I’m a huge Harlan Coben fan, and Nobody’s Fool reminded me exactly why. Right from the start, the story pulled me in and didn’t let go. The twists, the sharp dialogue, the characters you can’t help but root for (or hate!)—it’s all classic Coben at his best. He masterfully weaves suspense, emotion, and just the right amount of humour into a story that kept me guessing—and caring—until the very end. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery.

The characters felt so real, the pacing was perfect, and the ending was satisfying. If you’re looking for a smart, fast-paced thriller with heart, you’re going to love this one. Honestly, Coben just never misses. Definitely a 5-star read!

This did not grab me as much as some of the other Harlan Coben books that I've read. He has a formula and it works for him, but the plotting and storyline all felt very samey to me. It's not bad but it didn't stand out in any way.

This book was an absolute emotional rollercoaster! I was constantly on edge, never quite sure what was happening but in the best way possible. The suspense kept me hooked, and I couldn’t wait to unravel each twist. The writing was sharp and immersive, and the plot twists just kept coming. As a huge fan of morally grey characters, this story hit all the right notes for me. I genuinely had such a blast reading it!
100% would recommend even as a standalone.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK for the digital ARC!

A clever and twisty follow-up up to 'Fool Me Once'. Ex-detective Sami Kierce is teaching wannabe sleuths at night school, when he sees a ghost from his past, former lover Anna. But last time he saw her, she was dead in his bed. Full of OMG moments.

I am trying to read more of Harlan's books as I've absolutely loved his series and loved the books I've read so far so as soon as I saw this on netgalley I had to request it.

Although I haven't read Fool me once, I watched the series so I found it quite easy to familiarise myself with Sami etc however I do think you could read this as a standalone. It's so fast paced and honestly kept me hooked each time I picked it up to read!

I absolutely loved Sami's character and his bond with his class and how they are with him! And the nicknames made me giggle!

His marriage with Molly was just perfect, she's soo supportive and just wants the best for him. Especially when things came out, she stuck by him and wanted to make sure he was okay.

The twists in this book, wow!! I really thought I had some figured out but nope!! I didn't put two and two together til it almost revealed it. Then I still was in shock when they kept coming! And that ending 👀 well...

Amazing book. Amazing writing. And I just can't wait to get through more of his books!

I chose this book after watching and enjoying the series based on Fool me once, I was intrigued to see the character Sami Pierce developed further. I was not disappointed, I found it so easy to read and connect with the characters. I was a little unsure after reading a book from the Myron series as I wasn’t fully engaged with it but this one is much better.
With so many twists, gathering pace as you go, I would certainly be recommending this to anyone looking for a fast paced thriller that keeps you guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley for offering this
ARC in exchange for my personal thoughts.

In this second outing for Coben’s new protagonist, Sami Kierce, it’s fair to say Sami’s career is not going well. Having been obliged to leave the police force, he is now making a living by grifting combined with teaching a group of night school students the art of detection.

It is at one of these classes that Sami past comes crashing down on him and we find out more about his personal history. A ghost from his past appears in his classroom and before he knows it Sami is involved in solving a decades old mystery involving one of the country’s wealthiest families and finding the truth about an incident that changed the entire course of his life.

Like his Myron Bolitar series, Coben uses this series to explore his recurring interests of the importance of family, friendships, and the parallel lives lived by the extremely wealthy in America in contrast to the rest of the country. Coupled with his use of humour to leaven the action and some of the hard truths revealed, Coben’s books are deceptively easy to read. ‘Deceptively easy’ because the messages conveyed within his novels are often much weightier than the genre suggests.

It’s always a pleasure to read a Harlan Coben novel and this is no exception. I’ll be interested to see how the series progresses and the night school class has the potential for an enduring ‘Scooby Gang’, rich with comic promise.

With thanks to NetGalley, Harlan Coben and Random House Cornerstone for an arc of this book.

