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Due 19 Feb 2023
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"#1 New York Times bestseller Harlan Coben delivers his next impossible-to-put-down thriller. In the course of eight consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers, millions of readers have discovered Harlan Coben's page-turning thrillers, filled with his trademark edge-of-your-seat suspense and gut-wrenching emotion. In Fool Me Once, Coben once again outdoes himself. Former special ops pilot Maya, home from the war, sees an unthinkable image captured by her nanny cam while she is at work: her two-year-old daughter playing with Maya's husband, Joe--who had been brutally murdered two weeks earlier. The provocative question at the heart of the mystery: Can you believe everything you see with your own eyes, even when you desperately want to? To find the answer, Maya must finally come to terms with deep secrets and deceit in her own past before she can face the unbelievable truth about her husband--and herself"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member veeshee
In comparison to other books by Harlan Coben, this one fell a little short of the mark. The storyline and intrigue were interesting but the reveal of it all was just a bit unremarkable; it seemed ridiculously simple for all of the hype and suspense that led up to it. I also found the character of
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Maya to be extremely unrealistic. She may have been in the war and may be suffering from PTSD but that doesn't mean she needed to be devoid of a personality. At the end of the novel, I was left wondering what was the point of it all. Unfortunately, this novel just missed the mark on way too many levels and I'm going to have to give it a pass. I will continue to read more by this author and I encourage you all to do the same... but maybe skip this one? Show Less
LibraryThing member teeth
Another winner by Harlan Coben! His books are always great from start to finish. This is a fast paced multi-layered, multi-murder mystery that will have you guessing until the very end. Maya Stern is a retired helicopter pilot who has flashbacks from her time in Iraq. She has reason to question her
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sanity when her dead husband appears on her nanny cam. The action starts there and doesn't end until the book is finished! Show Less
LibraryThing member bookofsecrets
FOOL ME ONCE was an amazing thriller! I enjoyed it very much. It’s about a young widow named Maya whose husband was murdered – only to see him pop up on her nanny cam a few weeks later. Maya is a brave and tough woman, dealing with PTSD (she’s a former special ops pilot) and faced with
The mystery that Maya gets pulled into was so intriguing and complex. She encounters many twists in her search for the truth, and the ending was a shock! An emotional one, too. I’m not going to say anymore about what happens, because I don’t want to spoil the surprises for you. This is the first book by Harlan Coben I’ve read, and I can’t wait to read more.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Penguin’s First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
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raising her young daughter alone. With the stress of everything, can she really believe her eyes?The mystery that Maya gets pulled into was so intriguing and complex. She encounters many twists in her search for the truth, and the ending was a shock! An emotional one, too. I’m not going to say anymore about what happens, because I don’t want to spoil the surprises for you. This is the first book by Harlan Coben I’ve read, and I can’t wait to read more.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Penguin’s First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Twink
Harlan Coben's latest book is Fool Me Once.
Coben returns to a format he does very well - a lead character thrust into an impossible situation that couldn't be possibly be true....could it?
Special-ops vet Maya has returned home from war, suffering from PTSD. Her sister was murdered while she was
I love the impossible situations Coben imagines and following along with the lead character as she tries to unravel the mystery and find the truth. Coben has concocted another inventive plot, sure to keep the reader engaged. And in trademark Coben fashion, there's a nice little twist at the end.
But, what took this one from five stars to four for me was Maya. Unfortunately, I just didn't connect with her, even though I felt like I should. I also found Joe's family to be a bit cliched. And some plot points stretched credulity.
Fool Me Once isn't my favourite by Coben, but definitely an entertaining read for the beach.
Coben returns to a format he does very well - a lead character thrust into an impossible situation that couldn't be possibly be true....could it?
Special-ops vet Maya has returned home from war, suffering from PTSD. Her sister was murdered while she was
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overseas and that only adds to her burden. Unbelievably, her husband is also murdered four months later. A caring friend gives Maya a nanny cam to keep an eye on the woman looking after her young daughter Lily while she goes back to work. Ready? While reviewing the footage from the camera, she sees Lily with someone - her dead husband Joe.I love the impossible situations Coben imagines and following along with the lead character as she tries to unravel the mystery and find the truth. Coben has concocted another inventive plot, sure to keep the reader engaged. And in trademark Coben fashion, there's a nice little twist at the end.
