Edgar Award-winner Harlan Coben is at his electrifying best in his latest novel--a dazzling tale of seething mystery and dark family secrets. In Darkest Fear, Myron Bolitar faces the most emotionally shattering case of his career. And it all begins when Myron's ex-girlfriend tells him he is a father--of a dying thirteen-year-old boy....
Myron's sports agency is struggling. Now more than ever Myron needs to keep his eye on the ball, sign up some big-name clients, and turn away from the amateur detective work that is taking precious time away from the agency. But life is not going according to plan. Myron's father, recently recovered from a heart attack, is facing his own mortality--and forcing Myron to face it too. Then comes another surprise.
Emily Downing, Myron's college sweetheart, reappears in his life with devastating news: Her thirteen-year-old son Jeremy is gravely ill and can be saved only by a bone-marrow transplant--from a donor who has vanished without a trace. And before Myron can absorb this revelation, Emily hits him with an even bigger shocker: Jeremy is Myron's son, conceived the night before Emily's wedding to another man.
Staggered by the news, Myron plunges into a search for the missing donor. But for Myron, finding the only person in the world who can save a boy's life means cracking open a mystery as dark as it is heartbreaking--a mystery that involves a broken family, a brutal kidnapping spree, and a cat-and-mouse game between an ambitious reporter and the FBI.
Somewhere in the sordid mess is the man who once signed his name to a bone-marrow donor's registry, then disappeared. And as doubts emerge about Jeremy's true paternity, a child vanishes, igniting a chain reaction of truth and revelation that will change everyone's life forever.
At once a riveting mystery and a spellbinding journey into the secrets that haunt families, lovers, and friends, Darkest Fear proves once again that Harlan Coben is a master storyteller like no other--and one of the most original talents in suspense fiction today.
From the Hardcover edition.
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"A very good Myron Bolitar offering. As is often the case when reading a number of serial offerings with the same characters, I find it more and more difficult to offer objective opinions on the quality of the story. I like all the characters in the Bolitar books, even the violent, misogynistic, borderline sociopathic, but steadfastly loyal Win. I would despise the guy in real life, but I enjoy him in these books. I'm waiting for more Big Cyndi! On to #8 in the series."
— Deb (4 out of 5 stars)
Bottom line: Slam dunk suspense from smart aleck sleuth.
— People Magazine Beach Pick of the WeekCoben has melded sly humor, sophisticated plotting, and solid storytelling with bizarre yet believable characters.
— Chicago TribunePoignant and insightful...Myron is gallant, likable and delightfully original.
— Los Angeles TimesDon't let Coben's wry observations fool you. They gift wrap keen insights into our society....
— The Washington Post Book WorldIn a genre crowded with accidental detectives who seem invented only to lure cat-loving vegetarians and other special-interest readers, Myron Bolitar stands out.
— USA TodayThe world needs to discover Harlan Coben. He's smart, he's funny, and he has something to say.
