Long Shot – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Long Shot

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2009

76%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

A high-octane Myron Bolitar thriller that proves your ex calling from Paris is usually a recipe for a murder investigation and zero sleep.

Long Shot

book

2009

76%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

A high-octane Myron Bolitar thriller that proves your ex calling from Paris is usually a recipe for a murder investigation and zero sleep.

4.4

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Harlan Coben is the king of the 'unputdownable' airport novel. Even if the title and synopsis here are having a bit of a mix-up (this is clearly the plot of 'Long Lost'), the story is a masterclass in suspense.

It’s not 'wholesome' or 'safe' for the elementary school crowd—there’s murder, messy affairs, and some pretty dark family revelations. But for a parent looking for a vacation read or a teen who has graduated from YA mysteries, it’s a solid win. Just don't expect a relaxing bedtime story; this one is designed to keep your heart rate up.

Age Fit

This is firmly for adults and older teens (15+). It's a grown-up crime novel with mature relationship drama and violence that would fly right over a younger kid's head—or give them nightmares.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a gritty thriller centered on murder, clandestine affairs, and deep-seated family betrayals. While the protagonist is loyal to a fault, the world he inhabits is cynical and dark.

Imaginative

Harlan Coben is a pro at the 'wait, what?' plot twist. The mystery moves from Paris across the globe with creative, if somewhat improbable, logic puzzles.

Safe

This is adult fiction. Expect descriptions of crime scenes, violence, and heavy themes like child kidnapping and murder. It’s not 'unsafe' for adults, but it’s definitely not for kids.

Enriching

Excellent for keeping the brain sharp with complex mystery-solving. It touches on the weight of the past and the lengths people go to for family, though it's primarily for entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Coben's pacing is legendary—you'll say 'just one more chapter' until it's 3 AM.
Myron Bolitar is a relatable, witty protagonist who actually feels like a human being.
The international setting adds a great layer of tension and fish-out-of-water energy.
The twists are genuinely surprising without feeling like the author is cheating.

⚠

What to Watch For

The plot deals with the trauma of missing children and kidnapping, which can be heavy for some readers.
Frequent descriptions of violence and crime scenes consistent with the thriller genre.
Title confusion: This entry uses the title 'Long Shot' but the synopsis describes 'Long Lost' (2009). Both are Myron Bolitar books, but they are different stories.

Conversation Starters

"Would you fly halfway across the world to help an ex who disappeared on you years ago?"
"Can a family secret ever stay buried, or does the truth always find a way out?"
"Is Myron’s loyalty his greatest strength or his biggest weakness?"
"How does the setting of Paris change the stakes compared to a story set in Myron's usual New Jersey haunts?"

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