But, what took this one from five stars to four for me was Maya. Unfortunately, I just didn't connect with her, even though I felt like I should. I also found Joe's family to be a bit cliched. And some plot points stretched credulity.
Fool Me Once isn't my favourite by Coben, but definitely an entertaining read for the beach.
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LibraryThing member booksgaloreca
"#1 New York Times bestseller Harlan Coben delivers his next impossible-to-put-down thriller." YUP...I picked it up and could not put it down. 'Nuff said. Buy it. :-)
LibraryThing member bookappeal
I raced through this novel in one sitting. This Harlan Coben standalone thriller features a former special ops pilot who recently witness the fatal shooting of her husband. Maya's final mission was just a few months ago and she still has nightmares. Now a single parent, she hires a nanny on the
Readalike: Pacing similar to The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
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recommendation of her mother-in-law but is convinced by a friend to install a hidden nanny cam, for peace of mind. When the camera captures images of what looks like her deceased husband visiting their daughter, Maya flips out. What's going on here? Maya moves her daughter to daycare and launches a private investigation that leads a twisty path through the recent past and pits her against her husband's family. Fast-paced, intricate plotting, dramatic story-telling, and a resolution you hope would never happen in real life. Coben delivers a dark, twisted tale of secrets, lies, and murder.Readalike: Pacing similar to The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
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LibraryThing member jfe16
Maya Burkett, a former Army special ops helicopter pilot, stands graveside three days after the Central Park murder of her husband, Joe. But when the nanny cam in the den reveals her dead husband playing with their two-year-old daughter, Lily, she must decide if it’s possible to believe what she
Although the characters are not particularly likable and Maya’s choices are questionable at best, the mystery of what Maya sees and the fast pace of the storytelling will keep the pages turning as readers seek to discover the truth.
Some may find Maya’s deductive reasoning and investigative skills to be a bit super-human and a revelation that readers are not likely to see coming is a bit of a jolt in the context of previous insights. But the writing is crisp, the plot twists numerous, and a surprising bit of information leads to the turning-everything-upside-down ending.
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thinks she is seeing. Certain that Joe died, she wonders how he could possibly be alive. And, if he were dead, why would someone want to make her believe she’d seen her husband still alive? Maya sets out to solve the mystery and to determine the truth.Although the characters are not particularly likable and Maya’s choices are questionable at best, the mystery of what Maya sees and the fast pace of the storytelling will keep the pages turning as readers seek to discover the truth.
Some may find Maya’s deductive reasoning and investigative skills to be a bit super-human and a revelation that readers are not likely to see coming is a bit of a jolt in the context of previous insights. But the writing is crisp, the plot twists numerous, and a surprising bit of information leads to the turning-everything-upside-down ending.
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LibraryThing member diana.hauser
I am a big fan of Harlan Coben. His latest book, FOOL ME ONCE, is quite suspenseful with Coben’s signature twists, turns and mystery.
Maya is a former special ops military pilot who married into the very wealthy Burkett Family. Maya has a lot ‘going on’ - she suffers from PTSD; her husband,
I don’t fault Mr. Coben’s writing or writing style - I like it; I always have. But I didn’t like any of the characters in this story and felt no empathy for them - even Maya. In fact, I liked her the least. She just isn’t believable and her situation just isn’t believable.
The scene at the gun club was particularly offensive to me. I do not like and I did not like (in the story) all the fondling, caressing and adoration of firearms. That scene really disgusted me.
The ending did not impress me at all and I felt little satisfaction in the results.
Maya is a former special ops military pilot who married into the very wealthy Burkett Family. Maya has a lot ‘going on’ - she suffers from PTSD; her husband,
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Joe, was recently murdered; her sister, Claire, was also murdered; she is a single parent to 2 year old, Lily. Maya is trying to unravel the mystery of her husband’s murder. Every character seems to be tainted with death and violence and their aftereffects. The young daughter, Lily, and her cousins seem to offer the only lightheartedness in this story.I don’t fault Mr. Coben’s writing or writing style - I like it; I always have. But I didn’t like any of the characters in this story and felt no empathy for them - even Maya. In fact, I liked her the least. She just isn’t believable and her situation just isn’t believable.
The scene at the gun club was particularly offensive to me. I do not like and I did not like (in the story) all the fondling, caressing and adoration of firearms. That scene really disgusted me.
The ending did not impress me at all and I felt little satisfaction in the results.