As a die-hard Harlan Coben fan, one that has read every single one of his books, my expectations for each new release are always sky high, tempered perhaps with the slight anxiety that this one might be the dud. For surely every writer, even the most seasoned, is entitled to drop the ball at least once. Not, however, Mr Coben. No siree Bob! He continues to deliver. Every. Single. Time.

True to form, Nobody’s Fool is a humdinger of a read. Fast paced, pulsing with tension, and with more twists than a corkscrew, it kicks off with an absolute jaw-dropper of a premise.

Sami Kierce, a young college grad, is backpacking through Europe with friends, when he wakes up one morning to find himself covered in blood and his girlfriend Anna dead next to him. And yikes, he’s holding a knife! He has no choice but to run.

Some two decades later, Sami is now a disgraced cop and working as a PI. On the side, he teaches wannabe sleuths at a night school in NYC. One evening, a familiar figure appears at the back of the classroom. He’s positive it’s Anna, but she flees before he can catch her.

What follows, as Sami sets out to track down the ‘maybe’ Anna, is as high octane, high stakes as it gets, the ride made all the more thrilling thanks to an equally gripping, secondary plotline.

Coben’s mastery of the hook and twist is sublime. It’s impossible not to be sucked into Sami’s frantic search for the truth, as he battles determinedly on two fronts, unraveling the tangled web of secrets and lies, while risking his own life and those of his wife and daughter.

As always with Coben — however clever and intricate the plotting — it’s the characters who reign supreme. And here, it’s Sami’s little gang of wannabe sleuths that steals the show.

Nor should we overlook Coben’s trademark sarcastic humor, which is sprinkled liberally through the pages and garners snicker after snicker. This is possibly my favorite thing about his writing.

To sum up, Nobody’s Fool is another slam dunk from the master. The only fools are those, who like me, are duped by his skill.

Normally, I love a Harlan Coben book but this one didn't have all the same twists and turns as normal, and I found it harder to connect to the story. It felt a bit more like a chore to plod through rather than getting immersed in the thriller and mystery. That being said, it was still good but I felt at times it was a little too predictable.

Having enjoyed the series based on Fool me once, I was intrigued to see this book, with the character Sami Pierce.
This time we find out some history as Sami sees a blast from the past. Can it be real or is it mistaken identity? Sami is drawn in to an old missing person case.
A great book.

Wow wow - looking for a book that will keep you gripped and perfect to read by the side of the beach. Look no further! This little gem - despite the amount of books now released, Coben keeps them fresh every time!

I loved Fool Me Once and watched the Netflix adaptation so I was looking forward to reading this book which again follows Sami Kierce. I loved that I could picture the characters in my head as I read due to many of the same characters appearing and I liked the links back to the previous book.

This is another shocking and gripping Harlan Coben book. A lot of the twists I just didn’t see coming and I loved how unpredictable the plot was. It took a little bit of time initially to get into the story and remind myself of who some of the characters were and their backstories but then I just couldn’t put it down.

I found that the book was so well-paced and really built up well throughout. It was very cleverly put together in the way that little bits of information were given to the reader to keep you guessing, although everything was not always as it seemed!

I really enjoyed the ending and felt that it was satisfying and answered a lot of the questions without it being rushed. There were a couple of things that had me going back and reading the page again to get my head around what had been revealed.

Another absolutely brilliant Coben book - he just writes this genre so well.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

4.5 ⭐️

Harlan Coben is an auto buy, auto read writer for me. His writing is *chef's kiss*. There's always great dialogue, witty one liners thrown in, layered plots and really great plot twists that I almost never see coming!

Nobody's Fool features Det. Sami Kierce from the first book (Fool me Once), who is now married with a child of his own....however his past comes back to haunt him when a woman he thinks he may have murdered, seemingly comes back from the dead! Could she really be Anna? If she is, what happened 22yrs ago?

