I Will Find You
Harlan Coben's new thriller touches on many dark and shameful aspects of American culture
I just started reading this and I am gripped page 1.
I have never dare wondered what is going on in people's heads and thought I was correct, especially when hearing a guilty verdict, and knowing you are innocent. They say he was a sociopath and had no emotions. But what he said is true. His son is dead. Who the fuck cares what anyone is saying? I can't imagine and going forward I will never rush quick to judgment when I see people's facial expressions and affect.
It's hard for people to walk a mile in another's shoe, isn't it?
I am new to READING Coben. I Have watched a ton of the Netflix specials. I was on a woman author only kick, but clearly this dude is my style of psychological thriller. So now it is my mission to read all of Harlan Coben's books.
Now on page 85. THANK GOD someone trusts him, believes him and clearly loves him. Thank you Adam for stepping up. I've already wept like 3 times in this book. Wow. The wife pissed me off. Yes, she was presented with mounting evidence but does no one watch current events? This happens. How could you trust someone so much and still think they murdered your son? Your 3 YEAR OLD SON. But now I wonder if the EX wife is involved with it. "Cheryl was a big part of the reason" for him murdering his son? Why? Was she paid to frame him? Did she sell the son? Is the real dad some rich weirdo that wanted him back. Why fuck over David? How could you ever think that. Well easier said than done. Since, I've never experienced it. There are people I could find it easy to believe they killed. Well, not easy but still. However, someone I married? Had a kid with? Who knows, we are all proven wrong a lot of the time.
Damn, this book is gripping!! This is why I liked Three Days Later. Russell Crowe KNEW she didn't commit that murder. He loved her and stayed true to her. Adam is doing that for David. Wow, my new anti depressant, I left the bottle back home when I moved out here, and now I am thinking I am screwed. I should try and get another prescription. fuck.
Page 87 Adam says "find him. Find my godson". And I wept. SHE WEEPS.
Page 90 Harlan Coben doing a good job of hooking me, the radical, hardcore socialist who thinks WalMart is evil and capitalism is bullshit. Yeah, Ted get's it. But someday you cross the line and then there is no going back. And yes, Ted you should be able to take your wife out to a nice fucking dinner once in awhile and care for your 2 children without drowning in bills. Especially since you work for the state, or the county or the fucking town. Prisons are SHITTILY run and need to change. But, what do I know? I'm just a delusional, radical, feminazi. And fuck you Ted. Yes, croissants are flaky and annoying to clean up afterwards, but fuck they are good. And you KNOW it.
You know what Curly? I changed my mind. Fuck you. Snitches get stiches and I hope you get yours. But I hope it in no ways affects your family, which is basically impossible, but hey, that's my wish.
Even Adam is expressing shades of doubt, but still, he believed his friend. Someone with nothing to lose. He gave him a fighting chance. He knew he would never forgive himself.
Page 108 just through the part where Rachel discusses the rape victim killing herself. Rachel blaming herself for pushing and threatening to expose her online and break the NDA. While that is despicable and she deserves intense scrutiny for that, it was still not her fault she killed herself. To actually kill yourself, at that final moment, it takes the person, and the person alone. Another reason, why I am anti-gun. No turning back with a gun. No second chance. No hesitation allowed once the choice has been made. He touches on the MeToo movement. Rachel, a character we are, well I am rooting for. A hero. But she is the one that pushed the victim, a survivor herself. Oooof. Lots of layers there; which I appreciate. It is good to be challenged.
Page 168 So I Really hate Max and Sarah. I hate their stupid bantering bullshit. That shit would just enrage me, not make me admit to anything. It would make me clench even tighter. God, how exhausting. They are super annoying. Makes me wonder Coben's thoughts.
Eddie, fucking Eddie. What a good egg. People like Eddie are always overlooked. He followed the family and they have been running that pharmacy for decades, tolling away year after year. He always wanted to leave, but it never happened. People like that, work a straight-40, serving their community, being a point of stability and trust. Will he get to retire, but like actually retire? Nope. He's never made that kind of money and never will. He will die without anyone truly telling him "thank you". We are the working class. Make the country run, but treated as less, because our jobs are "unskilled" or in fields that even with a degree, you are told "anyone could do your job". Not the case by the way. As lame as it sounds, they are the unsung heroes. Those are the people that deserve to be able to afford a family and a vacation every year for fuck's sake. The way we treat people in this country, especially those who aren't rich, white, you know typical "MALE back in my day there were 2 genders", privileged, etc., it's fucking disgraceful. Gen Z is hopefully beginning the decades-long wave of reality. Of course I'm the whole "CRAZY SNAKE MAN, GET OFF MY LAWN" about the younger people, but I am proud to have been part of the beginning.
Now, I can tell Coben is giving the reader some meat. He knows not all the characters would be flapping their gums so much. I get this feeling as if he knew that. You gotta give the reader bits to hold on to, to bridge them to the next tense moment. I love thrillers so fucking much. I love how Coben is touching on so many current, relevant and intriguing aspects of the American economy and culture. Including all the injustices.
My large cat just dragged his hind leg claws down my belly, I checked for blood, yes there is some, and was reminded of when I first arrived, locked myself out and swan dived into a window. Vicious stomach and arm bruises. It's nice to know, even though I'm old and decrepit, I can still do things like that once in awhile. It looks like I've been assaulted.
Page 215 I knew it! The reproductive institute. Cheryl! I've always been very insensitive about people and their fertility problems. A good friend had them. I do see what they are saying, I've never had those feelings, but of course that does not mean others can't. I'm just constantly reminding myself of how many kids need good homes, and it's so annoying when people cry about not being "real men and women" just because they don't have a biological child. Plenty who need love. Take a look. Not the same as a fresh baby with a lovely mix of both your qualities, physical and emotional. Okay, yes, I see the appeal. meh.
Page 252 OOOooOOO the plot thickens. Okay, so Cheryl donates something? She bangs Hayden? Rachel bangs Hayden? It's her son? Hayden clearly was told about the clinic and “Rachel” going. He comes from money, they can buy anything. Something is going on here. Could all be a coincidence too, lots of twists. Maybe the kid isn't even the kid. Maybe he did actually kill him! Could just be two kids with similar marks cuz they are hiding the father. TWINS. She sold one.
Page 285 okay I'm about to lose it. I gotta power through this last chunk
Very interesting. Right at the end Coben adds some nice holier than know, we are the chosen people religious bigotry. I "get" why the guys were fired, but at the same time-- in those extreme times and unique circumstances, you would think, that perhaps, just maybe, they could get a fucking pass.
I am very excited to read another Harlan novel.