Harlan Coben is the author of Shelter, a young adult thriller/mystery novel set in Kasselton, New Jersey. Harlan Coben is the author of many books including the series Myron Bolitar which began in 1995. Shelter is a spin-off of the series Myron Bolitar. Harlan Coben has four of his novels which have reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Harlan Coben is the author of twenty novels to date and Shelter is his first Young Adult novel. Harlan Coben was born in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating from Amherst College a political science major, Harlan worked in the travel industry. He now lives in New Jersey with his wife, Anne Armstrong-Coben MD, a pediatrician, and their four children …show more content…
Shelter is a thriller and mystery surrounding the loss of Mickey father and now his missing friend Ashley.
Shelter is written in first person with Mickey actually telling the story. Mickey begins a new school after the death of his father which he witnessed. As the new kid in school, he seemed to have a hard time fitting in. His uncle, Myron had been the basketball star back in his time and some thought that Mickey should live up to that heritage, but Mickey does not like his uncle. Mickey befriends Ema on the first day and slowly they forge a friendship, but his love interest is Ashley and after only a short time in school she goes missing. She vanishes into thin air with no one able to provide answers to Mickey; the plot thickens and the mystery begins. The mysterious old lady and secrets that could turn Mickey’s world upside down make this novel a spellbinding read full of
intrigue. Shelter is a narrative of awakening and partial development. Mickey finds himself despite having lost so much in such a short amount of time. Mickey also finds more than himself; he finds the answers to questions he did not know existed before he arrived in Kasselton, New Jersey. His father is deceased, his mother is in rehab, his love interest vanishes and he is in a new school with no sign of his former life. Once the mystery begins to unfold, Mickey realizes that things are not always what they seem nor are people. He learns what sacrifice really is and in the process learns who he really is and how much he is willing to sacrifice for those he loves. Mickey also learns exactly what has been sacrificed for him. Shelter is suitable for anyone teenage to adulthood although it states it is for Young Adults. There is nearly no foul language, minimal violence and the subject matter is that which could be easily understood by a child of at least thirteen and beyond. The suspense is unbelievable as the mystery mounts with many twist and shocks that are completely unexpected. This was one of the best novels I have read in a very long time.