Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel [Kindle Edition]

Harlan Coben (Author)

Book Description

The stunning young adult debut from international bestseller Harlan Coben is now in paperback!

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. Fortunately, he's met a great girl, Ashley, and it seems like things might finally be improving. But then Ashley vanishes. Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that Ashley isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

First introduced to readers in Harlan Coben's novel Live Wire Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. Follow Mickey Bolitar on his next adventure in Seconds Away, coming out in Fall 2012!

Editorial Reviews

Review

A gripping tale -- Henry Sutton DAILY MIRROR SHELTER will introduce a whole new generation of fans to the humorous dialogue and clever plotting of his popular suspense thrillers. TAKE A BREAK

Review

You know something? I honestly can't think of anything I didn't like about Shelter. From the dialogue to the emotions expressed by Mickey, from the investigation to the hint of a massive conspiracy - it was all superb. And man! That cliffhanger! It feels a long, long time to the next novel in the series. This is sharp, dangerous, funny and, above all, vital reading. It is a masterpiece of a thriller story for Young Adults. Buy Shelter immediately, you won't regret it. FLOOR TO CEILING BOOKS It's a cracking read - I'm a bit of a sucker for noir set in the high school environment... A great place for younger readers to discover the wonderful suburban crime dramas of Mr Coben and, for those who know what to expect, another great read to add to their growing collection. Can't wait for the next one in the Mickey Bolitar series. High scoring stuff indeed. BOOKS AND WRITERS the ending is spine-tingling and shocking, which bodes well for the next book! Shelter is a gripping little thriller than should be bought and read as soon as possible, regardless of the reader's age. Superb. ALTERNATIVE MAGAZINE ONLINE Shelter is a cleverly plotted mystery that leaves you wanting more. I read it in one sitting. It was compulsive NATE CLASSROOM Interwoven with the comedy and crime are poignant observations about family and friends that make this teen crime debut for Harlan Coben something extra special. Highly recommended. THE BOOKBAG There's plenty of action here, some understated, sly, secretly plotted and some roistering and rumbustious and all deep within a world of gangsters, organised crime and criminal deception. BOOKS FOR KEEPS 20111101 A gripping read. CAROUSEL

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Product Details

• File Size: 324 KB
• Print Length: 321 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1409124452
• Publisher: Speak; Reprint edition (September 6, 2011)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XFZ8AK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,638 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #35 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Teens > Mysteries & Thrillers
  • #35 in Books > Teens > Mysteries

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 84 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Gimme a break November 22, 2011

By Henry E. Dorfman

Format:Hardcover

I went into this understanding the target market, but I'm a Coben addict and needed a fix. Besides, I was a huge fan of the Hardy Boys, Rick Brant, et al.

The book opens with some new-kid-in-school clichés, with a few characters of similar stripe, but skillfully sets the stage with suspense. At this point, the plot flirts with improbability, but this is a work of fiction. If it had maintained that course, all would've turned out well. Unfortunately, the only line followed was wallowing in the banal stereotyping, while the plot veers off the road into a ditch of the inane.

Mickey's worldly upbringing might explain some of his reasoning. But the rest is much more like a 41 year old instead of 14. As for his cohorts, you have two callow social outcasts, one embittered with the world, and a rich queen bee. Their concerns are going to extend beyond iPods and American Eagle to reach risking life and limb for a girl they hardly know? Not bloody likely. They're chomping at the bit to bust into a strip bar in the heart of Newark to take on a gang of professional thugs? I grew up in the area and ran with a reckless crew. And yet, extrapolating forward in time, we wouldn't have even driven through Newark at 90 mph in an armored Hummer with close air support to get backstage passes to a Lady Gaga concert. But these weenies are going to go commando against armed professional criminals to rescue a cypher. Right.

The man in the black car, county law enforcement officer, etc. act with the same dearth of logic. Logistics don't even fit. As example, Mickey leaves Rachel's house for Newark with Myron in hot pursuit and aided by a tracker. And yet, Myron doesn't arrive until well after the action has concluded. On the other hand, Spoon isn't summoned until well into the raid and he shows up in time to save the day (and ahead of Myron).

But wait. You haven't heard anything yet. The closing scene exemplifies the gaps in this work. Mickey is shown a photo of an SS officer, which has to be about circa 1945, and recognizes him as the man who recently pulled his father from a wreck and, presumably, orchestrated it. Say what? He saw a photo, which must be somewhat degraded, of a man of about 30 and immediately equates it to catching a glimpse of someone who's got to be about 95? And this relic, who has every reason in the world to lay low, is running around getting in the face of his pursuers and literally carrying them off? Give us a break.

The ending is obviously intended to raise the subject of what will happen in the ensuing installment. But, the only question it poses is, who wrote this book?

58 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery lovers of all ages should enjoy September 6, 2011

By Philly gal VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Shelter is published as a teen novel, but I thought it was a pretty good adult read. Harlen Coben introduced Mickey Bolitar in Live Wire and now gives him his own story. He is a bright, energetic, high school student who is having a really bad year. He has witnessed his father's death and is now dealing with his mother's drug addiction. Forced to live with his uncle Myron he starts the school term by meeting an enchanting girl, Ashley, who quickly becomes his girlfriend. Just as quickly she goes missing without a trace. Working with some quirky new friends he has made at school Mickey tries to find Ashley. He uncovers a conspiracy and along the way finds out some things that cause him to question his father's death.

The writing is good, the wry humor that Coben is noted for is fully present and actually sounds realistic coming from a teenage boy. The plotting is also good; the action moves right along. I think this will be a successful series for Coben and will bring new young readers to the mystery genre. Mystery lovers of all ages should enjoy!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Over the top debut for Coben's young adult series August 3, 2012

By MelS

Format:Kindle Edition

I began this book knowing full well it was aimed at the young adult market, but being such a devotee of Harlan Coben's writing I figured it wouldn't steer me wrong. The first half of the book didn't disappoint - sure, there are a lot of high school clichés, but you have to remember who this book is aimed at. Unfortunately, as we turned past the halfway mark (I think it was when the word "Auschwitz" was mentioned) things also took a turn for the worse.

Mickey Bolitar is, funnily enough, a teenage version of his Uncle Myron. He knows how to fight, how to play ball, how to "win" the ladies over with dry humour. It's enough to get you through the pages, but it was Mickey being thrust in very tough, adult situations which really put me off this book. Whilst I think Coben did a good job creating the character (and a few clichéd supporting characters), his plot got ahead of himself and he created the most ridiculous scenarios imaginable. I don't think I would have put up with it had it been Myron and Win, let alone the teenage Mickey. In fact, it made things worse: having dangerous and seedy adult characters taking a teenager as a serious threat and trying to beat him within an inch of his life.

Harlan Coben is a great writer, and there was a lot of potential in this Mickey Bolitar series. I felt he was trying to recreate Myron's heyday through Mickey and just lost the plot. It didn't need to be so complicated (in fact, it should have been considerably LESS complicated, considering it is designed for young adults) and it was so far-fetched it was ridiculous. Even though Coben's writing is just good enough to get you through to the end, he really disappoints by setting up a far-fetched and not-at-all gripping cliffhanger that leaves you losing all respect you might have managed to gain for this series.

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.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#48 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#10 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#11 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#14 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers

#16 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

#23 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#10 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#11 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#14 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers

#16 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

#23 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery