Seconds Away

by Harlan Coben

Series: Mickey Bolitar (2)

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This review is also posted on my blog @ http://lbrychic.blogspot.com/2013/08/audiobook-review-seconds-away-by-harlan.htm...

My Thoughts:
This is one of the first books I've read by this author. Seconds Away is the second book of Coben's young adult series. Mickey Bolitar, Myron's nephew, has become a part of a mysterious group that helps kids in bad situations --The Abeona Shelter. It slow going for me at first but the story pulled me in. It was a good listen and I'll most likely go back and read Shelter, the first book in the series. It's better to read this series in order as they kept making references to things that happened previously. (

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lbrychic | Sep 9, 2023 |

Read both books in one evening. Can't wait for book 3. More Spoon please! Recommended for fans of BTVS because the dynamic between the main characters is similar, although without the supernatural Big Bads. (

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tsmom1219 | Feb 24, 2022 |

Didn't find it as gripping as the first in the Mickey Bolitar series.Another thing I didn't like is the main mystery seems to continue to a third book (

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deepatarak | Jun 29, 2021 |

Having rescued Ashley from an unsavory fate, and having to let her disappear for her safety and theirs, Mickey, Ema, Spoon, and Rachel return to their normal teenage age lives...except for the fact that none of them feel as if it is over...and, of course, there is that haunting question, is my Dad still alive?

When the police come pounding on his door, Mickey is alarmed to find out that his friend Rachel has been shot, and her mother has been murdered. Once again, Mickey, Ema, and Spoon set out to find out what happened and who was the shooter.

Their evidence suggests that Rachel's Dad has secrets that he doesn't want revealed... (

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shannon.dolgos | Sep 5, 2017 |

4.5 Stars I enjoyed this a lot more than the first book in the Mickey Bolitar Series. Some of the humour you expect from the Myron Bolitar books was more evident in this book and you knew the characters better. I also think Myron had a bigger presence in this book and Mickey was not so against Myron in this book, so he became a much more likeable character. I really enjoyed the book and it set the book up for (the so far) last book in the series. If anything it has more a feel of a Trilogy than a series. The book was left on a bit of a cliffhanger so I intend to move straightaway onto book 3 where we might finally find out whether Mickey's father is dead or alive. I certainly wouldn't read this series before finishing book 10 in the Myron Bolitar Series and might be best read before book 11 : Home. (

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Andrew-theQM | Jan 8, 2017 |

Not quite as humorous as "Shelter" but still an enjoyable read. (

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HeatherLINC | Jan 23, 2016 |

This picks up right where the first Mickey Bolitar book leaves off and leaves a cliff hanger to introduce book number 3.

cygnet81 | Jan 17, 2016 |

I think the narrator on audio books often makes or breaks the actual story for me. After listening to Shelter (#1), I discovered this was #2 in the series and although it makes frequent references to the first it was almost as good. Mickey, Ema, Spoon, Rachel, Uncle Myron and the others are back for more! I was a bit confused towards the end, but not enough to dislike it. Now I know about #3 and look forward to checking it out too. (

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Don_Mega | Dec 18, 2015 |

Some YA books are a lot of fun for adults, this series is definitely not my cup of tea. I like Harlan Coben, and even wondered if the genre classification was a mistake. It wasn't. This might not even should be classified as YA, more like children's reading really. I'm not saying it was a bad book, just that I think it would satisfy the minds of middle school age children more than say anyone over 13. The connection with Myron Boltair was another thing that got my interest and caused me to try this series, but it's just not a strong enough connection to get me to go beyond the second book in the series.

I would definitely recommend this book to young readers that enjoy mystery. It would probably appeal to young readers that found the adventure aspect of the Harry Potter series. Good luck, and enjoy. (

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jlsimon7 | Mar 1, 2015 |

Clearly not a Myron Bolitar book; and a bit silly for teenage readers (

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fwbl | Jan 18, 2015 |

This is the second book of the Mickey Bolitar. It picks up a couple of days after the book [bc:Shelter|13595638|Shelter (Mickey Bolitar, #1)|Harlan Coben|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335917910s/13595638.jpg|14729522][a:Harlan Coben|24689|Harlan Coben|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1361316023p2/24689.jpg]. The main characters are there Mickey's uncle Myron, Mickey's friends Ema, Spoon and Rachel. Mickey is still looking for answers about his father's death but a shooting happens and one of his friend is the victim. Does it have to do with Mickey's family or is it something else? Also there's a movie superstar who's in town and has a connection to Mickey's family.

