Saturday, October 23, 2021

The Woods by Harlan Coben – A Book Review

Image of woods (forest)


Family loyalty and dark secrets are the theme of this twisty page-turner novel by Harlan Coben.


Synosis


The Woods book cover
The Woods
Twenty years ago, while Paul Copeland was a counselor at a summer camp, his sister and three other teens disappeared into the woods surrounding the camp. Two were found murdered; the other two were never seen again.  The event changed the lives of four families forever.


Today, Paul (called by his nickname Cope) is now a prosecutor in Essex County, New Jersey. His mourning of the loss of his sister has only just begun to subside. He keeps busy with his job and raising his six-year-old daughter as a single father after his wife died of cancer. His busy life distracts him from his past traumas.


But when a homicide victim is found with evidence linking him to Cope, the well-buried family secrets are threatened.


Is it possible that the homicide victim is one of the campers who disappeared with his sister? If so, where has he been all these years?  And is it possible that his sister could be alive?


Cope left so much behind that summer 20 years ago ~ his first love, Lucy, his mother who abandoned the family, and the secrets that his Russian parents might have been hiding even from their own children.


Summary


Which is better – secrets that are best left in the dark or truths that should be brought to light? A dilemma the reader will find themselves in as they near the end of the story. 


The Woods is a  suspenseful and compelling story with bizarre plot twists by best-selling author, Harlan Coben. It is definitely a page-turner.


More Harlan Coben Book Reviews found on ReviewThisBooks



*The Woods – a book 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.”


16 comments:

  1. This sounds like a real thriller and something that I would definitely like. I'm going to have to add this to long list of reading. Thanks Pat.

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    1. My reading list is always long, Sam. LOL. I always have a pile of books ready to read. Reading is one of my greatest pleasures and Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors.

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  2. I enjoyed WIN by the same author, so I'm sure I will enjoy this one just as much. Harlan Corben seems to be a master at the twists and turns that keep me interested in turning those pages. Thanks Pat for adding another book to my list!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed WIN by Harlan Coben, Olivia. I think you'll find 'The Woods' just as good. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat.

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  3. Sounds like a real thriller. I have enjoyed Harlan Corben in the past and will have to check this one out. Thanks Pat.

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    1. I have enjoyed every Harlan Coben book I have read - and I think I've read them all to-date. :) Just finished re-reading my whole collection.

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  4. Harlan Corban is one of my favorite mystery writers. This one sounds soooooooo good. I know when I read it, I won't get anything else down. His books are unputdownable!

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    1. You're right, Joan. Once you begin a Harlan Coben book, forget about anything else until the book is finished. LOL. Thanks for your visit.

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  5. Definitely a plot straight from one of my worst nightmares! I can see how this would be a tremendous page-turning thriller that would demand your attention until it was finished. Already, I want to know what happened to his sister and I found myself hoping she was not somehow involved in committing the other murders. But then, the idea that she was victimized for 20 years is a horrifying though too.

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    1. Harlan Coben does manage to keep you on the edge of your seat while reading with each of his books, Mouse. Thanks for your visit.

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  6. The stuff of nightmares, indeed! But I can easily see how, once someone starts reading this intriguing and twisty tale, they would remain riveted to the pages until the conclusion. Thanks for the excellent review, Elf!

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    1. Once begun, it is hard to put the book down. Thanks for your visit, Margaret.

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  7. You gave nothing away with this review, and now I'm very curious about this plot! lol - This book sounds like an excellent choice to read for Halloween (haha) - Love the book reviews here on reviewthisreviews - so helpful in finding a good book - thanks for another excellent recommendation

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    1. Thank YOU for your kind words, Barbara. It is indeed a plot that will keep you guessing.

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  8. Sounds like a very compelling novel that would be hard to put down! I am finding myself being fascinated by the plot and what happens! Thank you for your review and recommendation.

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    1. Jasmine, The Woods is definitely a page-turner that will keep you in suspense. Thanks for your visit.

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