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LibraryThing member FictionZeal
How the heck? Maya Burkett was with her husband, Joe, in Central Park two weeks ago when two thugs killed him. She had her arms around him when he died. She had his blood all over her. So how is it possible that her nanny cam captured him holding their daughter while she was away at work? Her best
The police are still trying to find the killers, not only for her Joe’s death but also for her sister, Claire, four months before. Upset at not being kept in the loop, Maya sets out to investigate her husband’s death herself. NYPD Homicide Detective Kierce comes back with the most startling news … “The same gun that killed your husband also killed your sister.”
Coben’s twists and turns, right up to the end, are something akin to mountainous hairpin curves. You never know where it’s going. Dana Perino, co-host of The Five on FoxNews, had put in a plug for Fool Me Once after having met Mr. Coben. He’d told her he’d bet no one would guess the ending of this book. I’d say that’s a safe bet. In fact, I’d have to say Mr. Coben has managed to ‘fool me’ consistently as he’s a master at hiding the ‘who’ in the ‘whodunit’. Rating: 5 out of 5.
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friend, Eileen, had given her the nanny cam, which was disguised as a digital picture frame. It wasn’t because Eileen didn’t trust Isabella, the nanny, but because she felt when it comes to your child, you don’t trust anyone. Maya confronts Isabella about the appearance of Joe on the video. Isabella plays dumb. Then, she suddenly pepper sprays Maya, takes the memory card, and runs. Now Maya has nothing to support her claim that she saw the image of Joe holding their two-year-old daughter, Lily.The police are still trying to find the killers, not only for her Joe’s death but also for her sister, Claire, four months before. Upset at not being kept in the loop, Maya sets out to investigate her husband’s death herself. NYPD Homicide Detective Kierce comes back with the most startling news … “The same gun that killed your husband also killed your sister.”
Coben’s twists and turns, right up to the end, are something akin to mountainous hairpin curves. You never know where it’s going. Dana Perino, co-host of The Five on FoxNews, had put in a plug for Fool Me Once after having met Mr. Coben. He’d told her he’d bet no one would guess the ending of this book. I’d say that’s a safe bet. In fact, I’d have to say Mr. Coben has managed to ‘fool me’ consistently as he’s a master at hiding the ‘who’ in the ‘whodunit’. Rating: 5 out of 5.
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LibraryThing member MikeBruscellSr
This was my first Harlan Coben read and I was not overly impressed. The resolution of the turmoil in Maya Stern Burkett's life did not ring true to me. My sense was that Coben had not adequately set the stage for the denouement, so it came across as forced, not convincing, not plausible. Her
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actions at the very end of the book were entirely improbable as there were other, less confrontational, less dangerous ways in which she could have effectively dealt with the evil personalities with which she was confronted. Her headlong rush seemed unnecessary and out of character for a high-achiever, a planner, a deliberative person used to employing logic and reason to her life. It simply did not wash. Hopefully, another try at Coben will have better results since he 'fooled me once' on this one, but not in an enjoyable way! Show Less
LibraryThing member Virginia51
This was a fantastic read by Harlan Coben. I think this has been one of my favorites since the Myron Bolitar series. You love Maya and her daughter but is she nuts or is someone trying to harm her. There are many twists and turns and I loved them all. I received an ebook copy of this from
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Firsttoread for a fair and honest opinion. Show Less
LibraryThing member allenkl
This book started out so strong, I expected a good read. Sadly, the novel has an unexplainable weak finish, so disappointed! Sorry I ever started it, there are too many really good books to read and I have not enough time to read everything I want, skip this one, a waste of reading time.
LibraryThing member she_climber
I've been a fan of Harlan Coben for years and he never fails to entertain me. Fool Me Once fooled me a number of times actually. Every time I thought I knew who killed Joe, or if he was even dead, the story would twist and turn and I would start second guessing myself. Joe's wife, Maya, wasn't the
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most likable character, by design, but she was a great narrator of the story. She didn't pull any punches and was a bulldog after the truth, no matter where it led. This, like any other Coben book, I would highly recommend. Show Less
LibraryThing member niaomiya
Harlan Coben is back at his best with his latest mystery/thriller "Fool Me Once." Retired military officer Maya Burkett has just buried her husband Joe, who was murdered. Yet on her nanny cam a few days later, she sees a recording of Joe reading to her toddler daughter. How is this possible? Is
This tautly written mystery kept me engrossed the entire time; I couldn't put it down. I was intrigued as I tried to figure things out along with Maya, and I was floored by the satisfying twist at the end. It's never easy for a male author to write from the perspective of a female protagonist, but Harlan Coben does an admirable job, with only a couple of minor instances in which Maya's behavior feels more male than female (and thus gives away the fact that the author is male).
