This was my first Harlan Coben and also my first of this series. I’ll start by saying- it does work as a standalone, which I appreciated! There were a few areas where I felt I had to suspend disbelief and I wondered if reading earlier books in the series would have led me to feel differently.

Overall this was a good read that felt much like watching a TV crime drama… something between Suits and the Lincoln Lawyer. I enjoyed the characters but sometimes bad trouble keeping the many players straight. I will read more by this author but not sure that I will seek out this particular series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I feel like I may be in the minority with Harlan. This is the first novel of his that I’ve read. I do enjoy the adaptions I’ve watched on Netflix and Prime, but this didn’t do it for me.

The premise is interestingly. The pace is good, just a lot of characters and outlandish scenarios in my genuine opinion.

I read a lot of thrillers but it is always nice to come back to an old favorite. Harlen Coben is a master at his trade and the quality and depth of his writing sets the bar high for thrillers.

The intricate story line and the character building with the main character Myron, is top notch. No stone was left unturned, every detail explained as if this was a real story. Coming from a long time fan of true crime, it's always nice to read a story that doesn't seem implausible or too convenient. I really look for those jaw dropping moments, but they don't come too often for me.

Think Twice is a fast paced, twisty book. You really need to stay engaged to follow the story and I love that about a book.

Two basketball players with intertwined paths find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation. Mix that up with a load of past and family drama- oh and a serial killer and this book was a lot of fun!

I have read all of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar mysteries. This one was on par with the others. We had all the usual witty banter between Myron and Win as well as all the usual eye-rolling moments. I found this mystery a bit hard to follow. I'm not sure if it was just me zoning out while reading or listening to the audio version, but I definitely had a few moments of "wait, what?" There was a bit more repetitiveness than I cared for and the mystery could have been tighter with less characters involved, but it was enjoyable just the same. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Harlan Coben is a prolific author of twisty crime fiction. His books are always a go-to for me, as I've enjoyed a number of them, both in book and movie format.

Description:
Former basketball star Myron Bolitar has barely restarted his agency for sports stars and celebrities when two federal agents walk into his office, asking for answers. Assuming they want to talk about the highly publicized Callister murders—of which he and Win know nothing, other than what's been saturating the news lately—he's stunned when, instead, they demand to know where Greg Downing is.

Greg, a former NBA player-turned-beloved-coach, was an old client of Myron’s, one of his very first. The reason for Myron's surprise is simple: Greg Downing died three years ago.

But according to these federal agents, Greg is still alive—and somehow involved in the Callister case.

Before his death, Greg made some strange money moves, but nothing about his reappearance makes any sense. As Myron and Win investigate, they're also surprised to uncover a seemingly related case where someone was murdered. Then another. And another. Is Greg alive? And if he is, where is he? And ultimately, are they looking for Greg? Or are they looking for a dangerously clever serial killer?

My Thoughts:
There are so many twists and turns in this book it will keep you guessing. It is full of surprises. Both Myron and Win are amazing characters. Some of the feats they pull off are stunning. This is one of those books you can't put down. I enjoyed the team up with the all female attorney firm in the same office building. They added a little something to the mix. The plot kept my interest and made for some tense moments.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Myron Bolitar is just starting to get his life, and his business, back on track, but a wrench is thrown into his plans when two federal agents walk into his office looking for answers. It seems they want to know where a man named Greg Downing, but as far as Myron knows Greg is dead. The agents insist that this is not the case because Greg’s DNA was found at a murder scene and they are convinced that Myron knows where he is hiding. With the help of his friend Win, Myron begins to investigate some of the choices made before Greg’s disappearance, and they soon discover that Greg isn’t connected to just one murder but several. Could Greg still be alive, or is there a clever, savvy killer out there framing him?

Think Twice is the twelfth novel in the Myron Bolitar; not having read any of the former novels in the series I was rather surprised by the fact that I was never lost or confused about what was happening. I greatly enjoyed the characters and everything they brought to the story. While the story is primarily told from the perspective of Myron, there are some chapters sprinkled throughout that are told from the killer’s perspective, which added an extra element to the narrative; I think these were my favorite chapters in the novel. The ending was phenomenal, mainly because my suspicions were way off leaving me pleasantly surprised in regards to the identity of the killer.

Twisty, confounding and endlessly entertaining, Harlan Coben’s new book Think Twice is a fun read.

