Stay Close - new Harlen Coben on Netflix

[Violetroselily]

Anyone watching yet? I'm 3 episodes in, liking it so far but starting to get slightly confused by there being so many characters.

I love James Nesbitt

Well they don’t usually get bumped off by musical theatre killers… or do they 😬

Couple of things I’ve forgotten who asked: they did mention they still hadn’t found the bent coo earlier on, in passing like the two cops being married. You have to pay attention things drip in and out and if you miss it you’ll be wtf until you Google…😂 I don’t think they needed an extra scene either with the whole “he locked us in” we knew he had.

Also was fester not a joke nickname? I presumed it was.

I found this ultimately unsatisfying and too silly and uneven. It was obvious whodunnit. Although I didn't spot the last twist.

I read the book of this a couple of years ago and remember thinking "meh that was alright" but it didn't give me any urge to read anymore of Harlen Coben books.
I've not watched this TV version but reading this thread I have realised I don't remember the plot or characters at all. I know it's been switched from Atlantic City to Blackpool but have they changed character names too? Was the book really that unforgettable that I don't remember any of it and reading this thread hasn't even sparked any memories?
I only remember the Elephant. What did the telly version use instead of the elephant?

Just finished watching this. Agree that it was several episodes too long.

We sussed out Lorraine as the killer relatively early on.

I thought Megan/Cassie's wardrobe was extremely soignee. Not a speck or stray hair to be seen anywhere. Everything exactly so (even down to how perfectly her hoodie was arranged over her coat collar (when they were staying at the safe house).

Loved Eddie Izzard's interpretation of Harry. The most flawed character was in many ways the most relatable and likeable.

I rather enjoyed the surrealism of the am dram killers. It was rather Quentin Tarantino in execution?

No way did I suss it was set in Blackpool. Didn't clock Blackpool Tower? From their accents, I would have expected it to be set on the south coast somewhere.

I think they purposely omitted any shots of Blackpool Tower so as to keep it more 'fictional seaside town'.

That makes sense @StrychnineInTheSandwiches!

@Legoisthebest

I read the book of this a couple of years ago and remember thinking "meh that was alright" but it didn't give me any urge to read anymore of Harlen Coben books. I've not watched this TV version but reading this thread I have realised I don't remember the plot or characters at all. I know it's been switched from Atlantic City to Blackpool but have they changed character names too? Was the book really that unforgettable that I don't remember any of it and reading this thread hasn't even sparked any memories? I only remember the Elephant. What did the telly version use instead of the elephant?

What was the elephant?

@Bichette

I think it made a change to have men as the victims rather than women, but on the whole it was completely unbelievable. It took the police 17 years to work out that all these men had disappeared on the night of the carnival. Megan staying in the same town and never bumping into anyone who knew her as Cassie. The gorgeous police safe house practically on the beach. And loads more.

I feel the same way about it. The husband and myself watched it and it was OK, a bit of entertainment but I wouldn't class it as great drama at all because there was too much in it that was implausible. Ken and Barbie were disturbing and repulsive but also ridiculous; if anyone had seen them doing those stupid dances in public like that, the piss-taking of them would have been off the charts! It just wasn't believable! I reckon JN and Sarah Parrish elevated it from being total rubbish though, as they're both good actors and likeable. I don't like Cush Jumbo though; I'm not sure why, except maybe she always seem to have a sour look on her face, no matter what's happening with her character and her smiles seem flimsy and a bit fake. I'm probably being unreasonable , but I just don't like her and that's that!

I didn't like Cush Jumbo's acting either.

She also reminded me of a mixed race Nicola Walker. Anyone else agree?

Priam in the book the characters go to Lucy The Elephant which is a (real) tourist attraction near Atlantic City. You can go inside the elephant and I think one of the characters hid there or it was a meeting point or something..(see how much of the story I don't remember).

@Chamomileteaplease

I didn't like Cush Jumbo's acting either.

She also reminded me of a mixed race Nicola Walker. Anyone else agree?

What's her race got to do with anything?

Honestly, it was a nice thread about a TV series.

#everydayracism

Lucy The Elephant. Actual tourist attraction near Atlantic City....

I am convinced I remember Lucy the Elephant being important to the plot...

@bevelino

I thought that the violence against Tawny was unnecessary and quite horrific.

I did too and had to turn away. I hate that sort of thing anyway- seeing people being tortured isn't my idea of entertainment. I also thought it was a bit out of context with the general tone of the programme, making it all the more jarring!

@Chamomileteaplease

I didn't like Cush Jumbo's acting either.

She also reminded me of a mixed race Nicola Walker. Anyone else agree?

I don't like her nor Nicola Walker as actresses either. I'm not sure why, it's just subjective. It's nothing against them as people as I wouldn't know the first thing about them IRL.

Whipping through in case of spoilers. Have decided it's a black comedy, enjoying it though

They went to this place, at least I think this is she place
www.visitliverpool.com/things-to-do/dream-st-helens-p197871#:~:text=changingRead%20More-,About,in%20a%20dream%2Dlike%20state.

Littleducks that's no where near as awesome/bizarre as a giant elephant
Infact it looks terrifying.
Could the tv people not built a pretend tourist attraction?
Can someone who has actually read the book please confirm the elephant was as important as my memory is telling me - cos it's pretty much all I remember of it
I am now thinking I have actually read another Harlan Coben book but not sure what one. I might be thinking of another author. I am just remembering something about New Jersey woodland and loads of evil snakes....

I have read the book and was watching it thinking it felt so familiar . I couldn't remember the twist at the beginning but it Became more obvious as time went on. I actually think these programmes would be better with unknown actors !

@Legoisthebest

Priam in the book the characters go to Lucy The Elephant which is a (real) tourist attraction near Atlantic City. You can go inside the elephant and I think one of the characters hid there or it was a meeting point or something..(see how much of the story I don't remember).

Ah. They went to some giant head statue which everyone could always park right by and they seemed to have a key for.

Watched it this week. It was alright. Quite like the twist at the end where only Megan/Cassie knew what truly happened to Carlton. Her daughter thought he got out and her husband thought he was just disposing of a car so neither aware that they unwittingly committed murder.

Jo Joyners character really irritated me though and I usually like her in stuff. But the constant smirking and digging at Nesbitt's love life was very annoying. Those two did not make a believable couple.

Also found Cush Jumbo a bit wooden.

I read an article about the locations - apparently they thought about building an elephant but went with the giant head instead. It was pretty cool I think.

Cush was very beautiful but didn’t have a vast amount of acting range considering what her character was going through! I would watch her again though as had a warmth about her.

Harlan Coban has a brief interview in todays Guardian/Observer.

I have absolutely no idea what's going on. Episode 3.