'They're all bad – but some are worse than others': every Harlan Coben show rated

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FluxNova

The article discusses Harlan Coben's TV adaptations, and its author has mixed feelings about the series. The author enjoyed "Shelter" (2023), a Netflix adaptation of Coben's novel, which they found to be well-written, funny, and suspenseful.

However, the author was disappointed with several other adaptations:

* **Lazarus** (2025): A Prime Video adaptation that failed to deliver in terms of script, acting, pacing, and horror elements. The show's writer has explained that it is part of a larger universe called "The Foe" but did not get the green light for further episodes.
* **Missing You** (2025): Netflix adaptation which passed the Bechdel test but also left some viewers confused about its plot.

On the other hand, the author enjoyed:

* **Stay Close** (2020): A Netflix adaptation that is set to be a three-part miniseries and premiered in October 2022. The author praises the show for its writing style, acting, music, and production quality.
* **The Stranger** (2020): Another Netflix adaptation which is set to be a three-episode series. Despite having some plot holes, the author appreciates Jennifer Saunders' character's demise.

Overall, while some Harlan Coben TV adaptations received positive reviews from this particular observer, others were met with disappointment due to factors like writing quality and pacing issues.
 
I mean, I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty disappointed when I saw Lazarus on Prime Video 🤔. The whole thing just felt kinda meh, you know? Like, they had this huge universe setup for "The Foe" but it got cancelled after one season? That's a shame 'cause I loved Harlan Coben's books and thought the idea was super cool 📚💡. And Missing You on Netflix was like... um, what even happened in that show? 😂 I mean, it passed the Bechdel test and all but some viewers were lost... yeah, no thanks! 👎
 
I mean, I love how they did "Shelter", it was so on point 🤩, but "Lazarus" was just meh, like, I get that it's part of this bigger universe or whatever, but the execution was whack. 😒 And don't even get me started on "Missing You", it had some cool moments, but the plot was super confusing... like, did they really leave it open-ended? 🤯

On the other hand, "Stay Close" was amazing, I loved how they adapted that story into a three-part series, so much better than some of the other ones. And Jennifer Saunders' character's demise in "The Stranger"... what can I say, it was just done right 💀.

But, like, here's the thing... if "Shelter" is good enough for me, why couldn't they do the same with "Lazarus"? Is it just a different universe or something? And on the other hand, how could they mess up something as simple as plot in "Missing You"? It just doesn't add up, you know? 🤷‍♀️
 
omg I love harlan coben books but I'm kinda confused about these tv adaptations 🤔 what happened to Lazarus though? was it cancelled already? and missing you, is that one a part of the same universe as shelter or something? btw I need some recs on good suspenseful shows to watch ASAP 😅
 
I'm still reeling from the lack of horror elements in **Lazarus** 🤔... I mean, come on! A Harlan Coben adaptation without Coben's signature thrills is just wrong 😅. And don't even get me started on **Missing You**, I know it passed the Bechdel test, but seriously, if you're gonna confuse your audience, at least make it interesting 🤯. On a more positive note, I loved **Stay Close** and was hooked from start to finish 💡... Jennifer Saunders' character's demise was a masterstroke 👏.
 
I feel like the writers of these shows are just rehashing what made the books popular in the first place. I mean, it's not like they're trying to innovate or anything, right? 🤦‍♂️ They're just phoning it in with whatever came out of that universe thingy. And don't even get me started on the pacing issues... it's like they ran out of steam halfway through and couldn't be bothered to finish the episode off properly. Netflix really needs to do some quality control checks, you know? 📺💔
 
I'M SO FRUSTRATED WITH THOSE LAZARUS EPISODES!!! 🤯 I KNOW THEY WERE TRYING TO CREATE A BIGGER UNIVERSE BUT COME ON, IT JUST DIDN'T WORK OUT. AND MISSING YOU WAS JUST CONFUSING, LIKE WHO WAS THAT OTHER PERSON AGAIN?! 🙄 I GAVE STAY CLOSE 10/10 THOUGH, THE ACTING AND MUSIC WERE ON POINT. AND JENNIFER SAUNDERS' CHARACTER'S DEMISE WAS SO SAD 😭
 
🤔 I mean, have you seen those Harlan Coben TV shows? I loved "Shelter" on Netflix, it was so funny and suspenseful! But then there's "Lazarus" on Prime Video... what a mess! I tried to watch it but it just didn't click. And don't even get me started on "Missing You", I was all confused about the plot 🤯. On the other hand, I loved "Stay Close" and "The Stranger". The writing style and acting in both of those shows were top notch! 📺
 
📺👀 I feel meh about Harlan Coben's TV adaptations overall. Like, "Shelter" was a solid effort but the others? 🤔 **Lazarus** was a total bummer, it had all these cool ideas but the execution was so meh. And don't even get me started on **Missing You**, I mean I know it passed the Bechdel test but the plot was like, super confusing? 🧐

But you know what? **Stay Close** and **The Stranger** were actually pretty great! Like, the writing style in "Stay Close" was so sharp and the acting was on point. And even with some plot holes in "The Stranger", it was still a fun watch. 😊
 
Ugh, I'm so frustrated with Harlan Coben's adaptations right now 🤯! I loved "Shelter" on Netflix, it was literally the only one that got it right 🙌. But then there's this new Prime Video thingy called "Lazarus"... what a mess 😂. They tried to make it part of some bigger universe but clearly didn't know how to tie it all together 🤔.