The book initially grabbed me and then somehow, I felt like it was dragging a bit. I put the book down for 2 months and then when I eventually picked it up, I didn't understand why I had no kept reading! Probably from about half way, I could not wait to find out more and see how the story unfolded....the pace (to me) picked up around that stage.

The ending was so good and the epilogue.... bittersweet....not sure I wanted him to go that route, but I may be in the minority. As usual, I wonder how this man comes up with the stories that he comes up with....he is a brilliant writer!

I'm docking half a star purely because I felt the first third to halfway was a bit slow for me.

I am a huge Harlan Coben fan and have read all of his novels over the last couple of decades.
Nobody’s Fool follows on from Coben’s previous novel Fool Me Once, but it can be read as a standalone.
22 years after Sam Kierce woke up to find the dead body of his girlfriend, Anna, next to him, he is now a private investigator, teaching criminology evening classes, when one evening Anna walks into his classroom before disappearing. With the help of his students and an ex colleague, Sam begins the search for Anna to discover what really happened on that night 22 years ago, I loved the character of Sam and the novel has Coben’s trademark twists and turns. I found it to be slower paced than many of Coben’s previous novels and this meant I wasn’t as immersed in it.
However it’s still an excellent, twisty read but not one of his best.
3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

4.5⭐

Harlen Coben returns once again with a compelling story featuring Sami Kierce, a character we first met in the book and Netflix drama, Fool Me Once. Having left the NYPD, Sami now works as an investigator for a law firm while also teaching a criminology class at a prestigious academy adult night school.

Which is where everything shifts dramatically when a woman he recognizes as Anna walks into his classroom—someone he believed was dead for twenty-five years after their fateful encounter in Spain.

But the moment Anna locks eyes with Sami, she bolts, leaving him in a state of shock and confusion, especially since he has always believed himself to be her killer.

However, this revelation sends Sami on a relentless quest for answers. Especially as he's not one to back down when seeking the truth.

And with intertwining plotlines and expertly crafted suspense, Nobody's Fool will take you on a thrilling ride filled with twists, surprises, and edge-of-your-seat moments that only Harlen can deliver. But seriously prepare yourself for a gripping read that will keep you guessing until the very end!

I loved this book, it’s another great read from Harlan Coben and continues the story of Sami Kierce - who is no longer a detective. The tale intertwines his past traumas and an old cold case of a missing presumed kidnapped girl. I could not stop reading it - please write the next installment soon.

I love a good Harlan Coben thriller and this one is just as compelling as any I have read. Nobody's Fool shows Coben at his best, weaving an intriguing and suspenseful narrative that delves into the complexities of human nature. This novel follows former detective Sami Kierce as he confronts haunting secrets from his past, leading readers through a labyrinth of deception, redemption, and the enduring impact of buried truths.​

We first met Sami in Fool Me Once when his fiancée was killed by her jealous ex-lover - a man whom Sami put away for life. His unfortunate encounter with a powerful family led to Sami's career being left in ruins. He left the NYPD in disgrace and now he works as a PI, mainly for a law firm, in exchange for his legal representation in a civil suit, so he’s pretty poor, and now also takes night classes in criminology and detection to raise living expenses so that he can support his wife Molly and their new born son, Henry.

Nobody’s Fool oscillates between two timelines: Spain in 2000 and present-day New York in 2025. In 2000 the young Sami is on a gap year, travelling around Europe with a group of school team mates. He’s decided on his future career path and is enjoying life when he meets a lovely young woman and decides to stay with her in Spain.

They’ve only just decided to move in together when Sami wakes early one morning to find his girlfriend, Anna lying beside him in a pool of blood. Worse, he is holding a knife. Dazed and appalled, Sami runs. His decision casts a huge pall on his life and changes the whole direction of his career.

One evening in 2025,Sami is teaching his class when a woman slips in at the back. At once he realises he knows this woman and it is an older version of Anna.  He chases her, but loses her. Yet he has one trick up his sleeve to help him find her.

