I don't read much popular fiction and this was a prime example of why.

Mr. Coben does indeed weave a suspenseful and fast-paced yarn. But for me, it was too full of melodrama and hyperbole. He does get credit for drawing an accurate parallel between his characters and Les Mis. But that is negated by his throwing around cliches. To his credit he has the characters say them half-heartedly but I thought it might be better to not put them in.

As for the twist at the end, well, it was one of the few that I called early on. Granted I floundered as Mr. Coben laid false trails, but I never really committed to anyone but the final culprit. But perhaps that's not so much a criticism of the writer but a credit to all those mystery novels I've read.

I don't think I'd read another book by him, there's just not enough there. It was an engaging read but it was like candy, ultimately unfulfilling. If you like escapist thrillers that don't make you think, then perhaps this would be for you. I, however, found myself enjoying the shift to the more complex style of Dickens' Bleak House after this one.