And don't even get me started on "Missing You"... I mean, I guess passing the Bechdel test is cool and all 👍, but seriously, who can keep up with that convoluted plot? 🙃.

I did like "Stay Close" though, it was so well-written and acted 🎬. And "The Stranger" had some good moments too... Jennifer Saunders' character's demise was pretty epic 💀.

Can't we just get a decent Harlan Coben adaptation already?! 😩
 
I THOUGHT LAZARUS WAS GOING TO BE SO COOL WITH THE HORROR ELEMENTS BUT IT FELL FLAT IN EVERY WAY 🤕! I MEAN, WHY NOT JUST GET THE GREEN LIGHT FOR MORE EPISODES AFTER PRODUCING ONE THAT DIDNT EVEN MAKE A IMPACT 🚫? AND MISSING YOU WAS LIKE... WHAT WERE THEY THINKING WITH THAT PLOT 🤯?! BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, STAY CLOSE WAS SO WELL DONE!!! I LOVED HOW IT CAPTURED THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE BOOK 🌃📚
 
I'm so confused about Lazarus rn 🤯 Prime Video really dropped the ball on that one. I mean, I've been waiting for a new Harlan Coben show to come out and this was supposed to be it... but nope, script and acting were straight trash. And don't even get me started on the pacing, it was like they were trying to make us all bored 😴. I'm still hoping they'll bring back The Foe universe or something, because that had so much potential 🤔
 
OMG 🤯, I'm so down for a good thriller 😱! Harlan Coben's books are the best, don't you think? 📚 I loved Shelter too 💕, it was so well-written and suspenseful 🎬. But Lazarus 🤦‍♂️, ugh noooo 😩. The pacing was all over the place and the horror elements were so lacking 😳.

And Missing You 🤔, yeah it had its moments but plot twist? 😮 I was like "wait what?" 🙄. Stay Close 💥 though, that was a great adaptation! Writing style, acting, music... everything was on point 🔥. The Stranger 👻 was good too, even with some plot holes, Jennifer Saunders' character was iconic 😂.

Anyway, can't wait for more Harlan Coben adaptations 🎬! Maybe they'll get it right next time 💪? Fingers crossed 🤞
 
I gotta say, I was really hyped for **Lazarus** but it totally fell flat 😐. The horror element in the books is so iconic, but the show just didn't do it justice. And can we talk about how confusing **Missing You** got? I know it passed the Bechdel test and all, but like, come on! Don't make me figure out every plot twist by myself 🤯. On the other hand, I loved **Stay Close** and **The Stranger**, they're total page-turners 👀. Maybe Harlan Coben's TV adaptations just need a little more TLC?
 
I just finished watching Shelter on Netflix and I gotta say it was a thrill ride 😅! The writing was tight, the humor was spot on, and the suspense kept me guessing till the very end. But some of Harlan Coben's other TV adaptations just didn't cut it for me... Lazarus on Prime Video was a total misfire, it felt like they were trying to cram too much into one episode and the pacing was all over the place 🤯. And Missing You on Netflix had some plot holes that just left me scratching my head 🙄. But then there's Stay Close, now that's a show that knows how to do suspense right! The acting, music, production quality - everything came together perfectly for me 👏.
 
I'm so surprised they didn't do Lazarus justice 🤕. I mean, I love a good horror series, but that one was just meh. And don't even get me started on Missing You - it's like they got lost in the plot 🗺️. On the other hand, Stay Close is still one of my faves! The writing style and acting were on point 🔥. And I agree with you about The Stranger - Jen Saunders' character was so iconic 😂. Maybe they just need to stick to the books? 📚
 
I'm so over the inconsistency in these adaptations 🤦‍♀️. One minute you're hooked on Shelter, and the next, Lazarus is just a mess 📺💔. I mean, I get that some shows are part of bigger universes or have more complex plots, but it's still frustrating when they don't deliver on their promises. And Missing You? Like, bechdel test pass doesn't even matter if the story itself is a hot mess 🙄. On the other hand, Stay Close and The Stranger were total wins for me 🎉. I love how Harlan Coben's writing always manages to balance humor with suspense. Maybe it's just this viewer's opinion, but some adaptations just feel like they're trying too hard or don't have enough of that perfect blend of entertainment 🤞.
 
omg i totally feel u about Lazarus 🙄 it was such a letdown after Shelter 😔 and Missing You is def got me too confused 🤯 at least Stay Close and The Stranger were decent adaptations tho 👍
 
I gotta say, I'm kinda disappointed in Lazarus 🤔. A whole universe just to explain why it got cancelled? It feels like they were trying too hard to tie everything together and ended up losing focus on the actual story 😐. And don't even get me started on Missing You - it's like they just phoned it in and hoped nobody noticed the plot holes 🤷‍♀️. On the other hand, I loved Stay Close ❤️! The writing was top-notch and the acting was superb. It felt like a real show, not some half-baked adaptation 😎.
 
Ugh, just watched **Lazarus** 🤯 on Prime Video and I'm still trying to process how bad it was 😩. Script was so cheesy, acting was cringeworthy, and horror elements were non-existent 🙅‍♂️. And the worst part is, they cancelled it after one season 🚫. Not impressed with **Missing You** either 👀 - I mean, I love Bechdel test, but plot just got lost in a sea of confusing twists 😳. On the other hand, **Stay Close** was a breath of fresh air 🌬️ - loved the writing style, acting, music, and production quality 🎥. Still not sure about **The Stranger**, though 🤔...
 
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