You Belong to Me: A Novel

Once again, Colin Harrison has written a gripping, utterly unique and psychologically complex "literary thriller" that has more depth, insight, and relevance than any novel out there, of ANY genre. The best thing about this book is its emphasis on pure, story driven narrative, set in a New York that's so compellingly and accurately rendered, even the smallest observation about the way the city works becomes a fascinating commentary on money and class, and the ways in which ambition and identity, for men AND women, at any point in their lives, is fraught with conflict.And it's amazing how much fun he makes it to inhabit this world, where characters (of every class, race, and creed), are constantly being undone by their own best and worst impulses and desires. Meanwhile, it's all masterfully interwoven with digressions that are in and of themselves brilliant essayistic analyses of contemporary life, almost Dickensian-like critiques of everything from shopping malls to subway rats to real estate to sex to women and men aging. In short, this is a book with a story so satisfying and complete, you are left unable to stop thinking about it, long after its over.

One of the biggest mysteries is why Colin Harrison is not one of the best selling crime novelists out there. The plotting is fantastic, the characters are well drawn - they have it all. Years might go by between books but when one does come along, it is time to chill the wine, turn off the phone and devote a day to it.This book has a cast of characters that range from psychopathic, ingenious killers to lawyers with hidden motives, middle eastern titans and gorgeous women. The character who brings to the surface all that boils beneath is Bill. Returning from multiple tours in war torn countries, he has come to New York to take the object of his obsession back to Texas. Jennifer, the obsession, is married to the middle eastern titan, Ahmed. She lives in an exclusive apartment in Manhattan and her only neighbor, Paul, a single attorney, is her friend who keeps her occupied while Ahmed is off being the global titan of industry.Just as Bill's obsession is Jennifer, Paul's obsession is old maps of New York. For Rachel, Paul's girlfriend, he is her obsession. Ahmed sees Jennifer as the blonde American who opens doors for him that his middle eastern background never will and he is not going to let her go. Unfortunately, Jennifer is young and wants it all. She thinks she is fooling Ahmed when she runs off to sleazy hotels with Bill. Bill thinks she is going to give up her life of luxury and return with him to his family ranch in Texas. Ahmed wants Bill to go away.There are twists and turns as all good novels have but Colin Harrison is the master at keeping the action moving without really knowing where it will all lead. If you want a crime novel that keeps you wondering how it will turn out, this is the book for you - and read all his works. They are great.

How many people know this author?. I bet none of my friends do. This novel as in past ones, yes I read them all, did not disappoint and briefly interrupted getting on with life but enriched it somehow. I can’t even begin to describe how good it was and that’s why I’d never be a writer. Though I envy great writers of which he is one for sure. People love the Pattersons, the Collins, the Stuart Woods thriller giants. But that is for the average reader. I read everything and I egostically maybe know good complex engrossing goosebump enducing stories of fiction and non. This one was the kind that you don’t want to end but you still want to stay up late reading. Also, knowing and living around NYC and having family origin in Brooklyn helps. You can relate to an author that way. Lastly, I think of him as a kind of sleeper author that the average reader is unaware of. Maybe that Mystery Bookshop downtown Manhattan know of him. Just read the damn thing!! And it took a long time between novels too dammit.

I think this is the best of Colin Harrison's novels, certainly the best I have read.I read for pleasure, and this novel delivered admirably. It's so highly readable all the way through.The story and the characters are fascinating, there's plenty of suspense, you're rooting for Paul and for Jennifer from the beginning right through to the end.The writing is always entertaining, and sometimes just downright fine. Take this wonderful bit of business:"As she spoke she unconsciously fondled the heavy gold bracelets on each wrist as if they were handcuffs that had been cut apart but which would not come off."With each new novel Mr. Harrison's gift for character and story, his technique for fiction, is gaining power and fluency. He is a master craftsman practicing his trade, much to the benefit of us all.

Harrison is truly one of my favorite literate thriller writers. Sometimes I forget to mention him because he writes so infrequently. This book is really hard to put down and Harrison really demonstrates keen insights into a variety of New York types-- kinda reminds me of Tom Wolfe or in a classics mode-Charles Dickens. Just read it- you will be swept away from the first page.

This book is vintage Colin Harrison--well written with a plot full of suspense. As an added bonus, you will learn about antique maps of New York.I could not put it down.

I found the story sort of clunked along, with the chapters jumping between characters points of view it was hard to follow and made the story feel chopped. The hardest part for me is that there wasn't really a single likable character... no one that you were really pulling for to keep you in the story. Not an awful read, some of the chapters are intriguing, just not the best book I ever read.

Harrison's New York novels are always pacey, well written with thoroughly believable characters out in a real city with lives that matter and usually some well researched account of an aspect of the city you didn't know about. In one there's a long essay on the history of New York as seen from the PoV of real estate that's a triumph. I enjoyed this one too but there's a niggle right the way through it. There are major characters of Iranian heritage. They and their background are often referred to as Arab. If by ignorant characters fine but not by the narrator. What's an Arab or an Arabic country? Basically one that speaks Arabic. Does Iran? No Persian/Farsi. Big research errors are v undermining. Otherwise a cracker.

Eight years after the author's last book. Colin Harrison has written a thriller which is set mostly in New York. The book reads well and the reader quickly becomes involved in the tightly woven tale of obsession and betrayal. A good mix of characters, a believable plot, plenty of twists and turns. Having read three of Colin Harrison's books I have now become a fan.

Colin Harrison is always a good bet, though this novel is not quite as compelling a read as Manhattan Nocturne or The Havana Room. As ever, Harrison's writing is far superior to that of most other 'thriller' writers, but that said I regard him as a novelist pure and simple.

Exceptional . I have been waiting for 10 years for the next Colin Harrison novel !! His voice is completely unique - he captures the underbelly of New York and the fragility of life like no other . I cannot recommend enough.

Great present

Always found him a great read but this one less so.He said it took longer to write and it shows

I used to be a pretty big fan of Colin Harrison and I guess that by now I have read all of his novels - even The Finder which was even worse than this book - and enjoyed them (except The Finder!). Anyway, this book is your typical Colin Harrison novel: some rich guy and his difficult relationship with some less rich/powerful woman. Oh yeah, and of course it takes place in New York with unnecessary descriptions of the city. But this book starts out really, really, really boring. So boring, in fact, that it is the first Colin Harrison book that I gave up on reading after the first 50 pages. And, I would like to remind you again, I READ THE FINDER IN ITS ENTIRETY.Edit: Looks like Amazon has mixed up two books with the same title here. I ordered this product and got the Colin Harrison book (as the picture suggests).

I have been a fan of Harrison's thrillers for years and read them all. This novel is the second disappointment after "The Finder". It is boring, at no point thrilling or a page turner. Actually, I turned a lot of pages unread to find something like a storyline. Now, having reached the last third of the book I give in, because I lost interest in old maps, N.Y. shopping malls, restauration techniques, young and beautiful drug addicts and middle-aged rich men handling women like accessoires. As already "The Finder" left me with the feeling, that Harrison no longer writes exceptional crime fiction, I will look for another author.

J'ai acheté ce livre en version anglaise pour consolider mes connaissances d'anglais. Je ne lis que quelques pages par jour.c'est trop tôt pour porter un jugement sur l'auteur.

An absorbing read throughout. Read a highly satisfying book after a long time! Highly recommended. Will check out his other books.