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"Over twenty years ago, the heiress Patricia Lockwood was abducted during a robbery of her family's estate, then locked inside an isolated cabin for months. Patricia escaped, but so did her captors -- and the items stolen from her family were never recovered. Until now. On the Upper West Side, a recluse is found murdered in his penthouse apartment, alongside two objects of note: a stolen Vermeer painting and a leather suitcase bearing the initials WHL3. For the first time in years, the authorities have a lead -- not only on Patricia's kidnapping, but also on another FBI cold case -- with the suitcase and painting both pointing them toward one man. Windsor Horne Lockwood III -- or Win, as his few friends call him -- doesn't know how his suitcase and his family's stolen painting ended up with a dead man. But his interest is piqued, especially when the FBI tells him that the man who kidnapped his cousin was also behind an act of domestic terrorism -- and that the conspirators may still be at large. The two cases have baffled the FBI for decades, but Win has three things the FBI doesn't: a personal connection to the case; an ungodly fortune; and his own unique brand of justice"--… (more)
User reviews
I was surprised by many of the twists and turns as several crimes were unveiled. My only complaint was that I missed Myron. Win is the secondary character in the Myron Bolitar series but at least he’s present. Win referenced and thought about his best (only?) friend. But please, Mr. Coben, can Myron visit in the next book?
WIN is a continuation of Coben's Myron Bolitar series and it’s not. Myron doesn’t even make an appearance. He just gets a few mentions.
If you are familiar with the
Apparently (I would probably have known this if I had read Coben’s young adult series about young Mickey Bolitar), Myron is now married and living in Florida. This leaves rich, handsome, violent, and unbelievably successful Win on his own. Ordinarily I’d be turned off by the violence, but it is in the name of justice, and Coben somehow makes it fun.
A couple of disappointments: (1) as I already said, this story has no Myron, and I missed him, and (2) I was disappointed in myself for not highlighting each new name. Because Coben’s mysteries/thrillers always include lots of characters, I find that it’s best to highlight each name the first time it appears. This aids my memory when they show up later in the story. I didn’t do that this time, forcing me to search previous text, sometimes unsuccessfully because the names were not highlighted.
So is Myron now retired? At a presentation more than 10 years ago, Coben said he was considering this. I told him that wasn’t a good idea then, and I still don’t think so now.
Win is a most unusual character, with his own code of ethics and one that is not bound by legal constraints. I admit the constant mention of his wealth was overdone, but it is this money that allows him much that would send an ordinary man to prison, probably for a very long time. As we know in this country, and others I'm sure, money talks and men walk. So it goes. Now I wonder if this will be the start of a series featuring Win. My guess is yes, and I'm looking forward to that. He's not a person I'd like to meet but he is an interesting character.
ARC from Edelweiss.
This book was, for me, a walk down memory lane. Myron didn't appear but he was mentioned frequently. Win's daughter, Ema, from the YA series does play a role. I could not in good faith recommend this book to anyone who hasn't worked their way through the Myron Bolitar series (you won't be disappointed!). But so much of this book would be missed without that background. You would feel like the new kid hanging out with a group of lifelong friends: not getting half their references.
For those of you who know and love the Bolitar family like I do, by all means, what are you waiting for?? It is an interesting plot line: one of two masterpieces stolen years ago from the Lockwood family is found in the apartment of a recently murdered recluse whose identity is completely unknown to the Lockwood family. Quickly things change as Win starts looking into things hoping to find the missing Picasso as well the way only Win can: with money and serious threats of violence that he does not hesitate to follow through on. Throughout he does keep up his eccentric sexlife, though toned down as he matures. The violence is described and at times graphic. The sex is not. There is before sex and after sex, there is no actual sex.
Did I love this book? Yes, purely from the standpoint of seeing old friends. The story was engaging and interesting. Win is engaging and interesting. But the way that he and Myron would play off of each other with Myron being the good angel and Win being the bad was glaringly missed. Coben tried to bring in Myron's conscience throughout with Win thinking of what Myron would do or say but it just wasn't the same. You just can't break of the band and have it sound the same.
Much of this book feels as if it was written in the 1990s, a more permissive time. The pages are filled with both sex and violence, much of a gratuitous nature. Win himself represents the type of wealth that once was envied but has become loathed by many in today's culture.
The story on the other hand will sweep you up and having you racing to discover the outcome. Give it to Coben, he can construct a tale.
Characters have a habit of appearing for little reason, other rhan to titulate. Those same characters dissappear with little explanation to why they appeared in the first place. Other characters go undeveloiped despite playing pivitol roles.
With out giving away any spoilers, in the end, I think the decision to keep Bolitar absent from the story ultimately sinks the book. Without the balance of Myron, Win is nowhere near as attractive a hero, or even an anti-hero.
Ultimately the reqder if left continually torn between being repulsed by the title character, and wanting to discover the outcome of it all. Not a comfortable place to be.
Hopefully the next book will reunite the duo.
Coben has penned a great series featuring Myron Bolitar - sports rep/detective. I know, odd combo, but it really works. And Myron's sidekick is the
Win is hauled in by the FBI and taken to the site of a murder. A missing painting that belonged to his family as well as a suitcase bearing his crest and monogrammed initials has been found at the scene. And Win is now officially a suspect.
