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Darkest Fear
Harlan Coben

Darkest Fear

Quick Answer

Read "Darkest Fear" as the 7th book in the Myron Bolitar Series sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "The Final Detail" (Book 6)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 7th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2008352 ppWikidataSource
Edgar Award-winner Harlan Coben brings us his most astonishing—and deeply personal—novel yet. And it all begins when Myron Bolitar’s ex tells him he’s a father . . . of a dying thirteen-year-old boy. Myron never saw it coming. A surprise visit from an ex-girlfriend is unsettling enough. But Emily Downing’s news brings him to his knees. Her son Jeremy is dying and needs a bone-marrow transplant—from a donor who has vanished without a trace. Then comes the real shocker: The boy is Myron’s son, conceived the night before her wedding to another man. Staggered by the news, Myron plunges into a search for the missing donor. But finding him means cracking open a dark mystery that involves a broken family, a brutal kidnapping spree, and the FBI. Somewhere in the sordid mess is the donor who disappeared. And as doubts emerge about Jeremy’s true paternity, a child vanishes, igniting a chain reaction of heartbreaking truth and chilling revelation. Praise for Darkest Fear “A slam dunk . . . You race to turn the pages . . . both suspenseful and often surprisingly funny.”—People “Terrific.”—Boston Globe “A winner.”—Orlando Sentinel “Fast-paced . . . layered with both tenderness and fun . . . Coben [is] a gifted storyteller.”—Denver Post
Next Recommended Book

Promise Me

Book #8 of 11 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Myron Bolitar Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Darkest Fear?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Darkest Fear before The Final Detail?

No. We recommend reading The Final Detail first. Darkest Fear is the 7th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Darkest Fear required reading for the Myron Bolitar Series?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Darkest Fear in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Darkest Fear is Promise Me (Book #8).