Back Spin: A Myron Bolitar Novel

4.4 | 10,557 ratings

Price: 1.99

Last update: 09-06-2024

About this item

“Another winner . . . Pungent observations, indelibly drawn characters and a twisting, surprise-laden plot.”—Atlanta Journal and Constitution

Kidnappers have snatched the teenage son of super-star golfer Linda Coldren and her husband, Jack, an aging pro, at the height of the U.S. Open. To help get the boy back, sports agent Myron Bolitar goes charging after clues and suspects from the Main Line mansions to a downtown cheaters’ motel—and back in time to a U.S. Open twenty-three years ago, when Jack Coldren should have won, but didn't. Suddenly Myron finds him self surrounded by blue bloods, criminals, and liars. And as one family's darkest secrets explode into murder, Myron finds out just how rough this game can get.

In novels that crackle with wit and suspense, Edgar Award winner Harlan Coben has created one of the most fascinating and complex heroes in suspense fiction—Myron Bolitar—a hotheaded, tenderhearted sports agent who grows more and more engaging and unpredictable with each page-turning appearance.

“Sharp plotting and emotional density, as well as nonstop wisecracks.”—Publishers Weekly

Journal-Constitution says, “Pungent observations, indelibly drawn characters and a twisting plot.”

Publishers Weekly says, “Sharp plotting and emotional density, as well as nonstop wisecracks.”

Top reviews from the United States

Per the usual… brilliance

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2024

This man is a brilliant writer. Period.
Engaging. Riveting. Plot twists. Surprise. Heart. Courage. Perspective. And just a bottom line good story.

Wayne Scolpini

a lot of twists

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2024

Steps out of the normal script for this one. So many twists and extra herrings. Sometimes hard to keep track of who’s motives fit where. Veeeeeery slow. Turns out great. 60% of the book before it really gets going.

Patto

Myron loathes golf...

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2015

He just doesn't get it. It's hilarious to read his scornful thoughts on snap hooks, wicked slices, babied putts, soft greens, goofy greens, waxed greens... His horror at the way golfers dress is equally funny.

As a sports agent, Myron represents basketball players, tennis players, football players – but nary a golfer. Then when his friend Win talks him into attending a match to troll for golf clients, he finds himself enmeshed in a kidnapping investigation, not to mention s murder case.

But Myron is at a disadvantage. Win won't partner with him on these cases, because they involve his family members. Win stays totally aloof from his family. Myron is a talented martial artist, but without Win's skill at stakeouts and his handiness as lethal backup, Myron is likely to get in trouble. Which he does.

The cast of characters is fun, as always – his gorgeous Latino assistant Esperanza, an ex-lady wrestler who keeps running into fans in the oddest circumstances; a blue-blooded gangster on medication who talks like a someone in a gangster movie; the manager of a sleazy motel who acts like he's managing the Plaza; a scary black enforcer who contrives ways to avoid violence; an amusing gaggle of girls who hang out at the mall and astonish Myron with their teen-speak; a tough black woman lawyer who twists Myron around her little finger...

There are lots of tense scenes and emotional drams, lightened by Myron's compulsive and ill-timed wisecracks. This may be my favorite book in the series so far. It's a seriously good mystery – and lots of laughs.

Wayne

Myron Bolitar and Win never a boring second

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024

This book is not like many of Harlan Coben’s thrillers with twists that curdle your blood. But this book has all the twists and turns that leaves you off balance turning you first one way and then another. The ending is of course just as convoluted.

M. Allan

action, adventure, and mystery

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024

Great book. You know what you are getting. You learn more about Win in the book, but he isn’t in it tons. It’s a fun read when you need this type book.

D. Safir

Not my favorite Harlan Coben book.

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023

I bought this book before I told myself no more Myron Bolitar books. So I read it anyway. I much prefer Coben's non-Bolitar books. For those who like the series, you might like this book. Apparently many people did. It doesn't have the usual banter between Myron and Win, that so many people like, because Win is only in the book peripherally and not involved in the mystery. But it still has the sarcasm playing out in Myron's head, which the reader is witness to. I enjoy much more the straight mystery/thrillers without the sarcasm. Then too, I never understood why a sports agent is surrounded by so much murder. Finally, it follows the usual Coben formula of throwing a million curve balls at you in the end. It got so involved that I can't completely remember who was responsible for what. The books of his that I like the best don't throw quite so many unlikely coincidences at you all at once and at the very end. For most lovers of the series this will be at least a four star book (many will be disappointed that Win is not involved and killing people).

Thom

Another winner in the Myron Bolitar series!

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2012

The Coldrens are the first family of golf. And Jack is about to win the US Open. Sounds like things are going according to plan, right? Wrong! A kidnapper snatches their son Chad Coldren. Myron Bolitar is there for clients but he must also solve a mystery as he must unravel the mystery as only he can do. At the same time Myron is also involved sticky situation involving his best buddy Win's past which could affect their friendship forever.

This novel combines a great mystery along with a dramatic turn that is the past of Win Lockwood III. The Lockwood and The Coldren family have been connected all of Win's life, which in the beginning is how Myron gets involved in a kidnapping case that could turn the sports world on its ear. Chad Coldren has vanished, kidnapped but what do the kidnappers want? While Jack Coldren is fighting to win the US Open, he must deal with the demons of his past because twenty-three years ago he lost the same event in the final hole. After U.S. Open two decades ago, lives were ruined but the outcome of this event lives could be lost. It is up to Myron to find out who and why young Chad was kidnapped. At the same time Win's past and present could be shattered by his mother who is trying to get back in his life after years of avoidance. Win will have nothing to do with her so that of course makes Myron the next logical source. Win's hatred is so strong that it could affect a friendship that is as strong as brothers.

I must say that the Myron Bolitar series is becoming one of my favorites. The characters are terrific and the stories are fascinating and grab you from the first page. Back Spin is no exception, the new characters are excellent, the old characters are so familiar they feel like old friends. Another can't miss from Coben.

Grade: A+

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