Did I mention that Win is incredibly rich? Has his own sense of justice? Is drawn to violence? Is not someone you want to cross? Is unpredictable? Is a man who loves the finer things in life? Yup, all that and more. Oh, and that the exterior belies who is really inside that designer label suit. Which only adds the delicious unknown in predicting where the plot is going to go.
And it heads places completely unexpected - domestic terrorism, with some side stops along they way. We learn more about the Lockwood clan. The plotting in Win is unique and I was surprised by every revelation - and twist. I so appreciated being unable to guess what's next. Coben kept me on my toes, right 'til the last pages.
It was fascinating to get into Win's thought processes, his reasoning and what makes him tick. Scary, but brilliant. His inner dialogue and observations are also darkly humorous and sardonically witty and wry.
Win was such a great read for me - addicting, page turning, unexpected and has just left me wanting another 'Win' book.
Windsor Horne Lockwood III gets his own book!!
A reclusive hoarder is found dead. Among his effects is a leather suitcase with Win’s initials and a painting stolen from his family. Naturally, Win is called in to answer a few questions.
The
I was so pleased to learn that Win would get his own series! For those who follow the Myron Bolitar series you are well acquainted with Win. He’s an anti-hero with appalling tendencies, but is a character many of us secretly root for, at least on some level- but have a hard time owning it.
Putting Win front and center without Myron as a buffer is an intriguing idea.
So how well did Win do with his first solo case?
Not too bad. The character keeps his originality, while giving us a better understanding of his family background. My one complaint was that Win went on two long-winded monologues about his sex life- which was at least one too many.
Other than that, the story is absorbing, well-plotted, with Coben’s signature surprises and twists to keep things lively.
Win’s unconventionality is a start contrast to Myron’s boy scout approach, and it’s a big change of pace, but you must admit Win is certainly challenging and adds a level of excitement to the story merely because he’s so unpredictable.
Overall, this story is a good, solid ‘cold case’ drama- one of my favorite crime fiction tropes, is fast-paced with multiple threads tying together nicely.
Win's first solo adventure was certainly interesting. It is fun solving mysteries with such an unusual protagonist- one that unapologetically evokes both disgust and admiration.
I’m very interested in seeing how the ‘Lockwood’ series will progress from here.
4 stars
Windsor Horne Lockwood III sure does. But he doesn't rely just on his inherited wealth - he has turned his body into a fighting machine. Well, that may be a bit extreme... Either way, he exudes power at all levels. When an expensive painting, stolen decades ago,
First, let me say that I loved the narrator for the audiobook! His voice really brought the character of Win to life and I won't be able to imagine him any other way. Really enjoyable to listen to.
The writing was fabulous. This is my first book of Harlan Coben's but certainly won't be my last. I loved the way he keeps the story moving without unnecessary drama like some books. And I wasn't expecting the ending, which I always enjoy. It wasn't exactly a thriller or a mystery, but it was super good.
Thank you Brilliance Audio for sending me a copy of this to listen to and give my honest opinion.
Another win by the master storyteller. This book had everything! It was so good, with twists and turns...action galore. It was a roller-coaster and a new series I cannot wait to continue!
Fun.
Win as his known likes to right wrongs and investigate things the Police can no longer solve.
He beats up a Basketball star who was assaulting a Lady.
An old painting is found in a
Recluse was a radical in the 1970s Part of the Jane Street 6 who firebombed a bus.
The all went underground, the missing painting is linked to his cousin Patrica who was kidnapped when she was younger, people believed she was a victim of the Hut of horrors when young Girls were murdered. With some more digging it turns out Patrica actually killed her Father as he was the one killing the young Girls she faked her kidnap and ran off with Ry Strauss who was one of the original Jane Street 6. OK book I don't really like Win though he is far to pompous for me.
This novel follows Win as he acts as a vigilante, but then his FBI friend, PT, asks him for help investigating a
I enjoyed this, and wonder if there will be more novels with Win as the main character.
Win plays by his own set of rules. He is incredibly wealthy which makes it possible for him to do things that mere mortals couldn't necessarily do. Win has his own moral compass and tends to function in a grey area. When he feels that someone needs to be stopped, he stops them. Win is a man of action and doesn't always think to include others in his plans which sometimes causes problems.
Win gets a call from the police about a man that has been found dead. The man was a recluse and an incredibly valuable painting that was stolen from Win's family is also found in the apartment. To add to the mystery, police have also discovered a suitcase bearing Win's initials, WLH3. Win believes that the suitcase may be connected to the kidnapping of his cousin, Patricia, twenty years ago.
I was captivated by the mystery in this book. I was very eager to learn how everything was connected and I liked the way that Win approached each situation. There were so many different pieces that needed to come together to tell the complete story and I was hooked by each twist and turn. There were a few times that I worried if Win was finally in over his head but I trusted that he would find a solution like the resourceful man I know he is.
I would highly recommend this book to others. Readers of the Myron Bolitar series will be thrilled to see the spotlight on Win but this book will also work well as a stand alone. I cannot wait to read more of Coben's work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing.