Type of bind: Paperback
EAN num: 9780340766361
Format: Import
ISBN number: 0340766360
Label: New English Library Ltd
Manufacturer: New English Library Ltd
Page Count: 346
Printing Date: February 03, 2000
Publishing house: New English Library Ltd
Studio: New English Library Ltd
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Rated by buyers 
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I've been on a bit of a recreational reading kick lately... probably trying to escape the stress of the economy. Anyway, my number finally came up at the library for the latest Myron Bolitar novel by Harlan Coben... Fade Away. It's been awhile since I've had the pleasure of reading Bolitar's irreverent dialog and his interaction with his partner Win Lockwood. And as always, it's a treat.
Bolitar, a sports agent and one-time promising basketball phenom (before his knee was blown out at the very start of his professional career), is approached by the owner of the New Jersey Dragons. They're a playoff-bound team with a minor problem... their star player Greg Downing has disappeared. He's a bit of a head case anyway, and the team is trying to sell it to the media as seclusion to rehab an injured ankle. The owner wants to sign Bolitar to finish out the season with the team, basically as a scrub player with some name appeal of what "could have been". But what he really wants is for Bolitar to investigate from the inside and see if he can solve the mystery. Bolitar's not sure he wants to subject himself to public ridicule as a player, but the chance to have his shot at the pros is too strong. He takes the case and quickly finds a number of people who could have wanted Downing dead, including an ex-wife and some underworld characters. As Bolitar digs deeper, no one ends up being exactly who they say they are (or who Bolitar thinks they are). He has to question everything, including his own past, to solve this case and find closure for his professional life that never was.
There's not much more to say other than this was just a fun read. Bolitar always seems to be one snide remark away from getting the pulp beat out of him. He basically says all the smart-alex things you'd *like* to say if you had time to think about it (and there were no repercussions). The dialog is one of the main reasons why I enjoy the Myron Bolitar series. Couple that with a plot that keeps twisting with no resolution until the end (and even then, there's still a few surprises), and it's my idea of a perfect book for killing a few hours at home or on a plane.
Rated by buyers 
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This is the second of Coban's novels featuring Myron Bolitar that I've read and like all of his books I found it quite enjoyable. I enjoyed Promise Me a bit more but Coban held true to form with last minute twists that always bring surprise. I've yet to read one of Coban's novels that I wouldn't recommend to others.
Rated by buyers -
Writing on anything connected to sports gambling is always timely - and "Fade Away" is a good example. Coben's underlying theme, whether intentional or not, centers around the timeless questions of freedom and responsibility. Coben is not only an entertaining writer, but knows how to blend reality and idealism - and everything in between. (Reviewed by Jerry Marcus, author of four novels - including Broken Trust - The Murder Of Basketball Star Jack Molinas.)
Rated by buyers 
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I am a fan of Harlan Coben but have never read this particular series. In contrast to the majority of reviews, I found this to be tedious rather than witty and in need of additional editing. Lame, forced dialog on top of a silly plot...even taking it for what it is, there are better ways to spend one's time.
Rated by buyers -
Ten years ago an injury ended his stint in the NBA without him playing one professional regular season game, but though Myron Bolitar has always thought of what could have been he uses self deprecating humour to move on and mope over what was lost to fate. He spent time as the most visible undercover FBI agent in the country (remember this is pre Plame days) before deciding to become a sports agent.
New Jersey Dragons owner Chip Arnstein wants to hire Myron to find his longtime sports rival going back to the sixth grade and the ACC, Greg Downing, who has had an illustrious pro career. The word to the media is he sprained his ankle; but on the street and in the Dragons front office Greg vanished five days ago. Using his not so honed FBI skills, Myron investigates with clues leading to a corpse, gambling, bold thirsty point shaving mobsters and a bit of everything else. Myron realizes he never came to grips with the injury that ended his career before it began.
The reprint of the third Bolitar tale (see DEAL BREAKER and DROPSHOT) is a superb story that easily overcomes the initial credibility of an owner hiring a sports agent to play sleuth due to the hero. Myron is wisecracking throughout targeting himself more so than others, but as he gets closer to finding his firmer rival, he realizes the humour hides his disappointment. This is a terrific series that holds up nicely a decade plus since its very first printing as this entry affirms.
Harriet Klausner
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