It was a relief to read this book that reflects Coben's trademark strong writing, solid plot, good character development, and satisfying conclusion. After reading Coben's disappointing last book ("The Stranger"), I was worried, but now I see I had nothing to worry about. Coben is back in fine form.
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Maya's own PTSD causing her to hallucinate? Or is Joe actually alive, even though Maya saw him killed?This tautly written mystery kept me engrossed the entire time; I couldn't put it down. I was intrigued as I tried to figure things out along with Maya, and I was floored by the satisfying twist at the end. It's never easy for a male author to write from the perspective of a female protagonist, but Harlan Coben does an admirable job, with only a couple of minor instances in which Maya's behavior feels more male than female (and thus gives away the fact that the author is male).
It was a relief to read this book that reflects Coben's trademark strong writing, solid plot, good character development, and satisfying conclusion. After reading Coben's disappointing last book ("The Stranger"), I was worried, but now I see I had nothing to worry about. Coben is back in fine form.
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LibraryThing member olegalCA
Harlan Coben always has a great hook that makes you want to read his books. This one was enticing: a woman sees her recently murdered husband on a nanny cam. The story built a little too slowly for me but there is a wicked twist that makes all the time you spent reading worthwhile.
LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
Fool Me Once is a new novel by Harlan Coben. Maya Stern Burkett is burying her husband, Joe Burkett. He was shot in the park on night when out with Maya. Maya is a former Army Captain (returned home amid a little scandal) back home after being in Iraq (suffering PTSD). Maya now teaches others how
I was excited when I was contacted and asked if I wanted to read and review Fool Me Once. However, I was disillusioned. Fool Me Once is a fast-paced book and quick book (above average writing). There is too much of the book devoted to Maya thinking (especially paranoid thinking). The ending was also a big letdown (and slightly odd). I kept waiting for a big twist or a shocking reveal, but I did not get it. What I got was predictable and just what I expected. I was surprised by the choices Maya made especially considering she had a child (a lot of parents will be appalled by Maya’s decisions). This book was not what I expected from Harlan Coben. I give Fool Me Once 3.75 out of 5 stars. I did learn one important thing from Fool Me Once. Do not bring a nanny cam into my home!
I received a complimentary copy of Fool Me Once from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
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to fly. She also has a two-year-old daughter, Lily. Maya is devastated at the loss of her husband. Maya lost her sister, Claire Walker within the last year as well. A friend gives her a picture frame that is also a nanny cam. Maya can take out the SD card and view the coverage of her daughter with the nanny, Isabella. Maya is checking the camera one morning and sees a man that looks just like her husband (wearing her husband’s clothes), Joe with their daughter, Lily. Maya confronts Isabella who denies seeing anything on the screen. She then sprays Maya with pepper spray, takes the SD card, and runs. Could Joe still be alive? Maya did not see the shot that killed her husband and it was a closed casket funeral (arranged by his family). Maya is determined to get some answers. Will Maya like the answers she receives? Of course, answers can lead to more questions!I was excited when I was contacted and asked if I wanted to read and review Fool Me Once. However, I was disillusioned. Fool Me Once is a fast-paced book and quick book (above average writing). There is too much of the book devoted to Maya thinking (especially paranoid thinking). The ending was also a big letdown (and slightly odd). I kept waiting for a big twist or a shocking reveal, but I did not get it. What I got was predictable and just what I expected. I was surprised by the choices Maya made especially considering she had a child (a lot of parents will be appalled by Maya’s decisions). This book was not what I expected from Harlan Coben. I give Fool Me Once 3.75 out of 5 stars. I did learn one important thing from Fool Me Once. Do not bring a nanny cam into my home!
I received a complimentary copy of Fool Me Once from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
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LibraryThing member maggie1961
I always look forward to a Harlan Coben book. Lots of intrigue and mystery in his thrillers. And he always mixes it in with some laugh at loud humour and sarcasm. I loved Maya; a strong woman working through her demons and her sarcasm and wit made me love her more.
