Deal Breaker by Harlen Coben

Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jacket Blurb:  Sports agent Myron Bolitar is poised on the edge of the big time. So is Christian Steele, a rookie quarterback and Myron's prized client. But when Christian gets a phone call from a former girlfriend, a woman who everyone, including the police, believes is dead, the deal starts to go sour. Trying to unravel the truth about a family's tragedy, a woman's secret, and a man's lies, Myron is up against the dark side of his business--where image and talent make you rich, but the truth can get you killed. 

In novels that crackle with wit and suspense, Edgar Award winner Harlan Coben has created one of the most fascinating and complex heroes in suspense fiction--Myron Bolitar--a hotheaded, tenderhearted sports agent who grows more and more engaging and unpredictable with each page-turning appearance.

A new to me mystery series which I found absolutely delightful.  Interesting and engaging characters, the background of sports refreshingly different from the typical police procedural, and the humor hilarious.  I "read" this as an audio book and loved the narrator.  His inflection and nuances added so much to the narration.  

First book in the series, we are introduced to Myron Bolitar, a 31 year old sports agent, former NCAA basketball star, and private investigator on the side.  He has his own office on Park Avenue, a former women's pro-wrestler is his secretary, and his co-hort and muscle - Win - is an independently wealthy financial adviser.  Hardly a chain smoking, womanizing, alcoholic, depressed cop to be found.  Lots of other colorful characters round out the cast.

Myron's age kept throwing me for a loop.  It's as if his walks a line between being the "seasoned veteran" and, well, a 31 year old.  He makes mistakes, he gets beat up, he keeps going.  Myron hates his name, loves his ex-girlfriend Jessica, lives with his parents and he didn't sleep with the hottie when she threw herself at him.  Score one for the author. 

The mystery itself was convoluted almost to the point of being overly complicated.  Almost.  The twists and turns kept me engaged and guessing.  I appreciated not getting any glimpse into the killers mind, that the entire who-done-it was from the point of view of Myron.

I'm sure I have some complaints about this book...must be pretty minor if I can't even think of what they are.

Recommended.



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