A Thrilling Afternoon with Harlan Coben (2024)

by Christina Biello

As a student at Sam Houston, I find it almost impossible not to encounter numerous criminal justice majors daily. Many have a passion for mysteries and true crime, and I have always enjoyed them as well. So, on a Saturday evening, Olivia, Cinthia, and I decided to indulge this shared interest by attending an author talk by Harlan Coben, a renowned writer of mystery novels and thrillers, who was on hand at Murder by the Book to discuss his latest book, “Think Twice.”

This was my first visit to the bookstore, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was lively; the substantial turnout indicated Harlan Coben’s widespread appeal.

His popularity is further shown by the numerous adaptations of his books into television series, such as the acclaimed Netflix show The Stranger, which was released in 2020.

When I began perusing the novels lining the shelves, my gaze fell upon some familiar names. Among them was Jeff Guinn, who recently came to SHSU in September of 2023 to share his knowledge; he spoke on topics such as Waco, Jim Jones, and Bonnie and Clyde. His books, including Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson and his latest release from 2023, Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage, were prominently displayed.

I continued to scan the titles; however, the eruption of laughter from the audience interrupted my thoughts, drawing my attention to Harlan Coben. His quick wit and humorous anecdotes thoroughly entertained the crowd, and I found myself awaiting each twist of phrase and clever remark.

As he addressed the audience, he shared insight into his writing process, emphasizing that he does not approach his novels with the sole intention of creating a successful Netflix Show. “If it’s good, then it’s good, but if not, then it’s fine,” he remarked. This highlighted his dedication to crafting meaningful stories rather than solely aiming for commercial success on streaming platforms.

But that success has clearly helped his sale and crowds. For most of the event we weren’t even able to see Coben!–although we did sneak to a spot that allowed us to get a partially obstructed photograph.

He elaborated on his process further when an audience member inquired whether he begins with the story or the characters. Coben noted that while many writers claim to start with characters to sound more artistic, that is often not the case. He clarified that he typically begins with an idea and then delves into determining who will narrate the story. That is, who the main character will be. He stressed the importance of not separating the character from the plot. Some attendees appeared puzzled by this explanation, a sentiment Coben seemed to discern from their expressions.

To elucidate, he cited the example of Batman’s origin story. He recounted how Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents’ murder, leading to his transformation into an orphan and, eventually, Batman. Coben then posed a question to the audience: “Was this aspect of the story character-driven or plot-driven?” This prompted the realization that it encompassed both character development and plot progression. The clarity provided by this example effectively reinforced Coben’s earlier point about the inseparability of character and plot.

Harlan Coben’s captivating talk not only entertained us but also provided invaluable insights into the art of storytelling. From the comforting ambiance of Murder By The Book to the contagious laughter echoing through the crowd, every moment was a testament to the profound impact of literature in fostering connections. This memorable evening reaffirmed my passion for the enchanting realm of mysteries and true crime. With eager anticipation, I look forward to returning to the bookstore to immerse myself in its treasure trove of stories and experience more fulfilling author talks.