Another book that came into the library recently that was on my hold list was Harlan Coben latest novel, Hold Tight. This book kept me reading a bit past my bedtime. The action was constant and tight, although the plot was a bit difficult to keep straight at times. There are a lot of different stories that come together at the end, and occasionally it's hard to remember just who is who...

Mike and Tia Baye are struggling with their son, Adam. He's becoming more withdrawn and sullen, and the parents decide to monitor his computer to see what's going on. This monitoring reveals that Adam is keeping some sort of secret, and he decides to run away to attend a party rather than obey his father and go to a hockey game with him. Mike puts everything on the line to find Adam and reunite the family. Meanwhile, there are a number of other stories going on... A psychotic killer is picking seemingly random women off the street and killing them in a very gruesome manner, all to find out some information that he believes they hold. Another father is furious with his small daughter's teacher, as he made a snide comment about the child's physical appearance that has made her the target of ridicule at school. The teacher is someone who has always taken pride in his work, and the comment was something he highly regrets. But he also realizes that his mistake could cost him his career. All these stories (and a few others) swirl along at their own pace, and slowly start to come together as the relationships between the characters start to reveal themselves.

As I mentioned, the action was constant and the characters drew me into their struggles. I think every parent can empathize with understanding a withdrawn child, especially when it appears that there might be a life-threatening situation developing. I would have preferred see the plots start to intersect sooner in a way that started to hint at the relationships involved. As it was, things were kept up in the air until nearly the very end. And even at the end, a major twist happens that causes a few readjustments in the mindset of the reader. Hold Tight is an enjoyable read, so make sure you have some uninterrupted time before you get started...

Wow, wow, WOW! I challenge anyone to begin this book and then manage to put it down before the very end. Reading it is like eating Lay's potato chips... you can't read just one (page, that is!).

Gripping, exciting, interesting, unique... what appears to be two or three separate stories weave in, out and around each other until the final pages, when all is wrapped up... but not in an unbelievable, deus ex machina way, but in a "Oh my gosh, so THAT'S what was happening" way. I loved the juxtaposition of modern technology with the age-old concerns of parents -- how to, and how much to, protect our kids.

Some best-selling authors rest on their past accomplishments, with successive books becoming thinner in the plot and thicker in the page count. Kudos to Coben for raising the bar again and again.

A typically great thriller from the master Harlan Coben. This one really makes you think about how you raise your children and how much privacy you should give them. As usual, this is an exciting page turner that will stay with you long after you finish the final page. It give you some closure to The Woods as well, wrapping up the Cope/Lucy story.

I love Coben's writing, his heroes are ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations and they wrestle with ordinary issues that become extraordinary. This book focuses on a family with two professional parents-- Dad is a surgeon and Mom is a lawyer and they have a teen-aged son and a pre-teen daughter. Mom and Dad are concerned about the son so they put a snooper on his computer that captures and records his keystrokes. The doctor debates this with himself while the lawyer is more certain-- they should do whatever it takes to get their son to adulthood. The boy goes missing one night and the doctor uses a GPS tracking system in the boy's cell phone to try to track him.

Coben picks his way through the various plot and storylines with grace, focusing on his theme-- the meaning of family with each different story arc. Not only is this book a taut, suspenseful read, but it is a tribute to the strength of family ties. Whether you agree with the way Mike and Tia Baye go about trying to protect their son, you cannot escape the fact that they love him desperately. The conclusion of the book is satisfying and gratifying, and, if you are a parent, will make you want to hug your kids extra closely to your side.

A thriller!! I kept imagining my grandchildrens' reaction if they were
confronted with a similar situation, and hoping their parents had forwarned them about this. I truly identified with the characters.

This book was intense. There are several storylines and characters in this book. There is are trust issues, suicide, child in need of transplant and others. Each story is never dull and Coben brings them all together at the end quite nicely. The only problem with the book is that the author would intensely write about a situation and the characters involved and then he would quickly switch gears in the next chapter and with the large group of characters sometimes you would forget who was who. I will definitely read this book again in the future.

