Back Spin (Myron Bolitar) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Harlan Coben (Author) "Myron Bolitar used a cardboard periscope to look over the suffocating throngs of ridiculously clad spectators..." (more)
Key Phrases: chink bitch, mall girls, sports agent, Linda Coldren, Jack Coldren, Esme Fong (more...)

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

Product Description
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.

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: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,123 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #23 in	Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Coben, Harlan
  #72 in	Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Series

• This is item 4 in The Myron Bolitar /  Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back Spin scores a hole in one., June 26, 1997

By A Customer

In Back Spin, Harlan Coben not only manages to provide a glimpse into the psyche of a champion (whatever their field of expertise), but weaves together a chilling tale of kidnapping, family secrets, and the beauty and eccentricity which is golf. While Myron Bolitar, sports rep and rival of Henny Youngman for king of the one-liners, attempts to enter the world of professional golfing at the US Open, he is more than a little side-tracked by frantically working to find the missing son of the leader of that prestigious event. This is a story of violence, in the graphic, physical sense and also in terms of betrayal; particularly the pain that family members can inflict upon one another. Back Spin also moves us along in our understanding of Myron, Esperanza and especially the charming, but lethal Win. For those already acquainted with those characters (in every sense of the word!), Back Spin is a "must read." For those not yet acquainted with this trio, or the author, you can look forward to a great story, with more twists and turns than the golf hole of your worst nightmares, and more empathy and eloquence than all the jokes and snappy come-backs might lead you to expect. Whatever the author's golf handicap may be, with this latest addition to the Myron Bolitar series, Harlan Coben shows he definitely qualifies as a Master of his craft

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cobens Rules!, April 23, 1999

By A Customer

Please order all of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar novels at once. Not only will you read about the world's most honorable sports agent Myron Bolitar but you get a murder mystery to follow as well as some memorable characters to cheer for. The mysteries are excellently written, hilarious and fast-paced. Once I started reading the book, it is hard to put it down, so I didn't, I finished it the day I received, as I did with the previous Bolitar novels. What draws me to this series is Myron's interactions with the people closest to him - his girlfriend, his parents, his assistant/partner(?) Esparanza and last but not least Win Lockwood - psycho-yuppie. I can only read books in the mystery genre and this is one of the best series ever. To all you potential Cobenatics - order all Bolitar novels at once! Please note that you can reserve the new novel - The Final Detail before its release in June. Hurry - catch up with Myron, Win (my favorite) and crew before the June deadline.

5 of 5 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)

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.