I begin many of my Harlan Coben reviews with full disclosure, stating that I'm a huge Coben fan. Coben always manages to grip my attention within the first few pages. "Nobody's Fool" was gripping from the first page to the last.

We meet a young, newly college grad, Sami Kierce, who's spending time backpacking through Spain when he meets a gorgeous woman, Anna, who ultimately ends up dead. Waking up to a knife in his hand and a dead body lying next to him. Kierce has no memory of killing Anna, but things become even more strange when she reappears in his life 20-plus years later.

Sami Kierce is no longer the naive college grad whose life changed direction after the traumatic experience in Spain. He went from hopes of being a doctor to a disgraced detective, that works as a private investigator. Kierce also teaches true crime enthusiasts who are more than excited to assist as he investigates a decades-old disappearance and how it relates to Anna.

Harlan Coben essentially does what he does best. He ropes in readers by hooking them onto an impossible mystery that refuses to relinquish it's hold until the last page. Nobody's Fool is classic Coben. Fans of his writing know that we will be provided a lead who is extremely sympathetic and easy to cheer on. The only issue is that most of the supporting cast are made up of paper-thin fillers.

Ultimately, I truly enjoyed reading Nobody's Fool. In between schoolwork, I still needed to see how the story would unfold. Fans of Coben's will have fun reading this title.

Copy provided by Grandy Central Publishing via Netgalley

Harlan Coben always writes very though provoking and intriguing books.

This is no different.

Another great book from an amazing author.

This is the second book in the Detective Sami Kierce series. I haven't read the first book, but I didn't feel like I was lacking any background information. I'm a huge fan of this author and really enjoy his Myron Bolitar series. Kierce's character is reminiscent of Myron, especially with his sarcastic humor. The writing is excellent, the cast of characters is fantastic, and there are surprising twists along with a thrilling conclusion. Now I have to go read the first book. Harlan Coben never lets us down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Harlan Coben for an ARC of "Nobody's Fool" in exchange of an honest review.

I did not read the first book, but I have read other books by this author and they are usually a solid suspense nove. I found this book to be a fast paced, riveting, and ingenious psychological thriller. It was hard to put down and the suspense kept me guessing until the very end. I think anyone who enjoys this genre will enjoy this book. Thanks to Net Galley for the ebook to review.

This is one of those books that starts out slow but then shocks you in the end. Twenty two years ago Sami Kierce had a one night drunken stand with a woman. When he woke up there was a lot of blood but no woman. He was afraid he had killed her. On to present day and Sami swears he sees that same. She walks into the class he is teaching, takes one look at him and runs out. So the story continues on with twists and turns. The plot thickens, so they say. It was a great read with that ending that leaves you speechless. Thanks to #netgalley, #grandcentralpublishing and @harlancoben for and ARC of this thriller. All opinions are my own.

If Harlan Coben writes it, I’m reading it...no questions asked. Nobody’s Fool delivers exactly what I expect from him: an intricate plot, sharp twists, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. Another solid win from one of my go-to authors. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my ARC!

The main mystery of this novel started strong, with the complexity of family ties being a compelling plot point for the events that unfold. However, I thought it was weaker than other of Coben's mysteries. It would perhaps have worked better as a shorter story. Much of the context and story around the main mystery felt superfluous. Enjoyable but nothing ground-breaking. The twist was twisty but felt like possibly too much of a stretch.

A fast-paced, entertaining read from Harlan Coben! I’ve only read a few of his books before, but that’s definitely about to change—because I’m officially hooked.

As of most of Coben's books, this was a solid, fun read for me. I enjoyed the storyline and the pace, but some of the writing felt a little cheesy in a way that didn't quite hit as normally does. That said, I still really enjoyed it and I look forward to reading what Coben writes next! I also alternated with the audiobook and the narrator's voice was ok. It wasn't really my favorite, but I liked having the option to rotate between the book and the audio because I did want to keep the story going when I could!

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for my advanced ebook/audio in exchange for an honest review.

4 1/2 stars

This book gives us a great deal of insight into Sami Kierce's history. We met his character in Fool Me Once but he wasn't the main character. In this book, he is a main player and we dig deep into his past.

Sami is married and has a child and has lost his position as a police officer due to some poor decisions. When he sees someone from his past, it pulls him back into some bad memories and events he has been haunted by for years. She happens to look just like the young woman he had a fling with years ago when he was backpacking through Spain. The same young woman who he thought was dead.

The mystery in this book takes many twists and turns and is cleverly done. I enjoy this author's writing a great deal.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy.

Sami and Anna met in Spain and had a drug-fueled vacation fling that ended when he woke up next to her dead body with a bloodied knife in his hand. He tries to report it to the police but they find no body so there are no charges. He hightailed it back to the U.D. This event changed the trajectory of his life and has haunted him for 22 years.

Twenty-two years later Sami is now a disgraced ex-NYPD cop working as a PI.
He also teaches a class, No Shit, Sherlock, to armchair sleuths. One night he looks up and sees Anna. 22 years older but unmistakably her. She runs but he follows her to an exclusive estate. Could it be Anna?

The same day, Sami finds out his former fiancée’s murderer will be released on a technicality, professing his innocence, and asking for his help to prove it.

As Sami and his star students from his class, investigates these two cases to discover the truth, he finds himself going down rabbit holes he never could have imagined. The action and revelations never let up.

What makes this story especially compelling are the characters. I love Sami’s wit & snark, his supportive, wise wife, and his colorful students.

There was a lot going on but the author expertly tied all the threads together with several shocking revelations. Well-done! Why not 5 stars? There were a few things the author inserted that made me go hmmm…. Why? When it did nothing to move the plot forward but made the author look oh so progressive.

