Customer Reviews

The Final Detail

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Final Detail is not just the first Myron Bolitar mystery I've read, but also the first Coben book. I haven't been this absorbed in a mystery since reading The Maltese Falcon as a kid. Coben has created unforgettable, quirky characters who engage us even more than the story does.

Some other reviewers have suggested that The Final Detail was a bit stale. But, since it was my introduction to the series, it seemed fresh and new to me. The novel did stand pretty well on its own, but there were a few out-of-the-blue references to characters like Brenda Slaughter, who appeared in earlier stories, that were not put into context. On the other hand, these tantalizing unexplained references increased my desire to read the rest of the series. This time, I'll do it in sequence of publication.

There are some electrifying characters in this series, particularly Win, the semi-psychotic playboy/money manager/intellectual. And Big Cyndi is both a hilarious and edgy creation.

I would have given the book 5 stars had it not been for a couple of points. I thought the character of Thrill (Nancy) was completely unecessary, unless she's simply being introduced as a central character for a future installment. I felt that there too many women throwing themselves at Bolitar and that Bolitar's affection toward his parents got mawkish at times. I also felt that Esperanza is a convenient conglomeration of political correctness (Lesbian, Latina, professional woman, brainy beauty, assertive, etc. etc.) rather than a real flesh-and-blood character, at least in this installment.

Overall, I feel this was a terrific mystery and that Coben is right up there with the greats of the genre.

Harlan Coben is the most gifted mystery writer to enter the literary world in quite some time. In this sixth book of the Myron Bolitar series, Coben is, again, nothing less than sensational.

Bolitar, owner of MB SportsReps, has taken a vacation in the Carribbean, without telling anyone. While relaxing on the tropical beach for three weeks, his company goes to pieces, and his partner, Esperanza, is arrested for the murder of Myron's first ever client, major league relief pitcher, Clu Haid.

Myron is rushed back into the limelight, as a potential suspect as well as an accessory. He is forced to scramble to keep his agency afloat, clear his best friend's name, and deal with his competition, which is run by the mafia. To make matters worse, Esperanza wants him to back off, something that Myron just can't do.

All of the loveable characters are back, and fans of Big Cindi will really get to know her a lot better in this novel. A few new interesting characters are introduced as Myron travels through New York's sexual underground for answers.

There are so many wicked plot twists, the book becomes a wild page-turner instantly. Coben's gifted writing talents shine through remarkably, and the character dialogue is perfectly snappy. The storyline is impressively complete and well-defined. This is simply another super effort by Coben, and one entertaining read.

After reading most of his more recent works, I have become a BIG Harlan Coben fan. Gone For Good, Tell No One, Just One Look are three of the best books I have read in a long time. Hungry for more Coben, I went back to read some of his earlier work, picking up The Final Detail.

While I found the book enjoyable to read, it is not as satisfying as his more recent books. The protagonist, sports agent Myron Bolitar, is a well-developed, sypmathetic character, and it is fun to follow him on his rather improbable adventures. But I found many of the other characters in the book to be more cartoonish and less believable. The biggest disappointment for me was the conclusion which smacked a bit of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. While it was a tidy conclusion, it was unsatisfying because the reader had no hints of what the outcome would be. Rather than "Oh my! Of course that's what happened! Why didn't I see it!" the reader is left scratching his head and wondering why Coben wrote a conclusion that did not flow logically from what had gone before.

I am eagerly looking forward to reading Coben's next book (The Innocent), but doubt that I'll be reading any more of the Myron Bolitar books.

ok, first of all I from israel and read hebrew but recently I start to read book in English only. Anyway, if you buymp into writing's mistake then I am soory- still d'ont write so well.
About the book- The final detail- This is my second book of Harlan Coben. The first book was "No second chance". The final detail is a good book. I read other review here about this book and somebody wrote that the characters is flat. this is right.
Harlan coben not build a character that you can identify with and this is a little problem. On the other hand, Coben integrate in the book's plot ideas and philosophical thought about how the world work and I very love this.
Moreover I love the progress of the plot and of course, I love the ending-its was great ending. I d'ont understand how Coben succeed to do all this- Is so twisted.
for summary- I write that I very love the plot of the book. Its really suspense and hilarious (I actually started to laughing in the middle of the book!!!

This is not the usual can't put down, forget what's on TV, call in sick so you can finish it Myron Bolitar adventure. Most Myron adventures are full of action and although there is a small amount in this novel this book is a more of a get to know a bit more about the lives and past of supporting characters which haven't been explored in great detail in previous novels such as Myron's dad, Esperanza, Big Cyndi and even Myron. Although Win is in this novel, he is really mostly a conversationalist in this one seeing very little action at all. Myron even decides Yoo-Hoo is no longer his favourite drink in this book. It is almost as if fans have demanded another Myron Sequel and Coben has run out of ideas so has just decided to release more information on the other characters with a basic plot to tie it together. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the Bolitar series and have immensely enjoyed them all but I don't think this one is up there in quality, suspense or the other aspects that made those great.

