Like Harlan Coben's other recent novels of suspense, The Innocent starts in the green suburbs of New Jersey and takes us off into the dark heart of the secrets and lies that often lie at the centre of American life. Matt has rebuilt his life after a brawl that left him serving four years hard time for manslaughter. He has clawed back some of the dreams of his young manhood--in particular, Olivia, the girl he met once, dreamed of and then found again. Now someone is sending him phone images of Olivia, in a blonde wig, with another man... Local cop Loren is trying to find out who smothered a teacher at the local convent, and why the dead nun had breast implants; over-the-hill stripper Kimmy is visited by the daughter of a long-dead friend...

This is a plot as well constructed as a good watch, yet as unpredictable as a fairground ride, but what gives Coben's books their unique quality is the fact that his writing always has heart. We care about even the most minor and venal of his characters, because Coben knows that often, what divides heroism from crime is the consequences of one bad day. ---Roz Kaveney

2007-08-11 One of My Favourite Thriller Writers

Harlan Coben continues to prove that he is one of the best thriller writers around at the moment. A page turner is a much used phrase but in this case it is really appropriate. The author's books are always so well structured and his character's well rounded. He is obviously comfortable with his style and ability and this transmits itself to the reader making the reading of his books sheer pleasure from start to finish. Coben has now got a string of best selling crime novels behind him and all I can say is that I hope he continues to write for many years to come. The author lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children.

This particular book seems to have attracted a mixed bag of reviews and to a degree I can understand why, but the fact the reviews are mixed tells its own story. It is very difficult as a reviewer to criticise a book or an author too much, as your thoughts on the book are personal to you. This does not mean that others who read it will also dislike it. In fact they may think totally the reverse and love the book..

I personally found the book an entertaining read, yes in parts the plot did stretch the imagination a little, but it is after all a work of fiction, a fantasy, there to entertain rather than educate. All I can really add is if you have read Harlan Coben before, you will probably enjoy the book immensely and if you haven't but like thriller writing, give it a try.