One of the fascinating things about Harlan Coben’s thrillers is that although his plots never fail to exhilarate, he could remove entire story lines and still deliver engrossing books; his characters are that fascinating. In this outing for sports and entertainment agent Myron Bolitar, Suzze Trevantino, a former tennis great—and a former addict—is pregnant with her rocker husband’s baby. Someone has been spreading rumors that the baby isn’t his, and it’s damaging their relationship. When good guy Myron sets out to find the truth, he uncovers a snake’s nest built of sex, lies, and rock and roll.

Adding texture to the serpentine plot are Myron’s colorful friends and business associates. Ex-wrestler Esperanza is a bi-sexual beauty queen once called Little Pocahontas; Big Cyndi, the former Big Chief Mama, has a weakness for Batman costumes; super-rich Win is a schizoid blend of Captain America and torture-killer. All join forces to help Myron stay alive and kicking when he’s set upon by various and sundry thugs. That’s enough for a great read right there, but Coben has always found family dynamics intriguing, and here he leavens the craziness with a somber side plot involving Bolitar’s own disappeared brother Brad. The two have been estranged for years, partially because of Kitty, Brad’s deeply troubled wife, but now it appears that a reunion just might be possible.

Readers who have had the misfortune to have an addict in the family will understand the heartache underlying the humor in this book, and the lucky few who don’t will learn how the power of addiction can afflict even non-addicts.