Confession time: This is my first book by Harlan Coben that I’ve read. And I didn’t know beforehand that it is somehow related to a book called “The Boy in the Woods”. Then again – that did nothing to shorten my fun.
Talking about fun: I really enjoyed the dialogues. All the recurring characters have their own way to speak, with Wylde – the titular boy in the woods and protagonist of this book – being no more a boy, but a man now, and one of few words. Quite the opposite of his foster sister Rola, who is chatty in a sort of way that makes me wish I could sit through a few conversations with her.
Plot wise, it is a solid thrillers with all the bells and whistles (and plot twists) your would expect. Sure, some parts are a little thin on plausibility, but not entirely and outright impossible. And with just a hint of suspension of disbelief, it works really well.
This book taggles issues like online harassment, the harsh reality of influencer lifestyle and – that is where a creepy tone gets in – child abandonment. It makes for a perfect read on some dark evenings. And the downfall people can take if pushed too far. Not as virtuosic done as in the movie Falling Down (yes, I am that old, sorry), but still quite interesting.
The question what pushes one person over the edge is wildly different, from person to human. For example, I hooved my way through Frankfurt financial district, searching for a coffee (as I had to pass some time, and conveniently was carrying this unfinished book with me), and I was starting to gain a real grudge, because there were only high rises of glass and steel and not one cup of coffee in sight.
(Don’t worry, though – I found a mall with a Starbucks, which I’m sitting in right now, hashing out this review. Frankfurt will remain spared, though it was a close call.)
All in all, a solid thriller with enough plot twists to keep you happy and entertained. Even better if you can get some coffee to go along with it.
Crossing the Pond Reviews 