The Match

This thriller is Coben’s second book in the “Wilde” series, but it easily stands on its own as an exciting mystery and page-turner. Wilde, a feral child who spent much of his childhood living alone in the woods, was first introduced in The Boy from the Woods. Wilde, now in his 40s, still has a few confusing, faint memories of a house with a red banister. His origins and why his parents abandoned him are still a haunting mystery for Wilde and for listeners. Through a DNA sample he submits to an ancestry database, Wilde matches with a second cousin, a reality show celebrity who has been vilified, but he has mysteriously disappeared or has committed suicide. The match brings Wilde closer to uncovering his history but also involves him in murder and treachery. Steven Weber once again does an excellent job narrating Coben’s novel. Weber captures each character’s unique personality and accent. Especially noteworthy is Weber’s depiction of Hester Crimstein’s heavy New York accent and audacity.