Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Review of the Mickey Bolitar Series of Young Adult Books

 

Mickey Bolitar Series book covers

By Harlan Coben


Mickey Bolitar is the teenage nephew of Myron Bolitar, first introduced in Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series.  This series of three books (to date) are in the Young Adult genre, and all of the main characters are teenagers. Thus it is written to appeal to teen readers. 


Recently I have been reading (and in some cases re-reading) all of the Myron Bolitar series ~ in order. I reached #10 (Live Wire) and immediately went on to the latest book in the series #11 of 11 (Home). I spotted what I thought was a discrepancy between books #10 and #11 and felt that I must have missed one of the books, which would have explained the discrepancy.  After double-checking dates published, I realized that Harlan Coben had paused the Myron Bolitar series after writing Live Wire and written the three Mickey Bolitar YA books before continuing on with the Myron series. Thus I had a pretty strong feeling that what was missing was explained and solved in the Mickey Bolitar series.  I was right – and now I understand.  


I am also delighted that I decided to read the Mickey Bolitar series, even though I don't normally read the Young Adult genre, because it turned out to be a wonderful written series and filled in a lot of blanks in the background of Myron Bolitar.  Settling once and for all (in my mind) that if you like and enjoy an author, it doesn't matter what genre he/she decides to write in, you will enjoy it just as much. 


The Mickey Bolitar Series Plots


Shelter (Book 1 of 3)



Shelter book cover
Shelter by Harlan Coben

In Shelter, teenager Mickey Bolitar (first introduced in Book #10 of the Myron Bolitar series) has gone to live with his Uncle Myron because his dad had died and his mom was in rehab. 


Forced to switch high schools, Mickey is a lonely and unhappy 15-year-old. Slowly he begins to make new friends (plus a few enemies of the group who always seems to make life miserable for the 'new kid' at school). He even acquires a new girlfriend, Ashley, and thinks perhaps his train-wreck of a life is beginning to improve.  Then ~ Ashley disappears!


Mickey is unwilling to let yet another person walk out of his life, so he follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals this sweet, shy girl is not who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Eventually Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem ordinary.  What he finds out leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.


Seconds Away (Book 2 of 3)


Seconds Away book cover
Seconds Away by Harlan Coben

In Book Two, Mickey Bolitar, along with his loyal new friends—sharp-witted Ema and dorky, yet charming, Spoon—find themselves involved in a terrifying mystery

After the shooting of their friend Rachel.  Mickey now not only has to continue his quest to uncover the truth about the Abeona Shelter, the Butcher of Lodz, and the mysterious death of his father, but he needs to figure out who shot Rachel. 

Mickey has always been ready to help his friends, but how can he protect them from a danger he doesn't understand when he's not even sure who – or what-- he's protecting them from?


Found (Book 3 of 3)


Found, book cover
Found by Harlan Coben

Book Three in the Mickey Bolitar series sees mysterious clues continuing to surface as Mickey strives to uncover the truth about his father's death. Was it accidental? Murder? Or, is his dad still alive?


With the help of his Uncle Myron, along with his loyal friends Spoon and Ema, Mickey begins to unravel the mysteries of the Abeona Shelter and the elusive “Butcher of Lodz”.  At the same time Mickey tries to navigate the ins and outs of everyday life in high school and his dream of making the basketball team.


Summary


Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. Follow Mickey Bolitar on his action-packed adventures in Shelter, Seconds Away and Found.


With this Young Adult series, Harlan Coben introduces a whole new audience to his superb writing. 


More Book Reviews of Harlan Coben Books




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*The Mickey Bolitar YA Series review written by


~Wednesday Elf





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


8 comments:

  1. Elf, this sound like a wonderful “mini spin-off” series to Harlan Coben’s much-loved Myron Bolitar series, I think it’s also a brilliant marketing strategy to get young adult readers hooked on Coben’s work and introduce them to Myron, so they can “graduate” to the adult audience-focused main series.

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    1. I agree, Margaret. It's also interesting that this trilogy of Mickey Bolitar tales is Harlan Coben's very first attempt at writing in the Young Adult genre. I think he did a brilliant job of it. But then, I'm a big fan of Harlan Coben's writing, so knew I would not be disappointed in this 3-book series.

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  2. What a wonderful way to get teens reading books! This seems like a short series that anyone would enjoy and a fabulous way to introduce teens to the entire Myron Bolitar series. Because of your previous reviews, I know the Myron Bolitar series is a great choice for mystery lovers!

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  3. Oh I think this sounds like a wonderful way to introduce young readers to a great author. It's really hard to find good books for the teen crowd. I think I will be looking into this series for my granddaughters and grandson (who just happen to love reading). Thanks Pat Austin for this great recommendation.

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  4. Sounds like a great series to get the teems reading more.

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  5. Reading for enjoyment is a wonderful pleasure that stays with you for life so if teenagers get involved in and enjoy this series that is a great thing. Thank you for this recommendation.

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  6. This series would make an excellent gift bundle for someone in the family. I can think of two people in mind - love the idea of getting a series like this. Series books are the gift that you can keep on giving, or giving an entire series at once is also a gift that lasts a long time.

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  7. It's been a while since I have read books from the young adult genre but I know there are many good ones and the Mickey Bolitar series sounds good!

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