Many writers have called Harlan Coben the 'master of the twist' in the modern novel thriller. After reading Run Away, this description of his storytelling is well deserved. In all honesty, it has been years since beginning a novel in the late afternoon, breaking only for meals and water, and reading late into the following day. This novel pulls you into its world like a potent drug or an ominous black hole. Finally, after all the loose ends were tied up, sleep came easy, listening to the morning birds sing outside my window. "Entertaining" is the appropriate descriptor for this tale.
Most Netflix viewers are aware that a few of Coben's novels have been adapted to film. The most notable of these adaptations is Safe and The Stranger. Although I haven't had the opportunity to read the books, I've seen the TV shows respectively and was impressed by the stories, including their twist and turns and surprising endings. Coben is a gifted storyteller.
Run Away begins with the protagonist, Simon Greene, sitting on a park bench in Central Park. He observes the various representatives of humanity and is specifically interested in the buskers playing for coins along the path. Simon is looking for his drug-addict daughter, who has been missing for some time. Bribing a few of the street dwellers, he's told that his daughter plays guitar on certain days of the week on this spot. He recognizes her and begins chasing her. Finally, he reaches her, grabbing hold, causing many passersby to take notice. From the outside, he could be a pervert harasser. Suddenly a dirty drug addict steps between them. It turns out to be the older boyfriend who got her on the stuff in the first place. Out of rage and years of suppressed anger, Simon lashes out and punches the young man. Several people in the vicinity tackle Simon to the ground, punching and kicking him. Paige, his run-away daughter, gets away, and he's arrested. As it is the 21st century, the entire scene was filmed, and the video went viral. "Rich man assaults the homeless." Simon needs a lawyer.
The story is about Simon Greene searching for his daughter. Indeed, a simple premise enough, but where the story goes is a labyrinth of well-sketched characters and a series of coincidences that leads our protagonist to the drug-addled portion of the big city, dealers and hired killers.
The climax of the story is quite dramatic.
But when you believe all the dots are connected, and the mystery is solved, a new twist is presented in the last six pages! Something the reader will never see coming.
Time is a precious commodity these days, but if you have a little time, Coben's Run Away should be well worth your time.
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