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.”

From Booklist

Barely recovered from the adventures of Shelter (2011), Mickey Bolitar plunges full force into his second mystery when classmate Rachel’s skull is grazed by a bullet and her mother is killed. With the help of Ema, a feisty goth, and Spoon, a kid with Asperger’s-like behavior, the high-school sleuth resolves to track down the shooter at all costs. Meanwhile, there are ongoing questions surrounding his father’s death, the Abeona Shelter’s 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 school’s basketball team, just like his estranged uncle. His uncle’s imparted advice (“There are always consequences to being a hero”) help direct the teen’s choices and slowly heal their awkward relationship. Mickey’s fast-paced, first-person narration won’t 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 Coben’s adult megastardom crosses over to youth. Given the big author tour and print and TV ads, we’re betting on it. Grades 8-11. --Angela Leeper

Review

The master of the labyrinthine plot and snappy one-liners returns with his second novel for young adults which follows Mickey Bolitar as he continues to hunt for clues about the mysterious death of this father... THE SCOTSMAN 20121011 ...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. BOOK ZONE FOR BOYS 20121021 As intense and exciting as [SHELTER], with mysteries about the main characters unravelling along with the story. Even more intrigue about the mysterious Abeona Shelter promises to make this a stand out crime series. The Book Bag 20121116