Even though this is a stand alone book, it has many of the standard characters from the previous Paul "Cope" Copeland/Loren Muse book "The Woods". It's not a sequel as much as it's a continuation of them and their careers. But do not fear, even though Myron Bolitar's name is never mentioned, his shadow is ever present.

Almost all of the action occurs in Essex County New Jersey and around Myron home town of Livingstone. The wife of the main character is a lawyer who works for Hester Crimstein's law firm (Myron's so-called Aunt). The best friend of the main character is dating a woman who used to be a wrestler under the name of Pocohontas. Actually, it was Little Pocohontas (and Big Cindy), and in "real" life she is Esperanza Diaz a partner/lawyer in Myron's sports agent agency.

Now to the story. A few month's ago, a teenager committed suicide on the roof of the local high school. In a span of two days, two woman are murdered after being abducted from the area. Amazingly enough, these two seemingly random events will eventually become part of a larger story relating to pharm parties, drug dealing, homicidal maniacs, retribution and revenge, and the odd rape thrown in.

I found the ending a little hard to swallow, just too many coincidences.

Zeb Kantrowitz

I must say, if this book represents a departure for the author, then, I think he may have gone down the wrong road. I will say that he was absolutely right...there is nothing worse, or no fear so great, as the thought of danger to those that we love. While reading the book, I found it engrossing, but extremely unsettling. In other words, it was not a book I particularly enjoyed reading, even though I read every word and it was extremely fast paced. Bottom line, the book upset me. It cut too close to home with thoughts of my own family.

However, twenty-four hours after I finished it, I was able to look back and realize that it was after all, a book, it was fiction, and, most importantly, totally unbelievable that all of that would have happened to one small community. I think the author went out of control as the story unraveled and more and more horrible things were happening to more and more people...

I just have one thing to say to the characters in the book. You guys really need to move!

As a long time fan of this writer, his last two works, Promise Me and The Woods were found to be disappointing. With this work, I was able to see a return to the writing that had been so good. The topic is oe of concern to nimerous parents today and the writer is able to skillfully juggle numerous stories at once with each one is able to hold the readers interest. The charcters are engaging as the writer demontrates numerous double and triple twists throughout the book. This book does have its flaws as the characters are not as well developed as they might have been. Certain elements of the story seem rather far fetched and the ending,though a postive one. appeared a little too pat for me. All in all, the writer has constructed an excellent story that moves along rapidly and will keep the reader questioning the next move in the machinations of the characters. Highly recommended for a rapid and enjoyable read even if it does not meet the high standards of some of his earlier works.

for Hold Tight. I've seen better Lifetime movies. Very little character development and so random! Could have been so much better.

Though HOLD TIGHT is not a sequel to THE WOODS is does feature the same setting (suburban New Jersey) with Cope, Lucy and a few other characters who were major players in THE WOODS appearing on the periphery of this novel. HOLD TIGHT follows the same general formula Coben has found success with in his stand alone thrillers. There are a couple of inexplicable tragedies/ mysteries happening and these stories are told by Coben in breathless page turning fashion often with a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter. The subplots and characters all fit together in a preposterous way by the end but I have to admit Coben leaves no loose ends in his plotting. There is a general theme in this year's novel of parents protecting their children and internet and cell phone use and the privacy issues connected with them play major roles. Coben's books are great to read when you need some diversion but are not in the mood to concentrate or think much. I read the first half of this one while getting highlights put in my hair.

In this quickly moving, easy-to-read book, the author juggles many characters and two main plot lines that are only vaguely connected. Principally, we have a psychotic killer of women and a situation of a teenage suicide and a wayward son. Eventually there are explanations and resolutions, somewhat hinging on rather precocious eleven year olds.

In this book, the author disappointingly demonstrates little interest in personal and family issues and situations outside of the main line of action. The author does touch on the issues of parents' surveillance of their teenagers and the awkward situation where a parent is unknowingly not a biological parent, yet a donor kidney is needed. However, the development of all such topics is minimal, at best.

I'm not sure that the author has ever really recaptured the pace and tone of his earlier Simon Bolivar series, though that is a fairly high standard.