I really enjoyed the book. Loved the characters, Mickey who has his problems with his mom in rehab and his anger towards his uncle about what happened in the past was well written. The relationship between him and Ema was my favorite part even though the've known each other a few weeks, they have this bond that we've had at some point in our lives.

The action was good, not too violent since i't a YA book.
I give this book a 4/5 (

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dom76 | Jan 7, 2015 |

This action-packed second book in international bestseller Harlan Coben's Mickey Bolitar young adult series follows Mickey as he continues to hunt for clues about the Abeona Shelter and the mysterious death of his father--all while trying to navigate the challenges of a new high school. When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey and his loyal new friends--sharp-witted Ema and the adorkably charming Spoon--find themselves at the center of a terrifying mystery involving the shooting of their classmate Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey need to keep himself and his friends safe from the Butcher of Lodz, but he needs to figure out who shot Rachel--no matter what it takes. Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, but with danger just seconds away, it is going to take all of his determination and help from his friends to protect the people he loves, even if he does not know who--or what--he is protecting them from. (

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ShellyPYA | Oct 21, 2014 |

Leaves many unanswered questions. (

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TeamDewey | Mar 1, 2014 |

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eswaim | Feb 17, 2014 |

In this sequel to Shelter, Mickey has to solve the mystery of why his friend was shot in a home invasion while her mother was killed. Mickey is still trying to unravel the mystery of his father's death and past while facing danger and challenges in this latest turn of events. All the while he is trying to fit in to his new high school and make the basketball team. Another fast moving thriller with many twists and turns. Mickey has to decide whether or not to share what he finds about the shooting/murder with his friend. (

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alsparks324 | Sep 3, 2013 |

so ridiculous, even for Coben. (

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RegionalRRockstars | Apr 25, 2013 |

This review first appeared on The Book Zone(For Boys) blog

Seconds Away picks up straight after the events of Shelter, and you really have to have read the first book in the series for this one to make a great deal of sense. For those of you who read Shelter a year ago and may have forgotten key elements of the story have no fear - Coben cleverly weaves enough reminders into the opening chapters to refresh your mind of the events in that first book, and also the bombshell he dropped at the close of the book that has left fans begging for more ever since.

I know that there have been some readers who were left a little confused at the end of Shelter, as there seemed to be two very different elements to it. For the most part it was a gritty crime thriller, with Mickey Bolitar and his new friends being drawn into a thrilling and deadly mystery rooted firmly in modern crime. However, there also seemed to be something of a supernatural element to the series spanning story arc, an element that seemed more than a little out of place in a straight crime story. Ninety year old ex Nazis who still look young, anybody? In Seconds Away Coben gradually reveals more information behind this element and by the end readers will have a much better understanding of this, and like me they will also be just as hungry for the next instalment.

As with Shelter then there are two stories going on in this sequel. There is the standalone element - Mickey's friend Rachel is injured and her mother killed in a shooting at her house, and Mickey, Ema and Spoon set out to solve the mystery - and then there is the greater mystery: that surrounding Mickey's life, the death of his father, the Bat Lady, the Butcher of Lodz and the Abeona Shelter. Coben uses all of his writing experience and expertise to craft a story that has you racing through the pages, desperate to get to the solution to both mysteries. And there is no point second guessing either - the plot twists and turns like an Alpine giant slalom, and just as you think you have guessed 'whodunnit', somthing else is revealed and you find yourself staring open mouthed as the letters W.R.O.N.G. flash teasingly through your brain.

Crime is a genre that has huge adult appeal, with book stores having ranks of shelves dedicated to authors of these books. However, it is only in the last eighteen months or so that it has crossed over to the YA market, with the likes of Harlan Coben, Colin Mulhern, Niall Leonard and Peter Cocks writing for this younger age group. I know some of the boys at school much prefer these kind of stories that are grounded in a realism that they can relate to, as opposed to fantasy and horror stories. (

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book_zone | Apr 1, 2013 |

Here Coben presents the second in the Mickey Bolitar series, which takes places less than a week later in Mickey's life after the first book. This makes for a rather odd sensation for the reader, or so I thought. However, if Coben wants to keep the series focused on Mickey while he's in high school then it is a device that should serve him well. In this one, Mickey's friend Rachel's mother is murdered, and Rachel is injured by a bullet that grazes her skull. Mickey, Ema and Spoon set out to find who who shot Rachel and her mother. In the midst of this Mickey has his tryout for the high school basketball team, and the Bat Lady's house burns down. Uncle Myron and Mickey continue to build their prickly relationship. As a middle-aged person, what struck me about the book was how much energy Mickey has and how invincible he believes he is. Even when horrible things happen to his closest friends, he cannot stop trying to find out answers while paying no regard to his personal safety. In this, Coben does a good job of how teenagers seem to think. Teens will enjoy and so will fans of Myron Bolitar, who is doing his best to guide his teenage nephew. (