— Michael ConnellyHarlan Coben and the Myron Bolitar Novels:
" Myron finds out he has a son who is dying from a rare disease. The only donor match is MIA and the search for the donor leads to the FBI, an incredibly powerful family and a serial killer/kidnapper. Good story with a few twists that I didn't see coming. "
— Kathy, 2/11/2014" I love this series! They just keep getting better and better. It is so odd to be reading away about serious stuff and be able to laugh. Things pop into Myron's head just the way it happens in real life. Something like a song or a commerical or something that your Mom used to say...... or still says........ Makes it seem like you really are a part of the book. "
— Pollyjo, 1/29/2014" this one was really creepy - and like all his books, I couldn't put it down! "
— Patty, 1/19/2014" I've discovered that these types of popcorn mystery reads usually chug along with entertaining yet completely unbelievable plots until they suddenly hit a brick wall. This book appears to be the brick wall in this particular series: a babydaddy sideline story reminiscent of something one might see on The Young & The Restless, a ripped-from-the-headlines plot I'd expect from a Law & Order rerun on TNT, and absolutely horrible dialogue between Myron and his latest (very annoying) love interest. "
— Ms., 1/13/2014" Still amazing! I just love Myron Bolitar and the way Coben writes!! "
— Sigrid, 11/30/2013" One thing about Harlan Coben's novels is that you don't have to read the whole series to understand and enjoy one or more of the others. Highly recommended... even if it was first published over ten years ago. "
— Vicki, 11/23/2013" loved it, nice twists and turns "
— Jesi, 10/26/2013" Love this writer. Very many twists and turns in this murder mystery. Myron Bolliter is the main character who is a sports agent who also solves crime.. "
— Joann, 10/23/2013" I loved the sarcasm and wit. But for the last fifth of the book, it seemed like the book had many different endings...as if other crimes had occurred that slipped past me and we all being solved every couple of pages...But it was still good. "
— Suzanne, 7/14/2013" The sixth book in the Bolitar series...this is a pretty damned good one. "
— Kip, 7/8/2013" 7th Myron Bolitar ser "
— Michelle, 2/3/2013" not my favourite of his... "
— Nerida, 11/26/2012" I love me some Myron Bolitar and this 7th book in the series did not disappoint! "
— Jann, 6/28/2012" Another great Myron adventure! "
— Kristi, 4/4/2012" This is one of the Myron Bolitar series of books. These books are very entertaining with mystery intertwined. Set mostly in NYC, but also references to Philadelphia Main Line. "
— Tracy, 3/11/2012" Another good Myron Bolitar novel...almost done with the series. "
— Lesley, 2/8/2012" not my favourite of his... "
— Nerida, 11/10/2011" This is my type of Harlan Coben!!! Twists galore, no idea who is good and who is bad. Except for Win, he's both, all the time. Still wondering though, does Myron have a little brother named Brad? "
— Joe, 9/19/2011" #7 what happened to #5 and 6? "
— Cassandra., 8/7/2011" I really liked this one. Goes far in the character development of Myron. "
— Anne, 6/18/2011" I love listening to audio books. I clip on my ipod and head to the chicken house or garden to spend the day working and listening to a good book. "
— Susan, 5/28/2011" Loved the wit in the writing "
— Teresa, 5/21/2011" There's nothing fantastic about the story, but again, it's Coben, and I enjoy his writing style very much. It's pleasant, funny sometimes, and enjoyable. A bathroom reading, but in a good way. Refreshing. "
— Christina, 5/12/2011" Audio Book. Myron is supposed to be a good guy. He slept with Greg Downings wife the night before they were married and now he finds out he is the father to Greg's son. He chases down a serial killer so he get that guy to give a bone marrow transplant "
— Jake, 5/6/2011" Always fun to read Harlan Coben, especially when Myron Bolitar is the main character! "
— Rita, 5/4/2011" Out of the series so far this isn't my favorite one. But it was still pretty good. I just felt that it lacked some the wit and humor. "
— Jill, 4/7/2011" Another great Coben book in the Bolitar series. I do love the twisty endings! This is also not my favorite, but did really enjoy it. "
— Courtney, 3/19/2011" read in c.c.p. really enjoy coben's work especially the books w/ myron. "
— James, 3/19/2011" Another good Myron Bolitar novel...almost done with the series. "
— Lesley, 3/18/2011" So good! Wish I had more of this series to keep reading right now. "
— Abby, 2/13/2011" I loved Myron! This is a great mystery with heart and humor..I ill be reading more of this series! "
— Deb, 2/7/2011" loved it, nice twists and turns "
— Jesi, 12/28/2010" Bolitar finds out from an old girl friend that he is the father of a 3 yo. "
— Jim, 12/24/2010" Loved this book. Am a huge fan of the Myron Bolitar's series of books. This was no exception. "
— Angie, 12/9/2010" Almost all of his series are classic. "
— Varrsity, 12/6/2010Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with seventy-five million books in print worldwide. His Myron Bolitar series has earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many of his books have been developed into Netflix series, including his adaptation of The Stranger, headlined by Richard Armitage, and The Woods.
Jonathan Marosz has narrated dozens of audiobooks throughout his career, including numerous titles by bestselling authors David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, and Tony Hillerman. He is a veteran stage performer with regional and national stage credits ranging from works by Shakespeare to modern day.