Live Wire

Library Journal Myron Bolitar, Coben's wisecracking sports agent and private eye, helps a former female tennis pro who is eight months pregnant defend the paternity of her unborn child. With his sidekick, Win, Myron has unexpected encounters with his estranged sister-in-law, who's entangled with rock stars, scandals, and drugs. Adding momentum to Myron's search, his dad suffers a life-threatening heart attack and asks to speak with Brad, his long-lost son. Along the way, Myron confronts his own buried secrets and recognizes that his abandoned sister-in-law and nephew interpret his big-heartedness as unwanted interference. A career-changing cliff-hanger ends his search. VERDICT In this tenth Bolitar mystery (after Long Lost), Coben reveals the introspective side of his slick character, as Myron tackles a different sort of hidden mysteries—those deeply embedded within himself and other family members. Fans will enjoy the change of focus and wonder how Coben will re-create his hero in his next adventure. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/10.]—Jerry P. Miller, Cambridge, MA