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One of the bestselling crime and detective fiction authors in the world Harlan Coben brings to us his work, or rather the Netflix version of his work entitled Missing You, which is expected to premiere on New Year’s Day. This series continues his legacy of placing the most mundane of characters into the most extraordinary and perplexing of situations which has always worked for millions.
Coben, 62, has published 37 books, selling over 80 million copies in 46 languages. He’s unflinchingly honest about his aspirations. “Every writer wants better reviews and a bigger audience,” he says to a British News Portal. Thrilled by his widespread success, he adds, “To deny that is silly.”
His collaboration with Netflix, now in its seventh year, is an exemplification to his global reach. Starting with Safe in 2018, his adaptations include hits like The Stranger, Stay Close, and Fool Me Once, the latter being Netflix’s most-watched series of 2024. This year’s Missing You is expected to follow suit.
The Netflix partnership, originally rumored to be a 14-series deal, was clarified by Coben: “We agreed to make a lot of shows together.” By 2025, 12 adaptations will have been released or announced, with more on the horizon.
Set in Manchester, Missing You marks a shift from its original New York backdrop. Lead writer Victoria Asare-Archer, a longtime fan of Coben, praised his meticulous storytelling. “He’s a master at leading you to the top of the roller coaster, then sending you on a wild journey,” she says.
Actress Rosalind Eleazar, who plays DI Kat Donovan, called Coben “an extraordinary writer” who remains accessible throughout the process. “I could text him at any point if I had a query,” she shares.
Coben’s adaptations are not just crowd-pleasers but chart-toppers. Following each series release, his books consistently climb bestseller lists. Earlier this year, he simultaneously held the top two spots on the UK paperback charts.
Despite his success, Coben remains grounded. He describes his life as “fairly ordinary,” balancing his work with being a father to four grown children. He resides in New Jersey but often works from his Manhattan apartment, located in the iconic Dakota building.
As for his next ventures, Coben is co-writing a novel with Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon, set to release next autumn. Meanwhile, his next book, Nobody’s Fool, is scheduled for a March debut.
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