Author: Harlan Coben

Performed by Eric Meyers

Category: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Audiobook, Book Review

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The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. His identity is unknown. His motives are unclear. His information is undeniable. Then he whispers a few words in your ear and disappears, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world.

Adam Price leads a contented life in a well-to-do neighbourhood with his wife, Corinne and his two boys, little knowing his world was about to be shattered by a stranger. Adam was with the other dads enjoying a drink before the lacrosse team selections when a stranger approaches him revealing a secret his wife had kept. One that would forever change their relationship. Adam is at first unbelieving, then devastated as he investigates the stranger’s so called evidence. When Adam confronts Corinne, she is reluctant to discuss the matter and makes arrangements to meet Adam and talk over dinner. Corinne doesn’t show up. Then Adam receives a text from Corinne saying they need some time apart.

Adam trusted Corinne with his life. And yet…

He had seen it a million times in his work. Put simply, people fool you. He and Corinne might be a cohesive unit, but they were also individuals. It would be nice to trust unconditionally and forget the stranger ever appeared—Adam was tempted to do just that—but that felt a tad too much like the proverbial sticking your head in the sand.

Meanwhile the stranger is dropping bombshells on other unsuspecting people, with terrible consequences for one of his victims.

What a tangled web we weave… was the phrase that kept coming to mind while listening to this book. Adam is a good man who loves his family but once the seed of doubt had been planted he couldn’t just pull it out and discard it. He had to follow it through. And it led him into a web of secrets, deceit and murder.

The Stranger has several threads running through the narrative and, although belief had to be suspended at some of the plotlines, it was a very enjoyable listen. I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of someone being able to know the deepest secrets of random people and the reason for the reveals, but I still needed to know how the threads connected and what the outcome would be. Harlan Coben always manages to draw me in with a realistic and likeable protagonist and a great storyline that keeps me guessing. Fast paced, lots of action and Eric Meyers does a great job with the narration.

Book links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Hive 

About the Author

Harlan Coben was the first ever author to win all three major crime awards in the US. He is now global bestseller with his mix of powerful stand-alone thrillers and Myron Bolitar crime novels. He has appeared in the bestseller lists of The Times, the New York Times, Le Monde, Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times.

He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children.

Author links ~ Website | Twitter | Facebook