Hold Tight Audiobook, by Harlan Coben Play Audiobook Sample

Hold Tight Audiobook

Hold Tight Audiobook, by Harlan Coben Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Scott Brick Publisher: Brilliance Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781423327523

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

40

Longest Chapter Length:

36:56 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

08:11 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

17:59 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

49

Other Audiobooks Written by Harlan Coben: > View All...

Plot Summary

Adam Baye has become distant. Perhaps a little too distant. After the suicide of his close friend Spencer Hill, his parents have become worried. Adam isn't himself anymore. He won't tell them anything, let alone talk to them...and they're beginning to be concerned. Tia and Mike never thought they'd become those overprotective parents, spying on their kids every second of the day...but then, here they are, installing a sophisticated spying program on their son's computer. Within days, they are rocked by mysterious messages coming from a correspondent neither has ever heard of before: "Just stay quiet and all safe". They begin to question themselves: Have they been good parents? Is everything what it seems? How much is too much when it comes to keeping an eye on your children?

With a deep plot and several very relevant thematic elements, Hold Tight is sure to please both Coben's long-time fans and those just discovering his work.

Harlan Coben was born January 4, 1962 in Livingston, New Jersey. He graduated from Amherst College with a degree in political science. He published his first book his senior year of college, and had several standalone works published in the early 1990s. He's won several awards from the mystery fiction community, and has received high regards from critics at large. His book Hold Tight received generally positive reviews from critics regarding messages such as monitoring your kids and teenage drug use. His most recent work, Six Years, is set for release in 2013.

"i really liked this book. i had a hard time putting it down...i saw some of the negative reviews and i didn't agree with any of them. coben's characters are easy to relate to, not far fetched or over the top and the plot was believable. i felt like i was trying to figure it out myself! i love coben's style and have yet to be disappointed by any of his books."

— Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)

Publisher Summary

Mike held his son’s hand and told him to “hold tight,” and he could feel the little hand dig into his but the crush got bigger and the little hand slipped from his and Mike felt that horrible panic, as if a wave hit them at the beach and it was washing his baby out with the tide. The separation lasted only a few seconds, ten at the most, but Mike would never forget the spike in his blood and the terror of those brief few moments. Tia and Mike Baye never imagined they’d 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 Hill - the latest in a string of issues at school - they can’t help but worry. They install a sophisticated spy program on Adam’s computer, and within days they 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 son’s death…and he wasn’t alone. She thinks it is Adam Baye standing just outside the camera’s 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?

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Quotes

  • “A fast and exhilarating roller-coaster ride that you don’t want to end, but hold on tight. Then take the time to hug your kids.”

    — Library Journal (starred review)
  • “A page-turner. Don’t start reading it if you’ve got important business the next morning because Hold Tight will keep you up all night.”

    — San Francisco Chronicle
  • “A thriller for the Google era.”

    — New York Times
  • “Coben delivers another tense thriller—this one hitting closer to home than his usual high-concept fare…His characters ring true and should strike a chord with parents—especially narrator Mike—as they struggle to discern how much they should interfere in their children’s lives.”

    — RT Book Reviews (4 stars)

Awards

  • Finalist for the 2009 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Novel
  • A #1 New York Times bestseller
  • A USA Today bestseller
  • Finalist for the 2011 Abraham Lincoln Award

Hold Tight Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.82926829268293 out of 53.82926829268293 out of 53.82926829268293 out of 53.82926829268293 out of 53.82926829268293 out of 5 (3.83)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 18
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I would definitely give this book 3.5 stars if possible. It was very suspenseful and well-written. I hesitate to rate it higher for personal reasons. The most horribly violent person in the book has the same name as my little boy, Nash, so that made it hard. Still a good book. "

    — Mykette, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I like Hold Tight. It has a plot that connects a group of people. Strong family theme. "

    — Rhonda, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A quick read, but I found it less satisfying than other Coben books I've read and enjoyed. Yes, I kept turning the pages, but only to tie up all the various plot strands - I wasn't really gripped by it. I also found the ending just a little bit too pat. Enjoyable enough, but I'd recommend Tell No-one or The Woods before this. "

    — Denise, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good story. Might want to read more by this author. Sort of a mystery. "

    — Julie, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 16 year old Adam had become distant since the suicide of his best friend, Spencer Hill. After installing spyware on his computer his parents find a surprising cryptic message, "Just stay quiet and all is safe". This shakes his parents to their core. "

    — Barbra, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was very different than what I usually read. It built suspense, and had some great twists. "

    — Mel, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A plot that hold the reader tight, I could not put it down. One of my favorite Harlan Coben books to date. I know critics probably think that it all comes together a little too neatly in the end but I read books for an escape, so I never mind when that happens. "

