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Just One Look

Author: Harlan Coben
Publisher: Orion
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

39 reviews
Sales Rank: 8875

Media: Paperback
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.1

ISBN: 0752863819
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780752863818
ASIN: 0752863819

Publication Date: November 4, 2004
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Nice clean book

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 39

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Pale Ink June 8, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Harlan Coben was born in New Jersey in 1962 and is best known for his Myron Bolitar novels. "Just One Look", however, is one of his was stand-alone novels, and was first published in 2004.

Although Grace Lawson is a well-known artist, she's better remembered for an incident known as the 'Boston Massacre'. Fifteen years before the book opens, Grace was in the front pit for a a Jimmy X concert - a show that had been due to start at 8:30pm. The crowd are, obviously, a little agitated when it hits midnight and there's still no sign of the singer. Unfortunately, at that point, things move a little beyond agitation when three shots are fired. The resulting mayhem eighteen people dead and Grace, briefly, in a coma - with a variety of injuries. A year later, she movea to France to study art and meets Jack Lawson there - the man who was to become her husband. It had been love at first sight for the pair, though each kept their secrets : Grace couldn't really talk about the concert (her memories were still a little fuzzy), while Jack had a falling-out with his family - the details of which he was also reluctant to share.

Grace and Jack returned to America, shortly after Grace fell pregnant with their first child. (Emma is now eight, while their more recent addition, Max, is six). Her troubles start as she picks up some freshly-developed photographs from a family day out - when she discovers a photo she didn't take in her packet. At first she thinks someone else's photo has accidentally been sorted into hers - but then she suspects it's been placed there on purpose...There are five people in the photo and, judging by the quality of the print,and the style of dress, it was taken around fifteen years ago. One of the faces has been covered with a large 'X', while another - she thinks - is of Jack...but, at a point in his life before she had met him. Later that night, when Jack arrives home from work, he sees the photo and - within a matter of minutes - nips out the front door and drives off without a word. When he doesn't return, Grace knows he's in trouble. She's right : what she doesn't know, however, is that Jack's been grabbed by Eric Wu - not a man you'd want to mess with. The police, initially, assume he's just done a runner (possibly to scratch a seven year itch). Grace, on the other hand, knows better - and so starts trying to discover what's happened to him. Luckily, she has a couple of useful allies - including noted Mafia Boss Carl Vespa and an Assistant US Attorney, Scott Duncan.

Although I don't think "Just One Look" will ever be considered a classic, it's certainly much better than a Dan Brown book. Admittedly, there wasn't much in the way of tension or fear and some of the characters - the friendly neighbourhood Mafia Boss, for example - were just a little bit too convenient. There also turned out to be a few too many connections between the key players...however, I did find it to be a very enjoyable, pacey and easily read book and it's certainly worth a rattle.

4 out of 5 stars

A mothers love! April 15, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Having read a couple of Michael Connelly books I read a review which recommended Harlan Coben. So this was the first of his books that I picked up. I found this book really easy to read and was gripped almost from the start. I wont go into the story line as others have before me but I felt that I really connected with Grace and, having had children of my own, would know what a mother would do to protect them.
An Excellent read! Harlan Coben has me hooked. Almost finished the Innocent and then making a start on my first Myron Bolitar.
Highly recommended

4 out of 5 stars

Action packed thriller January 4, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

It's amazing what can happen in one night. 15 years ago Grace Lawson was crushed in a mass panic during a rock concert. Now she has stumbled across an old photo that shows her husband with a group of people all who have gone missing or died. With her husband suddenly disappearing Grace realises that the photo has come back from the past to haunt them. Can she uncover the mystery behind the photo and the events that occurred so long ago?

This is the first Harlan Coben book that I have read and I really enjoyed it. It was very fast paced and there were plenty of twist in the tale to keep you entertained. The main female characters are great and Grace in particular lets you understand what a mother would do to protect her family.

Problems do occur due to the amount of people in the book and the continuous twists and reflections to past events. However, Coben handles these complex matters with enough skill to see the reader through with the minimum of confusion. For fans of slightly light weight but fun thrillers I recommend this book.

4 out of 5 stars

Well worth reading - good for the beach too! August 6, 2006
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I did not think this was Harlan Coben's best work but nevertheless it is worth 4 stars. The plot is gripping and the characters well defined. Eric Wu, one of the villains, is totally scary. I thought he evoked the memories of Oddjob in "Goldfinger" - the James Bond book and film.

Grace has perseverance and a great strength of character that takes on the role of investigator. She does very well and this pursuit captures us to stick with the unfolding story. The end of the book has all loose ends tied up full explanations of the twists and revelations. That makes it a satisfying read and well worthwhile.

5 out of 5 stars

His Best Yet December 8, 2005
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Coben's earlier books such as Gone for Good and No Second Chance were fantastic but this one probably his best work yet.

He seems to effortlessly bring everday people into complex and harrowing situations. The way he weaves together all the different characters is impressive and you can always expect to hold on tight for a rollercoater finish

Brilliant!