The Boy From the Woods
Overview: Thirty years ago, Wilde was found as a boy living feral in the woods, with no memory of his past. Now an adult, he still doesn’t know where he comes form, and another child has gone missing.
No one seems to take Naomi Pine’s disappearance seriously, not even her father – with one exception. Hester Crimstein, a television criminal attorney, knows through her grandson that Naomi was relentlessly bullied at school. Hester asks Wilde – with whom she shares a tragic connection – to use his unique skills to help find Naomi.
Wilde can’t ignore an outcast in trouble, but in order to find Naomi he must venture back into the community where he never fit in, a place where the powerful are protected even when they harbor secrets that could destroy the lives of millions… secrets that Wilde must uncover before it’s too late.
Pages: 371 Pages
Writer: Harlan Coben
Recommendations:
This captivating tale follows the adventures of a boy who emerged from the depths of the woods, just as the title suggests. Many moons ago, a mysterious boy was discovered dwelling in the dense forests of New Jersey. He had no recollection of how he ended up there or how long he had been living amongst the trees. All he had was a faint memory of his past. In his early days, he formed a bond with another boy, honed his skills in breaking into homes for survival, and embraced the solitary life of the wilderness. Eventually, he was found and brought back to civilization.
Years have passed, yet our protagonist still finds solace in the woods, maintaining only minimal ties with those who rescued him. His heart still aches for his lost friend, David. He remains connected to David’s family, especially his godson and widow. However, when a young girl goes missing, stirring concern in David’s loved ones, Wilde is compelled to step up and unleash his dormant heroism. Can he rely on his primal instincts to rescue the girl, navigate through the complexities of the affluent society, and become the unexpected savior he never aspired to be?
Overall, I found this book to be a gripping page-turner that kept me hooked until the wee hours of the night. My only gripe lies with the final paragraphs, which felt a tad contrived and out of touch with the rest of the story. As I delved into those last pages, I couldn’t help but mutter under my breath, pleading with the author to steer clear of clichés. Alas, my pleas fell on deaf ears, and the inevitable cliché reared its head. Oh, the agony of an unneeded ending in an otherwise enthralling narrative!