One False Move by
Harlan Coben
hbk out November 98
Published by Hodder Stoughton
at £16.99
This writer is a new one to me, not having been able to get hold of his
previous books from America, but as soon as New English Library paperbacks start publishing his back list, I'll be trying to get hold of them for review.
Coben has a light, sarcastic, gritty, but realistic style that makes the reader wonder whether he should wince, but then he makes you laugh out loud. But then he introduces a coldly shocking piece of story that has you cringing again.
The hero is Myron Bolithar, a fast-thinking, fast-talking sports agent.
Bolithar is a relaxed, hard-working professional, once a basketball pro, who has had to change careers since his accident (we never get to find out what his was - I presume because the publisher wants us to go back and buy the back list). At the very beginning of the book we find that he is being persuaded to take on a new star, the beautiful young Brenda Slaughter, who is not only funny and single, she's also one of the hottest female sports stars around.
But Brenda has just taken out a restraining order against her father, who tried to beat her, and who has now disappeared. Brenda wants Myron to find him for her as well as acting as her agent. She thinks she needs help. Which is fair enough, really, bearing in mind that the richest family in the area is interested in her, that the local mafia wants to manage her and don't like Myron, and that the police seem corrupt and also want to make life difficult.
The twists are confusing, the dialogue superb, and the string of characters convincing. Myron in particular is a wonderful creation, a
romantically-challenged, attempted yuppie, struggling to maintain his
business, keep his staff happy, and do the best for his clients. A mix he always finds hard to get right.
Like I say, as soon as the backlist becomes available, I'll be getting it.
(
Michael Jecks
- author of the highly acclaimed Furnshill & Puttock series)
One False Move by
Harlan Coben