Caught by Harlan Coben

​"Caught" by Harlan Coben -  Interesting end!

This book is published by Orion in 2011 and has 400 pages. 

TV reporter Wendy Times runs a TV show that operates sting against pedophiles. Her sting against Dan Mercer results in his arrest and the judge throwing out the evidence. Dan calls Wendy and says he was framed. Father of a boy that was previously sexually assaulted kills Dan but since there is no body, no weapon and there is alibi, he is released. Evidence emerges linking Dan with a missing girl. Everyone is convinced Dan is guilty. Dan’s ex-wife is sure he is innocent. Wendy is undecided. 

Was Dan Mercer a pedophile? Didn’t he kill the girl? Did Wendy destroy an innocent man? Is there more to it than what meets the eye?

It’s an open and shut case for police, community and media. Dan is guilty. Good riddance! But the incorrigible reporter in Wendy thinks that something doesn’t add up. She doesn’t give up. She perseveres. She digs deep into his background to his Princeton years. 

Wendy is the main character. A widow and mother of a teenager. On one side she can’t forgive the drunk driver who killed her husband. On the other she dreads that may be Dan was innocent. If he was, who will forgive her? Her father-in-law is a biker. In his flashy lifestyle he gives her good support and advise. Win is her Uber rich friend who appears when she needs him and then disappears from the story. Dan is an orphan, Princeton graduate, works for destitute and orphan children and is basically a loner. Sheriff and Investigator duo are investigating cases of Dan and missing girl. Jenna is Dan’s ex wife, now married to a surgeon. She is still a very good friend of Dan. Dan is godfather of her daughter. When everyone declares him guilty, she’s the only one who comes out in his support. 

Although it’s not a page turner, it’s a good story. There is good flow to it. Enough to keep you interested all the time. Identity of the culprits is cleverly masked by the author, so when it’s revealed it becomes a mini Eureka moment.

The end of story is interesting. It’s different. Not like any run of the mill whodunit?

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Umm... 

What did I like? Makes identity, the end.

Recommend reading.