Mr. Coben is my favorite writer and I am never disappointed by him. A lot of writers seem to lose "their touch" after time and I can honestly say that I don't see that with him. Each book is fast-paced and you don't want to put them down. In my opinion, the same is true with this book. There are more characters in this one than usual, but it was not hard to follow and he always brings them together in the end. He can't write them fast enough for me. I have read all of his books and, while I am a bit partial to the Myron Bolitar series, his other books keep me on the edge of my seat too. (I only wish he would expound a bit on the character of Win, we know so little about him). While I read Grisham, and both Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, I am always anxious in April for the "new Coben book." The only very slight drawback to this book is that it deals alot with kids and, being a mom myself, you kind of worry a bit about the kind of world this is becoming for kids. Even though the book is fiction, I think Mr. Coben, also a parent, knows what he is talking about.

I am a huge Harlan Coben fan, however, I hate to say I was slightly disappointed in "Hold Tight". I'd like to start by saying that this was a good book, and worth the read. It was slightly dragged out and it wasn't up to par with Harlan's other books. It did touch on some terrific parenting issues and as a parent of 2 teenagers, I did closely relate... definitely worth reading, but don't expect too much.

Harlan Coben is amazing at feeding his readers many sub plots that seemingly have no connection and by the end they are all wrapped together in a pretty package. All the while, you are grabbed by each page and cannot wait to get to the next one. This newest novel is no excpetion. In fact, I consider it one of his best. It takes a look at the internet and how powerless parents seem to be in knowing exactly what their teens are up to these days. In a sense, it makes one wish for a less complicated, slower paced time when family values were a higher priority.
Aside from this commentary, the book moves at a rapid pace, never revealing what one can expect next. This is a wild and enjoyable ride. The title says it all!!

Harlan Coben knows how to write a thriller and always delivers the goods. He does this best by possessing the ability to keep the reader guessing (usually) right to the very end of his novels.

"Hold Tight" is a novel about modern suburbia and the horrors that can hit even the closest knit families. Coben employs several modern technological devices in this novel - cell phone GPS, E-Mail Spy Ware, etc. The horror comes in to play when even these modern luxuries prove unable to protect your loved ones. The bottom line with this book is the age-old proverb - kids just want to rebel against something!

If the novel only dealt with the story-lines involving spy technology and its failure to always insure protection of children it would have been totally original and unique. Unfortunately, Coben has so many different story lines going simultaneously that the only mystery is how they all tie together. SPOILER ALERT - they don't, really, all tie together and some of the ties are a bit of a reach.

Although the ending for me was a bit of a letdown (I was holding out for a master conspiracy that was behind all of the plot lines) it is still a taut thriller written by a master and enjoyable - but not his best by a long shot!

Maui H.S.Overkill! There was overkill in the book and in the drama. This is the third Harlan Coben book on my read shelf. I didn't care for the first two, but I doubt I will ever read another Coben novel.
The drama was too intense, too bloody, too gory, to extreme, too many characters, too many subplots.
Yes, it is brought together in the end like the rest of his books, but this was definitely overkill! A teen suicide, drug gothics, A rape victim killing a rapist, a drug club in New York, a teen disappearance, a suburban doctor nearly beaten to death, prescription pads appearing as DEA evidence, a troubled suburb mother flailing between career and motherhood, a divorced wife tortured and murdered, a loving mother tortured and murdered, a latvian survivor turned killer partner, a psycho killer, a girl with facial hair harassed by peers, a girl that takes a gun and kills a psycho murderer, A druggie mama leader, gothic killers and drug dealers, a suburban kid with a kidney disease, psycho catching a loving mommy and a daddy, a teacher with issues,a dectective on the trail of the murderer, ending with a wedding! Yeah, OVERKILL! I couldn't take anymore and fast forwarded to the end. You can keep your books Mr. Coben. No more for me.
The three books have too much in common. Suburb insanity, ex jock, troubled teens, psychotic murderer. I get bored with writers that have the same theme over and over again. The authors bore me! I'll go on to find another.

A must read for any parent. Could not put down until I finished it once I started it.

