Chapter summaries Think Twice Harlan Coben

Think Twice Chapter 27 (Chapter Twenty-Six): Summary & Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Myron and Win walk from Le Bernardin back to the office. Myron declines to share with PT the fact that Greg Downing was roughed up in a basketball game years ago, citing attorney-client privilege. They debate whether the FBI is hiding a possible serial killer to protect past convictions, like Joey the Toe’s. Win then departs by helicopter for Philadelphia. Back at the office, an elderly woman calling herself “Ellen” tricks Big Cyndi into letting her meet Myron, claiming her grandson was drafted by the Dodgers. Once alone, she reveals she works for Joey the Toe and demands Bo Storm’s location. When Myron feigns ignorance, she shows him a FaceTime call with “Allen Castner,” who is actually holding a gun on Myron’s father at home. After Castner strikes Al Bolitar, Myron admits Bo is in Montana. Ellen receives a mysterious call, then leaves, warning Myron to stay put for ten minutes or his father will be harmed.

Key Events

  • Myron decides to withhold the basketball-game assault information from PT, citing attorney-client privilege.
  • Myron and Win discuss the FBI’s possible motive for hiding a serial killer: protecting past convictions.
  • Win leaves for Philadelphia to handle a family business matter.
  • A woman calling herself “Ellen” tricks her way into Myron’s office.
  • She reveals she works for Joey the Toe and demands Bo Storm’s location.
  • Ellen shows Myron a video call in which “Allen Castner” holds a gun on Al Bolitar.
  • Castner strikes Al in the face; Myron’s father bleeds from a broken nose.
  • Myron says Bo Storm is in Montana; Ellen wants a specific location.
  • After receiving a call, Ellen leaves with a ten-minute ultimatum.

Character Development

  • Myron Bolitar: Shows restraint and strategic thinking regarding Greg’s case, but is paralyzed when his father’s life is threatened.
  • Win: Pragmatic, trusts PT but agrees to withhold the information; his grudge against Greg Downing surfaces.
  • Ellen: Ruthless and manipulative, willing to use violence against an elderly man without hesitation. Her calm demeanor masks a hardened operative.
  • Allen Castner: Deceptive—posed as a friend of Myron’s father; willing to carry out violent orders.
  • Al Bolitar: Vulnerable, unaware of the danger until it arrives; remains defiant even when injured.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Hidden interests vs. transparency: The chapter deepens the debate about whether the FBI should reveal serial-killer suspicions, with Myron arguing for openness.
  • Family as leverage: Ellen’s threat to Myron’s father illustrates how personal relationships can be weaponized in criminal investigations.
  • Deception and identity: “Ellen” and “Allen” use false names and personas to infiltrate Myron’s life, mirroring the larger theme of hidden agendas.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter raises the personal stakes to their highest level yet. Myron’s father is now a direct target of Joey the Toe’s organization, forcing Myron to reconsider his earlier refusal to give up Bo Storm. The scene also reveals the extent of the criminal network’s resources and ruthlessness. Ellen’s knowledge of Myron’s movements (the flight to Montana) shows that the organization has been tracking him. The cliffhanger—Myron left waiting—creates urgency for the next chapter.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Myron choose to withhold the information about Greg’s basketball-game assault from PT? Myron believes that revealing the assault would violate attorney-client privilege. He also wants to control the timing of the disclosure, fearing that the FBI might use it prematurely or for their own agenda. Win agrees, noting that they can use it as a “courtroom surprise” if needed.

2. How does the threat to Myron’s father change the dynamics of the story? Until this point, Myron was operating as a detached investigator. The direct threat to his father forces him to comply with Ellen’s demands (admitting Bo Storm is in Montana) and to reassess his earlier decisions. It also demonstrates that the Joey the Toe organization is willing to target innocent family members, raising the emotional stakes.

3. What does “Ellen” reveal about the Joey the Toe operation? She shows that the organization has extensive surveillance capabilities (tracking Myron’s flight to Montana) and uses multiple operatives with false identities. The coordinated threat—having Allen Castner at Myron’s father’s house while Ellen confronts Myron in the office—indicates careful planning and a willingness to use brutal violence to achieve their goals.

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