
the setup…
Sami Kierce is now a private investigator in New York City, married to Molly and father of their infant son Henry. A former police detective forced to leave in disgrace, he’s working off debts by doing low level surveillance assignments for a law firm and teaching a criminology class to a small group of amateur sleuths. It’s during one of the classes that a woman walks in and slams him back into his past from twenty-two years ago. She’s Anna, the woman who he spent five nights with in Malaga, Spain as a college grad…and who he woke to find bloodied and dead in his bed with him holding the knife! She flees from the class as he chases after her.
the heart of the story…
It’s all Sami as he runs after the woman who has haunted him for over twenty years. The chase leads him to a wealthy enclave and while he now knows where she lives, the search for answers is elusive. In the meantime, the man he helped put behind bars for murdering his fiancée is released on a technicality, still professing his innocence. Sami enlists the help of a motley crew of his students to figure out how Anna is still alive and exactly who she is as well as how to put the man who killed his fiancée back behind bars.
the narration…
I quickly became enamored of Vikas Adam as he not only captured the essence of Sami’s as a character but created so many other distinct voices I was sure there were multiple performers. He is a talented storyteller.
the bottom line…
I love how Coben creates stories that are twisty from the onset and then gives you more. I liked Sami and soon figured out he was nobody’s fool. He’s got keen instincts, aided by that delightful group of students who made the investigation even more compelling. I knew a shocking revelation was coming but still wasn’t quite prepared for the resolution. And, there are some dangling bits that have my heart fluttering for more of Sami and friends. Well done, Mr. Coben.
Book Info
- Release Date: March 25, 2025
- Series: Detective Sami Kierce #2
- Narrator: Vikas Adam
- Audio Length: 11 hours, 17 minutes
- Publisher: Hachette Audio

Fab review Jo, glad you enjoyed it!
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I’m glad that you enjoyed this one as much as I did Jonetta! Happy Publication Day Jonetta!
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Thanks, Jodie💜 I had my suspicions but didn’t even come close!
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We are review twins! This one confused me because I went back to Fool Me Once and it was Roger Kierce and now he’s Sami? I did love the group of students.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Yay💜 I had a feeling we would. He changed the name from Roger to Sami in the TV series so I figure he’s got plans to adapt this story.
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Fab review! I’m glad you enjoyed this audiobook as well. xx
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Thank you, Yvo💜 I sure hope there are more books to come.
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I sure wouldn’t mind more books with this character either!
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Great review, Jo. This is another one that I have coming up soon. I need more time to get them all read or listened to. I do love Harlan Coben’s stories, even when I have to suspend belief.
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Thanks, Carla💜 I can always count on him for a well plotted story.
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