The Final Detail (Hardcover)

Myron investigates and discovers Esperanza may be more involved than he thinks she is. And as he learns the answers to this mystery's multiple questions, he realizes that the case hinges on revenge motives and actually points to him as the most likely suspect, which leaves him wondering whether or not he wouldn't be better off not knowing who did what to anybody.

Once again Mr. Coben puts in enough twist and turns to get your pulse pumping as you race through the book to get to the final detail. And as usual, Mr. Coben has peopled a story with unforgettable characters, like Myron's blue-blooded, aristocratic sociopath, best friend, Windsor (Win) Horne Lockwood III, gender-jumping musclemen, failed baseball players, team owners chasing disappearing children and a young gangster name Frank Ache Junior, who has turned agent and lusts after Myron's business, among others. What a cracking fine read!

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.

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.