Review: The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben (audio)

Title: The Boy from the Woods

Author: Harlan Coben

Narrator: Steven Weber

Published: March 2020, Brilliance Audio

Length: 10 hours 8 minutes

Source: Publisher

Summary:
In the shocking new thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away,
a man whose past is shrouded in mystery must find a missing teenage
girl before her disappearance brings about disastrous consequences for
her community . . . and the world.The man known as Wilde is a
mystery to everyone, including himself. Decades ago, he was found as a
boy living feral in the woods, with no memory of his past. After the
police concluded an exhaustive hunt for the child’s family, which was
never found, he was turned over to the foster system.

Now,
thirty years later, Wilde still doesn’t know where he comes from, and
he’s back living in the woods on the outskirts of town, content to be an
outcast, comfortable only outdoors, preferably alone, and with few deep
connections to other people.

When a local girl goes missing,
famous TV lawyer Hester Crimstein–with whom Wilde shares a tragic
connection–asks him to use his unique skills to help find her.
Meanwhile, a group of ex-military security experts arrive in town, and
when another teen disappears, the case’s impact expands far beyond the
borders of the peaceful suburb. Wilde must return to the community where
he has never fit in, and where the powerful are protected even when
they harbor secrets that could destroy the lives of millions . . .
secrets that Wilde must uncover before it’s too late.

My thoughts:  This is only the second book I’ve read by Harlan Coben and I have no idea why I have not picked up more books by him. I hear such great things about his work and this one was no exception.

What a wild ride this one was, pun intended! I loved all the characters, including Wilde and Hester – and if I’m not mistaken, Hester has been in other books, so I will definitely be adding those to my list to read immediately! I could not listen to this book fast enough – and that’s another thing…Harlan’s books translate so well to audio. The tension and the action just make you want to keep listening and not stop. 

I loved that I had no idea where this book was heading. It took so many different twists and turns that I finally gave up trying to put the pieces together and just enjoyed the ride – sometimes you just need to do that. This book is the best combination of mystery, adventure, drama and action, and keeps you fully engaged from start to finish.

I definitely recommend this book to all fans of thrillers and mysteries. The complex plot will keep you hooked. I cannot wait to read more from this author…I just don’t know where to start! If you are a fan, tell what what to pick up next.

Audio thoughts: This was a great audiobook. I was completely enthralled the entire time and I think part of that goes to the narrator, Steven Weber, who did such a great job with the narration. It also has to do with the story, too. But the narrator really did an awesome job bringing this story to life. His pacing and intonation were spot on and he infuses just the right amount of tension and emotion into his voice as necessary. I really enjoyed listening to this book.