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khiemstra631 | Feb 10, 2013 |

Pretty lame - probably ok for mary or a teenager but myron bolitar nephew is pretty lame (

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afarrington | Dec 20, 2012 |

I was initially lost in the book since it picks up the morning after the last book left off, which I read a year ago and plenty of books in the meantime. So I was struggling through the first few chapters racking my brain trying to remember what happened previously. I'm still not sure I ever got everything that I should have from the first book, but this story took off and I was hanging on for the thrill ride. Lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this story and it's characters: I couldn't stop listening. Huge lead in for the next book, I just hope that Harlan helps out his adult readers with not such great memorys as his YA crowd with a little more background next time. (

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she_climber | Oct 21, 2012 |

This action-packed second book in international bestseller Harlan Coben's Mickey Bolitar young adult series follows Mickey as he continues to hunt for clues about the Abeona Shelter and the mysterious death of his father--all while trying to navigate the challenges of a new high school.

When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey and his loyal new friends--sharp-witted Ema and the adorkably charming Spoon--find themselves at the center of a terrifying mystery involving the shooting of their classmate Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey need to keep himself and his friends safe from the Butcher of Lodz, but he needs to figure out who shot Rachel--no matter what it takes.

Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, but with danger just seconds away, it is going to take all of his determination and help from his friends to protect the people he loves, even if he does not know who--or what--he is protecting them from.

From Kirkus Reviews: "Coben deftly weaves...multiple plot threads into a compelling whole. An involving thriller that moves like lightning."

lkmuir | Nov 30, 2015 |

**This action-packed second book in international bestseller Harlan Coben�s Mickey Bolitar young adult series **follows Mickey as he continues to hunt for clues about the Abeona Shelter and the mysterious death of his fatherÂall while trying to navigate the challenges of a new high school.

When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey and his loyal new friendsÂsharp-witted Ema and the adorkably charming SpoonÂfind themselves at the center of a terrifying mystery involving the shooting of their classmate Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey need to keep himself and his friends safe from the Butcher of Lodz, but he needs to figure out who shot RachelÂno matter what it takes.

Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, but with danger just seconds away, it is going to take all of his determination and help from his friends to protect the people he loves, even if he does not know whoÂor whatÂhe is protecting them from.

From *Kirkus Reviews*:Â ÂCoben deftly weavesÂmultiple plot threads into a compelling whole. An involving thriller that moves like lightning.Â

### From Booklist

Barely recovered from the adventures of Shelter (2011), Mickey Bolitar plunges full force into his second mystery when classmate RachelÂs skull is grazed by a bullet and her mother is killed. With the help of Ema, a feisty goth, and Spoon, a kid with AspergerÂs-like behavior, the high-school sleuth resolves to track down the shooter at all costs. Meanwhile, there are ongoing questions surrounding his fatherÂs death, the Abeona ShelterÂs secret mission to save children, and whom to trust. When not saving his town from murder and corruption and getting to know more about his sidekicks in the process, Mickey hopes to make his schoolÂs basketball team, just like his estranged uncle. His uncleÂs imparted advice (ÂThere are always consequences to being a heroÂ) help direct the teenÂs choices and slowly heal their awkward relationship. MickeyÂs fast-paced, first-person narration wonÂt disappoint his growing fan base. The satisfying conclusion leaves enough open-ended questions to continue this gripping series. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The only question is whether CobenÂs adult megastardom crosses over to youth. Given the big author tour and print and TV ads, weÂre betting on it. Grades 8-11. --Angela Leeper

### Review

FROM *KIRKUS REVIEWS*:

ÂCoben deftly weaves these multiple plot threads into a compelling whole . . . An involving thriller that moves like lightning.Â

FROM *BOOKLIST*:

ÂMickeyÂs fast-paced, first person narration wonÂt disappoint his growing fan base. The satisfying conclusion leaves enough open-ended questions to continue this gripping series.Â

FROM *VOYA*:

ÂThe character development is solid . . . and readers will enjoy MickeyÂs internal dialogue as well as his relationships with Ema and Spoon . . . Recommend this for readers who enjoy Anthony HorowitzÂs *Alex Rider* series or Charlie HigsonÂs *Young James Bond* novels.Â (

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Hans.Michel | Sep 13, 2013 |

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