In David Beck, Harlan Coben, the author of the popular series starring sports agent Myron Bolitar (Darkest Fear et al.) has created a protagonist who shares many of Bolitar's best qualities--he's a decent, generous, gentle guy whose loyalty to those he loves is unquestionable. So when he discovers that people he was close to may be responsible not only for Elizabeth's murder but also the "accidental" death of his father, Beck's sense of betrayal is as understandable to the reader as his uncharacteristically violent reaction. Coben is a skillful storyteller with a gift for creating likable characters caught up in circumstances that illuminate their complex emotional lives and deep humanity. This should be the thriller that breaks this talented writer out of the mystery genre and earns him the recognition he deserves. --Jane Adams

Product Description
For Dr. David Beck, the loss was shattering. And every day for the past eight years, he has relived the horror of what happened. The gleaming lake. The pale moonlight. The piercing screams. The night his wife was taken. The last night he saw her alive.

Everyone tells him it’s time to move on, to forget the past once and for all. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible–that somewhere, somehow, Elizabeth is alive.

Beck has been warned to tell no one. And he doesn’t. Instead, he runs from the people he trusts the most, plunging headlong into a search for the shadowy figure whose messages hold out a desperate hope.

But already Beck is being hunted down. He’s headed straight into the heart of a dark and deadly secret–and someone intends to stop him before he gets there.

This is only the beginning of a novel that reads like the twists and turns of a mountain highway. When I became ensconced comfortably in a plausible scenario, honestly believing I had finally figured things out, the author ripped the rug out from under my feet and hit me with the finale. I still shake my head at the outcome.

This books reads so fast you hardly have time to hold the pages as they breeze by. When I was away from it I couldn't wait to get back to it. I had been in a reading slump until I picked up this unexpected pleasure. Coben slams the story home with believable characters and a plot that speaks to everyone who enjoys a good thriller. An Excellent book. Kelsana 4/16/02


Be careful with Harlan Coben...   August 26, 2001
 53 out of 58 found this review helpful

If you are a fan of his prior series' featuring the sports hero Myron Bolitar, you will probably like this book, but be a little wistful at some of the missing elements as he changes genre. Bolitar is the hero of 7 prior novels that fall in the "Comic Mystery Thriller" category populated by Lawrence Sanders, Lawrence Block and Janet Evanovich. Characterizations in the Bolitar books are so over the top that they make you giggle, even as you are consumed in a pace so fast that you finish the book without taking time to get a snack. Conversation is witty and cynical and you wonder if the author was a stand up comedian in a prior life. When looking for a beach book or just a great read to get over the rest of the stress, Coben is a hero to most.

So, "Tell No One" is a big departure, and only Shauna, Tyrese & Eric Wu, supporting characters in the story, will remind you that this is Coben. If you loved "Tell No One", be prepared that you may find Coben's earlier books too light for your taste, if you believe a thriller is a thriller and any comic touches are just wasted words.

Only 2 things hold "Tell No One" back from a five star rating. Coben's hero, his weaving of a tale of romance and familial loyalty, his pace and his ability to leave you guessing as his plot twists and turns are terrific! His cops are believable and admirable and his hero spins in every direction when discovering how easily he has been duped about the murder of his wife and how he has incredibly passed 8 years since her murder in absolute ignorance.

The 2 things: The final unveiling of the murderer was one twist too many...we could have left the tale much more enthusiastically without it. And, the dust jacket is horrific and looks as though a middle school child covered his English text in something his mom brought home. Small things. Tell No One might be the most exciting book you read this year!


Tell Everyone...This Book Is Awesome   June 20, 2001
 29 out of 33 found this review helpful

Just when you thoughts Harlan Coben couldn't get any better, he does. He continues his literary magic with this truly phenominal book.

Coben, the mastermind behind the excellent Myron Bolitar mystery series, puts forth an amazing effort in TELL NO ONE. Meet Dr. David Beck, a loyal, caring doctor who lost his wife whom he has loved since the second grade, but manages to carry on. Left for dead himself, his wife, Elizabeth, is positively identified for dead as another victim of a serial killer. Eight years later, he receives an anonymous e-mail on the anniversary of their first kiss, leading him to believe that she may somehow still be alive. The twists and turns are a plentiful, and the adventure is one of non-stop excitement.

Coben brings together a wonderful group of characters that all blend together incredibly nicely. From the drug-dealing yet good-hearted father, Tyrese, to special agent, Nick Carlson, this super cast of characters is so well-developed, you can't help but thoroughly enjoy this book. There are even a few familiar names from the Myron Bolitar series, but you'll have to read the book to find out.

Overall, this novel is nothing less than spectacular. Coben's unique, yet thorough writing style shines ever so brightly in TELL NO ONE. The cogent storyline is well-developed, and the nerve-shattering suspense is outstanding, keeping you guessing until the unbelievable, surprise ending. It will not let you down.


Entertainment Plus   July 19, 2001
 22 out of 24 found this review helpful

David Beck thought his wife was murdered eight years ago, the victim of a serial killer. Then an anonymous email arrives which suggests that, just possibly, she's still alive. To add to the intrigue, the murder case is reopened and Beck is now the FBI's main suspect. The action takes off when Beck becomes a fugitive and is not only pursued by the police, but also by a bunch of thugs intent on silencing him for good - and how on earth do those blokes come into it?. All the while, he tries to meet up with the mystery correspondent, not an easy task when it seems his every move is monitored.

I found this to be one of those books that seems a lot shorter than it actually is because the action is non-stop, you barely have time to get over one near miss when you're confronted with some other danger or a new piece of the puzzle is put into place. It's a compelling book thanks to the mystery surrounding the death of Elizabeth Back, wife of David Beck. This was one of the more enjoyable books I've read this year and rate it very highly purely on its ability to entertain.


A SLAM BANG THRILLER   June 20, 2001
 20 out of 23 found this review helpful

It has been eight horrible years that Dr. David Beck has had to live with the memory of what happened to his wife.

What was supposed to be a romantic anniversary getaway at a family vacation spot turns into a nightmare as David's wife Elizabeth disappears...only to be found later - DEAD, the victim of serial killer KillRoy.

As David struggles to get on with his life, he can't help but hope that his wife is still alive, even though KillRoy has confessed to the killing, and her body has been found and identified. But day after day he thinks of her, and hopes. Until one day he receives a email...one that uses a code only he and his wife knew about. Opening the email will plunge David into the heart of terror, as the message contains a strange link that features a video feed of his wife - present day - mouthing the words "I'm sorry"!

Sickened by what he just saw, David wants to dismiss this a nasty joke, but the email gives specific instructions about the future messages he will receive, and if he wants to see his wife again, he better TELL NO ONE.

Desperate to find out what is going on, especially if there is a chance of Elizabeth being alive, David enters into a deadly game where someone will kill to keep their secrets safe.

'Tell No One' is a slam bang page-turner that grabs hold on the first page and doesn't let go until the shocking climax. With it's well drawn characters, unbearable suspense, and stunning plot twists 'Tell No One' gives readers a night of non-stop action.

Harlan Coben has written many great novels, but none as good as this one. His new novel has surpassed all expectations, and pushes him to a new level, one that ranks with John Sandford, and James Patterson.

Destined to be a huge bestseller, and a must read beach book 'Tell No One' ranks as one of the better thrillers to come out in some time.

A MUST read!

Nick Gonnella