About Harlan Coben’s Shelter – If you are a fan of mystery novels, you have probably heard of Harlan Coben, one of the most acclaimed and bestselling authors in the genre. He has written over 30 books, including standalone thrillers like The Stranger, The Woods, and The Innocent, which have been turned into hit Netflix shows. He has also written a series of books featuring Myron Bolitar, a former basketball player who becomes a sports agent and a part-time sleuth, and his nephew Mickey Bolitar, a teenager who follows his uncle’s footsteps and solves his own mysteries.
Now, Prime Video has adapted the first book of Coben’s young adult trilogy starring Mickey Bolitar into a new series called Harlan Coben’s Shelter. The series is a blend of mystery, thriller, drama, and comedy, with a dash of romance and paranormal elements. It has been likened to other popular teen shows like Stranger Things, Riverdale, and Teen Wolf, but with Coben’s trademark twists and surprises.
| Release date | August 18 – September 22, 2023 |
| Network | Prime Video |
| Genre | Crime/Drama/Mystery/Thriller |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Runtime | 45-50 minutes per episode |
| Rating | TV-14 |
| IMDb rating | 7.2/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes rating | 83% |
What is the plot of Harlan Coben’s Shelter?
The official summary of the series is as follows:
Harlan Coben’s Shelter tells the story of Mickey Bolitar after his father dies in a car crash and he moves to Kasselton, New Jersey with his aunt Shira. Mickey soon finds himself involved in the mysterious disappearance of a new girl at his school. Her name is Ashley Kent who may have a link to his own family secrets. With the help of his friends — Spoon, a tech genius, and Ema, a goth hacker — Mickey uncovers a dark underworld in their seemingly quiet town that may hold the clues to decades of missing people, murders, and legends… and maybe even his own complicated past.
Harlan Coben’s Shelter is a fast-paced and suspenseful adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It also explores themes such as family, friendship, loyalty, identity, and justice.
Who are the stars and creators of Harlan Coben’s Shelter?
Harlan Coben’s Shelter features Jaden Michael as Mickey Bolitar, Constance Zimmer as his aunt Shira Bolitar, Adrian Greensmith as his friend Spoon, Abby Corrigan as his friend Ema, Sage Linder as his crush Rachel Caldwell, Brian Altemus as his enemy Troy Taylor, Lee Aaron Rosen as the crooked Chief Taylor, Hunter Emery as the mysterious Sunglasses Man, Antonio Cipriano as the lost Buck, Missi Pyle as the shady Hannah, Didi Conn as the curious Mrs. Friedman, Alexa Mareka as the popular Whitney, Tovah Feldshuh as the scary Bat Lady, Samantha Bugliaro as the gone Ashley Kent, Manuel Uriza as the evil Octoface, Luke Marinkovich as the helpful Paramedic, Jack Casey as the young Dylan, and Kristoffer Polaha as Mickey’s father Brad.
The series is created by Charlotte Coben and Harlan Coben, who are also executive producers along with Erik Barmack, Margo Myers Massey, Andrew Saxe, Alfredo Barrios Jr., Nicki Renna, Maria Cerretani, and Richard Fee. The directors are Patricia Cardoso, Edward Ornelas, Christina Choe, and Deborah Kampmeier. The writers are Charlotte Coben, Alfredo Barrios Jr., Maria Cerretani, Nicki Renna, Andrew Saxe, and Harlan Coben.
When and where can I watch Harlan Coben’s Shelter?
The series debuts on Prime Video on Friday, August 18, 2023. The first three episodes will be available to stream on that day. The remaining five episodes will be released weekly on Fridays until September 22, 2023. The series is rated TV-14 for violence, language, sexual content, and drug use.
What are some of the opinions on Harlan Coben’s Shelter?
The series has received mostly positive feedback from critics and viewers alike. Here are some of the highlights:
- Lucy Mangan from The Guardian gave the series four out of five stars and called it “a charming thriller that is as twisty as The Goonies”. She praised the performances of Michael and Greensmith and wrote that “the characters are the series’ strength”.
- Peter Travers from ABC News gave the series an A- grade and said that it “offers surprises of the unexpected”. He complimented Coben’s storytelling skills and said that “the show keeps you guessing until the end”.
- Geoff Adams from Otago Daily Times said that the series provided “thrills suspense and mystery enough” and concluded that “you will enjoy watching it to find out more”.
- The Irish Independent stated that “this cracking new series will appeal to older folk too” and described it as “a rollercoaster ride of murder-mystery”.
- Kirkus Reviews said that the series “benefits greatly from Coben’s trademark fast pace and multi-layered plot”. They also noted that Mickey’s “mother’s battle with drug addiction adds emotion” to the series.
