Author:John le Carré
THE SECOND GEORGE SMILEY NOVEL
Stella Rode has twice disturbed the ancient cloisters of Carne School: firstly by being the wrong sort, with her doyleys and china ducks, and secondly by being murdered. George Smiley is asked by an old Service friend to investigate. Smiley knows that Stella feared her husband would murder her, but as he probes further beneath Carne's respectable veneer, he uncovers far more than a simple crime of passion.
In his second novel, le Carré moves outside the world of espionage to reveal the secrets at the heart of another particularly English institution. The result is a pitch-perfect murder mystery, with Smiley as master detective.
'Beautifully intelligent, satiric and witty' Daily Telegraph
As comical, satirical, atmospherical an "entertainment" as he has given us
—— Daily TelegraphHe had a sharp nose for trouble and injustice. In Our Man In Havana - a witty send-up of an agent's life - it was Cuba before Castro
—— Financial TimesNobody should be anywhere near power who hasn't read (or seen the film of) Our Man in Havana, a powerful satire on the silly world of spying by a man who had experienced it
—— Mail on SundayGraham Greene captured a pre-Castro Cuba of daiquiris and decadence... hilarious
—— IndependentBritish Intelligence being sent up something rotten
—— Daily Telegraph, 20 Best Spy Novels of All TimeThe human story is warm and the satire made me laugh out loud
—— Simon Shepherd , Daily ExpressThis is domestic noir as it's meant to be done; riveting and beautifully written.
—— Jo Spain, author of The ConfessionIntriguing, heartbreaking and deftly drawn, Keep Him Close is a mystery novel with a beautiful character study at its heart.
—— Melanie Golding, author of Little DarlingsA beautifully written novel with a cast of richly drawn characters, and a plot that grows ever more menacing as it twists to its powerful, unexpected conclusion.
—— Lucy Clarke, author of You Let Me InKeep Him Close is a compelling and deftly plotted read, exploring complex dynamics with sensitivity and empathy.
—— Emylia Hall, author of The Thousand Lights HotelI loved that at the core of the novel's mystery was these mothers' love and belief in their sons...A tense, taut page turner filled to the brim with emotion.
—— Holly Cave, author of The Memory ChamberA hugely readable and assured thriller about what could be every parent’s nightmare.
—— Toby Faber, author of Close to the EdgeA beautifully moving novel about acceptance and forgiveness.
—— Laura Pearson, author of I Wanted You to KnowI loved this book. Wonderful characterisation and tense plotting. Bravo!
—— Jane Shemilt, author of Little FriendsKeenly researched, steeped in real life and dripping with tension, this book is a must-read for any fan of the genre.
—— Tony Kent author of Killer IntentHeart-wrenching and page-turning, Keep Him Close delivers and then some.
—— C.C. MacDonald, author of HAPPY EVER AFTERTwisty, emotional and addictive
—— The SunThis subtle novel is as moving as it is thrilling
—— PeopleI never guessed any of the twists
—— Claire DouglasGenuinely original
—— Gillian McAllisterThe rising star of British crime
—— Tony ParsonsLittle short of brilliant
—— Crime Fiction LoverFull of clever twists
—— Dead Good BooksPerfect plotting
—— BookgeeksThe master of smoke and mirrors fiction
—— IRISH INDEPENDENTExceptional story-telling, well drawn and vivid characterisation and a fast-paced and riveting plotline carry the reader along open mouthed as layer upon layer is peeled back to reveal the truth. I needed this diversion from grim reality and now feel much better for it. Highly recommended.
—— LIVE AND DEADLY (blog)Coben’s USP is how families are torn apart by secrets. He is a clever plotter, too, always pulling the rug from under your feet.
—— SUNCoben is like a skilled magician saving the best, most stunning trick for the very end.
—— PUBLISHERS WEEKLYCoben can always be relied on to generate thrills from the simplest premises
—— KIRKUSDramatic and tightly plotted.
—— WOMAN & HOMEHarlan Coben is a master at weaving compelling thrillers, but even by his high standards, The Boy From the Woods sounds like a haunting ride.
—— POP-SUGARHarlan Coben rose to worldwide attention recently for his hit Netflix show The Stranger. Many of you would have already been familiar with his work prior to this. Harlan Coben’s back catalogue is very impressive. We’ve read pretty much every Harlan Coben novel and let us tell you, he never lets you down. If you’re looking for a meaty thriller which is equal parts surprising and well-written, look no further.
—— YAHOO! UKFrom the bestselling author and creator of the hit Netflix drama The Stranger, Harlan Coben, The Boy from The Woods tells the story of Wilde, found thirty years ago in the New Jersey backwoods.
—— 69 DEGREESCoben's character creation is superb. Both Wilde and Hester are a joy to discover and each one of the supporting cast are equally well crafted […]The Boy From The Woods is a fabulous read, I devoured it. It's pacy and thrilling, filled with fabulous characters and a plot that is unrelenting. I now know just why Coben is at the top of his field. Highly recommended from me.
—— RandomThingsThroughMyLetterbox blogTwisty, packed with mystery and intrigue […] Now is the perfect time to read for escapism
—— Charlene Jess (Blog)Coben is the best-selling author behind the utterly compelling Netflix drama The Stranger, and his latest offering is equally potent […] A gloriously grisly page-turner with some excellent chicanes and twists.
—— GENTLEMAN'S JOURNALThis is another page turner from Coben who every time manages to pull the cat out of the bag and deliver an ending that isn't expected. Sublime.
—— CRIMESQUADCoben paints a rich, multi-layered picture of suburban life […] The story is involving, contemporary and Coben expertly peels back the layers with consummate skill to reveal an intricate and twisted tale that’s well worth the read[…] I highly recommend this terrifically unusual and well-paced thriller.
—— SHOTS MAGAZINE