Darkest Fear

Due to his father's recent heart attack, Myron Bolitar is forced to confront maturity and death concerns head-on in his middle years. And as if that weren't enough to completely upend his life, his first significant lover reappears. Even if Emily Downing did leave him for the man who wrecked his basketball career, the former basketball player turned sports agent—who dabbles in some sleuthing when business is slow—is saddened by the news that her 13-year-old son is terminally ill and in critical need of a bone marrow transplant. He wouldn't wish such tsuris on anyone. Even if it means finding the one enigmatic donor who may be able to rescue the kid, he has no desire in reengaging with Emily. However, Myron sets out to find someone who vanished a long time ago after discovering that Jeremy Downing is his own son, having been conceived the night before Emily and Greg Downing were married. And what he uncovers reveals a missing kid, a discredited reporter who may have used a book as a source to become a serial murderer, a strong family trying to hold onto an ancient secret, and a curious FBI agent.

This is the seventh installment of a growingly popular series that began with Bolitar's debut in Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben. Myron may be a little child, but he has a kind heart, is really likeable, and isn't afraid to be tough when necessary. His pal and business colleague Win, who really deserves a series of his own, and Esperanza, the lesbian wrestler-turned-lawyer who has finally persuaded Myron to accept her as a partner in the company, provide the pyrotechnics. As with Coben's other Bolitar books, she is well worth the money. —Annie Adams