Two Thrillers I Read Last Week

I enjoy a good whodunit as much as the next girl/guy, and I am relatively easy to please regarding the type of detective novel/thriller that is so popular today. I do, though, expect a few things from the author:

• fully fleshed main characters,
• explicit descriptions of crime scenes and
• side plots to reveal more about the makeup of the main character’s life them.

Last week, I decided to try a couple of thriller writers who are new to me. So, I selected:

• The Watchman by Robert Crais
• The Innocent by Harlan Coben

Let’s see how they stack up against my thriller criteria…

The Watchman

Hmm… what do I say about the paper-thin storyline? The plot involves a Paris Hilton-esque type of heiress who stumbles upon a crime being committed and then enters the FBI’s Witness Protection Programme. However, after 2 attempts on her life, it becomes clear that the killers have inside information on her hiding places. So, she is handed over to Joe Pike (an ex-soldier, ex-cop), who then goes on a rampage trying to find out the identity of the bad guys. Throw in terrorists, drug smugglers, and teenage LA gangs, and you have a typical potboiler.

I didn’t care too much for the book. If made into a movie, it would be a Steven Seagal B-grade entertainer, which is not my style. The writing is average. The character build-up is painful (it’s hard to identify/sympathize with a rich, beautiful, spoilt heiress). There is tons of action, though, and I suspect that readers who have read the Elvis Cole series of books might like this book. For a first-time reader, this book was pretty mediocre. It was a quick airport read, nothing more, nothing less. I must say that for the type of book it is, a fast-paced action thriller, this is a good book. It just wasn’t for me – a casual reader dipping into the middle of a series.

The Innocent

Matt Hunter is a good guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. He intervenes in a college fight, his opponent ends up dead, and he ends up in jail. Once out of jail, he tries to rebuild his life. He gets a job, gets married, and is about to have a baby, when his happy life is all turned upside down again. He and his wife must now fight hard to protect their lives from their pasts. How successful will they be?

I liked this book very much. It works primarily because the protagonist, Matt Hunter, is very likable. He is an all-American boy struck by tragedy, and it is easy to identify with his problems. The book highlights how one wrong/careless move can impact you for the rest of your life.

The story and plot are also suspenseful, with a lot of twists and turns. Some might say a bit too many twists and turns, but I liked it. On thinking back, the ending seems a bit weak. However, because the story is so fast-moving, I didn’t really feel too disappointed or even think too much about it.

This was one satisfying book. I will be picking up more Harlan Coben books. Any recommendations?