“Shelter” is the first instalment in a series of books aimed at young adults, written by Harlan Coben. Coben has written several books based around former basketball player turned sports agent Myron Bolitar.

    In “Shelter,” the focus shifts to Myron’s estranged nephew Mickey Bolitar, whose father Brad has recently died in a mysterious car accident. Mickey is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about.

    At the beginning of the book, Mickey’s year can’t get much worse. After witnessing his father’s death and sending his mom to rehab*, he’s forced to live with his uncle and change high schools. A new school means new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey’s train-wreck of a life is finally improving — until Ashley disappears without a trace.

    Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley’s trail into a seedy* underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn’t who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey’s father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy* so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury — and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

    The supporting characters of “Shelter” are what make it so special. There is Spoon, the tech guy who is totally clueless* and always manages to raise a smile. And Ema is a sarcastic*, overweight goth* who is at first wary* of Mickey.

    Coben is the best-selling author of 18 novels, including “The Woods,” “Promise Me,” and “The Innocent,” and is the winner of the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony awards. (SD-Agencies)