. This book starts with the death of an old hoarded no one apparently knows but of course everyone does know him we just don’t know how
It’s another twisty turning story that takes us here there and everywhere to allow Win too solve it
Thank you #netgalley for letting me read it

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Win by name – Win by nature!

Windsor Horne Lockwood III – Win – is an enigma. He’s from old money. Leads a life of luxury. Owns several companies. Yet, he believes in justice – that is an eye for an eye type of justice. He believes that sometimes sending someone to jail is not the right thing that’s why when we first meet him he’s taking care that a man who has brutalised the women he’s been in relationships with, will never have the chance to hurt any future partners. He’s spent years studying martial arts. Win also worked for the FBI shortly after he completed university.

Win becomes involved in an FBI investigation dating back almost fifty years. The Jane Street Six led by Ry Strauss had thrown Molotov cocktails, supposedly aimed at a hall, unfortunately, instead of only burning down the hall, their actions led to a bus hitting a bridge killing several on board. All six members of the gang disappeared and the only reason the case has been reopened is that the body of Ry Strauss has been found. (Ry Strauss was the leader of the Jane Street Six). The puzzle that Win faces is how did a priceless Vermeer painting, stolen from his family home, end up on the wall in Ry Strauss’ apartment? And why did a suitcase with Win’s initials also end up there? Is Ry Strauss’ murder somehow linked to the murder of his uncle and the kidnapping of his cousin Patricia?

Win is a thoroughly complex protagonist. Win, in his expensive clothes and private plane and helicopter is certainly not “normal neighbour next door”, and there’s a lot about him I can’t say I liked. At the same time, as I worked my way through the complex storyline, I found myself finding odd little snippets of Win showing some true humanity. I’m certainly looking forward to learning more about him in future books.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

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