    — Rachel, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another good book by Coben. Subject is about "spying" on your teenager via cell phone (GPS) and computer. "

    — Carol, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " In no way did this expand my literary mind, but it was the definition of "page turner" for me. An entertaining crime story, not heady just fun. "

    — Michele, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was definitely a page-turner and very thrilling. An easy, fun read. "

    — LeAnn, 12/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fast, fun read - perfect for spring break. Scary, gripping, and page-turning! "

    — Kathy, 11/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Coben is among the deans of this genre. "

    — Bill, 10/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Coben's most recent and so far, my least favorite. I just don't think I will ever enjoy a book with a dead child and this is no exception. Back to Myron Bolitar... "

    — Patricia, 10/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not his best book in my opinion but I still liked it. "

    — Kathi, 5/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Just a fun Coben thriller. This is a good read and lends itself to a movie but probably an international film set in Australia or UK etc just so it doesn't end up being a Lifetime flick in the U.S. "

    — Matthew, 3/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book in particular may not deserve 5 stars but Coben is, far and away, my favorite author. And that's saying ALOT! "

    — Jenny, 7/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Fast-paced plot and plenty of action. "

    — Carolyn, 6/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Love Coben books. Just keeps getting better "

    — Diane, 6/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is the second book I've read of Harlan Coben's. The first was better than this one - which dragged in the middle a bit and I struggled to hold interest. Overall a good book and an author I will pick up again. "

    — Carolyn, 5/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Reading Harlan Coben is simply a thrill.... This was my favorite one yet ! "

    — Kristin, 4/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good book. But really not my sort. "

    — Rachel, 12/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I didn't really enjoy this book because the bad guy was really really evil. And he was evil with no real reason. The crime did not fit the punishment. I don't really think it is necessary to go inside the mind of a lunatic. I was disappointed in the Harlan Coben. "

    — Joanne, 10/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Good book..kept me guessing till the very end "

    — Tina, 10/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I didn't like this as much as some of his other novels. A little to drawn out for me. "

    — Colleen, 7/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was a well-crafted, topical story as you would expect from the author. "

    — Susie, 7/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Like other Coben books, I enjoy the multiple plots, continual suspense, and creative story lines. Read the synopsis for the plot. Know that it's a great read and comes highly recommended. "

    — Jessica, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book wasn't bad, I had to read it twice to actually like the book because the first time around it didn't make a whole lot of sense. If you have children you will like the book, or hate it thats your call. "

    — Bubba61909, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " like an extreme episode of law & order "

    — Chelsea, 5/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Set up took awhile. It was positively surprising how all the story lines connected. "

    — Melanie, 5/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book reinforced my belief that having children can be a total nightmare. "

    — Amanda, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " January 2011 I Love A Mystery Book Club. "

    — Margo, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good beach read! It was very compelling. As with a lot of these mysteries, the mystery itself was almost better than the ending, but I liked most of the characters. A few of the twists were easy to see, but overall a fast and enjoyable book! "

    — Jenny, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I liked this book, it had so many different angles and people involved until they were all tied in at the end that it was very enjoyable reading. "

    — Betty, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I love this author as long as I stick with his 'stand alone' books. He writes a wonderful suspense/mystery story and reads almost as fast as James Patterson. This book held me in it's grip to the very last page. "

    — Mary, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A bit confusing with different subplots that only come together at the very end. "

    — Nancy, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting dilemma on how far parents should go to protect their children from harm - should they spy on them? The story is not one of Coben's best and maybe the ending is a little too perfect, but still had enough for me to give it 4 stars. "

    — Rhod, 4/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this book. Faced paced, with multiple intertwining story lines and plenty of cliffhangers made it very hard to put down. The one thing I wish is that there was more description of settings in the book, but at the same time, that would have slowed the book down. "

    — Daniel, 4/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I wish you could give half stars. This one is more like 2.5, but hey, no thinking was involved. Easy whodunnit summer reading. "

    — Dana, 4/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Terrific. A page turner. Kept me up at night and that’s hard to do now that I’m older. I snooze off early. "

    — Joann, 4/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I think this is one of his best books. "

    — Dondero, 4/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not as good as Caught, but still a good page-turner. "

    — Allison, 4/17/2011

About Harlan Coben

Harlan 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.

About Scott Brick

Scott Brick, an acclaimed voice artist, screenwriter, and actor, has performed on film, television, and radio. He attended UCLA and spent ten years in a traveling Shakespeare company. Passionate about the spoken word, he has narrated a wide variety of audiobooks. winning won more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards and several of the prestigious Audie Awards. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and the Voice of Choice for 2016 by Booklist magazine.