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Hold Tight Hardcover – April 15, 2008
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#1 bestselling author Harlan Coben asks that provocative and terrifying question with his fifteenth thriller.
#1 bestselling author Harlan Coben has become an unstoppable force in suspense fiction. His most recent novel, The Woods, spent more time on the New York Times bestseller list than his previous books and sales reached his highest levels to date. His latest page-turner, which is about just how far parents will go to protect their kids, is destined for the top of every bestseller list.
Tia and Mike Baye never imagined theyd become the type of overprotective parents who spy on their kids. But their sixteen-year-old son Adam has been unusually distant lately, and after the suicide of his classmate Spencer Hillthe latest in a string of issues at schoolthey cant help but worry. They install a sophisticated spy program on Adams computer, and within days are jolted by a message from an unknown correspondent addressed to their son: Just stay quiet and all safe.
Meanwhile, browsing through an online memorial for Spencer put together by his classmates, Betsy Hill is struck by a photo that appears to have been taken on the night of her sons death . . . and he wasnt alone. She thinks it is Adam Baye standing just outside the cameras range; but when Adam goes missing, it soon becomes clear that something deep and sinister has infected their community. For Tia and Mike Baye, the question they must answer is this: When it comes to your kids, is it possible to know too much?
- Print length432 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherDutton
- Publication dateApril 15, 2008
- Dimensions6.5 x 2 x 9.75 inches
- ISBN-100525950608
- ISBN-13978-0525950608
- Lexile measureHL560L
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
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Review
The Woods might just be the best thing Coben has written. . . . A gripping story, filled with fine characters and dark secrets.
Chicago Sun-Times
Gripping. . . . The characters are authentic, the writing spare, and the courtroom drama so riveting.
Boston Sunday Globe
Harlan Coben has been keeping me awake at night. . . . I devoured his latest bestseller The Woods. . . . Fortunately you won t have to worry about navigating impenetrable woods. Coben is the perfect guide, clearing all the hurdles with maximum speed and efficiency.
The Orlando Sentinel
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : 0525950605
- Publisher : Dutton; 1st edition (April 15, 2008)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 432 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0525950608
- ISBN-13 : 978-0525950608
- Lexile measure : HL560L
- Item Weight : 1.6 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.5 x 2 x 9.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #718,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,020 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #36,669 in Suspense Thrillers
- #40,812 in American Literature (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

With over 80 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben is the #1 New York Times author of thirty five novels including WIN, THE BOY FROM THE WOODS, RUN AWAY, FOOL ME ONCE, TELL NO ONE and the renowned Myron Bolitar series. His books are published in 46 languages around the globe.
Harlan is the creator and executive producer of several Netflix television dramas including FOOL ME ONCE, STAY CLOSE, THE STRANGER, SAFE, THE FIVE, THE INNOCENT and THE WOODS. He is also the creator and executive producer of the Prime Video series Harlan Coben’s SHELTER, based on his young adult books featuring Mickey Bolitar. Harlan was the showrunner and executive producer for two French TV mini-series, UNE CHANCE DE TROP (NO SECOND CHANCE) and JUST UN REGARD (JUST ONE LOOK). KEINE ZWEIT CHANCE, also based on Harlan’s novel, aired in Germany on Sat1.
Harlan’s novel TELL NO ONE (NE LE DIS A PERSONNE) was turned into the renowned French film, directed by Guillaume Canet and starring Francois Cluzet. The movie was the top box office foreign-language film of the year in the USA, won the Lumiere (French Golden Globe) for best picture and was nominated for nine Cesars (French Oscar) and won four, including best actor, best director and best music.
Winner of the Edgar Award, Shamus Award and Anthony Award – the first author to win all three – international bestselling author Harlan Coben’s critically-acclaimed novels have been called “ingenious” (New York Times), “poignant and insightful” (Los Angeles Times), “consistently entertaining” (Houston Chronicle), “superb” (Chicago Tribune) and “must reading” (Philadelphia Inquirer).
In his first books, Coben immersed himself in the exploits of sports agent Myron Bolitar. Critics loved the series, saying, “You race to turn pages…both suspenseful and often surprisingly funny” (People). After seven books Coben wanted to try something different. “I came up with a great idea that simply would not work for Myron,” says Coben. The result was the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller TELL NO ONE, which became the most decorated thriller of the year. Two books later, Bookspan, recognizing Coben’s broad international appeal, named NO SECOND CHANCE its first ever International Book of the Month in 2003 – the Main Selection in 15 different countries.
Harlan was the first writer in more than a decade to be invited to write fiction for the NEW YORK TIMES op-ed page. His Father’s Day short story, THE KEY TO MY FATHER, appeared June 15, 2003. His essays and columns have appeared in many top publications including the New York Times, Parade Magazine and Bloomberg Views.
Harlan has received an eclectic variety of honors from all over the world. In Paris, he was awarded the prestigious Vermeil Medal of Honor for contributions to culture and society by the Mayor of Paris. He has won the El Premio del Novela Negra RBA in Spain, the Grand Prix de Lectrices in France, and the CWA/ITV3 Bestseller Dagger for favorite crime novelist in England. On the other end of the spectrum, Little League Baseball inducted Harlan into their Hall of Excellence in 2013, and Harlan is also a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame from his playing days at Amherst College.
Harlan was born in Newark, New Jersey. He still lives in New Jersey with his wife, Anne Armstrong-Coben MD, a pediatrician, and their four children.
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Customers find the plot intriguing and suspenseful. They also say the book is worth the read and too good to put down. Readers describe the writing style as fairly well written and intricate. Opinions are mixed on the characters, with some finding them great and others poorly developed.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the plot intriguing, fast-moving, and filled with suspense, twists, and heartache. They also say the book offers many questions to ponder and isn't predictable.
"...- hence only four stars - but the story is a well written page turner that will keep you up late...." Read more
"Keeps you in suspense. Finished in a day!" Read more
"...It did not disappoint. The story was thought provoking in this social media age and worry for the pressures facing our children...." Read more
"...I believe he not only develops interesting and pertinent plots and subplots, but does so with a commanding literary skill...." Read more
Customers find the book worth the read, fun, and interesting. They also say it's one of the author's very best books and worth every penny.
"I just finished this book today, and I enjoyed it very much. A story about parents who do everything they can to find their son who is missing...." Read more
"...Not my favorite HC book but definitely good and worth the read. ." Read more
"...Too good to put down until you find out how this one ends. Will Mike and his son end up in prison?..." Read more
"This book has it all. A great thrill ride to the end. Read it !! He is always a great choice. This book doesn't disappoint" Read more
Customers find the writing style fairly well written, relatable, and complex. They also say the author is great and keeps them guessing all the way through. Customers also say it's an easy, relaxing read with no details to ruin the book.
"...There are more characters in this one than usual, but it was not hard to follow and he always brings them together in the end...." Read more
"...interesting and pertinent plots and subplots, but does so with a commanding literary skill...." Read more
"Cohen writes beautifully, and his stories are believable and smooth. There is never any drift, always solid, logical progress to the outcome...." Read more
"It kept my interest with its intricate and fast moving plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.Couldn't put it down." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book fast.
"...Each book is fast-paced and you don't want to put them down. In my opinion, the same is true with this book...." Read more
"...enjoyed reading, even though I read every word and it was extremely fast paced. Bottom line, the book upset me...." Read more
"...Aside from this commentary, the book moves at a rapid pace, never revealing what one can expect next. This is a wild and enjoyable ride...." Read more
"Fast paced and easy reading Cobin writes for entertainment and his intelligent stories draw you in and keep you tight with twists and turns and..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the characters in the book. Some find them great and well developed, while others say they are poorly developed.
"...it Shows what yo will do as parents to save your kids! The characters were good and real." Read more
"...There were many characters to keeo track of so if you are confused by that this is not the book for you...." Read more
"...draw you in and keep you tight with twists and turns and relatable characters. I can’t wait to read his other books" Read more
"...this was as good as some of his other books because there were too many characters and I found it hard in the beginning to keep track of who was who...." Read more
Customers find the book distracting and boring in places.
"...was fairly well written, it was not absorbing and actually became boring in places. His character development is only okay...." Read more
"...But the page composition is weak and distracting...." Read more
"...I liked the story but kinda got a little boring. I didn't like the ending." Read more
"...(which is something I never do) because I was tired of not being able to stay interested." Read more
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The story has several subplots. There is the teenaged boy who disappears from home, there is someone killing women, there is a child needing a transplant, and there is a young girl being harassed at school. You know the author is going to bring the subplots together. How that happens will be a surprise. There are some twists at the end. I agree with a previous reviewer that the conclusion seems forced (perhaps to make the good guys win)- hence only four stars - but the story is a well written page turner that will keep you up late.
This novel will give you a lot to think about if you have teenaged children. Any or all of it could happen.
Their daughter Jill and her best friend Yasmin grow up fast the hard way. When a serial killer enters the picture they find out exactly what they are capable of.
Too good to put down until you find out how this one ends. Will Mike and his son end up in prison? Hmmmm, Harlan Coben will have you reading faster than you think you can.








