J — JUST ONE LOOK, written by Harlan Coben; reviewed by Debi O’Neille

Published by Dutton Books

Wow. That’s the first word that always comes to mind after reading a Harlan Coben novel, and JUSTONE LOOK is probably at the top of that wow-list.

Because I’d already read many of his books, I dove into this one thinking I’d have the mystery part figured out fairly soon. Hah! As for the premise, Grace Lawon picks up a set of family photographs she’s had developed, and one of the snapshots isn’t hers. At least, not to her knowledge. It’s a photo from twenty years ago, and yet there’s a guy in it who looks an awful lot like her husband, Jack. When he denies that the photo is of him, you’ll barely have time to pop a potato chip into your mouth when he turns up missing. Gone. 

Something about that photograph is very important to someone, and Grace needs to figure out what before she, or someone else, ends up gone, too.

As is his style, Coben fills the story with twisty turns and surprising outcomes. The biggest twist rears up at the end, nothing you’ll see coming even if you’re used to his style. Don’t start this book on a day you have a lot to get done. Seriously. Once you pick up JUST ONE LOOK, it won’t let go of you, not even once you’ve finished it.

Happy reading!