Oh Mr. Coben--You've Now Fooled Me Once

Fool Me Once: A Review

I have to begin by saying that I adore Harlan Coben. Whilst I've read virtually everything the man has ever written, it is perhaps the antics of Myron Bolitar which appeal to me most. The humor in those novels is always beautifully woven into the intricate plot lines, and the pages just seem to turn themselves. Perhaps it is my love of those pieces that prejudiced me when reading Fool Me Once. I just didn't close the book feeling any sense of resolve or satisfaction. The loose ends were certainly tied up; the plot was extremely well written; and the realistic dialogue was typical Coben--fast paced and shot from the proverbial hip. What seemed to pervade every page, however, was an overwhelming sense of despair--a dispiriting shroud of gray that only allowed momentary snapshots of color and substance to bleed through the desolation. 

Maya is a recently widowed ex-military pilot who married into a wealthy matriarchal family. She is suffering from PTSD that is fueled by her own guilt, stemming from an incident of which we become aware in bits and pieces as the story progresses. Her mission is no longer of the military variety but rather to unravel the murder of her husband, which incidentally had followed on the heels of her sister's brutal murder.

Each character to whom we are introduced seems to be tainted by death and self-destruction, with the exception of Lily, Maya's daughter. She is the only glimpse of joy we see and the only splash of color in the otherwise monochrome landscape. From Isabella, the nanny, to Maya's sister-in-law Caroline, every single player in this maze of chaos and lies is tainted with character flaws that are predictive of their eventual downfall. At the close of the final chapter, I was left unable to feel any empathy for any of them. They all played a part in the bleak and disturbing climax, when the plot is finally turned on its head and the truth is revealed. 

If you're looking for a plot that twists and turns, and you don't mind the lack of any joy, you may really enjoy this. Technically, it certainly reflects the artistry of Coben. If, however, you read Coben for his infusion of humor as well as his ability to tell one hell of a story. you might want to keep looking. I'm still depressed.