book I just finished:
Just One Look

Just One Look opens with domesticity personified, as our protagonist, Grace Lawson, picks up a package of prints from the local photoshop. This mother of two finds a curious picture mixed within her photos of a family trip to the apple orchard. This print, clearly taken some years ago, shows five college-aged kids (two men, three women) in a fun-loving candid. However, one of the women has a big "X" drawn through her face, and upon closer inspection, Grace realizes that it's her own husband who stands next to the mystery woman in the photo.

From there the plot moves from Grace's search for the truth about the photograph to her husband's strange abduction, uncovering Jack Lawson's past, and Grace's own complicated history. In the process, we meet a wonderfully sinister character named Eric Wu. Wu uses no weapon, but fells the strongest of men. He also displays no convictions or inner turmoils which results in a fairly one-dimensional character but there is just enough mystery in his ruthlessness to keep you interested. Another character I enjoyed, was a nosey neigbor who noodles her way into trouble, but ends up playing a small role as a heroine, too.

Coben's main characters are adequate, while his smaller characters are more interesting. Another thing a bit below par is the interior monologues Grace has with herself and the simplicity of the dialogues and narratives, but the thrills of this multi-layered plot prevail.

In the end, the mystery contained within is compelling and as the twists and turns accelerate, I discovered a very gratifying story. This, my first Harlan Coben book, exceeded my expectations so much so, that I am already finishing up another of his books. Grade: B+