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Literature
Home is a 2016 crime thriller novel by American author Harlan Coben, the tenth book in his popular Myron Bolitar series. The novel follows sports agent and part-time investigator Myron Bolitar and his friend Win Lockwood as they search for two boys kidnapped ten years earlier, one of whom is Win's nephew. It debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list and received critical praise for its blend of suspense and character depth.
Ten years after two six-year-old boys, Patrick and Rhys, were abducted from a park in New Jersey, a video surfaces showing a teenager who appears to be Rhys in London. Myron Bolitar and his friend Win, who is Rhys's uncle, travel to London to investigate. They discover that the boys were held by a criminal network, and that Patrick has been living under a new identity, while Rhys has been raised by his captor. The search leads to a confrontation with a wealthy family and a corrupt police officer, culminating in a rescue that forces Win to confront his own violent nature.
The novel centers on Myron Bolitar, a former basketball player turned sports agent, and Win Lockwood, a wealthy investment banker with a penchant for violence. Their contrasting approaches to justice—Myron's empathy versus Win's ruthlessness—drive the narrative. Themes include the long-term psychological effects of abduction, the nature of family loyalty, and the moral ambiguity of revenge. The book also explores how trauma shapes identity, as both boys must reconcile their pasts with their present lives.
Home received largely positive reviews, with critics praising its fast pacing and emotional depth. Publishers Weekly called it "a superior thriller," and Booklist noted Coben's skill at balancing suspense with character development. The novel was published by Dutton on September 20, 2016, and became an instant bestseller. It has been translated into multiple languages and is considered a standout entry in the series, often recommended as a starting point for new readers due to its standalone plot.
Home is notable for being the first Myron Bolitar novel to be adapted into a television series, with the 2023 Netflix series Harlan Coben's Shelter drawing from earlier books but sharing thematic DNA. Coben has stated that the character of Win was inspired by a friend from his youth, and that the novel's London setting was influenced by his own time living there. The book also features a cameo from Esperanza Diaz, a recurring character, and includes references to real-world sports figures, a hallmark of Coben's work. Additionally, the novel's title is a deliberate nod to the theme of homecoming, as both boys must find their way back to a sense of belonging.
This article is about the 2016 novel. For other uses, see Home (disambiguation).
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