I know that line, "I could not stop reading it" is an old one, but there's a reason it has become a cliche. If I could have stayed awake all night, I probably would have read it in one sitting. This book, like several of his others (Just One Look, Innocent) grabs you by the throat, takes several seemingly unrelated story lines and brings them together. This one explores the nature of what it means to help a friend (in MANY surprising and unanticipated ways!) and the issue of parental supervision (also in surprising, unique ways). Coben does an excellent job of maintaining the breathless pace. Bravo!! The world could use more books like this.

A real page-turner. Harlan Coben brings you directly and intimately into the story. It made you think.

In his latest mystery novel, "Hold Tight," Harlan Coben explores the dark side of parental oversight. The underlying question is this: What happens if we spy on a teenager's electronic communications and find something shocking, such as drug abuse, murder or a planned suicide? Can we take the appropriate action without destroying trust forever?

It's an interesting premise with frightening implications. (I have a 16-year-old son myself.)

PLOT SUMMARY: Mike and Tia Baye live in an upscale suburban community in northern New Jersey. Their teenage son, Adam, is distraught and withdrawn following the suicide of a close friend. Meanwhile, a psychopathic murderer and his accomplice are kidnapping, torturing and murdering grown women for some reason we don't understand. Mike and Tia install a monitoring program on their son's computer to find out what's happening to him. Adam, his parents and their entire community get drawn into a swirling maelstrom of suspicion and crime that nearly engulfs several families.

As the old saying goes: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

If you've read Harlan's other novels, you'll find this one particularly grisly and violent. I hope that's not a harbinger of things to come because we certainly have enough blood and mayhem in modern fiction today. On the other hand, you will enjoy the cameo appearances by Paul Copeland and Detective Muse from previous novels.

Generally speaking, I enjoyed this novel but found some of the characters a bit stiff, particularly the teenagers. Harlan has several younger kids of his own, so perhaps he'll improve the dialogue next time around as he gains more experience with this mystifying age group.

BOTTOM LINE: A fast summer read, but not for the faint of heart. Harlan gets a solid "B" from me.

Yep, he's done it again. Another winner for Coben, the best in the business. A great read.

great read from Mr. Coben! I actually finished reading this book inside of one day as I just couldn't put it down....the refrain "how does all this come together" just kept going thru my brain and the only way to rid myself of it was to, well, just pick that big book up and finish it!!

I was not disappointed at all. Every thread was nicely tied and the suspense was perfect, as usual! I do think this book can only be truly appreciated by parents; however, as a suspense-filled story, I think anyone, parent or not, can simply enjoy it for the suspenseful tale it is.

Coben just keeps getting better and better. This was an amazing thriller and it was very hard to put down.

I do so much business reading that it is very nice when I get to read for pleasure. I always look forward to a new book by Harlan Coben since I find them enjoyable page turners. Harlan Coben is one of the authors I love to take quiet time with, when I find time to relax I'd take a good book anytime. Unfortunately, he can't produce quality books as fast as I would like to curl up with them! ;-) My Coben library is ever growing and HOLD TIGHT is the most recent. Look forward to the next - Thanks!

Initially this book is a terrific page turner and hard to put down. Coben continually bounces the reader between multiple plot threads involving a wide cast of charaters. These threads are ultimately but not so neatly tied up, which I think was also the case in "The Woods". Also the bit about the 11 year old daughters actions at the end which tied up one of the plot threads seemed forced to me. Because I have daughters around that age I find her actions somewhat implausable based on my experiences. My final problem with the book is that almost none of the trademark Coben wit is included in it. I have read every Coben book to date and will continue to read them, but I hope this one is not the start of a trend. I do like how Coben has included some of the characters from past novels such as Loren Muse and Paul Copeland.

Cliff notes: Multi-threaded, somewhat humorless page-turning plot turns someone implausable at the end. 3.49 stars

This is a standard formula thriller, which is somewhat entertaining but far-fetched and simplistic. An easy afternoon read for on the beach if you're not put off by the typical prejudicial nonsense: the bad guy is a smart atheist, a woman killed someone, but that's okay because she started believing in God again, etcetera. Disappointing.