Someone is killing people and leaving clues that make it too easy to solve the case. Myron Bolitar, former hotshot basketball player, lawyer and and now sports agent, gets the shock of his life when the FBI shows up looking for a close friend, Greg, who’s been dead for many years but apparently left his DNA at a recent murder scene. Greg disappeared years before with no sign of life since then. No one really knows what happened, is it possible that he’s really not dead? Myron teams up with his close friend Win (who also knew Greg) to do a deep dive into what might have happened to Greg. Along the way they enlist an entertaining cast of characters to help with the search, including an all female law firm. What they find takes them down twisty paths and strange rabbit-holes, resulting in an endlessly interesting and entertaining stories, with an endings you will never anticipate. Well written, fast paced, with Coben’s signature misdirection, is a really fun read and perfect for summer/vacation reading!

Harlan Coben does again! This book was everything I didn’t know I needed! Spending time with Myron and Win again was just so awesome, it was like visiting old friends. As far as the story goes, I was SHOCKED and did not expect that ending. Thank you so much!!

Big fan of Harlan Coben here. The way he plots impossibly twisty thrillers gets me every time.

Think Twice is #12 in the Myron Bolitar series. Coben has been writing this character for almost thirty years and the ease of Bolitar's dialogue with his best friend and colleague Windor Horne Lockwood III feels earned. They've been through a lot together show only a tiny hint of slowing down.

The case is a puzzle (it's Coben, of course it is) and the novel's a page turner, with a sprinkling of name dropping (of course they dine at Le Bernardin), even Hester Crimstein has a few lines.

You don't have to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one. It is completely entertaining on its own. Just know that there's a gigantic world waiting for you if you want to dive in and catch up.

My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. Think Twice is now available!

This is another winner for Harlan Coben. Favorites like Big Cyndi and Esperanza are included as is Win, Myron’s best friend and confidant (who is very physical and drives Myron a bit mad).
The storyline tends to be a tad difficult at times trying keep all the various players straight and connected.
I still look very much forward to all news of upcoming books and hope to see more Prime Videos..

I hit "request" on Think Twice without actually absorbing the advice in the title. For this reason, I did not realize this book is part of the Myron Bolivar series, a series I have only dipped into now and then.

Overall, I prefer Coben's standalones, but read this because I did like his Win book, which is a spin-off of this series.

All of Coben's books are enjoyable, but these are just a little too bro-centric for me even with the addition of the law firm filled with former female wrestlers, which honestly I could not take seriously. Though I pictured him cracking himself up while writing it.

The mystery was good, but lol ALWAYS DNA plots for me to puzzle over.

SO tl;dr: great for Bolivar fans but not really my thing. I await the next standalone with great anticipation!!!

2.5 stars

I've read and enjoyed other books by Coben. I haven't read this entire series, so perhaps that's why I struggled with this one. Characters felt underdeveloped, and the dialogue was annoying, as they sounded more like teens than adults. There were a couple interesting twists, but it was too little, too late. I may just pass on other books in this series and wait for the author's other books.

I have read other Harlan Coben books that I really enjoyed, but this was my first (and likely last) Myron Bolitar book. While I acknowledge that I haven’t gotten the full character development from the previous books in the series, I found Myron and Win insufferable. Their dialogue and inner monologues were so cringey they felt they were written by a teenage boy. The women characters weren’t much better as they were very clearly written with a male gaze in mind. Everything just seemed to be so easy for Myron and Win as if everyone was (unrealistically) at their beck and call. The main plot, a set up serial killer, had some promise, but it was completely ruined by the characters in this book. If you’re already a fan of this series then maybe this is for you, otherwise skip this and read one of Coben’s standalone books instead. (2/5)

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024, this is one of my all time favorite authors and I absolutely love this series! It has been several years since we have gotten to see the crew together, and I have missed these characters so much. Because the stories are written with the characters aging in real time, it was great to catch up and see how things have changed and progressed for everyone. Per usual, the first sentence of this book sets the scene and draws you in. If you’re familiar with the series, you’ll recognize the name Greg Downing and the complicated history they share. The FBI approaches Myron, searching for Greg (who has been presumed dead for years) in connection to an active case. With questions and conspiracies surrounding them, Myron gets the gang back together to figure out what is really going on. This was quite a ride, and I loved every minute of it.

Three years ago, Myron Bolitar gave the eulogy at the funeral of Greg Downing, famous basketball coach, who was responsible, many years ago, for injuring Myron so he never got to play in the NBA. Now, the FBI thinks Greg is still alive and acting as a serial killer. Lots of twists and turns as Myron tracks down Greg, utilizing his contacts throughout the basketball world. And, what he finds out along with way will haunt him for a long time. It was great to visit with Big Cindy, Esperanza and, of course, Win. Always recommended reading.