Whilst during the third quarter of the book you do experience the don't want to stop, can't put the book down experience, that does unfortunately die out and it certainly never was there before that part of the book. I hate to say it but in some parts there is so much uninteresting talking amongst characters that you are willing them to hurry up and get on to the next scene. I think Coben should concentrate on the independent masterpieces he is writing for the moment until he can come up with better adventures for Myron. It is a great series and like Patterson's Alex Cross series you don't want to read novels forced out to appease impatient fans and publishers which lessen the overall quality of the collection.

Anyway the basic plot for this novel is Myron has taken off for a lengthy period of time to a deserted island without telling clients or friends with anchor woman Terese Collins. Meanwhile one of his clients Clu Haid, is found with a bullet hole in head and his MB SportsReps partner and best friend, Esperanza is in custody awaiting trial for his murder. She also no longer wants to have anything to do with Myron.

This book I would only recommend to fans of the series. The Myron Bolitar books are sensational and you have to check out the seires. Definitely do not start either your Coben or Myron Bolitar experience with this novel. With the Bolitar books I would highly recommend starting at the first book Deal Breaker, as parts of the plots of earlier books are given away in novels which follow earlier ones in the series. Coben's indenpendant books are masterpieces, check them out as well.

I recently discoverd Harlan Coben and have ordered all of his books - I'm in love! His books quickly catch the imagination, have great characters, twisted plots and keep you guessing until the very surprising end.

Despite the glowing reviews of other reviewers who are obviously fans of his hero, Myron Bolitar, as a first time reader of this series, I found that it was all too confusing, with frequent references to characters who have appeared in other books but who have been given no roles in this one, with suggestions made that their parts in Myrons' life have been major. A formerly well known sports star who is making a come back, is found, apparently murdered, with clues found leading to the arrest of Myrons' partner. Add some scenes with murderous transvestites creating havoc for Myron and his friends and the plot gets even more confusing. I'm sure that if you knew who the author was writing about, it would have been much more interesting so consequently can't give this book more than 3 stars.

Like a Knight on a quest, Myron matures during this adventure called, "The Final Detail".

While on a quest, Knights are physically strong, well trained, loyal, courageous, moral, courteous, and chivalrous. Knights are willing to voyage far to risk their lives for others, in order to defend those weaker than them. They are committed to righting wrongs and destroying evil. They face insurmountable problems, admit defeat or confess weakness, and call for help when needed. During a Knight's quest, he learns that he must participate in his society and that his significance rest in his ties to others. Finally, when his quest is completed he is granted enlightenment.

Yep, sounds like Myron Bolitar to me, only Myron is a lot funnier than any Knight that I've ever read about in this 6th book of the series, and yes, my favorite.

I was so hoping that Harlan Coben would either:
1 - Somehow get rid of the Big Cyndi character, or
2 - Give Big Cyndi a brain, or at least some human characteristics.
I was glad to read that she got exactly what her character deserved.

As always, I love Win; he is and always has been perfect; but still, his character grows more and more likable with every installment of this series. Same goes for Esperanza.

There are worse things a guy can do when his life and business are falling apart around him. Alone in the Caribbean with a luscious brunette, sports promoter Myron Bolitar is however relieved to be dragged away from his island escapade and delivered back into the real world. His best buddy Win believes there's a lot of music Myron has to face - clients leaving in droves, upset family and friends, the usual array of thugs wanting to rearrange his pretty face and the news that his business partner and other best friend, Esperanza Diaz, has been charged with the murder. The deceased happens to be a client too, so hey, double bad news.

What Myron can't understand is why Esperanza is shutting him out. She's not allowing Myron or anyone connected with him to help find whoever it is that killed Clu Haid, recovering sports star and all round schmuck. Those who know Esperanza well - yes they know she's capable but know that she wouldn't have done it. One of MB Sportsrep's biggest clients had trusted Myron to take care of their newest recruit and said recruit winding up dead is not the best start to a business relationship. Adding to the murk and chaos that is Myron's life is one missing girl. Someone is anonymously pushing Myron to investigate, and it can't be a co-incidence that all roads are leading squarely back to number one, Mr Bolitar himself.

It just isn't possible to read a book of this series and not stock up on your witty one liners, coming away with the feeling that if you ever needed someone smart to hit the bars with, Harlan Coben and his snappy dialogue would be first choice. Every page is full of the delicious smart aleck lines that Myron and Win effortlessly deliver, and all secondary characters are pretty quick on the delivery too. "The Final Detail" is not the awesomely moving novel it has been described as, but it is a very good read in an excellent series. There is so much going on in Myron's life that you could isolate any sub plot and build a story around it; Coben manages to serve it all up at once. Myron Bolitar is a classic character no crime collection should be without, and if some of his arrested development begins to annoy, there are plenty of other unique characters in Bolitar world that will capture and hold your fascination.

I discovered this series through amazon and read all his books in a 2 week period. I loved them all and hope he has another book out in the near future.