Mystery Man

No, I'm not talking about some secret admirer, or crazy stalker, or perhaps some anonymous big donor...I'm talkin' 'bout mystery / suspense author Harlan Coben. I do not read mysteries. I am a big scaredy cat afraid to go in the basement after dark but then I read Harlan (yes, we're on a first name basis here.) I'm still afraid of the dark, but he is one suspense author I will read any time of day or night!

My affair with his work started when I attended a library workshop and the woman next to me was raving about "Tell No One", his break-through bestseller. Harlan had written a series preceeding "Tell No One" about sports agent / private eye Myron Bolitar but "Tell No One" catapulted him to fame. I'd like to say I discovered him, but alas, I didn't. This nameless librarian went on and on about how great the book was so I thought I'd give it a try even if it was suspenseful. (I'm always trying to overcome some fear...remember my chicken story dear readers?!) I immediately liked the book and read it in record time. Harlan is from northern New Jersey (just like me!) and sets his novels in locales I grew up with. Nothing like those diners on Route 17 or references to Bruce Springsteen lyrics to draw a displaced (or is it really "misplaced") Jersey girl in to a good mystery! He is a quick read only because you can't put him down. I've told you all I'm a slow reader and even I can read him in a day...a long day but a day nonetheless! The suspense builds but the twists are so convoluted (in a good way) by the end you can never guess who done it!

Now I know I've turned some of you on to him...he's my go-to guy when someone asks for a good mystery. Now I'm taking my obsession, (okay, that may be a bit strong but...) public and recommending him to the library community at large. I'm hooked and I think you can be too! This weekend, Saturday to be exact, I started and finished "The Woods". Another one you'll think you solved...but, no. You'll be shaking your head at the end. And I urge you to go back and read the Myron Bolitar series. It's light but it's good stuff and you get to like the characters. I like to read a series in order and will suggest you do the same, but not totally necessary. Let me know what you think of my "Mystery Man". Visit his website at http://www.harlancoben.com/ and if you ever get a chance to hear him speak (at the Monson Free Library I hope!), go and hear him. He's a delightful speaker and you'd think he wrote comedy judging by his presentation!

And now my public service announcement...don't foget, Annual Town Meeting tomorrow night...Monday, May 12! Monson is your community....be involved!