Coben saw his first book published in 1990. “Deal Breaker” is his third and was first published in 1995. However, it is his first to feature Myron Bolitar.

Myron Bolitar has been a sports agent for lny two years and has only a few clients to his name. Among them are Ricky Lane, a running back for the Jets, and Christian Steele – a footballer fresh out of college and the hottest prospect in years. There is, unfortunately, a touch of tragedy in Steele’s background : eighteen months before the book opens Steele’s fiancee – Kathy Culver – disappeared without a trace from the grounds of Reston University. The story was big news and not just because of Christian’s status as an up-and-coming footballer : Kathy’s sister, Jessica, is also a very famous author. The only clue to the mystery came when Kathy’s underwear was found in a dumpster, apparently covered in blood and semen. However, Kathy is still missing and no-one even knows if she is living or dead…in fact no-body has evem been charged with her disappearance. There had been a certain amount of insinuation that Steele had been involved, but that’s just not a situation Bolitar can take even remotely seriously. The tragedy hasn’t ended there for the Culver family, though. Three nights before the book’s opening, Kathy and Jessica’s father had also been killed – in what the police believe to have been a botched robbery. As if Myron wasn’t involved enough, via his client, it turns out that Jessica is an ex-girlfriend. Things had apparently ended on a sour note, though. As a result, Esperanza Diaz – formerly Little Pocahontas of the Fabulous Ladies of Wrestling circuit and currently Bolitar’s PA - positively despises her.

Things are about to take a slightly difficult turn though : somebody mails a saucy magazine to Christian, with a particular advertisement highlighted. The advert, for a rather risque chatline ($3:99 a minute), features Kathy Culver in the picture. Furthermore, the handwriting on the envelope – which was posted on-campus – is an apparent match for Kathy’s.When Jessica stops by asking for help, the multi-talented young sports agent is dragged even further into the mystery. Jessica thinks there is some connection between Kathy’s disappearance and her father’s death. The cop’s disagree – even her father’s closest friend, “Uncle” Paul Duncan. Naturally, Myron decides to help her out anyway.

An enjoyable enough book overall, though there is quite a bit of daftness to it. Bolitar was a hugely promising basketball player, until his career was destroyed by injury. Despite taking 16 months to walk again, he promptly joined the FBI and reported only to the very highest levels. Furthermore, he is now (amazingly) a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Our hero’s ever-faithful sidekick is called Windsor Horne Lockword III, a gentleman who proves to be the deadliest nerd alive. He is also an ex-Fed, and now helps Bolitar out in his new career as an all-action Sports Agent. An easy read, though no classic.