This shocking appearance propels Sami into an investigation that intertwines his past with a high-profile case involving the affluent Belmond family. The dual timelines are seamlessly integrated, with each revelation in the past shedding light on current events, maintaining a steady build-up of suspense. ​

Sami Kierce is deeply flawed but you can’t help liking him. His evolution from a naive college graduate to a man burdened by guilt and seeking redemption forms the emotional core of this story. The supporting characters are equally compelling, particularly the Belmond family, whose intricate dynamics and concealed secrets add depth to the story. Sami's criminology students, notably the 'Pink Panthers', a couple of older ladies, provide both levity and insight, enriching the narrative tapestry. ​

Coben's prose is clear and effective, propelling the story forward while allowing room for detail and for the presentation of rounded characters. The dialogue feels real, seamlessly moving across social classes and generations as befits a work which looks at class, money and its accompanying privilege, as well as to whom justice is really delivered. Coben’s expertise is evident in his ability to plant clues throughout the narrative, rewarding those of us paying close attention with satisfying payoffs. ​

The novel maintains a gripping pace, with tension escalating as past and present narratives converge. The final part of the novel accelerates towards a series of twists that are both surprising and, in retrospect, inevitable. Coben's adeptness at balancing action sequences with moments of psychological suspense ensures that our attention remains engaged throughout. ​

Nobody's Fool explores themes of identity, family loyalty, the impact of wealth and privilege and the consequences of past actions. These elements add depth to the thriller, as we contemplate the impact on the justice system. ​

Verdict: Nobody's Fool reaffirms Harlan Coben's position as a master storyteller in the thriller genre. The novel's intricate plot, well-developed characters, and thematic richness combine to deliver a compelling read that resonates. While certain plot developments rely on coincidence, this doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. Nobody's Fool is a rich and rewarding read with an ending that leaves you wanting more.

Nobody's Fool is a new mystery, a thriller with as many twists as you would expect from author Harlan Coben.

Sami Kierce finds his past come rushing back as he unexpectedly meets someone from many, many years before. A woman who he will choose to pursue, even though it may be dangerous, as she was supposed to be dead, her body last seen lying next to him twenty-two years ago on a backpacking trip to Spain with blood everywhere and the knife in his hands.

Now a private investigator, Kierce must follow every lead to uncover the truth about what happened that day, a mystery that has haunted him ever since. He won't be alone on this new quest, he'll have his bunch of PI trainees to help him along the way, each of whom brought a humour touch to an otherwise serious story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the e-ARC.

Coben does it again - Nobody’s Fool is another tangled, pacey thriller packed with secrets, buried pasts, and characters you can’t quite trust. This time we’re following Sami Kierce, a private investigator (and former detective) who’s now teaching amateur sleuths in an evening class. During one session, he spots someone in the back of the room who looks uncannily like a woman from his past… the same woman he thought he accidentally killed over twenty years ago.

From that premise alone, I was hooked. It’s a slow burn at first, but once things start to unravel, the twists come at speed - and the stakes start to feel very personal. The book revisits some characters from Fool Me Once, but you don’t need to have read it to enjoy this one. (That said, fans of that story will enjoy the added layers and references.)

The standout element for me was the dynamic between Sami and the quirky, slightly unhinged group of students in his detective class. They added some welcome levity and gave the book that signature Coben energy - unexpected humour amid the chaos. I’d honestly read a spin-off just featuring them solving low-stakes mysteries.

Some parts of the plot required a bit of suspension of disbelief, and I felt the side mystery wasn’t as fleshed out as it could’ve been. But it didn’t stop me from turning the pages. This is the kind of thriller that reads like a Netflix adaptation waiting to happen (and likely will be). Fast-paced, cleverly layered, and satisfying without being too tidy.

Definitely recommended for fans of his previous work or anyone who loves a psychological mystery with just the right amount of drama.

Some Harlan Cobden I adore and then others I’m not so keen on. Unfortunately this fell into the latter camp. It will be a huge success regardless as he’s such a well loved author.