But as a whole, a very enjoyable read that my reading buddy and I enjoyed.

I did not read book #1, which was made into a movie, and this one works as a standalone. I can only hope this one makes it to the screen as well. If so, I can’t wait to see who they cast as his students.

I don't know how I had never read anything by this author before. but what I do know now is that there is quite a backlog for me to read.
gripping, twisty, intense. once you get started, the book won't let you go until you turn the last page.

Nobody's Fool by Harlen Coben

Sami Kierce is many things. He is a frightened college boy, a drunk, a former cop, a grifter, husband, father, crusader and a teacher. Some of these roles are simultaneous. Down on his already questionable luck, Sami gets an ice cold blast of a frighteningly frigid encounter from his past. Someone Sami loved and someone who is dead fuel the mystery of this thriller.

Coben, once again, runs multiple intriguing plots to tantalize, tease, and torture you until you can reach the climaxes. This book has a plethora of bit players who add depth and color to the story. The Pink Panthers, Golf Gary, the Three Dead Hots, Wacky Raymond and more bring a wealth of mutability which is entertaining.

The idea of closure, secrets, vengeance and the settling issues whiffs through book. Integrity and wealthy seek a balance through Sami’s work. This had an intricate plot with wonderful characters and I highly recommend it.

Former Detective Sami Kierce, has led quite a life so far. His graduation from college and a backpack trip through Europe, with a stop in Spain opens him up to murder and mayhem. He meets the girl of his dreams goes off with her, and then one morning, a week into their whirlwind romance, he wakes up to find himself covered in blood and Anna dead. It's been a boozy drug filled week so the facts are certainly not clear but Sami knows he needs to hightail it out of there and he does returning to the US. As the years go by, the memories haunt him, derail his medical school plans, and he begins to question all he has been through.

Years later, a disgraced former NYPD detective, he turns to be a Private Investigator and teaching a group of people how to be investigators, when one night a woman enters his class, and he recognizes her. Then the chase is on, that leads Sami to many dark alleys, danger, and very wealthy people. Coupled in the mix is a man who was in prison for killing Sami's former finance is released on a technicality.

This is one of those fast action, could not put the book down type stories that had me dragging my kindle along everywhere. Truly a masterpiece of intrigue, persistence, and freedom from a world of worrying and regret.

There's a reason Harlan Coben is best-selling author and "Nobody's Fool" is the perfect example to showcase his masterful abilities.

"Nobody's Fool" creates a world that is both shocking and thrilling making for an absolute page turner. While this book is book 2 in the Detective Sami Kierce series, it feels that it would be possible to enjoy as a stand-alone.

From disgraced detective to night school teacher, Sami Kierce has had plenty of chaos in his life. When a mysterious woman walks into his classroom and then abruptly rushes back out, Kierce is forced to confront his past while solving a mystery in the present.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing for selecting me for this ARC. I enjoyed it.

A compelling thriller with true emotional resonance. Nobody’s Fool cements Sami Kierce as a memorable addition to Coben’s gallery of troubled yet heroic protagonists—nicely paced and satisfying, even as it nudges toward sequel setup.

If you've been craving a thriller that bites—and then lingers—grab this one.

I read this not knowing there was a Sami Kierce #1, but even still I enjoyed the characters and the story. What you think you know and what is real, becomes a big part of this book. I will watch for Sami Kierce #3.

Harlan Coben's Nobody's Fool delivers a quintessential Coben experience, packed with the signature plot twists that fans have come to expect and love. The story is undeniably intriguing, pulling you into a web of secrets and unexpected turns that keep you guessing.

While the narrative occasionally felt like it meandered, taking a few detours from the main path, these moments didn't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. In fact, they often added layers of complexity that ultimately contributed to the surprising reveals. This is a genuinely fun and fast-paced read, perfect for those looking for a thrilling escape that will keep them on the edge of their seat until the very last page.

I have to admit this was my first Harlan Coben thriller read, not watched and I was thoroughly impressed. This book was indeed thrilling and a complete page turner. Special thanks to Harlan Coben's team, Random House UK, and Netgalley for allowing me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Following Sami Kierce's mission to the truth is so attention-gripping and astonishingly frustrating as he discovers the truth of a former lover's murder.... or disappearance? Is it also involving his former fiance's murder? And why are they now stalking his now wife?

Sami's determination, sarcasm, and wit in addition to his class full of misfit armchair sleuths make this book an incredibly funny, down to earth, and addictive read that is hard to put down.

You can always count on Harlan Coben to serve up a good mystery, and Nobody's Fool is no exception. If you've been craving a twisty story with a flawed lead, this one's worth your time.

Coben puts the reader back in the chaotic world of Sami Kierce, a private investigator juggling fatherhood, financial messes, and night school crime junkies. But don't let the domestic front fool you - Sami's still haunted by the morning that derailed his life in Spain two decades ago. One second, he was a carefree college backpacker; the next, he was covered in blood with a dead girlfriend, Anna, at his side. And a knife in his hand.

But it's the present-day hook that really hooked me in - Sami thinks he's finally out from under the weight of that trauma, and Anna walks into his classroom. Alive.

Coben does what he does best: slow-burn suspense mixed with short chapters that make it hard to put the book down. He drops just enough breadcrumbs to keep you guessing, and by the time you reach the end, everything clicks together in a way that's both satisfying and smart.

Nobody's Fool is a solid entry in the Kierce series. If you're looking for a reliable, well-crafted mystery with a compelling premise, this one's for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.