As I have made very clear in previous pieces, I am a huge Harlan Coben fan. Admittedly, I’ve not read his books but the series adaptations of his writings are legit. I’ve watched international adaptations in several languages and each one is thrilling and captivating. My current favourite is Stay Close.

Stay Close launched in December 2021 and I stayed in all day and binged all eight episodes in one, stressful and exhilarating, day. This story focuses on a soccer mom with a past that comes screaming into her present in an unexpected and terrifying way.

Megan Pierce (Cush Jumbo) has built a life with her soulmate. She’s raising a family, do a job she loves and is finally planning her wedding. Life was easy and on track until a night out with the girls brings her past life and identity to her doorstep. At the same time a person goes missing on the 17th anniversary of an infamously unsolved case – that Pierce is intimately connected with.

Detective Michael Broome (James Nesbitt) is assigned to the new case and immediately relates it back to the previous case. As he begins his investigation he digs up old wounds and unearths dangerous secrets. Secrets that threaten the safety and security of Megan Pierce.

Stay Close is everything you want a thriller series to be. Smart, interesting, unpredictable and complicated. The way the story threads across years and connects people from the past to current happenings is so satisfying and well done. And all of this James Nesbitt is the grounding and magnetic force at the center of the mystery. He absolutely is the hub of chemistry in this series. He is actually the best.

Harlan Coben’s adapted series are growing in popularity and fans can’t seem to get enough. But good news, folks! Coben penned a deal with Netflix to see 14 of his 31 novels adapted to the small screen. So stay tuned, Stay Close, I will be sure to be chatting about these gems as they are released!

Stay Close and several more Coben thrillers are available now on Netflix.