You might have guessed that this book has a message about spying on your kids and getting mixed up in dramas of other people's lives (why that is not a great idea.) So without telling what happens exactly, rest assured this book is predictable, easy, and a fun read. I liked it despite it's predictability -probably for the same reasons that I watch movies and television shows, I pretty much know the story it is just the characters and mini-plots that are changed. So if you're looking for an easy summer read, you have found it! It won't make you feel smarter for having read it, but it will be enjoyable just the same and isn't that the point of a good summer read? Enjoy!

Harlan Coben is one of my favorite mystery writers. His books are always well written and definite page turners that keep you reading long into the night. However, there were a few too many sub plots and characters in this one. Although Mr. Coben was able to integrate all of them by the end of the book, things seemed a bit too pat and over the top. Still, I rated it above average, as it definitely held my interest throughout. This book also represents a divergence from his usual formula. Although I don't feel he totally pulled it off, I do commend him in his attempt.

While I usually admire Harlan Coben's writing and was prepared to thoroughly enjoy another of his novels, "Hold Tight" left me cold. The plot, which seemed to have such promise in the beginning, became such a stretch as one one plot twist connected unbelievably to another on the flimsiest of circumstances. I found myself yelling "gimme a break" time after time. His characters became caricatures and I didn't care what happened to them.

Definitely his worst novel.

The Kindle version is not formatted correctly. Two full returns at the end of every paragraph, several dozen hyphenated words in the middle of paragraphs, etc. At times this makes the book nearly unreadable.

This is a topic that grabs every reader: teenage suicide. Coben has you waiting until the end to find out if the second boy, who is missing, is alive. The big surprise is what's behind these happenings. Also his use of current technology available to police and to parents amazes you. He proclaims in his prologue that it is all actual technology. This is a new slant on a fascinating subject.

Harlan Coben takes hold immediately, from the very first page, of your undivided attention in his novel Hold Tight. I was absolutely spell bound by the character development and story line and found myself reading well after my eyes were done for the night. Red eyes notwithstanding, it was like a movie unfolding in my head. The story line is unpredictable and the characters real as they jump from the page. I'll be reading more Harlan Coben on my Kindle! In fact, I just downloaded another!

"Hold Tight" was my first Harlan Coben experience, but it won't be my last. Coben has a gift for keeping the story humming, while threading in compelling character development and, in this title at least, frightening and morally challenging social issues. The shadow world of the suburbs, a place parents often find out about too late, is not new territory for fiction, but Coben's exploration of the new dangers created by technology and the easy access to it that youth enjoy is as thought-provoking as it is chilling. "Hold Tight" spins the family drama, the murder mystery, and the technological thriller into one tight, exciting tale.

Bill Loehfelm, author of Fresh Kills

I don't think this is Coben's best book but I really did like it. It causes one to really give thought to privacy issues and trust issues in regards to our children.

Definitely worth your time!

I read somewhere that there were common characters from the book "The Woods" and that by reading this new one it might clear up some loose ends from that book. I read so many books I can't keep them all straight. Can anyone out there enlighten me on this?

Can't wait for his next book.

Because I read so much non-fiction for my business, I rarely have the time to pick up a fiction book. But an intriguing review made me pick this one up, and give it my attention. I enjoyed the modern day twist. While weaving together the tale of two separate murder plots that ultimately connect, Harlan brings out a parents worst nightmare. How much attention do you truly give your teenage children? Is it better to watch them like a hawk, even resorting to spyware and tracking tools, or risk losing them to tragedy? A great plot, lots of twists, and enjoyable characters. A fun take-along for your next vacation.

What a page turner from the Master of Action and Suspense!!

This is a riveting can't-put-it-down story that captures the reader from the first chapter and won't let go untl the last page is turned---And then you yearn for more. You want these people, good, well-meaning people all, to be OK, but we can never be sure about them as we can never be sure about ourselves and those we love and care about.

This is a story about love and what we will do to protect, defend and rescue those dearest to us, our success and well intentioned mistakes. All are addressed on seveal levels throughout the book. One has the nagging, disturbing sense,"this could be about us, about me and my family..." In that sense, it is not an easy book to read, but it is engrossing and can't be put down once started.

