MISSING YOU; A HARLAN COBEN MASTERCLASS  

A quick shoutout to a Netflix show that I watched last night. MISSING YOU, is one of my favourite Harlan Coben’s adaptations, so cleverly done although sometimes a bit predictable. I guess that’s to be expected with so much murder mystery content around.

MISSING YOU was better than most. Harlan Coben has agreed a fourteen series deal with Netflix and after this one there is only four more to go. It has five 45-minute episodes that are easy to watch and has got enough action in the storyline to keep you riveted. 

Detective Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazer) is a copper who doesn’t stop in what she believes and loves the hunt. Kat is single after her fiancée Josh (Ashley Walters) left her without any explanation and vanished 11 years ago. Kat’s Father Clint (Lenny Henry) who was also a police officer was murdered by a serial killer called Monty, who is dying himself. Donovan’s friends are Private Investigator Stacy (Jessica Plummer) and Josh’s former flatmate Aqua (Mary Malone) and both prove to be key to the unfolding mystery. 

The action begins with Kat taking on a case where a boy comes to the station and tells the detective his mother is missing. 

What follows is classic Coben fare. Betrayal, twists and turns and mayhem ensue. 

I disagree with a few articles that state that the opening episodes repeat themselves. All shows must set a foundation first to draw the audience in, which I thought that they did well here. The storyline improves as the series goes on and there is plenty to keep you on tender hooks. 

Missing You. Steve Pemberton as Titus in Missing You. Cr. Vishal Sharma/Netflix © 2024.

The acting was good, but not spectacular. However, it was carried off with enough conviction to make you ignore some plot holes and coincidences. The casting was imaginative, especially Rosalind Eleazer who is nearly in every scene. 

The sub plot of a murderous farmer come dog breeder has to be seen to be believed. Creepy stuff. 

One of the most impressive things about Coben’s deal with Netflix is that the books are set in USA whereas the adaptations are largely set in the UK. The transition is seamless which is a credit to the producers because they could easily have lost the dark glamour of big US cities. 

It is one of those shows that you can binge watch it in one go! I watched it in 3 hours which is the same length as most movies, such as Wicked and Gladiator II.

Give it a go and if u enjoy it, check out the others elsewhere on Netflix. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.  

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *