Quiz Think Twice Harlan Coben

Think Twice Quiz: 20 Questions to Test Your Knowledge

This quiz covers the full story of Harlan Coben’s Think Twice — the twelfth Myron Bolitar novel. Each question draws on the book’s intricate plot, character motives, key symbols, and larger themes. After the quiz, you’ll find a complete answer key with brief explanations. For deeper discussion, see the main book page, questions and answers, and the ending explained.

Quiz Questions

Part 1: Plot and Sequence (8 Questions)

  1. (Multiple Choice) In the prologue, what does the killer spike to incapacitate the target?

    • A) Coffee
    • B) Cognac
    • C) Whiskey
    • D) Red wine

  2. (Short Answer) What evidence first leads the FBI to suspect Greg Downing is still alive?

  3. (Multiple Choice) Where does Myron eventually locate Bo Storm?

    • A) A strip club in Las Vegas
    • B) The Shanty Lounge in Montana
    • C) A hotel in New York City
    • D) An airport in Nevada

  4. (Multiple Choice) Who kills Grace Konners in the climax?

    • A) Myron Bolitar
    • B) Win Lockwood
    • C) Greg Downing
    • D) Jeremy Downing

  5. (Short Answer) What song does Win use as a prearranged signal to burst into the room where Myron is about to lose a toe?

  6. (Short Answer) Greg claims his DNA ended up at the Callister murder scene because he was injured during what activity?

  7. (Multiple Choice) How does the killer frame Jackie Newton for Ronald Prine’s murder?

    • A) Plant her fingerprints on the gun
    • B) Use her father’s hunting rifle and send threatening emails
    • C) Place a burner phone in her car
    • D) Leave her DNA under Prine’s fingernails

  8. (Multiple Choice) What happens to Greg Downing in the final chapters?

    • A) He is sentenced to life in prison
    • B) He is killed by Win
    • C) He jumps from a window in Marrakech
    • D) He disappears into witness protection

Part 2: Character Motivation (5 Questions)

  1. (Short Answer) Why does Grace Konners commit her first murder, Jordan Kravat?

  2. (Multiple Choice) Why does Win reveal Bo Storm’s location to Joey Turant’s men?

    • A) To collect a bribe
    • B) To protect Myron’s parents from harm
    • C) Because he believes Bo is guilty
    • D) To negotiate a truce with the mob

  3. (Multiple Choice) What reason does Greg Downing give for faking his own death?

    • A) He wanted to escape the NBA pressure
    • B) He was terminally ill with cancer
    • C) He was hiding from a gambling debt
    • D) He wanted to start a new life with Bo Storm

  4. (Short Answer) According to Emily, why did she agree to marry Greg Downing?

  5. (Multiple Choice) Why does Myron insist on legally representing Greg even after learning he may be a murderer?

    • A) He still loves Emily
    • B) Greg never fired MB Reps, so the obligation remains
    • C) Win pressures him to do so
    • D) He wants to prove the FBI wrong

Part 3: Theme and Symbol (4 Questions)

  1. (Short Answer) What does the “Imagine” mosaic in Central Park represent in the context of the story’s violence?

  2. (Multiple Choice) The pruning shears that Jazz threatens to use on Myron’s toe symbolize:

    • A) The mob’s signature method of intimidation
    • B) Myron’s past gardening hobby
    • C) The killer’s careful planning
    • D) Win’s violent tendencies

  3. (Short Answer) How does the theme of “framing” manifest in at least three different murders in the novel?

  4. (Multiple Choice) The Yiddish proverb “Der Mensch Tracht, un Gott Lacht” (Man plans, God laughs) most directly reflects:

    • A) Myron’s failed basketball career
    • B) The unpredictability of life and the flaw in human assumptions
    • C) Emily’s regret about her marriage
    • D) Win’s cold rationality

Part 4: Synthesis (3 Questions)

  1. (Short Answer) Compare the motivation of Grace Konners with that of the unidentified killer whose thoughts are narrated in second person. How do their reasons for killing differ?

  2. (Short Answer) How does the relationship between Myron and Win change over the course of the story, especially regarding Win’s methods?

  3. (Multiple Choice) What is the most significant lesson the title “Think Twice” urges readers to consider?

    • A) Trust no one
    • B) Beware of too-perfect evidence and assumptions
    • C) Always carry a backup plan
    • D) Revenge is never justified

Answer Key

Plot and Sequence

  1. B) Cognac – The killer spikes the target’s cognac to ensure he stays unconscious during the setup. (Prologue)
  2. Greg’s DNA was found under Cecelia Callister’s fingernails. – FBI agents visit Myron with this evidence. (Chapter One)
  3. B) The Shanty Lounge in Montana – Myron tracks a burner phone there and finds Bo disguised as a bartender. (Chapter Thirteen)
  4. C) Greg Downing – Greg shoots Grace after she turns the gun on his son Jeremy. (Chapter Forty-Three)
  5. “The Heart of Rock and Roll” – The song plays from a passing car as Win’s cue to attack. (Chapter Eight)
  6. A pickup basketball game – Greg recalls being bloodied during a game; his skin cells were later planted. (Chapter Nineteen)
  7. B) Use her father’s hunting rifle and send threatening emails – The killer returns the rifle to her closet and emails the Prine Organization from her computer. (Chapter Twenty)
  8. C) He jumps from a window in Marrakech – Greg confesses to his partnership with Grace and then commits suicide. (Chapter Forty-Five)

Character Motivation

  1. To protect her son Bo from Jordan Kravat’s abuse. – Grace saw Kravat tormenting Bo and killed him. (Chapter Forty-Four summary)
  2. B) To protect Myron’s parents from harm – The mob used Myron’s father as leverage; Win chose family safety over Bo’s. (Chapter Twenty-Seven)
  3. B) He was terminally ill with cancer – Greg had a terminal diagnosis and ran away with Grace, who was Bo’s mother. (Chapter Thirteen)
  4. For financial security – Emily describes the marriage as a transactional arrangement. (Chapter Three)
  5. B) Greg never fired MB Reps, so the obligation remains – Myron states that as long as Greg is their client, they must help. (Chapter Two)

Theme and Symbol

  1. The contrast between peace and the brutality of the murder taking place there. – The killer chooses Strawberry Fields as the site for shooting Myron. (Chapter Forty)
  2. A) The mob’s signature method of intimidation – Joey “the Toe” Turant’s men use pruning shears to amputate toes. (Chapter Eight)
  3. The killer plants Greg’s DNA at the Callister scene, frames Joey Turant for the Kravat murder, and frames Jackie Newton for Prine’s murder. – This pattern is used repeatedly to mislead authorities. (Chapters Nine, Twenty, Forty-Four)
  4. B) The unpredictability of life and the flaw in human assumptions – Myron quotes it after his plans constantly go awry. (Chapter Twenty-Two)

Synthesis

  1. Grace kills out of maternal protection and to save her son; the second-person killer kills for the thrill and the god-like rush. – Grace’s motives are personal and defensive, while the other killer admits to addiction and indifference. (Chapter Thirty-Six, Chapter Forty-Four)
  2. Myron grows increasingly uneasy with Win’s ruthless tactics, such as sacrificing Bo to protect family, but ultimately accepts his loyalty. – Win’s cold calculus clashes with Myron’s ethics, yet they remain partners. (Chapters Twenty-Seven, Thirty-Five)
  3. B) Beware of too-perfect evidence and assumptions – The novel repeatedly shows that “obvious” frames are too neat; characters must think twice before judging. (Throughline of the serial-framing plot)