Memuat
The Stranger
Ikhtisar
#1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Harlan Coben delivers his most shocking thriller yet, proving that a well-placed lie can help build a wonderful life-and a secret has the same explosive power to destroy it.
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 has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life.
Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all. Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corinne's deception, and realizes that if he doesn't make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he's stumbled into will not only ruin lives-it will end them.
Baca di aplikasi seluler Scribd
Unduh aplikasi seluler Scribd gratis untuk membaca kapan pun, di mana pun.
Ulasan
It was supposed to be easy money, no one was supposed to get hurt, they were only exposing liars and deceitful people, weren't they. The stranger and his friend reveal secrets to people that rock their world. Some are blackmail and some they are paid to reveal, but things go horribly wrong.
When Adam Price is told that his wife faked her pregnancy and miscarriage by "The Stranger" he wants to know where and how he got his information. All he tells him is how to find the evidence to prove what he told him is true. Does he believe the stranger or trust Corrine. Will this revelation destroy his family and ruin life for his two boys? One lie revealed leads to another secret in this nail biter. It was hard to put it down until the last page was turned.
When Adam Price is told that his wife faked her pregnancy and miscarriage by "The Stranger" he wants to know where and how he got his information. All he tells him is how to find the evidence to prove what he told him is true. Does he believe the stranger or trust Corrine. Will this revelation destroy his family and ruin life for his two boys? One lie revealed leads to another secret in this nail biter. It was hard to put it down until the last page was turned.
The book starts off slow an boring....soccer moms an suburbia, what could be more boring? But the intensity increases as the reader proceeds. There are a lot of characters, the prime one is Adam, who's wife disappears. Most of the book involves Adam trying to Find Corine. The teen age boys play a small teen part, which adds to the realistic feel. Then, about half way through, the story grabs you and the book is unstoppable.
This was my first Harlan Coben book recommended to me by a friend, and it was pretty entertaining (entertaining enough that I went out and bought a few more that I stumbled upon in a used book store ... that I have yet to get to). It was fairly suspenseful and a bit of a 'who-dun-it' plot line but I enjoyed it overall.
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...
Possibly one of my new favourite authors!
This was another bookclub read and believe me I was happy to go back to an easy to read fast-paced thriller after having to really think through the literary nuances of our last book (well written - but not my thing). I was slightly dubious as we chose this one after consuming the champers and I had not read any Harlen Coben before. (Shameful as it turns out.)
It's fast paced, easy to read, with enough twists that the ending is not obvious til..well, you get to the end! I read it pretty much in one sitting (with a couple of hours sleep when my husband insisted I turn off the light!)
You feel like Coben is telling a number of separate tales, leaving you to wonder how they could possibly be relevant to the main story line, but by the end he has superbly woven them together in a way you don't see coming.
Interestingly, I see a lot of reviewers who say they are Coben fans not really liking this book, and preferring others. If this is where his "bad" starts I just can't wait to get into the rest of his catalogue!
Ultimately this book left me with the question...
In the end, are some secrets best left buried?
Possibly one of my new favourite authors!
This was another bookclub read and believe me I was happy to go back to an easy to read fast-paced thriller after having to really think through the literary nuances of our last book (well written - but not my thing). I was slightly dubious as we chose this one after consuming the champers and I had not read any Harlen Coben before. (Shameful as it turns out.)
It's fast paced, easy to read, with enough twists that the ending is not obvious til..well, you get to the end! I read it pretty much in one sitting (with a couple of hours sleep when my husband insisted I turn off the light!)
You feel like Coben is telling a number of separate tales, leaving you to wonder how they could possibly be relevant to the main story line, but by the end he has superbly woven them together in a way you don't see coming.
Interestingly, I see a lot of reviewers who say they are Coben fans not really liking this book, and preferring others. If this is where his "bad" starts I just can't wait to get into the rest of his catalogue!
Ultimately this book left me with the question...
In the end, are some secrets best left buried?
Harlan Coben, once again, doesn't disappoint.
When the stranger approached Adam, he revealed a secret that didn't shock Adam to the core...
When Adam confronts his wife Corrine with the information, she doesn't deny it, but worse...she confirms it is true. She begs Adam to give her time to explain...and then she disappears.
Adam tries to comfort his boys, but doesn't know what to tell them. Frantic, he begins to search for the stranger and his wife.
Some secrets should remain secret, and some secrets will kill you.
When Adam confronts his wife Corrine with the information, she doesn't deny it, but worse...she confirms it is true. She begs Adam to give her time to explain...and then she disappears.
Adam tries to comfort his boys, but doesn't know what to tell them. Frantic, he begins to search for the stranger and his wife.
Some secrets should remain secret, and some secrets will kill you.
Once again Harlan Coben has written an unputdownable novel.As always, Coben gives us a multilayered story that is actually story upon story upon story. That's what makes it unputdownable, but that also makes for lots of characters' names to remember. So pay attention and don't read it too fast.The main story is about Adam and Corinne. A stranger has revealed to Adam a secret Corinne has kept from him for a couple of years. After he confronts her with it, she disappears. Now the mystery(s) begins.Every one of the stories involves a devastating secret and usually blackmail. They are all intertwined, and each builds on Adam's mystery. Each also keeps the reader trying to guess the solution. But I've never been able to guess the solution to Coben's mysteries. I didn't guess here, either.
Adam Price has the perfect life, a beautiful wife and two boys. He meets a stranger in a bar who shatters that perfect life, his wife it seems has a secret.I haven't read many Harlan Coben books in the past so its made a change to come away from my usual reads. This book is a crime that's a bit different. I found that as soon as I started to read this book I was drawn into the story instantly. There was enough for me to care and to want to finish the book. I found the book very easy to read. The story however at times I felt was a little confusing. It does at the end all come together and all is explained. I did want to see the whys and hows so I needed to stick with until the end. The story had some suspense to it and a few twists. At times the book reminded me of Linwood Barclay. I would read more by Harlan Coben in the future as I found this read nice and easy.
I haven't read any Harlan Coben books for quite awhile. After reading this page turner, I think I need to go back and catch up on some of his work over the past couple of years. Of course I enjoyed the many references to local New Jersey towns.
Mystery Thriller With a Killer Ending What a ride, lots of characters, keeps you on your toes, never a dull moment.. BRAVO
Fabulous thriller 5?Read. I was hooked from page 1 and utterly devastated at the final twist. The characterisation was spot on. I felt as if I knew and could even see all the characters. The plot was thick and layered and the writing was captivating, the perfect balance of description, action and suspense. However, The Stranger is not just a brilliant action-packed thriller, it's also a complex succession of moral and ethical dilemas, which makes readers question their own moral code. It also made me understand, not sympathise with, the justification of unethical behaviour. How far would you go for your family? All the characters were forced to face complex moral choices, which readers will also have to think about. A must read. This is my fourth Harlan Coben novel and I'm sure I'll be reading them all.
The plot idea was good, execution was not really great.
3.5. Corbin has done better work but this book is still pretty decent. As always, the last reveal is within the last 30 seconds of the book :)
If you love a good mystery story that has a lot of characters who are all somewhat connected than you will enjoy this book! It has really great pace and keeps you guessing at to how everyone is actually connected. I was a tad disappointed with one aspect of the story but it was still a really good read. This is the first book I have read by this author but I am sure to read more now!
Well written but not a genre I care for -- suburban soccer-dad thriller. Gets at least 2 stars for trying to deal with honesty, ethics and family in a thoughtful way. For a particular audience, this is a very good read. Just not for me.
How many secrets do we all carry with us? How simple is it to keep those secrets? What must it be like if a third party, a stranger, suddenly reveals to you a secret that materially affects your happy life, and throws you into complete disarray?
That is where Harlan Coben starts with this book. Adam Price is given information that sparks his concern and leads to quite a ride to deal with the problems that it throws up. Others, too, have been approached by the stranger, but not all for the allegedly altruistic purpose of righting wrongs, some have a more sinister purpose involving financial arrangements. Yes, the stranger started off with the best of intentions, but never realised until it was too late that the greed of his little group was going to lead to manipulation by others.
At first this all looks like relatively straightforward blackmail, but as Adam pursues the truth about his beloved Corinne, damage follows as it does to others to whom secrets have been revealed.
It would be very difficult to add much more to this without spoiling the read for others. Suffice it to say that I read the book inside three days, which is incredibly quick for me. At first I was very puzzled and was almost on the point of putting the book down, but a little perseverance reaped a rich reward.
An intriguing idea, yet again, from Harlan Coben. There is much to be revealed and many secrets to be disclosed. The determination of Adam and Police Chief Johanna Griffin leads us through to a very satisfying conclusion, but one that is tinged with a great deal of sadness.
Should people's secrets be left undisturbed? It makes for a good book, but I, for one, would not like to have been approached by the stranger.
That is where Harlan Coben starts with this book. Adam Price is given information that sparks his concern and leads to quite a ride to deal with the problems that it throws up. Others, too, have been approached by the stranger, but not all for the allegedly altruistic purpose of righting wrongs, some have a more sinister purpose involving financial arrangements. Yes, the stranger started off with the best of intentions, but never realised until it was too late that the greed of his little group was going to lead to manipulation by others.
At first this all looks like relatively straightforward blackmail, but as Adam pursues the truth about his beloved Corinne, damage follows as it does to others to whom secrets have been revealed.
It would be very difficult to add much more to this without spoiling the read for others. Suffice it to say that I read the book inside three days, which is incredibly quick for me. At first I was very puzzled and was almost on the point of putting the book down, but a little perseverance reaped a rich reward.
An intriguing idea, yet again, from Harlan Coben. There is much to be revealed and many secrets to be disclosed. The determination of Adam and Police Chief Johanna Griffin leads us through to a very satisfying conclusion, but one that is tinged with a great deal of sadness.
Should people's secrets be left undisturbed? It makes for a good book, but I, for one, would not like to have been approached by the stranger.
Interesting story. Climax and resolution are rather brief.
Any book that I cannot put down until I am finished automatically get 5 looks! This book will not change the world, will not bring about a soul change for the reader, and will not make you rethink the trajectory of your life. But, it will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you forget everything else for the hours that it takes you to read it.
Just released, I find that the summaries for this book (at the time of this review) are incorrect (they reference "Hannah" instead of the correct "Corrinne" as the wife's name, maybe a last minute edit before publishing). However, that small fact makes me think I am on the cutting edge of reading this one!
I could have used a little more background and family life of the periphery characters, as they factored in a little more as the story wore on, but it didn't detract from the rollercoaster ride that this book turned out to be. A nice, formulaic thriller, perfect for the beach, a rainy day, or a "palate cleanser" after a deep, dark read. It will grip you at the beginning and leave you satisfied at the end.
Highly recommended.
Just released, I find that the summaries for this book (at the time of this review) are incorrect (they reference "Hannah" instead of the correct "Corrinne" as the wife's name, maybe a last minute edit before publishing). However, that small fact makes me think I am on the cutting edge of reading this one!
I could have used a little more background and family life of the periphery characters, as they factored in a little more as the story wore on, but it didn't detract from the rollercoaster ride that this book turned out to be. A nice, formulaic thriller, perfect for the beach, a rainy day, or a "palate cleanser" after a deep, dark read. It will grip you at the beginning and leave you satisfied at the end.
Highly recommended.
Hardcover (edit)ReviewI don't normally write my reviews before my book club meeting, but there's no point in holding this back. This is the first Coben I have read, and I didn't want to in the first place. That being said, I ended up liking it a little more than I expected although I see no point to picking up another one. And I do like mysteries and thrillers. No offense to the author, as he is clearly adored by many readers, he's just not for me. Most of the characters were very thinly veneered with middle class success, just waiting for the smallest crack to open up and collapse in on themselves. Corinne went from perfect mom, to whack job, to criminal, to saint faster than I could shake a stick. Plot twists at the end racked up like a ball bouncing between two bumpers in a pinball machine. But in the end, nothing could could make me care about these people.
I have always been a huge fan of Harlan Coben's work. And this one did not disappoint. It was an interesting concept of a story line of a Stranger who approaches people and reveals secrets of their loved ones. When people start disappearing as a result of the revealed secrets, it is a race to find the truth and find the missing loved ones.
It has been a long time since I have read a book by this author. For the most part I enjoyed all of the books that I have read by this author. So when I saw Mr. Coben's latest book, I thought now is a good time to revisit this author and his work. OMG. I read this book in a few short hours. The idea of a stranger coming into someone's life and telling them something about their significant other's dark secret. That is scary. I felt for Adam and what he went through when he learned his wife's secret. This is why I was invested in the story. The whole time I kept read this book I was trying to piece it together. To figure out what the stranger's motives were. I could not solve it until the reveal. Which by the way the ending was a high note. I can not wait to read the next book. The Stranger is a must, sit on the edge of your seat read!
Highly recommended! Another great book from one of my favorite author's. I devoured this in 2 days.
I received access to this galley for free through the First to Read program. The first thing that attracted me to this novel was the author. Coben is one of my favorites. I've read four of his books so far and have enjoyed them all. His descriptions of surroundings, occurrences, and characters set the scene. His voices vary according to the characters' age and circumstances. His astute observations of human nature and behavior are spot on. The dialogue is true-to-life and, as always, he injects some humor. The chapters are usually short,often ending with a cliffhanger, making his books unputdownable. Coben wastes no time. The "stranger" is introduced to protagonist, Adam, in the very first chapter. Adam, an attorney, is married to Corinne, a teacher. They have two sons, Ryan(12) and Thomas(16). The stranger plants doubts in Adam's mind about Corinne. The allegations are supported by evidence that an outsider couldn't possibly know. Suddenly, before Adam can catch up with him, the stranger is gone. Adam's life is turned upside down by the stranger's revelations and he sets out to investigate. He eventually confronts Corinne. She is caught off-guard and doesn't reveal much, despite of Adam's varying tactics and persistent efforts. Further complicating matters, she sends him a text requesting some time away and asks that he not contact her. Then she disappears. Adam is burdened with explaining her absence to their distraught sons and taking care of their daily needs. As the plot progresses, supporting characters and their back stories are introduced. Coben uses alternating points of view, a style I enjoy because it helps with character development. Some of these characters have their own encounters with the stranger and/or his accomplices. The stranger does not operate independently. He, along with his posse, profit from others' secrets and are under the misguided notion that their intentions are noble. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. The premise was intriguing and unique. The plot had unpredictable twists and turns. The ending was realistic and satisfying. Another winner by Coben. Read More
An OK story, but not as good or as believable as Coben's other books.
