Book Review: No Second Chance

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

No Second Chance     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Harlan Coben
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller
Dutton, May 2003, $24.95, 352 pp.

Renowned plastic surgeon Marc Seidman wakes up in the intensive care unit after being in a coma for twelve days to learn that his wife was murdered and his six year old daughter Tara is missing. The FBI and the local police are on the case but so far there are no ransom demands. On the day that he is to be released from the hospital, his father-in-law asks Marc to visit him.

His father-in-law gives Marc a ransom note with instructions from the kidnapper that he must follow if he wants to see his daughter again. Marc gives two million-dollars in money supplied by his father-in-law to the kidnappers but they spot the police tail and escape. Eighteen months later, the kidnappers call his father-in-law again to repeat the process. Marc intends to handle the situation by himself, but ex-FBI agent Rachel Mills plans to help the man she loves get back his daughter. The two of them uncover a conspiracy much greater than a missing child scenario.

NO SECOND CHANCE is a fascinating roller-coaster ride of chills, thrills and non-stop action, so much so that readers will want to read the book in one sitting so they can find out just exactly what is going on. Harlan Coben uses the art of misdirection perfectly so that after awhile hope and dread run together leaving the protagonist totally confused about what his next step should be. This superb multi-layered story uses the first person narrative so that readers know just how Marc helpless feels and their hearts go out to him as he faces every parent’s worst nightmare.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner