Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of The Match

The Match

Written by Harlan Coben

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it

329 pages, about 7 hours of reading

Fiction

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

Discover the exhilarating Richard and Judy Book Club pick from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller author 'The absolute master' Richard Osman 'One of the all-time greats' Gillian Flynn 'Never lets you down' Lee Child 'One of my favourites' John Grisham 'Harlan Coben is the king of a killer twist [...] a highly addictive read.' HEAT _________ He is known simply as Wilde, the boy from the woods. Discovered living a feral existence in the Ramapo mountains of New Jersey, he has grown up knowing nothing of his parents, and even less about his own identity. But when a match on a DNA database puts him on the trail of a close relative, Wilde thinks he might be about to solve the mystery of who he really is. Only, this relation disappears as quickly as he's resurfaced. Undaunted, Wilde continues his research, becoming caught up in a secret community committed to exposing anonymous online trolls. Then one by one, people start to die. It soon becomes clear that a serial killer is targeting this secret community. And that the next victim could be Wilde himself . . . _________ 'A helter-skelter of a read!' Lisa Jewell 'At the top of his game' Peter James 'Twisty, well characterised, gently satirical' Jake Kerridge 'Insanely readable' Sunday Mirror 'Coben is a phenomenon' The Times 'It really is a page-turning thriller' JAZZ FM 'The king of tense thrillers is back with a book steeped in jaw-dropping twists.' OK! 'A superb twist I really didn't see coming' Jackie's Reading Corner _________ Readers love The Match . . . ***** 'A compelling read and one I'd highly recommend to those who like an intelligent plot' ***** 'It was very entertaining.' ***** 'The twists/turns are endless and putting it down was always with much angst.' ***** 'He's a master storyteller.' ***** 'An easy 5 star review for me. Get a copy of this, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.' The Match, Sunday Times bestseller, January 2023 Richard and Judy Book Club pick, December 2022 Harlan Coben, Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, January 2024

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Match, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • mysterious
  • suspenseful
  • tense

Harlan Coben's "The Match" plunges readers into the complex world of Wilde, a man raised in the wilderness with no knowledge of his origins. His life takes a dramatic turn when a DNA match offers a glimmer of hope in identifying a close relative, only for this connection to vanish as quickly as it appeared. Driven by a relentless quest for identity, Wilde finds himself entangled with a clandestine online community dedicated to unmasking internet trolls. However, this pursuit of truth soon spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse as members of the secret group begin to die, revealing a serial killer operating within their ranks. Wilde must race against time to uncover the killer's identity and solve the mystery of his own past before he becomes the next victim.

“He was Wilde, a name given, not earned, a placeholder for the truth he sought amidst the shadows of his past.”

Key themes

Identity and Belonging
Central to Wilde's character, this theme explores what it means to know oneself when one's origins are a complete mystery. It delves into the search for biological family, the impact of upbringing on self-perception, and the fundamental human need to find a place in the world.
Family Secrets and Hidden Pasts
This theme explores the impact of concealed truths within families and how past events, often intentionally buried, resurface to affect the present. It highlights the long-reaching consequences of secrets and the lengths people go to protect or uncover them.
Justice and Vigilantism (Online)
The novel critically examines the blurred lines between seeking justice and engaging in vigilantism, particularly in the context of the internet. It questions who has the right to mete out punishment and the dangers inherent in anonymous groups taking the law into their own hands.

Worth discussing

How does Wilde's unique upbringing shape his perspective and abilities in solving mysteries?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!