One of Coben's best, a multi-faceted story of love and the dangers of the world in which we live, dangers that can threaten us up close and pesonal in spite of our best efforts.

A word of warning: Sit down in a nice, quiet, secluded place for the last 70-75 pages. You won't want to be bothered or interrupted and you won't be able to put it down. Hold on tight. The ending is special.

As is this book.

As usual, I completely enjoyed Harlan Coben's book - he never disappoints and this is another page turner - I finished the book in a few days since it was so hard to put down. Loved it!

Much better than the average mass marketed mindless thriller. Coben dives into difficult issues that center around family and trust.

In an agrarian society children work next to their parents. Contact time is high, and life revolves areound the family. In a modern society, in a developed country like the US, contact time between parents and children is seriously diminished, and older children lead lives separate from the family. Things go on that parents may not be aware of, and things happen at school - incidents may scar a child for life. When parents become involved, they may go to extremes to protect their children.

The story has several subplots. There is the teenaged boy who disappears from home, there is someone killing women, there is a child needing a transplant, and there is a young girl being harassed at school. You know the author is going to bring the subplots together. How that happens will be a surprise. There are some twists at the end. I agree with a previous reviewer that the conclusion seems forced (perhaps to make the good guys win)- hence only five stars - but the story is a well written page turner that will keep you up late.

This novel will give you a lot to think about if you have teenaged children. Any or all of it could happen.

Hold Tight This is one of Harlan Coben's best books ever.It grabs you in the first chapter and doesn't let you go until the end. Harlan is the master of bringing loose ends together with a bang. And he can write a fight scene like no one else can. When I was done with this book I wanted to start reading it all over. Yes it was that good, no it was that great!

Harlan Coben has a tendency to create mulitiple plot threads that never seem like they will ever come together. This book is no exception.

In his new book, Coben, explores a problem in today's society. Privacy. He explores how the internet changed everything. Now, that anyone can post anything they want about you and there isn't much you can do.

At the center of these themes is the Baye family (pronounced "by"). Mike and Tia have recently installed a spy program to keep an eye on their sixteen-year-old son, Adam. They do this after a friend of Adam has recently commited suicide. After a cryptic IM, Mike tries to keep Adam home but then he runs away. So begins the search for the teenager. The search takes Mike into the seedy part of the Bronx.

Meanwhile, a killer is at large and killing what seems to be random women. The reason behind it all will keep you guessing until the end. Also, a patient of Mike and his partner needs a kidney transplant and the mother holds a devestating secret. A father tries to come to terms with the fact that he cannot keep his daughter from harm after a popular teacher embarrasses her in class. We also see the police working the killer's case.

All threads converge very nicely into a sweet bow. Some are a little too forced but all in all, the suspense never relents and Coben once again keeps you guessing until the very end when the final secret is revealed.

This book is very suspenseful - one of those page-turners that is hard to put down because you're dying to know what happens. You have to keep up, as there are a lot of different characters introduced throughout.

I have read all this author's books, but sadly this one does not live up to the other good books he has written. It is predictable and boring. It was a chore to get through this book. I figured out the ending before even finishing half the book. Please save your money on this one. I hope in the future he gets back to something exciting and original. I will wait and check it out at the library though.

I noted that the author has 4 children and I am sure he is spending a great deal of time thinking about the issues involved in raising them in suburbia. Although the book is a mystery it really reminded me of a difficult hypothetical question where the development of the fact makes the issues more difficult.

The first story involves Mike and Tia, both successful professionals who are trying to deal with their son Adam who has become more distant. They decide to use spy work on his computer and then the story unwinds. It is not easy to determine if they helped Adam or not.

The second story shows the impact of a bad mistake by a teacher on a young child. Again it was as if a stone was cast on the waters and the effect was unexpected and in many ways worse than the original event.

Third involved the moral issues involved is transplants. This in my view was the weakest subplot. The issue was interesting but it detracted from the flow of the narrative.

These plots and subplots unwind and rather than having a point of view Mr. Coban presents the all sides in a story that grabs your interest. In fact, in my case, it was only after I finished the book did I have time to think about the questions. While reading I only wanted to find out what happened next.