I have read each and every book Harlan Coben has written. His standalones are great - but I have a soft spot for Myron Bolitar and his friend Windsor Horne Lockwood III aka Win. Think Twice partners up the two again.
Things start off with a curious prologue. A man who died three years ago has just left his fingerprints at a crime scene. How can that be? The FBI comes knocking on Myron's door to ask the same question...

The plotting is impeccable and there's no way you're going to suss out the answer to the question of whodunit. There are twists and revelations along the way that change the direction of the investigation many times. The ending is edge of your seat, nail biting good. I loved being along for the ride as Win and Myron stay one step ahead of the FBI - and others. The two of them have each other's back. The dialogue between Win and Myron is short, snappy and a heck of lot of fun to read.

There are a lot of supporting players - some good, some of them not so much. I'm happy to say though, that Esperanza and Big Cyndi are back as well. We also hear from a mystery person in chapters that are chilling.

A satisfying read that I finished far too soon. More please! An easy five stars from this reader.

Myron Bolitar returns along with many of the characters from earlier books - most notably best friend Win Lockwood,. Three years earlier, Myron gave a eulogy for a former client with whom he had a history, basketball coach Greg Downing. Downing was involved in the incident that ended Myron’s pro basketball career before it started, but he had become a client of Myron’s sports agency. Out of the blue, two FBI agents approach Myron demanding to know where Downing was - he is suspected of killing two people based on his DNA having been found at the crime scene. How can that be? Myron brings Win and a former associate now with the FBI in and they soon believe that all is not what it seems to be. Is Greg really alive? And what is really going on?

This is the 12th book in the Myron Bolitar series - and the first since 2016. It is classic Coben and classic Bolitar - lots of twists in the plot, lots of characters, and lots of humor. In fact, the plot was so complex that I sometimes had to sit back and think about who was who and what was what. The ending was pulse pounding and not expected. My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Hooray, Myron Bolitar is back!! It is a pleasure to revisit the world of Myron Bolitar in Think Twice, the new thriller by Harlan Coben.
Myron has reopened his celebrity and sports rep agency in NYC. The Feds come to call, telling him his former basketball rival and also client, Greg Downing, is suspected of committing two recent murders. The catch—Greg has been dead for three years!
Myron feels obligated to investigate, since Greg was a client, and he enlists the help of wealthy, sardonic, absolutely best buddy Win Lockwood. It turns out they are going down a deep rabbit hole involving gangsters, revenge, racketeering and a possible serial killer. As in all MB books, the action is nonstop, the plot is artfully woven and the motivations complex. The concluding chapters are gut-wrenching and emotional.
The best part of MB novels, in my opinion, is the cast of characters. Myron has a strong moral compass, great humanity and integrity in an often gritty drama. He is a caring son to his Mom and Dad, who add family warmth and humor to the story. The supporting cast—Terese, Big Cyndi, Esperanza, and Hester Crimstine—all return and enrich the narrative. But it is Win, and Myron’s relationship with him, that elevates the story from ordinary suspense to something much more. Their long-time friendship, loyalty to each other, and witty repartee while on the case exponentially increases the enjoyment factor of a sometimes dark and sad story.
Think Twice can be read as a stand-alone, but reading earlier entries in the series will be enlightening as to the nuances of these characters and their relationships.
Coben is a masterful storyteller whose witty prose and ability to articulate the human condition makes this a superb novel and thriller.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

This is my fourth book by this author and the first in this series and normally I wouldn’t really jump into a series this far in the game but I did really want to read this one and I’m really glad I did

There are a lot of relationships and history in this series - the first book was published in 2006 - if you have time you can certainly start at the beginning I would recommend it as there is a lot I would love to know about these characters - even though that really didn’t impact my enjoyment of this book and I doubt I would go back to the beginning knowing where some of the relationships are now …

This is a fast paced action packed story with a lot of witty dialog - which I love. It was hard to put down

4.5 ⭐️

I have missed Myron and was glad to see his return after 8 years. Myron is a good man with a bit of a savior complex who gets drawn into a serial killer case along with his son Jeremy and of course Win and Esperanza. There are also some appearances by his parents which are quite funny. Enjoyable and i hope Myron is back again soon.

given a copy by NetGalley opinions are my own.