This one went in a direction I
This one went in a direction I
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totally didn't suspect; Mr Coben can still surprise us with the unexpected. This is another good book from one of my long time favourite authors Show Less
LibraryThing member Tommie1
Too many plots and twists for me. Too much movement
LibraryThing member bookczuk
I like Harlan Coben for a quick thriller/mystery, I wasn't disappointed. good plot, twists, characters, with some humor and current pop culture thrown in. We were just by the boathouse (or a boat house in Central Park a few weeks back, so that's where I envisioned some of the scenes happening. I
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did not anticipate the final outcome, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member bakersfieldbarbara
If Maya's husband, Joe, was killed, then who is her two year old daughter playing with, or is this a figment of her imagination? Page by page, questions came up for me. When Maya put a nanny cam in her home, would her nanny suspect anything. Especially if she saw a new picture frame that suddenly
Enter Kierce, a detective, or is he? Is he taking payoffs and if so why, and from whom? Whom to trust, which is Maya's big phobia, being fed by all of the above. I could go on and on and hope you would still buy the book after all of my detailed descriptions But this book is so full of twists, turns and questions that you must do yourself a favor and get this book. And if you know anyone who loves a page-turner, this is the perfect gift book for them. Harlan Coben has not let us down with "Food Me Once."
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appeared in the room? And Maya being followed by a red Buick Verano, or is this just a coincidence thrown in the plot for no reason other than teasing the reader?.Enter Kierce, a detective, or is he? Is he taking payoffs and if so why, and from whom? Whom to trust, which is Maya's big phobia, being fed by all of the above. I could go on and on and hope you would still buy the book after all of my detailed descriptions But this book is so full of twists, turns and questions that you must do yourself a favor and get this book. And if you know anyone who loves a page-turner, this is the perfect gift book for them. Harlan Coben has not let us down with "Food Me Once."
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LibraryThing member debralu
Great mystery and an ending that took me (partly!) a bit by surprise
LibraryThing member DrApple
This is another riveting work by Harlan Coben. It keeps you guessing until the end about what happened, what is real, and who the heroes and villains really are. As with most Coben novels, no one is really as he or she seems, and no one is really innocent, This novel features a female retired
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military helicopter pilot whose husband has been murdered. The deeper she digs the more confusing things become. It seems to be a trend with Coben lately, but things don't necessarily end happily. Show Less
LibraryThing member gogglemiss
Bsit of a disapointment. The lead character was as dull as ditchwater, and I didn't like her at all. The ending was sloppy and very last minute..
LibraryThing member Sharn
It was okay. It wasn't a bad book, I just didn't connect with it or any of the characters so I really didn't care much and that doesn't make for a good review, unfortunately. Also, there was no suspense so it couldn't hold my interest either. There was a big unveiling at the end where Maya
Joe was murdered in front of his wife, Maya. Maya, now a widow, has a friend come over the house who brings her a gift - a nanny cam. She felt with Maya living alone that she could never be too careful with her daughter. One day a week or so later, Maya is watching the feed from the day on the nanny cam only to see her dead husband in the house that day, playing with their daughter, Lily. One thing leads to another and Maya begins an investigation of her own.
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confronted certain people and we were finally told all the secrets and who done its but eh, who cares?Joe was murdered in front of his wife, Maya. Maya, now a widow, has a friend come over the house who brings her a gift - a nanny cam. She felt with Maya living alone that she could never be too careful with her daughter. One day a week or so later, Maya is watching the feed from the day on the nanny cam only to see her dead husband in the house that day, playing with their daughter, Lily. One thing leads to another and Maya begins an investigation of her own.
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LibraryThing member pegmcdaniel
Harlan Coben is a new author for me. I kept seeing his latest novel, Fool Me Once, on the best-seller list. It's a fast-paced, skillfully-plotted murder mystery/thriller that held my attention with its many twists and turns.
The protagonist is Maya who has an interesting background as a military
I didn't know what to expect out of Mr. Coben's writing but can see why he has so many fans. He knows how to keep your interest and while I didn't like the ending to Fool Me Once, I would like to read another of his novels.
The protagonist is Maya who has an interesting background as a military
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helicopter pilot in Iraq, a tour that did not end well for her. She's suffering from PTSD and struggling with the death of her sister several months ago. Now her husband has been murdered. As she sets out to solve these murders, she becomes involved in strange situations that keep the novel moving along.I didn't know what to expect out of Mr. Coben's writing but can see why he has so many fans. He knows how to keep your interest and while I didn't like the ending to Fool Me Once, I would like to read another of his novels.
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