My only criticisms were some of the characters such as Mo and Anthony were interesting but they really were not relevant or developed. Maybe we will meet them in a later book. I hope so. Second as in many other Coban books that I have read the ending was forced. As with contemplating the questions above I only realized this after I was done. The rest of the time I was completely enthralled.

I have read this author before and found his sports related books to be somewhat repeditive. I really enjoyed this book, however, since it was fast paced and a good read. Parents today face challenges that parents in the past didn't face, but we have always needed to know where to draw the line on the privacy issue. There doesn't seem to be a good answer, but this book explores some of what parents face.

I would tell you to give this book a read. It's interesting, contemporary, and a fast read. I also think you will find the characters likable. I do wish that authors didn't always feel that the characters have to be educated and well-off. It seems that they are out of touch with the middle-class.

Good reading to you and I hope this helped.

Think about all the worst things that can happen in an upper class suburban neighborhood and throw in some high tech computer stuff, stir it around, turn it into a mystery and you have "Hold Tight". In this piece of surburbia, there is teen suicide, teen runaway, teen drugs, teenager dying in need of a transplant, teachers abusive to students, students taking revenge, parents trying to protect their teens and a murder or two. Of course, the parents are trying to figure it all out. There are several, as you can tell by the above list, strands to this mystery. At the beginning and in the middle are two gruesome murders. It is not until the end, however, when all the strands come together to form a coherent rope. Frankly, the murders were almost superfluous. The book would have worked just as well without them.

Coben is the master of NJ suburban mysteries. He captures the flavor and personalities in suburbia well. To make this novel work, he has to have every family suffer some tragedy, so it gets a bit depressing after a while. It also took a long time for all the disparate story-lines to begin to come together. Once they did, though, it was hold onto your horses suspenseful.

The characters are all realistic and very good. Like any neighborhood, there are some more likeable than others and some who offer more to the telling than others. The leading parents are especially good as they agonize over issues of their child's privacy versus his safety - a major theme of the book. The issues are steeped in the brave new world of every day consumer technology - the things we can do with phones and computers! These and other issues are touched upon such that this is a rare mystery that could make good reading club fodder.

As noted, this book can be depressing at times - isn't any family in tact and functional? Those who first fell in love with Coben's humor in the Myron Bolivar novels will be disappointed. There is no humor here. However, for those looking for a thought-provoking novel that engages issues of parenting and tecnology wrapped in a mystery, this is the book.

Unexpected twists and turns complete with a surprising ending characterize the novels of this popular author, and this book is no exception. As with his previous efforts, Coben uses his New Jersey background for a setting, although for some strange reason the Bronx plays a vital role.

Mike and Tia Baye are a suburban couple with two children. He's a surgeon, she's an attorney. Their 16-year-old son has become withdrawn and sullen, especially after the suicide of his best friend, and they are unable to penetrate his withdrawal. So they go against their better judgment and begin spying on him. They place spyware on his computer to learn what he is surfing, and read his e-mails. Thus begins a trip down a dangerous path. The son runs away and his parents learn he plans to go to a drug and drinking party.

If that isn't enough excitement, there are a few other sub-plots with enough intrigue and danger to keep the reader on edge. Written with the author's accustomed tautness, the intricacies of the plot keep moving steadily forward to a rousing finish. Recommended.

I'm one of those that like Harlan Coben solo novels far better than the Myron series. They always seem to have uniquely better concepts that make for great discussion and thought afterwards. This one is no exception.

Set in the 'burbs - in a very Desperate Housewives type neighborhood - with as many secrets - it's actually a lot like Desparate Housewives on steriods.

After reading it, and without children of my own, I brought up the question with a group of friends whether they would ever use some of the tools available now to spy on their kids... the answers were eye-opening. The possibilities in this book are more than real - and the issue between trusting and spying kids puts it in a different league.

this has got to be Coben's best novel to date. Fab-u-lous! I'm not a fan of his Myron novels, but of his stand alones, and Hold Tight is definitely a cleverly plotted book. His books always portray a good sense of family and I love the one he has created here. Well done, Harlan!