Missing You
Author: Harlan Coben
Published by: Orion
Pages: 456
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★1/2
Author: Harlan Coben
Published by: Orion
Pages: 456
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★1/2
Surfing an online dating side, NYPD detective Kat Donovan feels her whole world explode. Staring back at her is her ex-fiancé, the man who shattered her heart – and whom she hasn’t seen in eighteen years.
But when Kat reaches out to the man in the profile, an unspeakable conspiracy comes to light. As Kat begins to investigate, her feelings are challenged about everyone she’s ever loved- even father, whose cruel murder so long has never been fully explained.
With lives on the line, including her own, Kat must venture deeper into the darkness than she ever has before and discover if she has the strength to survive what she finds there.
But when Kat reaches out to the man in the profile, an unspeakable conspiracy comes to light. As Kat begins to investigate, her feelings are challenged about everyone she’s ever loved- even father, whose cruel murder so long has never been fully explained.
With lives on the line, including her own, Kat must venture deeper into the darkness than she ever has before and discover if she has the strength to survive what she finds there.
My thoughts:
This month at one of my regular book clubs, we read Missing You by Harlan Coben—a thriller I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own, simply because it’s not typically my genre. Thrillers aren’t always my go-to, and I’ve read so many books lately that I wasn’t convinced this one would stand out. But to my surprise, it hooked me quickly and kept me turning the pages. And that’s one of the joys of book club reading: it nudges you out of your comfort zone. And in this case, I’m glad it did.
I read this as part of Good Day Café’s monthly book club, which is always such a fun event to attend. It’s a lovely chance to catch up with fellow readers, sip a good coffee, and dive into some lively discussion. The group has recently acquired a new host too, which brought a fresh energy to the gathering—along with some great questions that really helped unpack this twisty read.
The story is fast-paced and full of twists, focusing on NYPD detective Kat Donovan, whose personal and professional lives collide when she stumbles across her ex-fiancé on an online dating site—and then uncovers a chilling conspiracy. The plot is gripping, and I enjoyed the high-stakes tension and the gritty New York City backdrop.
That said, while the story itself kept me engaged, it could’ve easily been a shorter read, the writing felt dated in parts, and there were moments that leaned into tired tropes and a tone that verged on misogynistic. Female characters often felt underwritten or defined primarily in relation to men, which is frustrating to encounter, especially in a book that otherwise has a strong female lead. It didn’t ruin the book for me, but it was something I couldn’t quite ignore.
Still, Missing You was undeniably entertaining. It’s one of those books you can easily read in a few sittings, ideal for when you're in the mood for something suspenseful that doesn’t require too much heavy lifting. While it wasn’t a perfect read for me, I appreciated being pulled into the story and genuinely wanted to know how everything would unfold.
A solid, pacey thriller that does what it sets out to do—just don’t go in expecting groundbreaking prose or particularly progressive storytelling.
Overall reaction:
This month at one of my regular book clubs, we read Missing You by Harlan Coben—a thriller I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own, simply because it’s not typically my genre. Thrillers aren’t always my go-to, and I’ve read so many books lately that I wasn’t convinced this one would stand out. But to my surprise, it hooked me quickly and kept me turning the pages. And that’s one of the joys of book club reading: it nudges you out of your comfort zone. And in this case, I’m glad it did.
I read this as part of Good Day Café’s monthly book club, which is always such a fun event to attend. It’s a lovely chance to catch up with fellow readers, sip a good coffee, and dive into some lively discussion. The group has recently acquired a new host too, which brought a fresh energy to the gathering—along with some great questions that really helped unpack this twisty read.
The story is fast-paced and full of twists, focusing on NYPD detective Kat Donovan, whose personal and professional lives collide when she stumbles across her ex-fiancé on an online dating site—and then uncovers a chilling conspiracy. The plot is gripping, and I enjoyed the high-stakes tension and the gritty New York City backdrop.
That said, while the story itself kept me engaged, it could’ve easily been a shorter read, the writing felt dated in parts, and there were moments that leaned into tired tropes and a tone that verged on misogynistic. Female characters often felt underwritten or defined primarily in relation to men, which is frustrating to encounter, especially in a book that otherwise has a strong female lead. It didn’t ruin the book for me, but it was something I couldn’t quite ignore.
Still, Missing You was undeniably entertaining. It’s one of those books you can easily read in a few sittings, ideal for when you're in the mood for something suspenseful that doesn’t require too much heavy lifting. While it wasn’t a perfect read for me, I appreciated being pulled into the story and genuinely wanted to know how everything would unfold.
A solid, pacey thriller that does what it sets out to do—just don’t go in expecting groundbreaking prose or particularly progressive storytelling.
Overall reaction:
