Back Spin (Myron Bolitar Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Harlan Coben (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 1997 | Series: Myron Bolitar Mysteries

Kidnappers have snatched the teenage son of super-star golfer Linda Coldren and her husband, Jack, an aging pro, at the height of the U.S. Open. To help get the boy back, sports agent Myron Bolitar goes charging after clues and suspects from the Main Line mansions to a downtown cheaters' motel--and back in time to a U.S. Open twenty-three years ago, when Jack Coldren should have won, but didn't. Suddenly Myron finds him self surrounded by blue bloods, criminals, and liars. And as one family's darkest secrets explode into murder, Myron finds out just how rough this game can get.

In novels that crackle with wit and suspense, Edgar Award winner Harlan Coben has created one of the most fascinating and complex heroes in suspense fiction--Myron Bolitar--a hotheaded, tenderhearted sports agent who grows more and more engaging and unpredictable with each page-turning appearance.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Another winner...Pungent observations, indelibly drawn characters and a twisting, surprise-laden plot."—Atlanta Journal and Constitution

"Sharp plotting and emotional density, as well as nonstop wisecracks."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

"Another winner...Pungent observations, indelibly drawn characters and a twisting, surprise-laden plot."
--The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

"Sharp plotting and emotional density, as well as nonstop wisecracks."
--Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Dell (July 7, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440222702
• ISBN-13: 978-0440222705
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Harlan Coben is the bestselling author of sixteen previous novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers "Long Lost" and "Hold Tight." Winner of the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, and the Anthony Award, Coben lives in New Jersey with his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plot Spins and Spins Taking You on the Ultimate Adventure, June 6, 2004

By 

James N Simpson (Gold Coast, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Back Spin (Myron Bolitar Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Myron Bolitar, MB Sports Rep returns for another fast paced can't put down adventure with so many twists in the ending you feel like you're in a backspin. This time round Myron's at the US Open golf tournament. Not a huge fan of golf he doesn't really want to be there but Win tells him it is an excellent opportunity for clients. Turns out Win's right, but for personal reasons Win doesn't want Myron to accept this case. Myron can't say no though, so he's on the case of kidnapped spoilt rich kid Chad Coldren, who is the son of the top female Golf player Linda Coldren and her husband tournament choker Jack Coldren who is leading the US Open for the first time in 30 years.

Of course not everyone likes Myron poking his nose where it does not belong and to Myron's disappointment Win is at the top of that list. Win of course would never harm Myron but others don't share that point of view.

You don't have to be a fan of golf to enjoy this in fact if you don't like Golf Myron's comments along the way are so much funnier. This is one of the best Myron stories, you can read it as a stand alone novel but you'll get a lot more out of this book if you read the prior novels first. Also check out Coben's independent Masterpieces such as Tell No One as well as the rest of Myron's adventures including the next in the series One False Move.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Complicated, April 19, 2001

By 

"mysteriousguy" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back Spin (Myron Bolitar Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read "Drop Shot" and absolutely loved it, so I picked up "Back Spin" hoping it would be of the same quality. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. The plot is simply TOO complicated--twists and turns are fun, but this book read as if Mr. Coben made it up the night before it was due. Some of the character's motivations are murky, even at the end of the novel, when Myron does a little bit too much "explaining" (to me, it's always a sign of bad writing when a detective has to "explain" a bunch of stuff away at the end of a mystery), and Mr. Coben asks us to accept some pretty improbable coincidences. I guess my willing suspension of disbelief just wasn't working the day I read "Back Spin."

Also, one important plot mechanism just doesn't ring true--that is, we're asked to believe that a professional golfer could possibly mistake an eight-iron for a six-iron. I'm about a 24-handicap, but even I can tell the difference between the two clubs. I'm sure a professional golfer, who hits thousands of balls a week and knows to the yard how long each club carries, could tell the difference.

Anyway, I still think "Drop Shot" was great and look forward to reading other Myron Bolitar books because he is such an engaging character. But "Back Spin" has all the signs of a book produced under the pressure of an impending deadline.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I really liked this book..., October 16, 2006

By 

L. Perrault "RegencyLover" (WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back Spin (Myron Bolitar Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

It kept me guessing and had the typical Coben twists. However, I like his non-Myron Bolitar books better. If you liked this book, then you will love Tell No One, The Innocent, Gone for Good, and No Second Chances. You really can't go wrong with Harlan Coben for a wonderfully written suspense thriller.