Coben brings Win, Windsor Horne Lockwood III, out of mothballs and onto center stage in this self-titled adventure. Even though Coben’s books don’t lend themselves to great discussions at book club, we all love them.  And it’s good to read something fun and enjoyable. Besides he’s a Jersey boy.

How a family can lie to cover its secrets?  Win gets involved in a case with connections back to his family. He peels back the layers of lies and coverups and discovers a tragic truth. A painting belonging to Win’s family had been recovered at a home where a man was killed. Win has no idea who the man is or how he got that painting. Then the dead man turns out to be a member of a radical left group responsible for the killing of seven people decades earlier. Already intrigued, he becomes obsessed when his favorite cousin’s kidnapping around the same time is connected.

I prefer Win as Myron Bolitar’s sidekick. The two complement each other to perfection. Myron’s grounded character gives Win some great comic moments and curbs his egomania to somewhat acceptable levels. Win in a whole novel is a lot to take.

Our book club talked about the decisions made by family members and how they can affect several generations – the sins of the father, so to speak. We also talked about how lies grow and take on a life of their own.  Fun read but not great discussion.

Rating: 7.5

Photo: Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, Rijksmuseum