I really liked this book, there were a few minor things that I didn't care for but it didn't take away from the story. Don't talk to strangers... you never know what they might tell you. This is a story about secrets, told very well. I like how Harlan Coben seems to understand people and it comes across in his effortless writing.
It has a familiar setup of American suburbia, just like in other Harlan Coben's standalone novels. It is by itself gets somewhat old. But the novel also lacks an edge that was characteristic to his other novels. The mystery is not that mysterious. The ending is not that climactic. The characters are not very interesting. The plot doesn't really keep you turning pages like before. At least, it took me an effort to get through. Definitely, not the best book by this author.
I was not overly thrilled with this book. Kind of a let down since this was my first book by Coben and I've heard how great his writing is. This story just really didn't suck me in at all. I thought Adam and Corrine were kind of dumb characters from the start. And the explanation for it all? LAME! Might as well have been Stephen King ending with "oh it was aliens!" (again).There were too many characters that didn't really have anything to do with each other forced into a final scene and the BAM...Adam just figures it all out. It just didn't weave together that well.I have another book by him on my shelves so I'll give him one more try, but this was a disappointing (although quick) read.
I read this book by listening on Audible. The narrator was great -- highly recommended.
The Stranger shows up and tells you a secret about a loved one. You don't know what to believe -- should you believe this stranger, this person you don't know? Or do you believe your loved one, trust they told the truth? The Stranger has upturned an innumerable amount of lives, all for the sake of putting the truth out there.
Adam Price is visited by The Stranger. He tells Adam a secret about his wife, Corinne, that turns his life upside down. Then, when confronted, Corinne suddenly disappears, no where to be found. Adam must find The Stranger and find out what truly happened, and he has to find Corinne to put their life back together. Little does he know, many other people have been approached by The Stranger, and not all of them are happy to have their lives disrupted.
"The Stranger," while at times tedious and overly detailed, delivers on the suspense and mystery that this premise promises. Adam Price is a severely unlikeable character, anti-social and stand-offish. He makes some questionable decisions regarding his wife, children, and The Stranger. However, if you can get past some of the obvious character flaws and little plot holes, this book will keep you turning back, wondering how you could think what you thought would happen before. The ending had me putting off dinner, telling my family to leave me alone until I finish this book, I have to find out what happens -- the sign of a great thriller.
The Stranger shows up and tells you a secret about a loved one. You don't know what to believe -- should you believe this stranger, this person you don't know? Or do you believe your loved one, trust they told the truth? The Stranger has upturned an innumerable amount of lives, all for the sake of putting the truth out there.
Adam Price is visited by The Stranger. He tells Adam a secret about his wife, Corinne, that turns his life upside down. Then, when confronted, Corinne suddenly disappears, no where to be found. Adam must find The Stranger and find out what truly happened, and he has to find Corinne to put their life back together. Little does he know, many other people have been approached by The Stranger, and not all of them are happy to have their lives disrupted.
"The Stranger," while at times tedious and overly detailed, delivers on the suspense and mystery that this premise promises. Adam Price is a severely unlikeable character, anti-social and stand-offish. He makes some questionable decisions regarding his wife, children, and The Stranger. However, if you can get past some of the obvious character flaws and little plot holes, this book will keep you turning back, wondering how you could think what you thought would happen before. The ending had me putting off dinner, telling my family to leave me alone until I finish this book, I have to find out what happens -- the sign of a great thriller.
A patron at the branch library I volunteer at, highly recommended this book. I had yet to read anything of Harlan Coben's, so I thought 'why not?' I need to thank that patron. This book started out quickly and solidly, and never let up. Its story is actually numerous vignettes, some tied together, some seemingly not, but all woven together by the end. An interesting and current day premise, sprinkled with several actual truths makes for interesting conversations over dinner or in a book group.I will say this, though; I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half. Not sure why, just did. Meanwhile, another patron recommended I read Coben's Tell No One. I'm adding it to my TBR list.
Solid 'ordinary man caught up in perplexing mystery' thriller which is Harlan Coben's signature style for his stand-alone (i.e. non-Bolitar) books. I listened to the audiobook edition and found it easy to follow even with a fairly large cast of characters. The ending is maybe not completely satisfying and/or believable (can't say more without spoiling it) but is still very well done.