I Will Find You: A Review of the Maddeningly Watchable Harlan Coben Adaptation
The Harlan Coben Industrial Adaptation Complex™ continues to spew out more thrillers than a factory on overdrive. The latest entry, I Will Find You, is an eight-part Netflix series that, like its predecessors, is a mesmerizing yet frustrating watch. It's a classic Coben formula: someone goes missing, someone else is accused of a crime they didn't commit, the police are inept, and everyone speaks in hushed tones to convey urgency and gravity.
This time, the setting is the US, with Boston as the backdrop, and the story revolves around David Burroughs, a muscular everyman serving a life sentence for the murder of his son. Despite his claims of innocence, no one believes him, and he spends his days punching fellow prisoners while grappling with self-reproach. But then, an ex-sister-in-law and disgraced investigative journalist, Rachel Mills, turns up with a recent photo of a frolicking youngster who bears a striking resemblance to David's son. This discovery sparks hope, and they embark on a quest to uncover the truth.
What follows is a labyrinthine global conspiracy, with questions about the whereabouts of David's son, the identity of the murderer, and the shadowy puppet-master pulling the strings. The script, however, is made of Play-Doh, and the protagonists are mere flaps of luncheon meat pegged to a washing line. Despite the predictability and plot holes, the series is still a page-turner, and you find yourself binge-watching, eager to uncover the next twist.
I Will Find You is a testament to the power of a well-crafted narrative, even if it's a formulaic one. It's a mesmerizing watch, but be warned: it's a Coben adaptation, and you'll likely forget how you got there by the end. As for the author's deal with Amazon, well, that's a whole other story. May God have mercy on our souls, and may we find the strength to endure the endless cycle of preposterous thrillers.
