Nobody's Fool

By: Harlan Coben

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

In this stunningly twisty thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben, a secret from former Detective Sami Kierce's college days comes back to haunt him. His memory is clear, but all these years later, the facts don’t add up…which is something he cannot ignore.

Sami Kierce, a young college grad backpacking in Spain with friends, wakes up one morning, covered in blood. There’s a knife in his hand. Beside him, the body of his girlfriend. Anna. Dead. He doesn’t know what happened. His screams drown out his thoughts—and then he runs.

Twenty-two years later, Kierce, now a private investigator, is a new father who’s working off his debts by doing low level surveillance jobs and teaching wannabe sleuths at a night school in New York City. One evening, he recognizes a familiar face at the back of the classroom. Anna. It’s unmistakably her. As soon as Kierce makes eye contact with her, she bolts. For Kierce there is no choice. He knows he must find this woman and solve the impossible mystery that has haunted his every waking moment since that terrible day.

His investigation will bring him face-to-face with his past—and prove, after all this time, he’s nobody’s fool.

©2025 Harlan Coben (P)2025 Grand Central Publishing

Glimmers of another great Coben series

Harlan Coben’s books consistently rise above the mystery genre with their gripping storytelling, razor-sharp suspense, and emotionally resonant characters. Nobody’s Fool is no exception. At its heart is Sami Kierce, a former police detective turned night school instructor, whose flaws, vulnerability, and quiet resilience make him one of Coben’s most relatable protagonists.

Like many of Coben's characters, Kierce feels real—wounded yet determined, and endlessly human.

What sets Nobody’s Fool apart is not just the mystery, but the evolving dynamic between Kierce and his unconventional group of criminology students—his self-dubbed “wannabe sleuths.” From the spirited “Pink Ladies” to a range of misfit personalities, these amateur detectives bring humor, heart, and unexpected insight to the investigation. Their growing bonds and individual arcs become just as compelling as the central whodunit.

Coben masterfully balances tension with warmth, making this story a thrilling ride and a thoughtful exploration of trust, second chances, and the power of unlikely connections. I genuinely hope we see more of Kierce and his night school crew in future books—there’s a rich world here that’s just beginning to unfold.

Thoroughly enjoyable, clever, and thought-provoking.

Best yet

I’ve read most if not all of Harlan Coben’s novels. This was the best yet of his stand alone novels. The ending does leave a sequel open as a possibility. Same level of humor as is normal, excellent dialogue but more plot twists than normal. Very enjoyable

Convoluted

The narrator was great but it was difficult for me to keep up with who the various women were.

Another fantastic book!

I dont know what it is about Harlen Coben's books but I'm always drawn in so deep that I feel like I finish them too quickly. Just couldn't stop listening. My heart was invested in this one more than usual. What a story!

Adam does Coban justice

Narrator nails Coben's newest novel. You can hear every nuance as intended. I fell in love with Molly's character!

Sooo Good!

I need the next one NOW. Not to mention the narrator — he has a Jensen Akles sound and I could listen to him read a phone book. This is how all audiobooks should be!

Who needs sleep.

Coben does it again.
I started this book in the afternoon, not sure if it would grab me. Well, it grabbed me, and I listened through the night to find out what happened.

Sami falls for a girl while on vacation before heading to college. Its like a Spring break hook up; partying, drinking, hanging out, bedroom fun, even drugs. He's falling head over heels and he plans on moving in with Anna.

But...something goes wrong, obviously.
After a night of heavy and hard partying, he wakes up covered in blood, and there's a knife in Anna's chest! OMG, now what???

And as with all Harlan Coben book, that's only a small part of the story. There's so much more left to tell.

Two decades later, Sami is teaching a class and who does he see in the back of his class? Anna!!
This doesn't just open a can of worms, it opens multiple cans of worms!
I love Harlan Coben books!!!

Narrator

Had to return, listened to a lot of Coben’s books but have to return this one an hour in. Overly dramatic narrators take me out of the story. The breathy dramatic reading is distracting. I’ll read it instead as the premise looks good.

Suspenseful

Interesting twist to the storyline. As usual Coben intertwines humor with the mystery. Enjoyed the narrator.

Love this book!

I love the fact that it was twisty and tourny, and I really couldn’t figure out the whole thing until the very end!
Very good book I love Harlan Coben and I was so glad to see a new book come out! I love all of his books, and this is a really really good one.