Review: The Stranger

The Stranger by Harlan Coben
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Harlan Coben is an author I've never been able to hold in my mind. He's a mega seller, I know, but despite the fact that I think I've read at least a few, I forget them all the instant I put them down.

Reading The Stranger, I have to assume that Coben has some sort of formula (or "writing secret") that churns out a story. Following our hero pick up clues and solve the mystery felt like Coben listlessly assembling a jigsaw puzzle, but the picture is drab. There were a lot of names without a lot of characters. There was a lot of conspicuous brand names, which felt weird - I wondered if I was supposed to read something into those trademarks. (Oh, he grabbed a Sprite - this guy must be looking for a zesty beverage but watching his caffeine intake!) Overall, bleak and unsatisfying.

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